A few years ago, I took stock of my athletic interests and skills. I had been racing mountain bikes and swimming for years, and playing Ultimate (Frisbee) even longer. Blessed with a love for the outdoors and moderate athleticism, but cursed with neither outstanding skill nor a long attention span, I would never find happiness in single-discipline sports. A friend suggested I try triathlons again, and when I found off-road tris (mountain biking and trail running), I was, well, off to the races. That led to adventure racing, a sport where stubborness and smarts are as important as raw talent.

In an adventure racing, teams of 2-4 (usually coed), travel together by foot, mountain bike, horse, kayak, roller blades -- you name it -- over an unmarked course that they must navigate with map and compass. Teams must stay together at all times, and races last -- continuously, with no timeouts for wind nor rain nor sleet nor snow -- from 2 hours to 2 weeks. Fun!