Day 0: The ITERA Prologue

The ITERA adventure has started. This expedition race goes from Caernarfon to Cardiff in the space of 5 days, using kayaks, bikes, foot and wires!

I'm a volunteer rather than a racer but it's still going to be an adventure. I've set myself a few goals: to be smiley and cheery all week, regardless of tiredness or stressful situations; to learn about complex race logistics; to get some copy for a magazine article I'm writing.

Stage 0, the prologue lasted just over an hour for most of the teams, but the enormity was in the logistics. With nearly 140 competitors, trekking, running, biking,kayaking, zip wiring and white water rafting it's just crazy. James Thurlow, Tom Gibbs (route planner) and the team have done a wonderful job simply getting to this stage.

After a fine summer, the weather has decided to turn, with heavy rain today and a big storm predicted over the next few days. Adventure races are meant to be challenging, both mentally and physically with competitors pushing themselves to the limits of human endurance. The most experienced racers know when it becomes too tough and will know when to back off. Less experienced competitors may not understand their limits so it's up to the organisers to plan for contingencies including extreme weather.

The first few days include paddling through the Menai Straights and crossing scary mountains in Snowdonia; places that can catch the inattentive out on the best of days. Tom, James and a team of experts have thought about most details, likely wind speeds on the mountain tops, what the rivers will be like after heavy rain and so on. I'm learning loads just by sitting back and listening.

Down in Cardiff Bay, the weather was shifting from sun to heavy rain without warning. Fortunately, the starting gantry went up without us getting too soaked.....lots of banter within a hardy team of volunteers, just getting on with their jobs.

The competitors arrived in dribs and drabs. Some were doing proper warm-ups but I did see one team having a beer in a dockside bar. Many were relaxed, others apprehensive and one or two looking completely scared. Interestingly, there didn't seem to be a link between behaviour and aspiration. For example, one team with hopes of victory were looking like gladiators readying for battle, whilst another team of similar ability looked as though they were preparing for a night at a comedy festival.

Soon everyone was off, scampering round Cardiff Bay, with a fun white water paddle thrown in. Us volunteers were busying ourselves changing the start gantry to a finishing one and answering questions for passers by. Team Adidas Terrex were first in, taking around an hour and looking very serious, even Sally who typically is jumping about smiling like a children's TV presenter. Teams were coming in for ages afterwards, many just having a fun evening, saving energy for the week ahead.

It was then time to pack the lorry up, taking down gantries, gazebos and flags. I was so sleepy by this stage and was happy when we decided to head for dinner. The decision was taken to go to Harvester at the last moment as it had parking that was sufficient for a lorry. My goal for the week was to remain cheery but this was a struggle. I looked at the menu, not wanting anything... It took Rosemary ages to get me to consider eating in Pizza Express, until I decided their quality isn't bad at all. Not so in Harvester where I decided to get a small plate of nachos. I was famished and ate them but hadn't a clue how they had achieved such a shade of green with the guacamole!

Bed soon after was a welcome relief.