Anyone who’s run an ultramarathon knows feet can be their best friend or worst enemy. At Blisterhelp, a big part of my mission has always been to demystify footcare for endurance athletes—so here’s an inside look at what I really do out on the course when working as an expedition podiatrist (and an introduction to my new project, The Expedition Podiatrist).
Feet First… in the Field
Being embedded in an ultra-event means more than patching up the odd blister (though you’ll definitely find me ploughing through many of them!). Here’s what my days typically involve on the ultra-marathon event
Before the Start Line
- The day before the race day we check in the runners, bag and medical checks are carried out. Our medical kits are also organised and checked every day for stock levels and equipment.
- Pre-race meetings with the course organisers/ medical team are usually carried out the night before each stage of the race
- We are instructed on where each of us will be located by the course organisers, and the days always start early. Some of the team will be at checkpoints and others at the medical tent. We can treat runners before the race starts, pre-taping or sorting out wound care from the day before.
- If we are staying at the main camp, then we can often get to see them at the start line.
- A big focus is on proactive education and answering the many questions the participants usually have.
During the Event
- As the race unfolds, I’m constantly treating foot issues—blisters, wounds, maceration, nail injuries, friction burns, and, on tough days, some creative surprises!
- Sometimes, it’s about physical fixes—a quick offload dressing, a well-placed dressing, guidance on dealing with swelling or sand—but just as often, it’s reassurance or problem-solving to keep runners confident when things go wrong.
- Through it all: no two feet, or runners, are ever quite the same.
After Finishing
The finish line is emotional for competitors and medics alike. Post-race, I make sure everyone knows how to treat their wounds and protect healing skin. I spend time debriefing, collecting event stories and trends for future educational resources, and always offering encouragement for both heroes and DNFs.
Why Experience Matters (and Why I Launched The Expedition Podiatrist)
Years of clinical practice and hundreds of race hours have taught me that real-world solutions are not always shown in textbook theory. Race days rarely go
as planned, and desert or ultra events throw curveballs that only hands-on experience can navigate.
That’s why The Expedition Podiatrist is now live—a new website dedicated to practical advice, kit reviews, and the reality of working (and running) in extreme environments. If you’ve found Blisterhelp useful, you’ll love what’s over there—especially if you’re a medic heading to an event or a runner who wants the inside scoop on prevention, recovery, and surviving multi-day races in one piece.
Ready to go deeper?
Read more about my adventures in Iceland – fixing feet at The Fire and Ice Ultramarathon:
Or read about my trek across the Sahara Desert – supporting runners in the Marathon Des Sables:
About The Author
I’m Lindsey Ebbs, a podiatrist with more than three decades of clinical experience and a passion for working in the world’s toughest endurance events.
