I have been thinking about this since September 27, 2009. I have wrestled with my belief that PEM sucks. After much thought and soul searching I have come to the conclusion that PEM still sucks.
I won’t comment on the organization of the event. I won’t confirm or deny that the aide stations ran out of water. I can’t say with accuracy that a team of lobotomized orangutans may have organized the race, because I wasn’t there.
I wasn’t there because a doctor told me to not go. The doctor felt having the H1N1 virus could negatively impact my race performance. I chose to do the right thing – to not go. To go would have meant I could have potentially caused injury to myself or another athlete. I also could infect others that I encountered during my stay in Augusta. I did the right thing – PEM chose not to.
PEM has a no refund policy. No refunds no matter what. It is a great way for them to line their pockets with money but doesn’t really do much to promote the sport.
Recently I read about the Revolution 3 Triathlon series. They also feature a 70.3 race. Their refund policy is different than PEM’s – they have one! While they don’t offer cash refunds they offer a credit for another race. There are time requirements to let the organization know if you can’t make it. If you have an illness or emergency near the race time the race director will evaluate the situation.
That is all I wanted. Somebody to evaluate the situation. I offered the note form the doctor. PEM didn’t care – they stuck to their policy. There are some race organizations that care. PEM doesn’t.
PEM still sucks.
i wonder if PEM had many in your situation. do they have anyone who pays attention to the news? when schools and employers are relaxing their attendence policies, you would think that would make an organization like PEM that promotes (supposedly)fitness would make an exception. though if you would have competed and been injured or worse, i wonder how they would have defended themselves in a lawsuite?
It is all about the green.
If you get hurt and it isn’t their negligence it is on you. Anytime you participate there is a chance of injury or death. You sign waivers and such. If I would have gone and been injured they would not have been responsible.
Ultimate responsibility is mine. I accept it. But PEM still sucks.