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Day 0: On the paradise isle of Desirade

Jacqueline Windh / 05.04.2010

Take a look at this picture. I took it two and a half years ago, when I was reporting on the IGWA adventure race herein Guadeloupe. It’s taken from the eastern tip of Grande-Terre, looking out towards the island of Desirade. I remember the moment that I took it, thinking nothing but: <i>I want to go there.</i>

Well, guess where I am writing from! Desirade is the first island on our tour, Stage One of the race. I came across from Grande-Terre yesterday afternoon with one of the organizing crew, Frida, and her 5-year old son Kayze - a 45 minute boat ride from St-François, on Grande-terre, where I’ve been staying the last few weeks, our journey complete with views of distant spouting whales to the south. Most of the racers and crew arrived here a few hours later - many of the racers coming in from Europe only arrived at the airport in Point-a-Pitre at 3pm.

I am so glad that I came here early, for many reasons. As I’ve said, it’s hot, and I know that my midday runs and even sleeping in the heat at night this last week have done a lot to acclimatize me. Better to suffer before the race, than on it, I say! I am actually amazed at how many AR teams that I see, after all the training and all the costs they invest in an international event, who arrive at the last minute, leaving no time to deal with luggage or gear issues (or flight delays), not to mention getting over the jet-lag and acclimatizing to local conditions such as heat or altitude. Although I notice that some teams are taking this acclimatization period more seriously, e.g. Team Orion Health, and it seems to be paying off for them.

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