Endurance Nation Code of Conduct Addition to Waiver, Registration?
As we have grown as a Team, lots of awesome things have happened. New friends, new races, new adventures...I consider myself one of the luckiest doodes in the world for the job that I have here inside Endurance Nation.
But recent events at IM Chattanooga regarding athlete conduct have brought to light one of the things we don't really talk about here on the team -- conduct.
Without naming names, it was clear this athlete collaborated with another athlete on the bike on race day. Normally there would be no way for us to know this, but this individual went online to highlight what he did and posted pictures from the race. Basically leaving no doubt what happened.
I want to be 100% clear that Endurance Nation doesn't condone drafting or cheating of any kind, be it on race day or using performance-enhancing drugs, etc. I am not the enforcer of the rules of our sport, but as a professional operating in this space it is my job to:
(A) Walk the walk and obey the rules in my own actions and deeds;
(B) Explain the rules to you, my athletes, so you may make informed decisions on race day.
What you decide to do on race day, in the heat of the moment, is totally up to you...but I sure hope you make the right decision. 
So not that it's worth anything more than the "virtual" paper it's signed on, should we consider an athlete code of conduct that embodies our shared values and commitment to being our personal best in our sport of choice?
GO!
Comments
I vote YES, absolutely. Blatant and obvious disregard for the rules (mainly cheating/drafting and PEDs) IMHO should lead to dismissal from the team, in fact.
For the concern of improper behavior during a race, which could reflect poorly on our team, consider creating a set of information and guidelines about the rules in general and expectationS of EN athletes AS TEAMS MEMBERS WHOSE BEHAVIOR REFLECTS ON ALL OF US could be made a part of both the wiki Race Execution Page and the email alerts sent out by the Race Director before the race.
The details of what to say would be a good topic for another thread, similar to a discussion we had a few years ago. EG, "Working together" on the run vs bike vs swim ... Are all equally suspect? Or is it just the bike where there are concerns. What about spontaneous alliances? Etc.
As to drugs, EN is not going to monitor team members behavior, but it does have a strong interest in, again, abiding by the rules AND being a place where actions are above reproach. A simple statement that violations of WADA, WTC, and USAT PED rules and policies is not tolerated and will be reason to sever the EN-athlete relationship could also be included in the wiki Race Execution page and the race emails.
Posting both policies as part of the introductory materials sent to new team members during Free Trial might also be a way to raise awareness.
@ Mike....agree completely. Drafting penalties happen, even to the pros who they hurt a lot more than a slow-poke like me, and who obviously are trying to avoid them.
I think we're both saying that the actions from which we as a team are looking to "distance" are blatant/obvious/remorseless disregard of rules of competition.
Participating in IMLP the last two years and reading the reports of team members from other events, there are numerous accounts of "Outside assistance". The bike can be the easiest for us to remember. Collaborating with others planned or seizing an spontaneous opportunity during a race betrays the pre-race work we have done as a member of the team. This is not bicycle racing where a team puts forth the best effort to place one person as the winner. All of us here are team members. We are also all competitive. If we were not, we would not have joined an on-line coaching team. However, triathlon is an individual sport with well established rules. The main goal of this sport and our team is to produce the best results for each individual.
The "Team" aspect of Endurance Nation provides legal performance enhancement during every race. Reading the race reports it is clearly obvious. I know when I see team members on the bike and run legs my spirits rise and I feel the physical boost. Assistance beyond that would cheapen all of the work I do following EN Training programs. I agree with Al and think that the individual nature of our sport and philosophy of our team needs to be stressed during the new member period. It would also be appropriate to become part of the "4 Keys" .
Another example of this in my mind would be someone in EN gear during a race yelling/berating a volunteer.
My thoughts: there are always going to be cheaters, dopers and those who otherwise will jeopardize their health and any remaining moral integrity in order to meet some end. I've never understood blatant cheating at Ironman, because to me the race is such a personal celebration of a s-load of sacrifice and work. I would never forgive myself for cheating, and I would know that any PR or "victory" I achieved on the day was hollow and meaningless. But there are plenty out there who do it.
You can't legislate out the cheaters via policies, rules, etc. If they won't obey their conscious or WTC/USAT rules, they won't give a crap about some EN code. Not that it would be bad to post something that outlines the EN philosophies and expectations, but I doubt it will change the behavior of one of these soul-less cowards. The best thing you can do is do what you and R have already done: establish a community of athletes with a shared, common goal of reaching physical limits via really freakin' hard work. The theme here, after all, is "work," not "KQ at all costs" or "Podium the easy way." Any of us who thought EN was some magic short-cut to a PR were quickly slapped back to reality when we did that first FTP test. This is the long, difficult path, the one with a truly rewarding prize at the end. Why anyone seeking the quick, easy path would waste time here is beyond me. I suspect most leave quickly, which should leave just a few outliers here in the Haus. Those outliers who don't leave, and who openly admit to/brag about their cheating ways, should be politely directed to the door (and to burn all EN gear).
Safely off my soap box, I'm off for a lunch run.
>>>>>>>>> I need to start by stating I was unaware of the incident that prompted this discussion but if something did occur, it should not be tolerated. <<<<<<<</p>
Paul's comment above is well stated and how I feel about the matter. I think the key word is 'intentional' and does not include accidental or unintentional violations that sometime occur in the fog of racing.
To me, personal integrity is paramount to all other things in life. Not just within the Team or in a race of some sort. It was one of the key things that got me to stay beyond my trial period. My perception of the character and integrity of the individuals and the Team amazed me. I had never been associated with any group or club where a newbie willing to put in a sincere effort got just as much respect as the truly talented folks on the podium. Four years later I still feel that way.
So yes, I believe we deserve an environment free of gross, intentional, and flagrant violations of the rules of sport and to maintain that ethos by removing those that offend the integrity of the Team.
Just my 0.02
Agree with Mike. EN is a close group of people that interact a lot. Anyone who is that focused on winning for winnings sake is going to come to light really fast. I don't find that kind of person to be very welcoming, supportive, encouraging or accepting of other peoples best efforts. That said I don't think a document is that important. The nature of Team EN is going to weed these people out. The best way to highlight people like this is to shine a light on them. And EN is definitely a bright light.
Thanks everyone for your comments and feedback. We are all on the same page.
As your leaders, Patrick and I:
Drafting, blocking, failure to pass and other position fouls happen, especially as IM bike courses become more and more crowded. But (1) intentionally violating the rules and (2) bragging out it in the public space simply can not be tolerated. The former is grounds enough to let someone go. The later is a blatant disregard for commonsense and is a huge red flag for potential future issues.
Each of you has charged us with the task of helping your reach your goals. Often that involves earning a title which is done so within clearly defined rules of the game. For us to turn a blind eye to blatant and intentional disregard of these rules compromises the achievements of each of you and our integrity.
Thanks for the discussion and your understanding.
In the IM space, with all the haters, especially on Slowtwitch, et.al., the team can get a bad rap really fast.
During a race, everything is magnified because the whole town is some how in triathlon, on Facebook, Slowtwitch, whatever. I wore my EN cycling kit to preview the run course on my bike. I tired to be on my best behavior regarding traffic laws and courtesies, because I knew people were watching. That's the attitude you gotta have at races.
There have been a couple good suggestions, like adding the information when in the trial period along with a quick discussion at the 4 keys talk. I'd be supportive of signing a document but as other have mentioned I'm not sure it's gong to deter those who cheat outright and then post it online.
I've always liked the way R&P have handled themselves and dealt this issues that have come up. Keeping the team image is important to all of us moving forward. If this requires the removal of an individual or two I'm fine with it.
I like Al and Mike's input(s) the best. Post a policy.
A policy alone will not make us the best we can be.
Ensure that the veterans lead as they have been doing, showing, by example, you don't need to cheat to execute well and place well.
Actions of veterans/leaders will set the tone, drive the behavior and leave the other ones on an island by themselves very lonely....
SS
Post a guidelines.
Something simple, like:
- Work hard
- Play fair
- Support your fellow athletes
- Set a good example
We all know what that means...
Help educate us on rules and safety. Include any common knowledge areas of caution (e.g. where the bike course clogs up and drafting may be an issue)... all these are helpful. Honest folks will appreciate the education, cheaters will cheat anyway, and education is in the spirit of EN.
As soon as you post "Rules" or "detailed instructions" as opposed to "guidelines," someone will be in the enforcement business. No one - least of all RnP want to be in the enforcement business. It isn't why we are here.
If something unbecoming is going on - talk to the them. Warn them or boot them at your discretion and move on.
There's only been a couple of times when I cringed at something another EN member has done publicly... and this was one of them.
As for the CoC... it at least puts the policy out there so R&P terminate the person's membership without the person getting too spun up about it assuming there's ample proof of a willing and blatant in "bending of the race rules" are giving EN a black eye or whatever.
R&P started a business. That business morphed into a brand. Brands are made and destroyed by reputation. R&P set the standards for the EN brand, and we, as members, are called to be guardians of the brand. A document with basic expectations would be great. A solid community of like-minded members will naturally police those standards. But, ultimately, R&P can choose who and what to allow, and who and what needs to go bye-bye. I don't think that 99% of us have a problem with that.
Having people sign some thing is probably not going to be very effective. If people are going to do those sorts of things, that wont stop them. Having something written down that defines what our team is about is probably a good idea.
I would hope that we are known as smart racers who race by the rules and are generally ambassadors for the sport.
Disappointing.
Was EN kit on the run. More importantly, the association between EN and this athlete has been very clear for a long time. Even more importantly, this is two screenshots and a post on ST away from being "a thing."
Much potential downside + zero upside + poor judgement + questionable race day integrity = gone.
Hehe. Yeah, I was gonna say that if anyone had the chops to snoop this out, it would be Bob (looks at CCTV camera in the corner of SBUX and smiles)
You're right about the run kit but nobody within the race would've probably put two and two together.
That person's association with EN has been very prominently displayed in the past so I definitely get where you're coming from.
So said person is now an ex-EN'er?
I was wondering if this whole topic was going to be brought up and when I read the first couple of sentences of Patrick's initial post above I knew where this was going.
I'm really good at my job but in this case the "perp" left quite a trail of evidence... which I think has been since removed.
From the legal area, one can write multitude of rules, polices etc and there will always be a couple that will slam it. With that said, there still is that moral code that needs to be simply written and followed. We all work crazy enough towards accomplishing this lifestyle. We also need to realize others are more talented and if we tend to cheat etc then what have we really accomplished. Our actions are stronger than words.
Just like good ole Lance. What does he tell his kids?