Elites don't need criticism from a bunch of dolts.
And this place isn't about criticism.
Elites don't need criticism from a bunch of dolts.
And this place isn't about criticism.
Hall says the diehard fans know nothing and are a waste of time to listen to? He especially has gotten HUGE support on this site. Olympian Brian Sell made little $$, despite being 9th in the world, because of little fanfare, which Hall has.
Far as this site, Rojo and Wejo have worked their tails off for letsrun, and have done a great thing for the running community, and very arguably have heightened interest that has helped Hall's wallet. I don't like Ryan bashing what they've worked hard for, which is hypocritical on his part. There've been some legends on this board, and they're not too good for the diehard fans.
Exactly, go to your next door neighbor and ask "Who is Ryan Hall?" ... crickets chirping ... go ask 100 people not on your cross country or track team - ask the same question ... more crickets chirping - correct responses will approach zero.
professional runners should be happy that there are people even talking about them.
blah de blah wrote:
professional runners should be happy that there are people even talking about them.
Why? Are you 'happy' when people talk about you? Especialy people you've never met? Does your ego get falsely bloated if they say good things or do you feel especially bad if they say things which aren't favorable? You probably wouldn't care either way. Same as Hall.
Hall is certainly not the only elite who's said he stays away from the message boards. Ritz, Webb, and Josh McDougal come to mind right away. McD even said it in a flotrack interview.
And for all the shit thrown Ritz's and Webb's ways over the past few years, why in the hell would they want to frequent the site?
Staying away from letsrun is their business. But (in case of Hall) dissing the diehard fans who stay up all hours, to follow their races is wrong. If he doesn't like a negative thread coming up when running subpar, then he's not fit for the sport to be mainstream. And again, I don't like him bashing letsrun, which has indirectly helped his career a lot. He gets paid for performance AND being popular. (See Olympian & 9th place WC Brian Sell needing a part-time job).
ttc wrote:
.... There've been some legends on this board, and they're not too good for the diehard fans.
And where are those legends now??????? Chased off the board by jackass posters who saw fit to anonymously attack them every chance they got. I agree with Hall. He doesn't need the negativity and harassment that is the rule on this site. Boston Billy, Patti C, Jerry the jogger, Lynn J, Greg Meyer, Tom Fleming, Dan Dillon, etc etc all gone and you guys only have yourselves to blame. All that history....lost.
Don't ever complain of this sport not going mainstream. I think we're seeing why. Not every fan has a 'Little House on the Prairie' disposition. From what I've seen, most on here are die-hard fans and supporters. Webb and to a degree Rupp, are the only ones who "deserve" to not be happy with the posters. Hall in particular's been treated great on here.
[quote]blah de blah wrote:
Exactly, go to your next door neighbor and ask "Who is Ryan Hall?" ... crickets chirping ... go ask 100 people not on your cross country or track team - ask the same question ... more crickets chirping - correct responses will approach zero.
Now substitute 'letsrun' for Ryan Hall.
The brothers Johnson have this site to make money. They're not doing it love of the sport. They've used their interest in the sport to profit. Good for them. Say what you want about them and the probably don't care. Hell, they've never improved their spelling or grammar even coming out of Ivy League schools. I'd be surprised if they knew who, oh, someone like David Mack was in the day.
60half60 wrote:
Sadly it appears you missed the point of my post... and fans don't say "I hope he fails"
Ok so I went back and reread your post and I don't think that I missed the point.
Fans rarely know the man behind the mask. All they know is what is revealed to them through performances, tv coverage, ads, blogs, gossip, etc. It is not the job of a fan to get to know the real Ryan Hall. It is the job of the fan to take a vested interest in the athlete or the sport.
So in that vein it is quite possible that a fan of Ryan Hall could hope that he fails in the short term if he believes that in the long run he will benefit from it. It is also quite possible that a fan of the sport might hope that Ryan, the individual, fails.
Fans don’t have to be rational, polite or intelligent. They also shouldn’t be spoken down to. Fans are the price athletes pay for their fame and earnings.
So learn to live with them, manage them even but don’t forsake them. And above all, don’t under any circumstances frequent the blogosphere in which they preside…
I don't know Ryan Hall but personally think he's a great athlete. The fact that he "called letsrun out" reinforces in my mind that he's not a complete idiot like everyone here seems to think..
whaaa whaaa whaaa True to form, a baby has trouble comprehending what Hall actually said.
ttc wrote:
Staying away from letsrun is their business. But (in case of Hall) dissing the diehard fans who stay up all hours, to follow their races is wrong. If he doesn't like a negative thread coming up when running subpar, then he's not fit for the sport to be mainstream. And again, I don't like him bashing letsrun, which has indirectly helped his career a lot. He gets paid for performance AND being popular. (See Olympian & 9th place WC Brian Sell needing a part-time job).
Ok so we are all low lifes compared to the great Hall etc. I know people on here that are Doctors, Attorneys and worth millions. Lets see what all these great runners do after 33 yrs of age. What really gripes me is when Hall is gonna run or Ritz or etc., yea I see guys on here talking crap. Then the same guys are screaming on here as Hall is in the race and these same guys are screaming for him. Many on here bitch about them but then would just love to see Hall win gold at the olympics. Actually we are the real fans of this sport! So Hall can bite my 10" diamond cutter.
Andrew Wiggin wrote:
The fact that he "called letsrun out" reinforces in my mind that he's not a complete idiot like everyone here seems to think.
Does the opposite for me and I've always been among those who like Hall, on the whole, and wish him well in the sport and in life. Insulting fans never goes well, look at the figures who have done so in other, more popular sports. Guys lobbing the bird to the fans, getting into verbal altercations with fans, etc. It's a bad scene. Class it up, Ryan. Would've been better to go quasi-Agent Zero and say something like, "Thank you to the haters who help to keep my name in the public eye, my sponsors are especially appreciative of their selfless efforts." There is a time and place for raw honesty and there is a time and place for diplomacy.
That said, ttc is (still) an idiot, somehow he completely missed that Hall did give props to Letsrun for innovatively promoting the sport.
Balony. wrote:
Ok so we are all low lifes compared to the great Hall etc. I know people on here that are Doctors, Attorneys and worth millions. Lets see what all these great runners do after 33 yrs of age. What really gripes me is when Hall is gonna run or Ritz or etc., yea I see guys on here talking crap. Then the same guys are screaming on here as Hall is in the race and these same guys are screaming for him. Many on here bitch about them but then would just love to see Hall win gold at the olympics. Actually we are the real fans of this sport! So Hall can bite my 10" diamond cutter.
What the F**k are Doctors, Lawyers, etc. doing on here? Don't they have better things to do with their lives? This board is for haters who have nothing better to do with themselves.
Hall is right - damn skippy he shouldn't listen to the losers (including me) who frequent this site. He doesn't OWE his career to anyone on here. This is precisely the mentality (insanity/delusion) that predominates on this board - people who feel that their opinion actually matters. He (Hall) is not doing a "spectator" sport, like pro football, where the "fans" think that they are a big part of the sport. He is is a participitory sport - he just wants to compete, if spectators show up fine, if not who cares. Frankly, anyone who sees themseleves as a fan needs to understand the meaning of the word- it isn't something for which to be proud.
free willy wrote:
He (Hall) is not doing a "spectator" sport, like pro football, where the "fans" think that they are a big part of the sport.
Bullcrap. He's in advertisements, he's in the public eye for his running ability. Just because he doesn't compete in stadiums that can charge admission doesn't mean he isn't in a spectator sport. I bet he gets camera time at NYCM (just like he did in Beijing and at the OT) and why would there be cameras for that race if there aren't spectators? It may be a hell of a lot more modest than MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL but it's still a spectator sport. You're thinking about sports that don't ever get video coverage and whose top athletes don't get put in advertisements. Distance running has been above that level for 30+ years. Without spectators, Hall wouldn't be making a living from running, he'd be drawing most of his income in some other profession and doing running on the side.
The elites and elite coaches all post on here it's just that none of them reveal identity except guys like Renato Canova.
D-Block High Mileage Nigga wrote:
The elites and elite coaches all post on here it's just that none of them reveal identity except guys like Renato Canova.
bullshit, the number of elites on here has dropped precipitously over the past five years
ttc wrote:
Hall says the diehard fans know nothing and are a waste of time to listen to? He especially has gotten HUGE support on this site. Olympian Brian Sell made little $$, despite being 9th in the world, because of little fanfare, which Hall has.
Far as this site, Rojo and Wejo have worked their tails off for letsrun, and have done a great thing for the running community, and very arguably have heightened interest that has helped Hall's wallet. I don't like Ryan bashing what they've worked hard for, which is hypocritical on his part. There've been some legends on this board, and they're not too good for the diehard fans.
Let's take a look at what Hall REALLY said:
Hall: "I stay away from message boards at all costs. Not to say that everyone messaging on letsrun has no idea what they are talking about, but most of them don't."
---- True or False? To me that is true. There is way too much negativity, bashing, and immaturity on here. All he'd get is BS about how he ain't worth a damn vs. the Africans and folks bashing his religious beliefs.
Hall: "With that said, I think Letsrun has done tremendous good for our sport and continues to promote our sport in new and innovative ways."
------ So, TTC this is bashing the boards here? Sounds oddly supportive for someone bashing the boards.
Hall: "However, as an athlete I can't be reading about what someone else believes about me who has maybe never met me or has no idea what kind of shape I am in. I have to stay focused on what I believe is true about me and focus on letting that out."
------- Why come on here if much of what he would get is BS criticism and HS immaturity? What a waste of his time and energy.
TTC, I wonder if the Bro Jo's feel as OFFENDED as you by these comments. Or are you just whining to whine?
Mr. Obvious wrote:
Nowhere near as good as Sell's, "If I wanted to know...." comment.
what quote was this?