General Discussion Triathlon Talk » My athlete live tracker Rss Feed  
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2015-06-18 7:15 AM

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Subject: My athlete live tracker
I'm a big fan of the MAL tracker. However, now that they have eliminated the race weekend rental it is $75 per race. I'm racing 2 IM's this year and that 150 bucks has me looking at other options.

I think I'm gonna try putting my iPhone 6 in a Lifeproof case and putting that into FuelBelt Helium Super-Stretch Race Belt. It should fit nicely into that pouch on the front of the race belt. My family can use their iPhone to track me realtime.

I know the rules say no but I would not be violating the spirit of the rule by simply having the phone on my person but not turning it on.

Thoughts?



2015-06-18 2:22 PM
in reply to: #5123285

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Subject: RE: My athlete live tracker
Is it worth risking a DQ.. whatever the likelihood?
2015-06-18 2:53 PM
in reply to: Calvin386

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Subject: RE: My athlete live tracker

My thoughts are that rules are rules. Blatantly and knowingly breaking them is not good sportsmanship in my opinion.

2015-06-18 4:54 PM
in reply to: #5123452

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Subject: RE: My athlete live tracker
I was kind of thinking the same thing however, is there really any difference between having the MAL in a race belt or a phone?

There is no advantage or risk to others since it would not be out or ever even seen for that matter.
2015-06-18 8:26 PM
in reply to: Calvin386

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Subject: RE: My athlete live tracker

Originally posted by Calvin386 I was kind of thinking the same thing however, is there really any difference between having the MAL in a race belt or a phone? There is no advantage or risk to others since it would not be out or ever even seen for that matter.

I think the catch is that the phone battery drains quicker when the GPS is active.  So if you're using an app like RoadID or Glympse, you'd probably need to pull the phone out and start it for the bike or run, otherwise you might have a dead phone halfway through.

2015-06-19 2:54 AM
in reply to: #5123489

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Subject: RE: My athlete live tracker
Be lucky to get two hours with the GPS and BT active.


2015-06-19 6:10 AM
in reply to: #5123553

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Subject: RE: My athlete live tracker
An iPhone tracks all the time. No app needed. If the screen was never turned on it would last 3 days.
2015-06-19 1:33 PM
in reply to: #5123555

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Subject: RE: My athlete live tracker
"is there really any difference between having the MAL in a race belt or a phone?"

Besides one being against the rules and one not?
2015-06-19 6:47 PM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Subject: RE: My athlete live tracker
Originally posted by GMAN 19030

"is there really any difference between having the MAL in a race belt or a phone?"

Besides one being against the rules and one not?


Yes...besides being against the rules.

Is there any strategic or physical advantage to me? Is there any hindrance or safety risk to other athletes?

I am a rule follower. I don't draft, I pass in 20 seconds. I fall back 5 bike lengths when passed etc... That's why I brought this up. In every IM I have competed, I have seen athletes carrying phones. I've never seen anyone using one though.

I can see no one is going to tell me it's OK so I guess I'll just have to fork over the $150 for the MAL.
2015-06-22 7:05 PM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Subject: RE: My athlete live tracker
Personally, I think we are being scrupulous. What you're doing with your phone is using the technology available so that your family can follow you without having to pay a $150. I’ve used my iPhone to do the same thing before. However, not in race. My family could trace where I was on my laptop when on a training ride. They new right where I was.

Most likely technology is just moving faster than we can write and change rules I would write a letter/Email and ask the race officials for permission.

That said I’m leaving my phone behind. Not worth being disqualified.
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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » My athlete live tracker Rss Feed