Back to Adventure Racing

Just out of college, and recently married, Julie (now in heaven) and I did our first adventure race. We drove from Anderson Indiana, to a small town in WI. We raced for 10 hours, using kayaks, bikes and run in the wilderness. After that day, we were hooked. That was the beginning of almost a decade of various forms or racing.

I vividly remember "The flying pig marathon" in Cincinnati OH. We finished in a respectable 4:10 min. We felt we had achieved an incredible mile stone as a young married couple. That feeling was part of many other races. Once you run a marathon, many non-sense things in life start to pale.

After the birth of our first son Timothy, and with an increase in our responsibilities in ministry, racing was put on the back burner - eventually we dropped the sport. Then the tragic accident in 2012, which took the wind out of my my sails out, even though I did continue running during those dark years as a way to express pain, and frustration, and to keep some form of sanity.

I have been missing the connection with nature and the feeling that comes when you race - not to mention the health benefits. Growing up in the jungles as a missionary kid has had a seducing draw toward the outdoors. I am in the process of building a new racing team. Marcos, my my oldest son is showing interest in racing with me, soo . . .

This past week we did our first timed event together. Along 30 other teams, we marched and finished our first adventure racing course, using topographic maps. This race combined mountain biking and hiking, over 30 miles of beautiful Paraguay country side. Part of the stage was along the Parana River, second after the amazon.

For me, Adventure Racing has become a metaphor for life. When you race, you have to make tough decisions, you have to pace yourself, and you have to train for the event if you plan to make it to the finish lane.

Wish you the best as you run the race of life today. See you at the finish lane.

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