Coaching Tip:  Secure Your Timing Chip

The timing chip in a triathlon race is essential! If you lose your timing chip, you won’t have a time at the end of the race. You will most likely end up with a DNF next to your name, meaning Did Not Finish.

The timing chip is a plastic piece with a neoprene strap that fastens with Velcro. These chips and straps are reused multiple times throughout the season. Are they ever washed or inspected for wear? Who knows?! The fact is that timing chips can and do fall off athletes mid-race and often times mid-swim.

This happened to a friend of mine during Ironman 70.3 Augusta. Spare chips are usually available near the swim exit point and then again at the bike exit. It is the athlete’s responsibility to realize that s/he has lost the timing chip and needs a new one. This can take time and add much aggravation to your already stressful day.

A tip is to use safety pins to secure the timing chip’s strap. You can use the pins given to you at packet pick up for your bib since you are probably attaching that to a run belt with clasps on it already. Be sure the pins (I use two) go through both parts of the neoprene strap that are overlapping to connect the two ends together. I don’t recommend it going all the way through the back portion to touch your skin. You may want to use extra lube in that area in case it does come in contact with your skin, but I strongly caution against the pins touching your skin at all. You never know what might start happening after 135 miles. With just 5.6 miles left, you don’t want the pin to start digging into you.

Securely fastening the timing chip strap with a pin or two can offer you piece of mind when someone grabs your leg during the swim – or when you kick someone in the face. It is good to know the timing chip is in place and is one less thing about which to worry.