VRAA Happenings

roots · Nov 16, 2007

Hello gang, here's a bit of news on the VRAA front: 
If you haven't noticed, the latest round of the VRAA (#5) finished up this week. We experienced a record registration with 88 participants and eight teams. 
I know he can't read this message, but my hat's off to Hairy Trotter for his contribution over the past three rounds. He took the commissioner's role in round #3 and elevated the VRAA into the game it is today. Thanks, Kent. 
I share my thoughts as we go forward: 
- Never in my dreams did I expect the enthusiasm we've created. 
- We have a stable system. We tweaked the scoring system in round two and its been the same ever since. Hardly any complaints. 
- We have a game that is keeping to the original goals: "To provide a team atmosphere, motivation, fun, and to include as many players as possible." 
- It touches me when I hear the comments that the VRAA is the first time someone has been a part of an athletic team. 
All of this makes its worthwhile to me. I am proud of what this game has become. Particularly since it is an honor system. I'm impressed with the the good sportsmanship displayed in this environment. 
That said, I am starting to think to the future. 
In my immediate future, I am taking a vacation through early December. The VRAA will take a break. Its probably good to take a pause during the Thanksgiving holiday. Most folks have had a tremendous summer and fall race season and the timing is right to for a break. 
The good news is that Cappy's "Maintain Campaign" will fill the void through the new year. I encourage everyone here to advertise the Maintain Campaign in your respective forums. 
Going forward, I anticipate the next round of the VRAA to begin in time for New Year's resolutions. Late December or early January. For the VRAA addicts, perhaps we can organize a small informal VRAA for a few weeks in December. I believe there will be interest, but I will take a poll for those interested in December gameplay. 
But the main effort will be the new game in the new year. My intent in the new year is to recruit a few new key members, get the next round going strong, and to hand off the mod role to someone new. 
My next job is to recruit. So far, I have done so behind-the-scenes with HT and hahaoya. As far as I know, neither have the time to continue right now. 
These are the types I seek: 
- A commissioner or two. One who will eventually take the mod role. 
- A database, or spreadsheet, guru who can devise an effiecient score reporting method. A programmer I am not. No doubt there are more effiecient methods for score reporting. Shouldn't be tough to find someone, I hope. 
- Any other volunteers. I know there are more ways to recognize perfomances other than the ways I did. I'm interested in recognizing more people on the leaderboard. We need creative writers. 
So...what does that mean for this gang? It means that I'll take your recommendations for volunteers before I start asking everyone else. 
Additionally please, give me your input on how/what you'd like to see in the future of the VRAA. 
I will do my best to pass off the torch before I step aside. 
Before I end, I thank Rich and Carla for giving me the wide latitude to develop the VRAA. I've enjoyed being a part of the growth of this website. 
I will be gone most of the next three weeks and return from vacation on December 4th. 
Thanks to all for supporting the VRAA. 
~Lloyd (roots)

satfix · Nov 17, 2007

Roots.. let hairy know about this place.. he should be able to see it now.. He's earned his status as a moderator.. so even though I don't have him 'slotted' as one (yet).. he has full moderator access.... 
Thanks! 
Rich

roots · Nov 19, 2007

Thanks Rich. I've informed Hairy Trotter of his status and to check in here. 
In case it wasn't clear in the message above, I am going on vacation for a couple weeks until the week of Dec 6th. I will work towards the next round of the VRAA upon my return. 
If you have recommends for the VRAA, including potential volunteers (see above), please post here. 
Thanks, 
Lloyd

Cappy · Nov 19, 2007

I can help with scoring, I have some pretty good spreadsheets setup

Hairy Trotter · Nov 21, 2007

Hi, all. Rich, thanks for including me. 
I'm still knee deep in work, but it will all end rather suddenly at the end of November. I'm then on a semester break until mid-January, and my schedule doesn't get too heated until March. So I should be able to help out with the next round of the VRAA, and certainly with planning/infrastructure/recruiting in December.

roots · Dec 13, 2007

Bumping this thread. 
Hello all, and welcome to the new moderators. Our site has grown. 
Time to revisit this thread. It's time for me to start the recruiting process for volunteers for the next round of the VRAA, tentatively scheduled to start near New Year's Day. 
Also, I am aware that our membership has grown. It's very possible that we continue to set record participation in the next round. In that respect, I will wait until the CR forum returns to life before commencing the sign-up for VRAA #6. 
I take time here to reiterate to everyone that my intention is to eventually retire from leading the VRAA. My wish is to groom a team of leaders and a moderator to take the VRAA into 2008 and beyond. If you haven't read the original post, there is more information above. 
Also, I congratulate Cappy for his continued work for the Maintain Campaign. Thanks, Cappy. 
Sincerely, 
~roots

roots · Dec 26, 2007

FYI, 
I'm opening registration for VRAA #6 tomorrow (Wednesday). 
It should be interesting how many players we get this round due to the influx of new users.

satfix · Dec 26, 2007

Roots: 
Can you write up a promotional piece to put on the front page? Doesn't have to be a lot, but something to help promote it. Include the starting dates ok? 
Thanks a lot! 
Let me know if there is anything we can do to help out with VRAA! 
Rich

roots · Dec 27, 2007

Will do.

roots · Dec 27, 2007

We have 80+ players registered in under 24 hours!!!! 
I am making a tentative plan for 150 players (and about 10 teams) this round. 
I have a great corps of volunteers so far. If I do well to delegate duties (which I plan to,) then I expect it all to come together. 
Giddyup!

Tithers · Jan 1, 2008

I'm not a spread sheet girl...not am I super-organized...but I wanted to say THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! 
For realz. The VRAA is sometimes the only thing that keeps my training on track. I like friendly competition! You ultra folks must know how frustrating/tiring/mentally challenging 20 + hour workout weeks are. 
Not there YET...still in base phase.

roots · Jan 4, 2008

Hi gang. 
The VRAA is ready to roll. 
So am I. I'm traveling for a long weekend and returning late Sunday. 
The VRAA is in good hands while I am gone. 
FYI.

roots · Jan 12, 2008

FYI, for this audience here in the Planning Room: 
Below is an informational email recently sent out to the corps of VRAA volunteers. I thought it would be good to post here. 
~roots 
~~ Hello all VRAA volunteers, 
The game is underway and its moving fast. Lots of working out and activity. I hope your teams are enjoying it. 
The purpose of this email is to inform you of the latest VRAA news and developments: 
- The race to Surf City is moving fast. Remember that there are team point bonuses for reaching mile 6,192. 
- I have requested for more team awards. It has been approved that the top three teams will earn awards. We are awarding Gold, Silver, and Bronze titles. 
- Alternate captain: If you haven't done so, I suggest having an alternate captain available to fill in for you. Not everyone is available for the entire 31 days - its a good idea to have help. 
- Absent players and waiting list. There are a number of no-shows to the game so far. To a certain degree, this is normal. It sucks, but it is a part of the game. I have an idea: I have a waiting list to play, so if player is still not present after Day 10, we will consider replacing no-shows to start scoring on Day 11. 
- Scoring: Keep sending sheets to me for the time being until we change. 
- New scoring system. We are going to change over to the scoring website that Hairy Trotter developed. Some of you have been working with beta-testing. Thanks. Know that the plan is to transfer data over to the new site. On a certain day, tentatively Sunday or Monday, we will change over. We are going to ask each of the participants to enter their scores on this site. 
If you haven't done so yet, please check out the website. Stay tuned for more information from Hairy Trotter. He will need your cooperation to make the transition work. 
- Scoring questions: I've had a couple questions. Let me clarify. XC skiing is General Cardio, not running miles. We have a number of players playing team sports, so far I heard soccer and volleyball. There is a question as to what category. It can be interpreted as either General Cardio or Alternate Workout. For the sake of simplicity, I am deciding that all team sports will count as Alternate Workout, with a max of 60 minutes per day. As like yoga, we are not "team-sporting" our way Across America. 
- Individual leaderboards: I have mixed feelings on this, so let me ask you your opinion. In past rounds, I posted a "Top 5" or "Top 20" individual leaderboards. I have yet to do so yet this round. I am taking an informal poll from this audience. Do you favor or oppose an individual leaderboard? Our Top 5 players are off the charts and the Top 20 is all great. Would we better off not posting individual results, rather emphasize the teams? Thanks for your input on this. 
I haven't spent any time in the team threads. Give me some feedback on what's going on there. 
Be ready to communicate any/all of this with your teams. 
Sincerely, 
Lloyd (roots)

Tithers · Jan 12, 2008

Now I know Roots' real name. Wahoo! 
I always liked the individual leaderboard. That's what kept me going...just sayin' 
I like top 10 or 20 myself...it's hard to compete w/the 100 mile racers <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"> 
I wouldn't make top 20 this round w/my basic training atm...but for me I liked being on the indiv. long list.

roots · Feb 1, 2008

VRAA #6 ends on Sunday, February 3. 
If you've been keeping up with this thread, you know I've hinted at moving on from my moderator post. Hairy Trotter and I have worked behind the scenes to ensure the game will go on and the we have continuity of leadership. 
We nominated Billy to be the next moderator of the VRAA. Rich activated him recently, so please welcome Billy to the Planning Room. 
I intend to make the announcement to the entire forum after the weekend.

Billy · Feb 1, 2008

Thanks Lloyd and Rich. 
I'll post more later. Today will be a busy day IRL. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

hally · Feb 1, 2008

Welcome Billy, you sure have some big shoes to fill!! 
Barb

Billy · Feb 2, 2008

I can't fill Roots' shoes. I can only hope to walk his path with such diligence as I have. 
Any help/support will be appreciated.

sierra · Feb 2, 2008

Welcome Billy! 
I'm sure you will do a great job! You come with great recommendations! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"> 
If there is anything I can do to help out, just let me know. 
Carla

diablita · Feb 2, 2008

welcome Billy!

VRAA Happenings

Top Contributors this Month