Last week I had the opportunity to spend six days working medical at the Gore-Tex TransRockies Run in Colorado. This was truly a positive experience.The Colorado Rockies are fantastic.
About 50 individuals did the three-day race and 110 teams did the six-day. We saw a significant amount of foot problems. Toenails and heels were the main issues. We had between 10 and 14 runners who presented with large heel blisters. Toenails were an issue mainly because of poor personal hygiene and runners being not understanding the potential of under the toenail blisters and toe blisters. There were only a few runners with ball of the foot blisters. The next few posts will highlight what we saw and treatments given. I have some great photos. Those of you who know me know you can count on some photos that will make you cringe!
The photo is of Tim and Doone Watson finishing day four at Redcliff.
This year the runners covered 115 miles in six days. Stages ranged from 14 to 24 miles. The route was from Buena Vista to Beaver Creek, going over Hope Pass into Leadville, and then later through Vail. Great swag for runners, all inside a huge duffle bag – a Gore-Tex WindStopper jacket, Timex watch, hat, shirt, a trail running book, ceramic mug, Peet shoe dryer, energy food stuff, WindStopper stadium blanket, WindStopper gloves, and more. Good meals, masseuses available every afternoon, ice baths, mobile showers, and tents put up and taken down for you. Awards were presented every night for that day’s stage category winners and overall winners. Videos were shown each evening of the day’s race. It was a real social event too. Gore-Tex and Salomon each had areas for runner relaxation for the runners every afternoon.
The staff and volunteers are there to make the event as fun as possible for the runners. I can honestly say the runners every need was taken care of. We worked hard but were treated well. We also received swag, in fact more than any other race I have worked.
For those looking for a late summer experience, the TransRockies is a first rate race. I encourage you to consider the race for 2011. Teams can be two guys, two ladies, or a guy and lady – or do the three-day race solo. The link is http://transrockies.com/transrockiesrun/news/
