How would YOU "train" for The Amazing Race?

Actually, it was because of #6 that I started these two "training" threads..

(in no particular order)

1) Work on your fear of heights
2) Learn to repel
3) Practice running / cardio
4) Learn intro Spanish (thinking the odds are with you)
5) Read maps like it's your new hobby.
6) Learn everything you can on how travel agencies / airlines / airports work. Talk to people who work for them. Find out how things are done. LEARN THE LINGO.
7) Repeat to yourself - READ THE CLUE.

learn the phrases: please, thank you, and How do I find? in as many languages as I could memorize.

If I didn't know how to swim, I'd learn to at least doggie paddle.

Practice driving a stick shift.

"practice driving a stick shift" -- yeah, I'd have to learn how to in the first place but that's a very good one.

I don't drive a stick shift, and my S.O. doesn't swim or ride a bike - we've always said we would have to learn those things before going on the Amazing Race.

Plus learning Spanish would be a plus

I'd really focus on map reading and geography and navigation. Getting lost seems to be the biggest problem people face, along with getting stuck in traffic. People who can easily converse with locals seem to have the best advantage.

I'd lose because I don't like asking anyone for directions, mostly because they are usually incorrect.

Plus cardio/running, of course.

A big part of this would be learning to QUICKLY decide when you've gone astray and lose the least time taking the next exit and backtracking.

Also, learning common "cabbie usage" type phrases in Spanish & French, and maybe a few others.

It seems the biggest teamkillers I've seen on the last couple of races have been getting lost/going the wrong way on the freeway, which can cost hours and should largely be preventable (this just killed the "hippie" team in the current race, who I really liked and hoped would win), and getting screwed by having the lame cabbie, which is largely UNpreventable and due to bad luck.

Going over key strategy in advance should be important, strategy for Detours/Roadblock etc. You so often see the team inappropriately pick their lame member to do a Detour who holds them up because they are unwilling or unable to do the task.

It would seem that unless you are VERY confident you are not near the rear, you should ALWAYS use the Roadblock or whatever it is where you screw the other team. If you pick the people who are basically last, then you INSURE that your team will not be eliminated by making that team eliminated. Of course, if it is a non-elimination round, then you may ensure they will single you out for revenge.

Likewise you should always use whatever the thing that brings you straight to the finish if you get it. You never know if next time you will be eliminated and not ever be able to use it.

A general strategy should be chosen for Detours. Basically the teams should choose whichever option has less chance to royally screw them over. If a team is older or not athletic, perhaps they should do the less physically demanding puzzle type challenge each time unless it seems obviously a trap. If a team is very physically fit, perhaps they should generally choose the physical challenge.