Smart idea or cheating?

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2008-08-07 1:57 PM

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Champion
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Subject: Smart idea or cheating?
It's been hotter'n a two-dollar pistol here lately and so I've been bringing a frozen water bottle with me on my runs.  It occurred to me that carrying this solid ice in my hand was helping my body rid itself of heat.  And since heat is a major performance limiter, the more heat I can transfer away from my body, the better.  Seems like the ice in my hand would take some heat out of my blood and help my performance.
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So then I got to wondering about ice packs and cooling collars and such.  Someone suggested getting on of those Sharper Image cooling collars but I'm would think those would be illegal in a race?
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Thoughts?
.
~Mike

2008-08-07 1:59 PM
in reply to: #1588228

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over a barrier
Subject: RE: Smart idea or cheating?
I don't see why it would be illegal. I shove ice down my arm coolers...

2008-08-07 2:04 PM
in reply to: #1588228

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Master
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Subject: RE: Smart idea or cheating?
They make cooling head/neck bands that use those crystals that expand when soaked in water. I have one that I have used on long, hot motorcycle trips. Never thought about using it on a run, though. Don't see why it would be illegal...by all outward appearances, it looks like a regular bandana rolled up into a headband.
2008-08-07 2:07 PM
in reply to: #1588228

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Smart idea or cheating?

These things look like active cooling decives not passive wraps/crystals.

 

http://uber.tv/envisioning/clippings/2004/10/http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2003/07/14/tem_wwwtem2cool14.html



Edited by Rogillio 2008-08-07 2:08 PM
2008-08-07 2:08 PM
in reply to: #1588228

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Smart idea or cheating?

One of the pros in Kona a few years ago (I think it was Torbjorne Sindballe) ws using a glove on the run that he was filling with ice at each aid station; he's a big athlete and apparently suffers a great deal from the heat so this was part of his plan to keep cool.

Shane

2008-08-07 2:08 PM
in reply to: #1588228

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Subject: RE: Smart idea or cheating?
I'm pretty sure I remember seeing one of the guys running Kona last year with gloves filled with ice.  He was a bigger guy, so it was strictly to help keep him cool.  Without knowing any specifics, seems like if you can do it at Kona it should be ok at any USAT event.  No idea about the collars though.

2008-08-07 2:08 PM
in reply to: #1588228

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Resident Curmudgeon
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Subject: RE: Smart idea or cheating?
2008-08-07 2:09 PM
in reply to: #1588228

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Subject: RE: Smart idea or cheating?
Bah, my post was slow. 
2008-08-07 2:13 PM
in reply to: #1588228

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Subject: RE: Smart idea or cheating?
Chile here has used something called the ice tie or some such.  ping him
2008-08-07 2:42 PM
in reply to: #1588268

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Giver
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Subject: RE: Smart idea or cheating?
the bear - 2008-08-07 3:08 PM

Smart idea or cheating?

My guess is neither. You would, of course, have to check with the race's Head Referee for the final determination, but I really don't think it would provide enough cooling to gain you an "unfair advantage" , and that any advantage would be offset by having to carry it entire race.

3.4 Race Conduct. All participants in USA Triathlon sanctioned events must adhere to the rules in this Section 3.4:

 


k. Unauthorized Equipment. No participant shall use any equipment which the Head Referee determines to be improper, including but not limited to equipment which might provide an unfair advantage or endanger other participants. Unless otherwise provided for in these Rules, any violation of this Section shall result in a variable time penalty.

I'm pretty sure water bottles...frozen are otherwise, aren't improper equipment.

When I was racing mountain bikes in teh summer in SoCal...in the desert, I used to freeze a camel back bladder and wear it on my back. As it mentled, I could drink, and it really did keep me cool.

2008-08-07 3:17 PM
in reply to: #1588264

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Smart idea or cheating?
yeah it was torbjorn, he has had a lot of trouble with heat, and he said that was like carrying around a thermostat, when he got too hot, more ice went in, and he had the best run of his life.

at bigger races go with the ice, just take a handful, at longer races i have had good luck with taking a cup full of ice from an aid station and slowly eating it.


2008-08-07 3:58 PM
in reply to: #1588357

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Subject: RE: Smart idea or cheating?
run4yrlif - 2008-08-07 2:42 PM

the bear - 2008-08-07 3:08 PM

Smart idea or cheating?

My guess is neither. You would, of course, have to check with the race's Head Referee for the final determination, but I really don't think it would provide enough cooling to gain you an "unfair advantage" , and that any advantage would be offset by having to carry it entire race.

3.4 Race Conduct. All participants in USA Triathlon sanctioned events must adhere to the rules in this Section 3.4:

 


k. Unauthorized Equipment. No participant shall use any equipment which the Head Referee determines to be improper, including but not limited to equipment which might provide an unfair advantage or endanger other participants. Unless otherwise provided for in these Rules, any violation of this Section shall result in a variable time penalty.

I'm pretty sure water bottles...frozen are otherwise, aren't improper equipment.

When I was racing mountain bikes in teh summer in SoCal...in the desert, I used to freeze a camel back bladder and wear it on my back. As it mentled, I could drink, and it really did keep me cool.

I think his point is that in the end it's the Hed Ref's decision and you should check with him first.
2008-08-07 4:24 PM
in reply to: #1588228

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Smart idea or cheating?

You can buy an ice vest that will cool your core.  I'm not sure how well they work, but if you have a couple of hundred dollars, let us know.

 

Come to think of it, it's a piece of gear that I don't own.  Maybe I should start thinking about getting one for summer runs.....

2008-08-07 4:36 PM
in reply to: #1588577

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Smart idea or cheating?
gearboy - 2008-08-07 4:24 PM

You can buy an ice vest that will cool your core.  I'm not sure how well they work, but if you have a couple of hundred dollars, let us know.

 

Come to think of it, it's a piece of gear that I don't own.  Maybe I should start thinking about getting one for summer runs.....



Woah!  That looks pretty neat.  Is it USAT legal?
2008-08-07 4:58 PM
in reply to: #1588534

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Giver
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Subject: RE: Smart idea or cheating?
sharp4850 - 2008-08-07 4:58 PM
run4yrlif - 2008-08-07 2:42 PM
the bear - 2008-08-07 3:08 PM

Smart idea or cheating?

My guess is neither. You would, of course, have to check with the race's Head Referee for the final determination, but I really don't think it would provide enough cooling to gain you an "unfair advantage" , and that any advantage would be offset by having to carry it entire race.

3.4 Race Conduct. All participants in USA Triathlon sanctioned events must adhere to the rules in this Section 3.4:

 


k. Unauthorized Equipment. No participant shall use any equipment which the Head Referee determines to be improper, including but not limited to equipment which might provide an unfair advantage or endanger other participants. Unless otherwise provided for in these Rules, any violation of this Section shall result in a variable time penalty.

I'm pretty sure water bottles...frozen are otherwise, aren't improper equipment.

When I was racing mountain bikes in teh summer in SoCal...in the desert, I used to freeze a camel back bladder and wear it on my back. As it mentled, I could drink, and it really did keep me cool.

I think his point is that in the end it's the Hed Ref's decision and you should check with him first.

Water bottles are used in every single triathlon everywhere. If you're going to ask the RD or ref if they are OK, you might as well ask them if tri shorts, running shoes, goggles or sunglasses are OK.

2008-08-07 5:36 PM
in reply to: #1588228

Elite
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Subject: RE: Smart idea or cheating?

I think the real debatable point is "unfair advantage." Seems that the intent and spirit of the rule deals with propulsion,e.g., adding a small motor on your bike seems "smart," but clearly an unfair advantage.

I would argue that with something like the ice vest, the extra weight somewhat counters the cooling advantage. Thus, it's not "unfair."

2008-08-07 5:44 PM
in reply to: #1588650

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Subject: RE: Smart idea or cheating?
run4yrlif - 2008-08-07 4:58 PM
sharp4850 - 2008-08-07 4:58 PM
run4yrlif - 2008-08-07 2:42 PM
the bear - 2008-08-07 3:08 PM

Smart idea or cheating?

My guess is neither. You would, of course, have to check with the race's Head Referee for the final determination, but I really don't think it would provide enough cooling to gain you an "unfair advantage" , and that any advantage would be offset by having to carry it entire race.

3.4 Race Conduct. All participants in USA Triathlon sanctioned events must adhere to the rules in this Section 3.4:

 


k. Unauthorized Equipment. No participant shall use any equipment which the Head Referee determines to be improper, including but not limited to equipment which might provide an unfair advantage or endanger other participants. Unless otherwise provided for in these Rules, any violation of this Section shall result in a variable time penalty.

I'm pretty sure water bottles...frozen are otherwise, aren't improper equipment.

When I was racing mountain bikes in teh summer in SoCal...in the desert, I used to freeze a camel back bladder and wear it on my back. As it mentled, I could drink, and it really did keep me cool.

I think his point is that in the end it's the Hed Ref's decision and you should check with him first.

Water bottles are used in every single triathlon everywhere. If you're going to ask the RD or ref if they are OK, you might as well ask them if tri shorts, running shoes, goggles or sunglasses are OK.

Not sure how you got off on water bottles, but my post was directed at the OP's question concerning the Sharper Image Cooling Collar. Same would go for the vest mentioned later, which uses gel inserts, I believe.

Of course water bottles, ice in the hat, etc. are all legal and widely used. I doubt that Mike was questioning their legality in his initial post.

2008-08-08 5:59 AM
in reply to: #1588228

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Expert
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Fort Wayne, IN
Subject: RE: Smart idea or cheating?
I haven't used a Sharper Image cooling collar, but I suspect that while the cooling power may be noticeable when you're not active, it's not that useful when generating large amounts of heat like when running in a tri.
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