When silence is not golden

Silence is golden at AMC & other movie theatres because most people want to enjoy the movies. However, when it comes to race events, it is not.

In a previous blog, I mentioned how I won 3rd overall & got no prize. No doubt, I did bring this up to many people at the race site before leaving disponded. Well, kudos to the race director of CSPRR & also, the time manager. He, along with a committee, reviewed my concernes and they agreed to correct the situation. This wise move will convince me to continue to do future events with the organization, which ultimately will attract more people since it's well known that I am vocal.

Whenever I believe something is wrong or even if something is right, I feel it's my responsibility to report this to appropiate sources. If you have a negative experience & remain silent, it is paramount to agreeing & accepting the treatment as correct. If the race director is ignorant of a problem, he is safe to assume there is none. I get different responses to my concerns but what I have noticed is that those who addressed them have improved. They will not only get my money but residual financial gain from those who choose to do an event I did because they heard about it from me.

However, those who do nothing will not only lose my support, both monetarily & promotionally, but the potential gains that would've been possible by the many people I know. Many value my opinion because I race just about every weekend & having run over 500 events within 15 years, I have the experience to know how an event should be managed. I am a stuanch believer of voting. those who don't exercise their right to vote, do not have the right to complain. They also squander their right to freedom of speech by not expressing their concerns when something is not right.

If you ever wonder why I may not be at an event, there are a number of reasons: (1) date conflict, which will force me to choose by certain criteria, (2) proximity, (3) ignorant of its existence, (4) athlete disrespect, (5) cost & (6) rectification refusal.

#1 is sometimes out of the control of race director but I will always state it. if it can be rectified, my presence will be known ($$). in event it cannot, then i use factors such as ammenities, proximity, cost.

#2 is sometimes out of the control of race director but I must consider it.

#3 usually occurs from poor promotion. I am known to find 90% of all events in some manner.

#4 is when age categories aren't 5 year increments or worse, don't exist, only 1 or 2 deep in awards or worse, no awards and little or no ammenities.

#5 may sometimes out of the control of race director but is a factor due to my budget. if it can be rectified, i'll be there.

#6 is when it is within the control of race director but he refuses to address it, sticking to the theory that he is right, not the customer. An event like that is not worthy of my presence, particularly because I have better things to do rather pay to go somewhere I am not respected or really wanted. Thank goodness I am in America and can chose to do something else.