I emailed them a long letter.
In looking BACK over their website, I see in their timeline that the 10k starts at 9am - then they list the other races, 5k, family run, kids 1 mile dash, and then, at the end of that, the note: course closes at 10am. Mathematically that means that if you can't finish 6.2 miles in one hour, you shouldn't participate. I didn't see it when I signed up - or I would have called and clarified or not entered at all.
Now I just feel stupid. And why would the YMCA - a facility that promotes health and community is holding a race that only athletes who run a sub 10 minute mile can participate in?!?! Last year there were 106 runners - 29 of them finished in OVER an hour - that was what I looked at in determining if I could participate.
I know it's NOT a case of discrimination - I don't throw that around easily. But I am angry and I feel dumb. But I sent the email anyway. Because if I can avoid someone ELSE feeling as badly as I did that day - and as worthless as I feel right now - then my job here is done. I want them to be aware of how I felt looking for the damn finish line. I want them to know that it's elitist to run a community race with such strict time limits. And if they're going to close the course, at least have the courtesy to let me know I can stop running now.
I just angrily ate a piece of leftover pizza. Because anger needs food, right? Jeepers. What the hell is wrong with me?!
TTFN,
LauraLynne
In looking BACK over their website, I see in their timeline that the 10k starts at 9am - then they list the other races, 5k, family run, kids 1 mile dash, and then, at the end of that, the note: course closes at 10am. Mathematically that means that if you can't finish 6.2 miles in one hour, you shouldn't participate. I didn't see it when I signed up - or I would have called and clarified or not entered at all.
Now I just feel stupid. And why would the YMCA - a facility that promotes health and community is holding a race that only athletes who run a sub 10 minute mile can participate in?!?! Last year there were 106 runners - 29 of them finished in OVER an hour - that was what I looked at in determining if I could participate.
I know it's NOT a case of discrimination - I don't throw that around easily. But I am angry and I feel dumb. But I sent the email anyway. Because if I can avoid someone ELSE feeling as badly as I did that day - and as worthless as I feel right now - then my job here is done. I want them to be aware of how I felt looking for the damn finish line. I want them to know that it's elitist to run a community race with such strict time limits. And if they're going to close the course, at least have the courtesy to let me know I can stop running now.
I just angrily ate a piece of leftover pizza. Because anger needs food, right? Jeepers. What the hell is wrong with me?!
TTFN,
LauraLynne
Comments
I have been thinking about my food issues, like your pizza. I was considering getting some books on ED, etc but then do I really another book to collect dust. I was also going to look into OA.