"Rules!"

It seems they have "rules" to this whole thing! I looked the word up in the dictionary anf got this.

"a principle or regulation governing conduct, action, procedure, arrangement, etc."

So apparently you can't just do what ever the hell you like. Well actually you can, but as you can see below they will then kick you out. The following was posted on the race site this morning. You may or may not find it interesting.

A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD REFEREE
Author: August 13, 2009

Dear Athletes, For this Ironman event, we will be using a slightly modified version of the 2009 USAT Competitive Rules. In summary, we will operate under the “3 strikes and you are out” principle.

Even though DRAFTING is the only violation to incur a 4-minute time penalty (to be served in the nearest penalty tent, located at various spots on the bike course), any type of violation counts toward your 3 strikes.

Example: 1. DRAFTING violation (4 minutes, served in penalty tent on the bike course)

2. HELMET CHINSTRAP violation (stop-and-go, served in penalty tent on the bike course)

3. LITTERING violation—this is the 3rd violation and results in disqualification (DQ)

Again, any combination of 3 rule violations will result in a DQ. To minimize your misunderstanding of the rules on race day, please take the time to read and understand the following summary of Position Violations and review the 2009 USAT Competitive Rules.

• ALWAYS RIDE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF YOUR LANE to avoid an ILLEGAL POSITION or BLOCKING call

• KEEP FOUR BIKE LENGTHS (7 METERS) BETWEEN YOUR BIKE’S FRONT WHEEL AND THE REAR WHEEL OF THE CYCLIST IN FRONT OF YOU to avoid a DRAFTING call

• ALWAYS PASS ON THE LEFT OF THE CYCLIST IN FRONT OF YOU, NEVER ON THE RIGHT to avoid an ILLEGAL PASS call

• COMPLETE YOUR PASS WITHIN 20 SECONDS to avoid a DRAFTING call

• IF PASSED, DROP BACK FOUR BIKE LENGTHS BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO RE-PASS to avoid an OVERTAKEN or DRAFTING call

You will see a large number of trained referees on the course who will ensure safety and fairness. Triathlon is an individual event, and it is your responsibility to fully understand the rules and avoid penalties. The referees’ ruling is final in the case of Position Violations, and there are no protests or appeals. The following are several other common rules violations:

• HELMET CHINSTRAP—the chinstrap of your helmet must be securely fastened whenever you are on your bike on race day!

• RACE NUMBER—you must display your body race number during the bike and run portions of the race, and your bike number must be properly attached to your bike and be visible from the left!

• LITTERING—do not throw away ANYTHING outside of official aid stations!

• UNAUTHORIZED EQUIPMENT—sorry, absolutely NO MP3 players or other audio devices (yes, that means NO Oakley Thumps™ or Apple iPods®)! No cell phones either!

• OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE—do NOT accept any assistance from anyone other than a race official, and do NOT allow non-racers to ride or run alongside you!

Please remember that even though DRAFTING is the only violation that incurs a 4-minute time penalty, you must go to a penalty tent for any violation to have your number marked, and all violations count toward your 3 strikes. There will be no penalty tents on the run. If you are penalized on the run, the official will mark your number on the spot. FAILURE TO STOP AT THE PENALTY TENT IS GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFICATION (DQ)!

Please remember to treat other athletes, all volunteers, and your referees with courtesy and consideration. Not doing so is UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT and may result in disqualification.

I sincerely hope you run a perfect race, have lots of fun, and achieve all your goals.
Jürgen Heise, Head Referee, 2009 Ironman Canada

I'm not worried about any of these rules with the exception perhaps of the drafting stuff. To start with the 7 metre rule is just absurd as far as I'm concerned. You cant possibley get any kind of advantage beyond 2 metres of another rider. If you took all 2900 riders and spread them 7 metres apart you would have a line about 20 kms long. This problem should diminish as the race wears on but I worry about the congestion early on. As well, just like the guy in the car that passes you on the highway and then slows immediatley, there are many riders like this.

Oh well, I'll just do my best since I hate it when people try to draft, and If I do get nailed I get a 4 minute rest! As long as I don't get caught 3 times eh?

Having the last couple of days off has given me time to really consider whether I am ready for this and for the most part I think I am, physically. It would have been better if I had 2 years instead of one, and I wish I had started weight training right from the start, but other than that I think I've done all I can do.

Mentally is still a different matter and correcting that is a task I will take to heart once we head out in the RV. The biggest problem I have is the feelings of guilt that I carry about the selfish nature of this whole undertaking. In the last couple of months especially I have given neither my employer nor my family the commitment they deserve from me. I am fortunate that they both have been so understanding. Regardless, this negative emotion doesn't do me any good , and so for the next couple of weeks I will remain selfish and try simply to focus on my event. For 2 weeks nothing else can matter!

I had another brief story to tell you tonite but without the picture I was expecting from Jose Antonio it won't fly. Maybe tomorrow I'll cover that one. I think maybe JA fell asleep in his fancy chair!!

I wish to dedicate day 330 to Jose Ramon Perez because he's a good guy who also runs and bikes.

“The first rule is not to lose. The second rule is not to forget the first rule."---Warren Buffett

"You are remembered for the rules you break."---Douglas MacArthur

"There are two good rules which ought to be written on every heart - never to believe anything bad about anybody unless you positively know it to be true; never to tell even that unless you feel that it is absolutely necessary"--- Henry Van Dyke