Friend of mine asked me to ask this. He’s a back of pack older age grouper about to do a ironman in high heat. He just wants to complete the course and time outside of cut off is not a goal of his. He wants to know, after the bike leg, can he leave the transition area briefly to go back into the water to cool off. He believes this will reduce his core temp. He would come back into transition for run after that.
This looks like this would fall under rule about leaving the course. I can’t find any other rule section or guideline. he wouldn’t obstruct other participants and transition, and this doesn’t give him any time advantage obviously.
I’m gonna say that’s probably not allowed but also that he might not get caught or a rule like that might not get enforced. I would just encourage them to bring ice with them into transition. Then they can use it in T1/T2. There should also be ice out on the course.
I’m gonna say that’s probably not allowed but also that he might not get caught or a rule like that might not get enforced. I would just encourage them to bring ice with them into transition. Then they can use it in T1/T2. There should also be ice out on the course.
Friend of mine asked me to ask this. He’s a back of pack older age grouper about to do a ironman in high heat. He just wants to complete the course and time outside of cut off is not a goal of his. He wants to know, after the bike leg, can he leave the transition area briefly to go back into the water to cool off. He believes this will reduce his core temp. He would come back into transition for run after that.
This looks like this would fall under rule about leaving the course. I can’t find any other rule section or guideline. he wouldn’t obstruct other participants and transition, and this doesn’t give him any time advantage obviously.
I can’t imagine the race organizers want any of us doing this. By that time they don’t have anyone watching the water for safety, obviously.
I’d tell him it might violate the “leaving the course†rule.
Suggest he freeze as many as four bottles of water overnight and leave them in transition. They’ll thaw while he rides and he can take a shower with them in transition and/or start the run with one. Perhaps keep them in a small freezer bag so they don’t thaw out and warm up too much.
I’ve been doing this for races in South Florida and it works really well to bring the body temp down.
Yeah if he leaves transition and re-enters he’s going to mess up the chips. The only way I can imagine this not being a course abandonment is if he leaves T2 for the run and the run basically starts on the beach, he could dip into the water. Or lay down in a cold stream or something that’s right next to the road. Better bet would be if there’s some sort of cooling tent or something in transition.
I’d say “don’t do it or even think about it, focus on race”. You don’t want to plan it nor explain to anybody who you’re nor why you’re doing it nor argue with anybody nor continue running not knowing if you’d get DSQ. Too many troubles… Finish the bike, sit down, put running shoes on, walk to the first station and pour all the cold water onto yourself. You’d still be faster and infinitely safer.
Maybe not the advice he is looking for, but I seem to recall Jordan Rapp describing drinking essentially a slushy that has a fairly decent impact on lowering core body temp. Maybe hard to set up for T2 in an IM but with considering. At a minimum, I think a few min break while dousing oneself in cold water, drinking cold water, hitting wrists, pits etc with ice/cold water would be fairly effective.
Maybe not the advice he is looking for, but I seem to recall Jordan Rapp describing drinking essentially a slushy that has a fairly decent impact on lowering core body temp. Maybe hard to set up for T2 in an IM but with considering. At a minimum, I think a few min break while dousing oneself in cold water, drinking cold water, hitting wrists, pits etc with ice/cold water would be fairly effective.
Freeze something overnight and wrap in aluminum foil. Stick in T2 bag
I’m gonna say that’s probably not allowed but also that he might not get caught or a rule like that might not get enforced. I would just encourage them to bring ice with them into transition. Then they can use it in T1/T2. There should also be ice out on the course.
I’ve never seen ice in any Ironman in Europe.
On the run course of IM Switzerland was at every aid station ice. They handed it out in cups just before the 2nd water hand out (so second to last table)
after the bike leg, can he leave the transition area briefly to go back into the water to cool off.
I’ve seen a pro left T1 with swim skin on, he rode back to bike in/out, took it off and left. Another pro left T2 without the bib, ran back to his transition and got it. They were briefly out of transition area and came back and officials didn’t say anything to them, so I would say possibly yes?
after the bike leg, can he leave the transition area briefly to go back into the water to cool off.
I’ve seen a pro left T1 with swim skin on, he rode back to bike in/out, took it off and left. Another pro left T2 without the bib, ran back to his transition and got it. They were briefly out of transition area and came back and officials didn’t say anything to them, so I would say possibly yes?
But they stayed on course. Would be different to leave altogether and go back to an area that’s presumably done now.
after the bike leg, can he leave the transition area briefly to go back into the water to cool off.
I’ve seen a pro left T1 with swim skin on, he rode back to bike in/out, took it off and left. Another pro left T2 without the bib, ran back to his transition and got it. They were briefly out of transition area and came back and officials didn’t say anything to them, so I would say possibly yes?
I’m very sceptical of this. It seem doing this would completely throw off the timing chip.
Are you absolutely sure they crossed the timing mat? I’m very doubtful.
After many years and tries at Kona, I finally came to the conclusion that I was just not good in the heat. So one year on the run at about 5 miles in on Alli drive, I stepped off the road to the pool at my condo I was staying in. It was maybe 20 steps off the road, and I just jumped in the nice cool pool and hung there for a minute or two to cool down my body temp. The just got back on the road where I left, and continued on.
Not sure if this was legal or not, would have to define what leaving the course means. I think this would be more like leaving the road and going to a port-o-potty, but who knows. But back in the weeds of non podium folks, I think a lot of this stuff goes on, just to survive the oppressive heat.
After many years and tries at Kona, I finally came to the conclusion that I was just not good in the heat. So one year on the run at about 5 miles in on Alli drive, I stepped off the road to the pool at my condo I was staying in. It was maybe 20 steps off the road, and I just jumped in the nice cool pool and hung there for a minute or two to cool down my body temp. The just got back on the road where I left, and continued on.
Not sure if this was legal or not, would have to define what leaving the course means. I think this would be more like leaving the road and going to a port-o-potty, but who knows. But back in the weeds of non podium folks, I think a lot of this stuff goes on, just to survive the oppressive heat.
i’m not judging, but i don’t think there is any doubt that walking off a course and jumping in a nearby pool constitutes leaving the course. I don’t know how anyone could reach a different conclusion.