Yeah Pika- What CC said. No outside assistance. Sometimes it seems a bit overboard. One year my friend got a penalty for handing off his sunglasses to his wife on the run. But hey rules are rules. The only people you can accept assistance from are official volunteers. At IMAZ this year I had the keys to the car in my bento on the bike since I had driven to the race site solo. At the mount line I saw my husband and started to hand him the keys, but then I realized what I was doing and pulled my hand back. I didn't want to start my day like that.
And yes, there are PLENTY of things on the course. An aid station every mile on the run that has, gatorade, water, flat coke, chicken broth, grapes, bananas, orange slices, power bars, gels, pretzels, and cookies... Ummm I think that is ENOUGH!! It's like a freaking BUFFET every mile!
That girl was just being obnoxious. Too bad I wasn't there to bring her back to reality. I like it when I'm spectating at a race and someone who is uninformed such as that woman say "I know XXXXX. My brother (sister, mom, dad, spouse, sig other etc) does Ironman" with that haughty look about them. Then I inform them that I do IM as well. Tends to knock em back to reality.
Yes there are rules. Some seem silly or overboard, but they are there to level the playing field. And you never know who is out there gunning for a Kona slot. I think those spots are more coveted than WINNING the thing! Tho if you win, you get a slot as well as some $$...