cont'd

1999

This was a terrible year for medical tent visits, with a whopping number of six encounters due to asthma, a crash, dehydration, and stupidity (note: always glue down inserts in running shoes so they stay in place when you shove your wet feet into them).

Mrs. T's Chicago Triathlon

After completing this race four times without incident, it was inevitable that the time would come for me to check out the medical tent of the biggest triathlon in the world. A month long bout with whooping cough (yes, this disease still exists) left my airways tender and susceptible to asthma. My chest felt tight toward the end of the bike, and I needed a couple of sprays of my inhaler at the start of the run. My breathing calmed down until the last mile. Focused on the race and not thinking entirely rationally, I did not use my inhaler again. Another sprint finish left me in a heap at the finish line.

I was carried to the medical tent where I received impeccable service. The EMTs administered oxygen, a nebulizer, and some soothing words, and after some time I was able to breathe easy yet again.

Moral: Asthma stinks.

And finally…

The racing M*A*S*H unit is an indispensable service that caters to individuals of all ages with a myriad of problems. Medical tent volunteers need to be versed in a variety of specialties, have incredible patience, and hopefully a less than keen sense of smell (I don’t even want to be near me after finishing an Ironman!). Important factors in a good medical tent include: friendly, caring and experienced personnel, proper equipment, enough beds to handle the load of individuals unfortunate enough to need the med tent services, and a comfortable environment. Do not hesitate to utilize the medical tent if you are in need of assistance. It is there for your health and protection; if you have a question, find a staff member and ask. Let them determine if you need to be admitted.

If you find yourself in the medical tent, be courteous to the volunteers and follow their instructions. Alert them to any known medical problems you have and any medications that you are taking. If you are receiving an IV, and you know that a particular vein works best, inform them. (Although, I have had the experience where the person administering the IV takes this as a challenge, “Oh, your right arm is tough? I can do it, I'm really good.” Inevitably, they miss.) Most medical tents do not have enough or any food, which can be a problem, especially after a long race. Towels and/or blankets are usually in short supply and I have yet to visit a medical tent equipped with feminine products. In my pre-race bag, I keep everything I can possibly need for any circumstance, and usually somebody can gain access to it.

Take the time to get to know the other racers bunked around you, as well as the volunteers that are helping you. I have met many incredible people in the medical tent. While in the medical tent at the 1998 Hawaii Ironman, I became acquainted with a physician whom I now keep in contact with; luckily he came to my aid during my 1999 med tent visit and quite skillfully started my IV. I had a perennial Ironman medical tent bunkmate in Sian Welch, as in 1998 and 1999 we were next to each other, I will miss her. And, while in the medical tent in Sweden at Long Course Worlds, I was next to a South African woman who is a nutritionist. After talking with her I learned all about hypoglycemia and dehydration and tactics to over come them.

I hope not to see you in the medical tent this season, but if I do, come over and say hello.

Race hard and have fun.

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