Being stuck in the middle of an unfamiliar forest with only a map, a compass and three teammates may seem like a nightmare.
But to Kyle Peter, it’s a dream come true.
This is a common scenario in an adventure race, during which athletes complete a variety of feats from mountain climbing to kayaking to swimming while seeking various checkpoints using a map and compass. The Communication junior completed eight of these feats during the past four months.
Peter said he became hooked on the idea of adventure racing during his freshman year at NU when he saw one on television.
“I saw it and said, ‘I want to do that,'” Peter said, smiling.
Peter competed in his first adventure race during his sophomore year and has traveled everywhere from Utah to Texas to race. Despite his experience, Peter says the races continue to challenge his stamina and skills. For example, simply locating the checkpoints in a race is a challenge since the locations are unpredictable.
“Sometimes (the checkpoint) is in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes it’s at the intersection of two major roads,” Peter said.
During an adventure race, participants compete nonstop for anywhere from six hours to 10 or more days. Such long races require immense preparation time, and although Peter said he spends hours a day shaping up for the races, he said he avoids falling into a monotonous training routine.
“I try to keep my training from becoming too strict,” he said. “Sometimes I wake up around 5:30 a.m. and fit a two- to four-hour kayak in, and I’ll usually do a longer bike ride on weekends.”
Peter said he also runs regularly and keeps his pathfinding skills sharp through weekend orienteering meets in which participants seek various points on a map using a compass.
The intense training required for racing is physically taxing. Peter said he has been lucky enough to avoid major injury but has experienced strains and pulls.
“The biggest problem is overuse injuries,” Peter said. “Your body is not meant to take all that abuse, and after a while things start to get inflamed.”
The races also takes a toll on Peter’s pocketbook. Entry fees, travel and hotel costs and pricey gear add up quickly.
“Every dollar I make goes toward paying for some part of a race,” said Peter, who works as a hospital orderly to raise cash.
Peter’s intense training and motivation has not gone unnoticed by his friends.
“He’s really dedicated (to training) and he always works out at least a few hours a day, ” said Richard Humphrey, a close friend of Peter. “It seems like he really enjoys it.”
Reach Allison Bond at [email protected].
