Death Valley and Footcare - Page 2

Every crew has an extensive foot care kit and they know how to use it.
Many runners pre-tape their feet before they start and then re-tape as necessary.
Every runner has several pairs of shoes.
The runners are what you might consider “over prepared.”
Some pre-cut the toes out of shoes because they know their feet will swell in the 125-degree air temperature, energy sapping heat, where you can fry an egg on the road.
They work with their crews to fix problems before they develop.

In adventure racing your team is your crew and you are theirs.

There are only a few runners who are able to finish Badwater without some form of foot taping to fix blisters.
It is the taping that enables them to continue.
When they struggle up towards Towne Pass, with 80 miles more to go, and the wind oven-baking your skin and burning your lungs, runners realize that without the taping they would not finish.

In adventure racing your training is your preparation.
Without it you do not finish.