bobthurston posted:Keep us posted, Jack. Glad you sent that email. If I'm honest I probably would have done the same thing (measure it and then feel bad and speak up). What I hope I learn to do is just refuse to measure something that is either unsafe or unworkable.
I have cultivated a technique for dealing with this in advance, because I refuse to measure a "stupid" course proposal. I'll wager that Bob and many measurers here have seen plenty of them.
Often, I get initial designs that vary between OK and a hot mess. I make sure to compliment them on whatever they give me. I say "This looks to be about 98% excellent. Let's focus on the remaining 2% (actually closer to 25% or more, usually) to make this a certifiable course." If I can get my client to look at the course on line while we are talking, I can always get them to see, though it may take 15 minutes, even more, what the issues are with their design.
I suspect my experience is not unlike that of most of us here. The most common problem I get is insufficient real estate in which to fit the desired distance. Next is the issue of whether a contiguous Start-Finish is being addressed, since this saves timing/scoring expense. On several occasions, I have been presented with a design that has runners crossing paths. I would guess I am not the only one!
I have found having this discussion helps tremendously with the entire process. In my measuring career, some boneheaded course designs have been precluded by my explaining a little about the requirements we must work with and by spending time reviewing the options with the client before getting on the bike.