The 6 P’s of Race Preparation

Rob Howard / 18.08.2012

Racers and teams have now gathered at The Peak sports centre and the surrounding sports village in Stirling, central Scotland to prepare for the adidas TERREX ‘Sting in Stirling’.  The race does not begin until Monday morning when teams will gather at Stirling Castle for the start (though there is Prologue Sunday night).

Allowing a full 2 days for pre-race preparation and all the usual briefings, kit checks and tests etc means the event has a more relaxed atmosphere than many expedition races, so the staff and racers can start the week without being stressed and tired from all the running around and admin that is required.  In fact much of the testing is already taken care of in advance with teams having to show evidence of required skills and qualifications in rope work and in canoes before the race.  The only checks today have been on the team’s harnesses and their tents.

At the tent check some teams were seeing if 4 of them could squeeze into some very small tents to reduce the weight they need to carry.  This option was more about safety than comfort, but they do have the choice to take a second tent with them if they want to carry it and get better rest when they do stop.  Gi ven the uncertain weather forecast, the length of the race, and the fact they are not allowed to sleep in buildings at transitions, it might be wise to do that.

The briefing is tonight (Sat) at 6pm and even the weather is cooperating as it’s a fine, sunny afternoon in Stirling.  From the event centre the impressive gothic spires of the Wallace Monument can be seen across the river, as can the castle and surrounding hills.

It is an impressive setting and the teams already know it’s an impressive course, as they were issued their maps and route books when they registered this morning. (There are 30 maps in all.) This meant much of the day was taken up looking at the maps and assessing the challenge ahead, so once again there was no last minute stress ... although once they saw the route there were surely some severe pre-race nerves! 

Once they had the details of the course the teams could work out their food packing and what went in which gear box, and that wasn’t easy.  I found the Irish team Ballyhouracountry.com set around a large table with the maps spread out.  Two were working on spreadsheets, one on detailed notes and another going through the maps – though the competition may not have begun, the race already has.  These plans and decisions are crucial – kit and food must be in the right place for a smooth race and any rule infringements (like boxes too heavy or oversized) will mean penalties.

The task was made harder by the nature of the course – which includes various short course options throughout the route.  Teams needed to assess what their likely speed over the ground would be, and think about their ambitions for the race before even beginning.  As one racer put it, “It’s not just a physical challenge ... it’s a bit of a brain-buster figuring all this out!”

More details on the course and what lies ahead will follow in the next story.

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