Guadarun Raid Adventure

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Just arrived in the lovely isles of Guadeloupe...

Jacqueline Windh / 22.03.2013

<p>My partner Dave and I have just arrived in Guadeloupe, an island chain in the southern Caribbean, getting ready to run this year’s Guadarun 6-day ultramarathon. The race consists of six stages run over seven days (Day 2 is a travel/rest day), for a total distance of about 150 km.

I ran this race in 2010, and have been trying to juggle my schedule to get back ever since. It has so many things going for it:
<li>Each stage is run on a different island, so you really get a chance to get acquainted with the geography and culture. The islands are surprisingly unique!
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<li>This is the 14th running of Guadarun, so I know I can count on a really efficienct and professional race organization.</li>
<li>Guadeloupe is a French territory (a “department� of France) so conditions are very first-world and civilized, with a culture that is a very interesting blend of both European and African/Caribbean traditions.</li>
<li>The distances are not overwhelming, ranging from 15 to 35 km per day, making it an ideal event for people running their first multi-day event.</li>
</ul>I really believe in the importance of acclimatization, especially when leaving Canadian winter to race in the tropics, (not to mention that I am not opposed to a bit of a Caribbean vacation!) so Dave and I have come out a whole nine days early. I find that a minimum of five days of heat-acclimatization really helps to reduce electrolyte imbalances (and foot-swelling, an ultrarunner’s bane!), and allows you to perform to your personal potential.</p>
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