[neil donnelly]

I have left the tRi Club that I have been a member of for the last 5 years - the reason too much politics They club has grown in 5 years from 25-30 people who were all fairly like minded whi trained together and raced together and had a laugh - Now there are over 120 members and some of the club feel that it should be run as a buisiness first and a club second - Lots of backstabbing and bitching going on so I have resigned my position from the committee (Sponsorship and PR) and left the club .<br><br>
Most of the last year I havent trained with the club anyway - I have all the kit I need and through my work contact I can get any new kit cheaper than I would via the club .<br><br>
I also have a lot less time on my hands to spend on the committee stuff - Training for the IM , building project at home , coaching the Rugby for the boys so tough descision but its made<br><br>
SO Know I have to sort out with IM germany that I will be racing for Team LIT and I will have to get some LIT kit <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
N

 

[LeftRightRepeat]

Wow!!<br><br>
This must be the year of club politics. Both the running club and the associated tri-club that I belong to are in turmoil - folks resigning, power struggles... Let's just get out there and run!!<br><br>
Good luck getting LIT Neil! Sounds like a well thought out decision and I'm sure you'll make new allegiances.

 

[4boysmom]

When I first started riding, I rode with a group. All about having fun together and promoting bicycling. When I moved down here, the group was all about bitching and complaining. The whole ride would be filled with back stabbing and power plays. Hey--I thought we were out there to have fun???

 

[RandMart]

<i>"I wouldn't want to be in a club that woud have me as a member" - <b>Groucho Marx</b></i><br><br>
Good luck going semi-solo.<br><br>
Steel is Real!!!<br><br>
When he starts working, <i>then</i> he pick his ride.

 

[teacherjen]

Oh, that sux, Neil. We are just getting our tri club up and going in my town. I hope it stays friendly and never gets all ugly like that.

 

[TriBob]

Ours only lasted 3 years and we had a major coup after the first year. Maybe to many like personalities?

 

[MBannon]

Small groups are great, large groups will always become political. Sounds like it's time to start a new (small) group Neil. If you left, I'm sure there are others contemplating a split, too.

 

[pete_72]

Sounds a shame Neil. but you've got plenty to occupy you by the sounds!<br><br>
[i've never been part of a sports club that didn't have all sorts of politics flying around. at least with an individual sport like Tri you can opt out which is not an option for team sports]

 

[RunningForT3]

There's a USAT coach in my club, who's a great guy, and very fun to have around. He'd come to most club workouts, and share his knowledge. And now we have a rift because some of the leadership realized that the guy is using the club to recruit new clients... Can you believe that? The guy wasn't doing all volunteer work 3 times a week?? How can that be?? I'm kidding... I'd actually side with the coach, he was doing way too much for the club.

 

[hobey]

We had a pretty intense debate in our running club a few months ago about whether there was enough support for the faster members. Luckily, it didn't turn nasty and they actually brought some ideas to the board meeting. It's a big group but at the end of the day the general consensus was, "F it. Let's just get out and run already."<br><br>
This kind of turmoil sucks...makes it too much like work. But I figure, once we get one Team LIT kit out there, at IM Germany no less, it'll be a landslide. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[bcc594]

Sorry to hear that Neil. Those kinds of politics can really derail a pretty neat club! You'll have lots of support for IM Germany - don't worry - we're behind ya! Oh, and der Kaiser will make sure things go smoothly in Deutschland!

 

[Kate60]

That's a shame, it seems like you put a lot into this club.<br><br>
Smaller clubs like that are tough, too many chiefs, if you get my drift. Our club has almost 500 members with a board of directors, committee members, etc. While there are still personality issues there are enough people to keep things in check. Maybe you can find a bigger club.

 

[BethR]

Bob, the West Chester Y is starting one, if you are interested. Hope we can keep it low key and fun. It's hard to maintain that when groups grow.<br><br>
Sorry Neil, at least you have your real and virtual buds to continue training and racing with!

 

[wyrillco]

what's a kit?<br><br>
I haven't found a tri group around here, but I'm sure there is one.<br><br>
My running group is a training group, and you pay for it, so it's pretty laid back.

 

[Kate60]

Kit = uniform

 

[wyrillco]

aha, so like a tri suit, or top/shorts, etc. Gotcha.<br><br>
I was trying to figure out what crucial piece of tri equipment I was mising! <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[fox-runr]

Ours is huge, and very political. I just joined and I'll buy their stuff and probably not wear it. I'm a rebel <img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif"> It seems like when you have mega members the people in charge can use the numbers to their advantage to get some pretty good schwag. Kind of like Oprah.

 

[juliemboyle]

I joined a tri club last year and never did one event......it didn't make sense to drive 30 minutes to go on a 45 minute ride........hey I can do my long ride then!<br><br>
I love the idea of the tri club and training together, but my schedule is so whacked....I need to work out on my own. BUT LIT is really my tri club and the other triathletes at my gym.....we all say hello and check in with each other.<br><br>
Just on Friday a guy at the gym saw me with my Timberman bottle and struck up a conversation.............that's cool.

 

[Tithers]

Ha. At least you quit.<br><br>
I GOT KICKED OUT OF MINE!<br><br>
Only b/c crazy tri lady found out I was giving a new group a testimonial...and then I had to tell her I was helping them out too.<br><br>
I feel bad-ass for getting kicked out. I've never been booted before.<br><br>
All for the better...the reason a bunch of us defected b/c POLITICS and other stupid shit.

 

[pcsronbo]

Go figure, a whole pile of Type A driven people getting together and cannot agree? wow. imagine that <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif"><br><br>
I guess I'm thankful ours is 4yrs and running stronger than ever. Thankfully, I'm not the primary driver anymore - which makes it all that more awesome! <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif">