| Orienteering | Nutrition | Mountain Biking | White Water | Flat Water | Trekking | In-line Skating |
| Ride-and-Run | Snowshoeing | XC Skiing | Team Work | First Aid | Ropes | Support Crew |
The concept is to minimize energy expenditure, the physical and emotional slinky effect of stop and go, and keep the team moving at a steady, but efficient pace. Given my inherent laziness, this keeps us from having to hurry up, then stop, hurry up, then stop, etc. (Please do not make me work harder than I have too). Let's eliminate the momentum killers. There will be periods of exceptions to the rules, but let's try and keep them to a minimum.
Teamwork, teamwork, teamwork. "How do I help the team by helping them"; how do I help the team by helping myself"; "How to I help the team by allowing them to help me". Teamwork is crucial.
A fanny pack or similar pouch system should be used in all disciplines. This will hold food, lightweight gloves, lightweight hat, glasses, sun hat, compass, headlamp, etc. - anything that needs to be readily accessible, particularly food and layers. Kayaking/rafting/canoeing: Should have a waterproof (SealLine fanny pack, 550 cu. in.) system. If not available, then second choice is some sort of zip lock bag (doubled).
The biggest time killer in paddling is stopping. The inertia of the boat, with stopping and going, is too great to get back to cruising speed from a dead stop. Food, water, etc. should always be very readily accessible to minimize down time. "Grab and go" should be the operative. When paddling in doubles, the same principles apply, and almost never should both people stop paddling. Remember to be considerate of how hard it can become for one person to paddle a double craft solo for any stretch of time.
Anticipate needs for food, lighting, clothing/layering going "number 2", pee, etc.
Should be eating constantly. Keep food handy in pocket, pouch, fanny pack, whatever works. As food supply diminishes, resupply when we have to stop for other things, or ask someone to help pull some out while on the move.
Clothes needed or anticipated need should be accessible outside of pack, tucked in shock cord, tucked into shoulder straps, etc.
If you need to go number 2, dish off pack and run ahead, do your business, then regroup. If you need to go pee, do the same, or keep pack, rush ahead and then regroup.
We must choose a primary navigator. Map needs to always be out and accessible, never buried in pack, etc. Navigator always has it accessible.
Hot spots and potential blister areas should be preventively taken care of before starting race, and then combined with other stops, as appropriate, but not ignored.
During the inevitable periods when someone is feeling sluggish, I'd like us to be extremely committed to working together, and people must be willing to be assisted. Gear can, and should be passed off (sometimes high density items, other times the whole pack, if needed). Additionally, a tow system will be used readily and often when needed (in bikes, boats, and on foot). Creating a positive environment and situation such that this is possible is the responsibility of everybody: the person who could use the assistance and everyone else on the Team. We all will have our "opportunity" to suck wind, so please, let's help each other out immediately when needed. Tow systems should be readily accessible so it's easy to hook up quickly and as needed.
If not moving forward and you aren't helping someone else with something, then off your feet. Even if just for 1 minute. If navigator has to stop for 1-3 minutes to nav, then off your feet. If someone has to dump and you must stop, then off your feet. If you are standing you should be sitting - if you are sitting you should be lying down.
Typically, we'll stop for no more than 3 minutes at checkpoints. Sign passports, get necessary instructions/directions, then move on. If we stop for food, sleep, etc. it will be a minimum 300 yards from checkpoints. Transitions will be case-dependent.
A full team is a lot of people. A full team's gear is even more. Gear should be organized such that Assistants or any other Teammate can get your gear without confusing it. Clothing and gear should be in white plastic bags (thick compactor bags or the kind with a built in "tie strap"; markable and waterproof) and marked with discipline and name (ie. Biking/Kevin, Spare/Kyle, Food/Todd, etc.)