It rained last night, woken up with pounding rain drops on a canvas tent. There was no precipitation through the roof and we woke up to dry. I went out early to help set a portion of the course, and have anew appreciation. I WALKED through the canyon stream bed and almost twisted my ankle three times. The runners are bounding through the area without a pause.... really impressive.
 
We are now at Peach Village, a tiny town where the competitors are sleeping in villager's beds and courtyards, and the medical tent is in a courtyard. THe day has been very cool, cloudy, with some raindrops....again, great weather for running and the threatened hot weather will have to wait for the Turpan basin tomorrow.
 
We have not lost anyone to injuries yesterday, and hopefully not too many people succumb to twisted ankles or other assorted MSK issues today. Again, amazing that in 2 days we have not had anyone drop out due to blisters... a first for me.
 
A CHinese runner this morning dropped to the ground and punched out 120 pushups to show me how fit he was feeling. He then motioned for me to go next, I said, "I'm good thanks."
 
Medical Tip: To make a homemade fly detterent, put bags of water dangling from a doorway, the fractallated eyes of a fly will see reflected light, and fly away from the light and away from enterring your room.
 
Best from Gobi
 
Grant the Blogging Doc

What an amazing medical start. I have never seen the Med Tent so calm, quiet, and filled with the idle chatter of med team members awaiting the onslaught of blistered and sick competitors..who have not shown up.  A quick word with CEO Mary Gadams confirmed that she has never seen the first 2 days of a race with competitors in such good shape. I wish I could take some of the credit, but I think it is a perfect storm of cool conditions, fit racers, and everyone having their own foot kits and using them.

 

Hearing the carnage from the Australia race, this is a truly a wonderful surprise.

The bubble is about to burst.

It about to get hot. To quote Robin WIlliams, "Damn Hot." Flaming mountains we are expecting upwards of 50C (122F), and it will be unprecedented in this bloggers experience (although that one Bikram Yoga class in Portland felt about that warm). I am having med team members sweep sections of course to be there for hurting competitors. And I will likely hang out in the Flaming Mountains all day and hike the last bit in to ensure some safety. WHile dreading the 122F, 7 mile hike, looking forward to burning off some idle calories that have been banking.

 

Inthe meantime, the sunset is at 10p, and competitors have had many many hours hanging out, drinking tea, and chatting. COmbined with the luxurious 9a start, it is one of the most chill couple days spent on a RTP event. Of course, the next few days wake ups will be at 5.30 and 4a respectively, so the honeymoon will be over.

 

Thinking of my lovely wife, good luck with the county permits and remember the frozen yoghurt before hand!

Medical Desert Tip: If you want a cool drink, soak a sock in water and wrap it around a bottle of water, the condensation makes it surprisingly refreshing.

 

Cheers

Grant - the blogging Doc

From Camp 2.
Last night I had an amazing experience in the medical tent that is unprecedented in 5 desert medical gigs, I saw perfect feet...Enrolling patients in the Pre-TAPED study, we got a chance to inspect and wrap dozens of perfect feet. I was really cool to chat and see people who were in no distress at all. All chatty and excited for the race. It was likely the 2nd most upbeat night of the race (the most exalted being the final banquet at the finale with a beer in hand!).
 
There was a local wedding in the village, and I fell asleep with an unexpected tune of techno-flavored middle eastern singing and synthesizer.
 
It has been surprisingly brisk and chilly. Camp 2 is nestled in the mountains, stunningly beautiful, and a sharp wind comes down the Mtn. flanks. Tonight should be very cool, and morning huddles around the fire will be in effect. The conversation I had with my wife jAshlie ust before leaving for the airport runs through my mind. Her: Take you down vest, always comes in handy. Me: Nah, I'll be fine, supposed to be 122F Her (knowing better): Suite yourself.... luckily, I have enough warm layers and a warm hat so it should be fine. The competitors who are limited by weight, will be less lucky adn warm themselves with hot water and thoughts of the "flaming hills" in 2 days time.
 
Medical tip: When buying medicines in a pharmacy in Central China and the pharmacist tells you it is law to only sell 1 of a certain medicine to you because of abuse potential... don't despair. The 3 other pharmacies next door will have no problem selling out their stock to you without hesitation.
 
Best from Camp 2
Dr. Grant

We have just arrivedat Camp 1, Sat night. A beautiful location, in the middle of nowhere, surroundended by rustling Cypress trees with snow capped peaks in the distance. We had a 1 hour stop, to be welcomed to the region by local dignitaries, local dancers and musicians and singers...and capped of by a speach by local little girl thanking RTP and Mary Gadams for a donation of books and supplies.
The check in today was run likely a smoothly oiled machine, 150 + competitors from many countries, many familiar faces. It was great to see the follks and it reminded me why I keep coming back to RTP events. Of note, we had 32 competitors enroll in our PreTAPED study, taking part in some scientific research to look at blister prevention.
 
The Gobi here is huge, spread out, with a constant breeze through the trees reminding me why this is the "windiest" desert in the world.
 
A medical tip:in windy climates the covering of your eyes (the cornea) dries out quickly, putting you at risk for sunburn of your corneas (ouch!), infection and irritation. Consider having side coverings like you have on glacier glasses, and consider having a vial of natural tears of Visine to lubricate those globes I mean, what good is it to come out to these remote locations, being surrounded by beautiful views, if your eyes are too sore to open and appreciate it.
 
Happy to be out here.
but missing my wife and family.
I am sure by tomorrow night i will be too busy to do anything but help out the athletes, but I am an optomist and this fit field looks like it won't need to much medical help. fingers crossed.
 
Cheers
 
Grant The blogging Doc

I have just arrived in Urumqi, and wanted to post the first of the "blogging doctor" posts. On some races this has been scant as medical care trumps blogs. Hopefully I will have ample time to write this race. A thought to all those competitors en route to Urumqi: beware the hazards of travel! I have met many compeitors whose prep, gear, training regimens and mental fortitude has been reduced to anguish by the simple decison to sample some "street meat" from a roadside cart the day before a race. Be careful! The tine to sample the "simmered innards in chile oil" entree (if at all) is the day after the race, not before. There is no shame in playin it cautious. Getting to the start line in race form is as much of the challenge as anything else. So stay hydrated and eat smart. Big love to my wife who is staying at home this time around Grant