All 1500 runners hit A standard and some complain

Dear Wejo,

If you and your writing/editorializing team stop behaving like children, then more of your audience will stop behaving like children, and the criticism will become less vitriolic and more realistic and thereby more acceptable. The issue isn't 'only being able to say positive things,' it's 'being thoughtful when you say negative things,' like, actually think before you type things, and re-reading them before posting them (two actions I'm pretty sure the LRC 'publications' don't undertake). [nb, for someone else in the thread and the LRCJos, spelling and grammar are worthwhile; they make your argument more compelling because it appears to have had more time and effort put into it]

wejo wrote:

What are we supposed to do have a Committee that screens every post and makes sure they are positive enough of the Americans before they are posted?

Of course not. Only those who disagree with me.

jomama wrote:

wejo,

You know very well that there are many tactics you could use--other than censorship or filtering--to prevent these message boards from being as big of a cesspool as they are. You're always complaining about the state of American distance running, and you have an opportunity to contribute by stopping anonymous posts, in particular. There's no way to completely remove anonymity, but you could do a lot more than you are doing. As the previous poster implied, doing so would reduce the number of hits, so the impression we get is that you don't seem interested.

Hey guys, I have a great idea! Why don't you go start YOUR OWN F***ING WEBSITE? Maybe they'll up their game if there is better competition. Not sure how Wejo and Rojo somehow owe you a better website. You're just some dude that clicks his mouse and partakes in the product of their hard work.

ScottEvil wrote:

...

Guys, the site isn't negative because it's about running; it's negative because it's the internet.

...

All that needs to be said.

Welcome to the internet, folks.

1. Most people don't know as much as they think they know about running but decide to open their big mouths anyway. Too many people on here get worked up over meaningless posts and "feed the trolls". A good amount of the posters here are well-informed and make for good debate about the sport we love so it's not worth getting worked up over the senseless posters.

2. Wejo and Rojo do a great job with this site. This is the only running site I come to on a regular basis. They actually know what they're talking about regarding running, which is refreshing. They can't please everyone and some of you a$$holes will always find something to complain about anyway. So thanks wejo and rojo.

3. In response to the OP, the 1500 was a "success" for priority #1 (hit the A standard) but I think some complaints are because the Americans take themselves out of the race from the gun, to which I partially agree with them on that. Top 3 finishers were the first 3 runners behind the rabbits. I'd personally love to see Wheating, Manzano, and Centro at the front of a big international race from the start to see how that works out for them. Opportunities to win only present themselves when you throw yourself in the mix.

'You know very well that there are many tactics you could use--other than censorship or filtering--to prevent these message boards from being as big of a cesspool as they are'

There is one other option

People could stop being such morons!

Sure they didn't win the race but the time to critisise someone is not when they have just qualified for the WC's

Plus 3:35 is a tough standard.

I'd rather have this than what we had in the 90's where guys would miss the standard and pat themselves on the back for coming so close.

DUDE, the awesome thing about letsrun is that you have a bunch of people being able to say whatever they want. And sure, maybe 90% is juvenile/negative/idiotic, but the other 10% is well worth it, and some of it is actually entertaining. Please tell me of another message board where coaches like Canova and Daniels post, and I'll bet you it has pretty lax rules, too.

And no, there is no way was to effectively sensor the boards, because the moment that happens, people will start pointing fingers to the ones running this site and begin blaming them for favoring something over another. Can you realize just how silly that would be?

WTF are you talking about, "higher ideals"? That's the biggest bullsh*t I've heard. Please tell me why giving people an opportunity to say what they want is not a "higher ideal"? Is being "nice" or "positive" necessarily better? That's very objective and completely intractable. Or maybe you'd like for Wejo to sensor the boards so that everything said fits well with your opinions?

Finally, it's an INTERNET MESSAGE BOARD. If you don't like what some says, you can ignore it. What, you think Wheating will come on here, see something negative written about a race of his, and then crumble under the immense psychological pressure of someone anonymous calling him out? Please.

Sure, there are tons of idiots on here. Sure, most of the boards can be complete BS. But first and foremost letsrun, for me, is a place where people share news and ideas about running, and the ability to share freely trumps ideas of what is nice or polite or positive. That's all it is.

I know I didn't really address the OP's point, but I think the idea of sensing letsrun is ridiculous.

yeah what a crock of shite, keep the posts positive?! do you know how boring a positive only message board is.. there are plenty of them out there and I rarely view them.

THe nonsense here is self culling, most of the negative stuff is done in the name of trolling.. where people don't fully believe but hope they get a few responses.. and do you know why they generally get a few responses??? because THERE IS SOME TRUTH TO IT.

If someone just routinely attack an athlete with no basis, no one would respond and it would die a natural death.

no other sport tries to have a fan base that doesn't question things, or have athletes they love / hate..

british football fans for instance, they keep things positive aye.. that must be why football is the number one sport in the world then.

The sheer stupidity of this astounds me.

Letsrun would die in a month with any kind of serious moderation.

I used to umpire Little League baseball. No matter what call I made, one of the two head coaches and about half the parents would complain.

If the Brojos took measures to "clean up" these boards, that might appease a few folks, but then others would complain about censorship.

Give the guys a break.

But the fans aren't satisfied! They want other people to be faster and race smarter!

After Kenya the US has the most A standard 1500 meter runners in the world. The trick now is to actually do something at the World Championships.

If the US steeplechase runners get the standard, the US will join Kenya as one of the few nations that have A standard athletes in every distance event.

There is no need for complaining. Lets just hope we get some medals in the distance events.

Sp!kes wrote:

Fp wrote:

Why does it have to be that way though? Why can't people be more positive and respectful?

Because it wouldn't be Letsrun.com, it would be Letsbemormon.com.

Mostly a-holes on here, but damn you guys are funny! This one is made my stomach hurt.

So ? USAT&F wants medals.

My aren't we self righteous

I actually think it is a good think that this message board is so full of trolls and hate. First, I think that people need a place to just cut loose and vent their frustrations. Frankly, my wife doesn't like it when I yell at her "why the F do Americans race like such pussies--just get up front and F-ing race!!!" Second, I think some very intelligent points are made in response to the hating. I have read some very good posts refuting the hate on Rupp. Turns out the guy is probably the toughest, smartests and strongest US distance runner out there right now. Lastly, I think there is good self-censorship in letsrun. If you slam someone and don't back it up, you will get slammed.

There are plenty of family friendly running websites out there. Leave letsrun for the adults, including the a--holes.

jomama wrote:

wejo,

You know very well that there are many tactics you could use--other than censorship or filtering--to prevent these message boards from being as big of a cesspool as they are. You're always complaining about the state of American distance running, and you have an opportunity to contribute by stopping anonymous posts, in particular. There's no way to completely remove anonymity, but you could do a lot more than you are doing. As the previous poster implied, doing so would reduce the number of hits, so the impression we get is that you don't seem interested.

Im a bit confused with this post. Do you think the site was created to improve the "state of american distance running" or do you think it is a business? Sure he would like some of the problem posters to leave, but it would be a wasteful time consuming venture that in the end would take him away from focusing on building his business.

Rene the Cart wrote:

Dear Wejo,

If you and your writing/editorializing team stop behaving like children, then more of your audience will stop behaving like children, and the criticism will become less vitriolic and more realistic and thereby more acceptable. The issue isn't 'only being able to say positive things,' it's 'being thoughtful when you say negative things,' like, actually think before you type things, and re-reading them before posting them (two actions I'm pretty sure the LRC 'publications' don't undertake). [nb, for someone else in the thread and the LRCJos, spelling and grammar are worthwhile; they make your argument more compelling because it appears to have had more time and effort put into it]

Nope. The trolls behaving like children aren't doing so because of the headlines, weekly wrap-ups or lack of proof-reading.

They are trolls. That's what they do.

LetsRun.com has always been like this. Many guys like to be negative about every race, every runner, every tactic, every time, etc. Let them be morons and just don't answer to them. Answer to those that have their head on straight, and don't feed the fire.

Yes, we hate that Americans will not run upfront, we hate when the pu$$y out of pushing the pace, or when they make all kinds of excuses, and don't use their balls to try and do something great, and act like they are kings when they place 5th.

I hate those that have not one good thing to say about anyone, but hey, when they are as slow as they are, let them get some type of reveng on those that are fast and dedicated.

But, this is what message boards are all about.

Keep your posts to a minimum and answer those that are educated and have some thought behind them.

Thye made the standard, but they should have raced harder.