The sun was merely resting yesterday - today it returned with a vengance!  Wind strength is also up.  This combination of sun and wind is ok for cooling, but means that everyone needs to watch their fluid intake.  As always in outdoor activities, adequate hydration is key in preserving performance and promoting recovery.
 
Today I thought I'd provide you with some insight into the work of the medical team on Gobi March 2009.  A peek into the virtual med tent, you could say.
 
For this event, the team is composed of four doctors from the US (Rebecca, Andy, Rick and Jeremy) and myself (Matt) - the token Englishman!  My American colleages are being gentle with me, speaking slowly and using simple phrases so that I can keep up...
 
The members of the med team leave camp each morning with check point teams.  Generally, each check point has its own dr and we try to make sure that there is one of us free with the med team vehicle (car 5) to respond to problems or provide support when necessary.  If a given leg of the day's route is considered particularly challenging, one of the drs may accompany the sweeps clearing though the route to the next check point.
 
On a check point, the drs are available for help and advice and can provide extra foot care materials if required.  Competitors are encouraged to be as self-sufficient as possible in caring for themselves and they have certainly risen to this challenge well.
 
Once all the competitors pass through a check point, the post is collapsed and the dr returns to base camp.  As more and more competitiors finish the day's course, the med tent gets steadily busier.  Quite understandably however, most racers initial priorities revolve around food and fluids!  The busiest period of the days for the drs is between 6 and 8 pm when there may be a patient group of competitiors waiting for some advice or tip.  Most of our time is spent dealing with foot issues, but racers also want to discuss fluid and salt balance, old injuries, poor appetites, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea. We always attempt to provide our patients with as much advice and information as we can and are happy to teach them new skills!
 
As well as competitors there are, of course, volunteers and staff with problems of their own - our tent flap is open to them all.
 
We endeavour to close the med tent at 8 pm, although we remain available for help with more serious issues 24/7.  'After hours' the med team prides itself on an inexhaustable supply of jokes and anecdotes.  We expect a stern stomach and appreciation of a darker sense of humour from those who join our circle!
 
In a sense, our day finishes when we follow up our cases at 0700 hrs to see how things have been overnight.  The ability of the body to recuperate when given food, water and rest is impressive.   Still more amazing is the determination and sheer will power of all the competitors.
 
Well ...... I hope you've enjoyed your peek into the med tent.  Hello to the friends and family of all competitors, volunteers and staff.  We'll take good care of your loved ones.
 
Matt signing off.

Yesterday was a hot one.  The medical tent was rocking.  We saw quite a few heat related illnesses.  Every doctor has revived at least one competitor. A few hard core competitors got IV fluids at a check point and continued on their way.  Unfortunately, a good number of runners seem to have caught travelers diarrhea. The good news is that most peoples' symptoms seem to be controlled with medication and the symptoms seem to last only 24 hours.  Today is very cool and breezy and so far we have not seen any major medical issues.  The competitors feet keep getting worse as the race goes on.  There are only a few virgin feet left with no bandages on them.  We continue to help the runners provide foot care: covering blisters and drilling through tonails to release blood blisters under the nail.  Everyone's spirits are up and we look forward to the rest of the race.

The excitement today started at the hotel before leaving for the race site.  A firecracker from a wedding celebration strayed through the front door of the hotel and struck a competitor in the eye.  Jeremy responded and quickly accessed the situation.  Fortunately,  the competitor closed his eyelid before the projectile struck and there was no harm done.
There was quite a reception by the local village at our arrival to the campsite.  Much of our time was spent educating competitors about the prevention of dehydration and blister care.  We expect that these conditions will be common and would like to limit them as much as possible.
Rebecca showed her skills when she removed an ingrown toenail after a painless digital block.