Not too clear on this. The reason here is simply to let my wife and others know where I am at on the course. They want to see me at least in transition. I’ve given general times in which they should expect me, but I’ve found these cool little walkie/talkies that would be great to have along. And what if I’m just way super faster than expected (unlikely scenario, but you never know). Wouldn’t be cumbersome at all to take along, but what of the rules on this?
Seriously? Don’t be that guy.
Only if you want a DQ. I say go for it.
Paging h20fun… 
In an Ironman race, can you carry a cell phone, and use in case of emergency (flat tire, bonk, sick, etc.)
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And what? Call outside support. No, you can not carry a cell phone. Or other listening device or communication device.
More or less if your 50 miles out on the course, get 2 flat tires and your day is done. What happens in that situation. What if you crash, etc.
If you crash, one of the other 5 bagillion competitors might point it out to somebody after they pass you. Otherwise, start walkin.
There is support on the course. End of story.
I cant imagine for a second even thinking of needing a phone on an IronMan course for any reason. Cant (in my may IM races) even think of a time when anyone on the course would have needed a phone for any reason. There is PLENTY of support on the course for all circumstances, and I really doubt that you can find someone anywhere that will have a story to contradict this - unless of course it was some DNF who needed to call his/her mommy to come pick them up as they didnt want to wait for the Sag.
Ok cool, so this Sag vehicle will pick you up and/or atleast give you support if you crash/broken down?
Is that for all competitors or only the “elites”?
USAT 3.4(i):
Unauthorized Accessories. No participant shall, at any time during the event, use or wear a hard cast, headset,
radio, personal audio device, or any other item deemed dangerous by the Head Referee. Any violation of this
Section shall result in a variable time penalty.
SAG vehicle is for everyone. Pros will sometimes have there own, but us normal folks get a vehicle or more driving up and down the bike course. Repairs, or medical attention is usually within an hour from my experiences. Medical attention is obviously faster if needed.
Ok thanks, I wasnt suggesting using an cell phone to cheat. I was more or less just wondering about using it in a case of your race being over due to an unforseen crash or mechanical or bad flat tire, and getting back to the finish to get stuff.
Thanks for all the info.
Think positively man. Have faith in your ability to finish. Don’t worry about contingency plans, that take a lot of the fun out of life. We need a little danger to make us feel alive baby!
Heh, the only IM cell phone story I have is, walking up Priest hill on the IMAZ run course, guy pulled out his cell phone… to call his mom. He said he calls his 80+ yo mother every Sunday without fail, and had to call back east before she went to bed.
Agree that a phone/walkie talkie is neither necessary or warranted. SAG will pick you up or you walk. Your family will see you when they see you (or buy one of those race GPS things)
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t some IM races this last year, a company was renting small GPS devices which you carry. Your wife or friends can access where you are through an internet connection. Seemed to work fairly well altho one competitor I was running with at IMFL said even with the device his wife did not meet him at the bike to run or at the run halfway point. He was WORRIED about what happened to her–an accident, a tryst or whatever. The device did not lessen his anxiety, indeed the opposite occured. I cannot imagine you cannot give a half hour window in which you can be expected at crucial points. Beyond that any additional device on your body is a real pain in the A__. If you do crash or bonk rest assured the help on the course will also let you borrow their cell phone to make a call.
Funny - don’t be that guy!!! I know, I know.
It was a serious enough question… My wife is getting pretty frustrated with my training and she’s not super interested in the races. Especially with a 4 year old and 18 month old in tow. I am doing CA 70.3 and Wildflower 70.3. Long courses w/out a whole lot to do for kids and moms… I can give her times w/in half hour, but to try to jockey for position and wait 30ish minutes just to see me come through and give the kids a high 5… It’s tough. She’s like, why the heck am I even here? Why don’t I drop you off and pick you up in lets say 4 hours :). It’d be cool to just be able to fire off a “hey I’m headed in” call! I figured it’d be illegal - for the purpose they are at most events as they could present a competitive advantage if one is communicating certain information, but I thought I’d give it a good go. Thanks for the feedback - even the not so constructive feedback - it’s always funny to read! See you all @ Oceanside!!!
… It’d be cool to just be able to fire off a “hey I’m headed in” call! I figured it’d be illegal - for the purpose they are at most…
Any of the GPS units will do what you are asking. Last year I used Zoombak for IM AZ which is really small unlike the one someone else on this board is selling.
I still don’t understand how fscking hard it would be to have an SMS gateway on
the chip timing systems to allow that.
You’re talking 2000 (athletes) x 3 (avg number of people who care) per
athlete SMSs per station. That’s on the high side.
Yeah, that’s a real infrastructure burden.
Like most things, I think I just don’t understand the economics of low hanging
fruit (read: Slowtwitch tech T’s) to understand why it hasn’t been done.
-Jot