Dr. Ellen Smith is the medical director and a great friend of the race. She provides the needed emergency medical
plan, race day medical coverage and general support. She is also the developer and lead instructor of the
Wilderness Medicine Field Course and an emergency and trauma
physician with over 20 years experience practicing emergency medicine.
You can call her to see her Friday in the sports med office for a cardiac stress test, that Sunday before race for
a ankle taping, in clinic for a gait analysis, or during the race for an issue. She and her team of volunteers will
come early and head down the course an hour prior the start. The fast folks will probably cross them at mile 10 with the
rest of the pack passing them by mile 13. Be sure to say hi and thank them.
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Trail Marathon Runners,
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I wanted to say hello and provide some cold running tips that could make you more comfortable for the upcoming marathon.
I am an emergency /trauma/wilderness and sports medicine physician and will be at the race to support the runners.
Ed’s race is an adventure in personal achievement that you will remember for a great time. To keep you at your
best…
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General Warmth / wear. Expect cold wet feet. Sealskinz socks or similar are awesome but do lose
their effectiveness after a few hours. Expect to be on the trails at least 5-8 hours. Bring a second and third pair
of wool socks, or liner socks. I will help you change if your hands are too cold and have a Blister solution for your torn
feet if needed. I will have a sign at the checkpoint that looks medical. Once you stop, you will quickly get
cold, so let me know and we will blanket you during a sock change. If on the trail and tired, keep moving
even --- walk on and we will blanket you at the next check point.
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Consider to buy hot hands. If you bring hot hands / or hotties, I will be happy to hold them and you can retrieve
them when you come by me at the checkpoint, I will be happy to open, shake and place in your glove, or in your legs of tights just
above the artery to the foot! Please bring some if you think you will ask for some later (to be fair).
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Hydration. Cold temps decrease our sensation of thirst, but remember you need hydration to
function, make sure to take in at the least 10 oz every hour. We will have plenty of refills at the check
points. Bring some electrolye drink in a powder form in ziplock bags, add it to your empty camelback or
bottles and fill up water from the check points.
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Food / Fuel. You will need not only fuel to run, but to keep warm –since this race may
involve lots of post hole type progress, eat a little before you feel the need with easy to digest
carbs. Bring some nonperishable goodies in your pack or pockets.
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Directions / Vision / Snowblindness. Not a bad idea to mentally review the list of street crossings in
order and to jot this down on a little piece of cardboard in your pocket. Continual snow / whiteness/ sunlight
on your retinas can cause snowblindness and poor vision and it is important to stay on course. If you are following
tracks, remember people use the trail to hike from access roads in neighborhoods. Wait for the next runner or
call in and let the staff know the last street crossing you passed so we can determine where you are. Consider
sunglasses to preserve your eyes. If you start to feel scratchy feeling in eyes and the world looks like someone
just took a flash photo of you, let me know at the aid station.
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Cold weather skin injury. If your hands are cold for a period, and now feel burning hot, this is known as
reactive hyperemia—it is important to keep them dry and warm at this point as your body is trying to dilate the blood
vessels in the hands to warm them. Since the blood vessels are dilated and now continued cold exposed, they may soon
get colder and feel numb or painful. Point this out to me immediately as we will need to insulate you better.
Nose, ears, feet, hands are all at risk if not kept dry and warm. Avoid (metal) jewelry also (brrr) . If
you note swollen hands, try raising them above your head for 20 seconds or so once a mile to relieve. If they stay
swollen, you may need some salty fluid / food intake.
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strong>Unexpected Water Entry. If you slip into the water, the first 30 seconds will shock your body and may
cause some spasms of your voicebox. During this time, concentrate on leaning your head back and keeping your mouth above
water, NOT swimming face down in water. Once the spasms relieve, use your whole arm and legs to swim to the edge then
get both elbows on land . Kick hard, get horizontal and inch your way to the ground. Runners--Call Ed or me
immediately so we can warm the victim!
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Not trying to scare anyone, but a little pre info can sometimes be very useful to prevent or treat a problem. Everyone have
a safe and memorable race!
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I am happy to answer private questions by email, or if you feel it will benefit another participant, in a reply all format with
Ed’s approval.
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Ellen L. Smith, MD FACEP
Director Montgomery General Sports Medicine Center
Assistant Director Emergency Services
Developer and Lead Instructor
Wilderness Medicine Field Course
www.wildmedmd.com
301-524-6911
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