Yeah, I downloaded the 16 page athlete’s guide…
I’m sure it’s in there somewhere. Bottom line: Do I need to stitch little reflective thingys on my trisuit for this thing (IMOO)?
I did this for my first few IM races, but I have not bothered with it in years. Nobody will be checking for it.
If you have the race that you have been hoping for in the posts you have made then you probably will not need it. I would think that anyone faster than 12.5 to 13 hours will not need them in MOO.
If you do a search for “reflect” in the athlete’s guide, it comes up with “Reflective tape (mandatory)” on page 7 in the Inside Out Sports checklist, but nowhere else in the rules. I think they would have a hard time enforcing it. When I did IMWI in 2004 they were very adamant about having reflective tape on your shorts and shirt, since much of the run course is urban and crosses streets (part of it near the turn around is pretty dark). Being the nerd that I am, I had already put iron-on tap on my clothes before arriving, but it caught a lot of people off guard. Inside Out sold out of reflective tape by Friday, and people were really wound up about it (they seemed to think Inside Out was somehow obligated to have it in stock for them). Not sure if the officials ever called anyone for not having reflective tape, but nearly everyone I saw did have at least something reflective on.
Here’s a good resource for you: http://www.trinewbies.com/
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You can get little stick on dots or squares that are much easier than sewing. I’m surprised you don’t stock them.
Just stick a square of duct tape on your backside. It’s pretty shiny.
Umm…the tape that is…not your…Oh, never mind. 
Or go to Lowes/Walmart before the race, buy some reflective tape, cut it into small squares, and place it on your race number belt for the run before the race. Then you won’t have to worry about it again. It will be half what they sell it for at the race expo.
I just read you post; that was funny 
I thought is was a bit of a strange question considering the source…
I mean the man has 19,685 posts and he’s posting about reflective tape and “neurotic” (his words) ramblings about weather. I can see him pacing back and forth in his store like a boy waiting for his first date. Taper.
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Tom,
The only thing I saw regarding reflective tape, was on page 7 of the Athlete Information Guide and was in the InsideOut Sports Race Checklist.
http://www.ironmanwisconsin.com/2007IMWSAI.pdf
Hope you have an awesome race in Madison!
-Kelly
probably not… i have finished 4 IM’s (all in the dark) and have never needed it. along the course are volunteers usually handing out glow sticks to the athletes. there are a few spots along at immoo that needed it, but not anything like imflorida in st.andrews st. park.
dave
Yeah, I downloaded the 16 page athlete’s guide…
I’m sure it’s in there somewhere. Bottom line: Do I need to stitch little reflective thingys on my trisuit for this thing (IMOO)?
Who are you, and what have you done with Tom?
Here’s a good resource for you: http://www.trinewbies.com/
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HUGE
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Make sure your race belt comes with reflective strips and you’ll be good to go. Fuelbelt race belts have them I believe.
All I’ve done in the past is carry extra reflective stickers in one of my pockets. I figure that if I’m out there long enough to need it, then I can put it on and the time it takes to stop won’t impact my race because I’ll be well into personal worst territory and only focused on finishing. I haven’t needed it yet. The key is to remember to take OFF the reflective stuff before hitting the finish line - photos with the bright reflective tape look goofy.
My plan is the same for Madison.
I’m going with verbatim compliance here and putting some refelcive stickies on the butt of my tri suit.
Most clothes now have reflective surfaces, that I think they count. But, like you, I didn’t want a 2 dollar item to kill the day and I bought some of the stuff they have at the inside out sports expo in the convention center.
Tom
my n=1 experience at MOO last year (my one and only until this years event) is:
- I never heard of it as a rule and never considered the need to put anything reflective on my person
EDIT: 1a) as I recall there were people handing out glow sticks/headbands etc etc. I didnt’ take one and it seemed to be a voluntary kind of thing - I finished well into the dark (post 9pm) and no one said a word to me about it
- I never thought about it in the 345+ days since until you posted this
Having said that:
- I dont’ remember what I had on that was reflective (parts of shoes etc)
- by the time it was dark everyone (and I mean everyone including anyone who had anything to do with enforcing rules) was cold and wet and tired and just wanted to get it all over with!!!
EDIT2: I don’t plan to do anything different this year. If someone wants to yank me off the course they better come up with a better reason than this.
They have officially changed that rule, as of this weekend (IMLOU) and for all races into the future you are required to wear hot pink after dark, as well as use a head lamp and carry a flashlight. You will further be required to sing the star spangled banner out loud so that any one can find you in the dark.
Last year I just bought some reflective strips at the expo, they are sticky and I stuck them in my run Special Needs bag to put on half way through the run, to bad I did not make it that far.
“*You will further be required to sing the star spangled banner out loud so that any one can find you in the dark. *”
Is Oh Canada an acceptable substitute? How about Waltzing Matilda?
FYI, I can totally see the need for reflective kit at IMC. I was out there in 2005 chasing around a friend. After 10pm, that course is DARK.