For some, scaling mountains, careening down scree slopes, negotiating slippery creeks and rivers - all at a pace verging on a sprint - is unimaginable.
For Queenstown resident Jim Hawkridge, it is second nature.
Hawkridge (34) will this weekend tackle the 38km Routeburn Classic for the third time, going up against a man who inspired him, Richard Ussher.
He's come a long way since his first attempt just after he moved to Queenstown.
"I ran it with a friend. We were late for the start, loaded up with heaps of gear that we didn't need . . .
"I did it in 3:50 that year."
That same year Ussher completed the race in 2:51.
"I was like `How does he do it?'," Hawkridge said.
As he said himself, it is amazing what a bit of training and trimming down the equipment can do - last year carving almost an hour off his time, completing the race in 2:58.
"That was a real goal for me, to get under three hours."
And on Saturday he will be attempting to hit the 2:50 mark, going up against Ussher, who missed the 2007 event due to an injury.
"I'm going into it to just run my own race, but run a good race for myself . . . climb well, descend well . . . if I can [do that] I'll achieve the time I want to achieve.
"Each year the times get faster and faster, I feel like it's possible to break the 2:51 record.
"Having said that, it's still quite a lot faster, a whole lot faster.
"Initially, you can take a good chunk off your time, but when you're fine-tuning, it becomes minutes.
"To get the minutes [down] over 38km, it's a long time to try and get.
"There is time to be had, especially in the run out from the Routeburn Flats . . .
I feel like I could try and get there, but it really would have to be a good day.
"It depends how you feel on the day - you can wake up and know you're going to have a good one."
And while it may be tipped as one of the most eclectic and exciting fields in the race's five-year history, with former Olympic walker Craig Barrett also lining up, Hawkridge said there was no rivalry, particularly where Ussher was concerned.
"I used to work with [Ussher]. He was a big inspiration for doing these sorts of races.
"I regard him as being one of the world's top mountain runners.
"To be able to compete against him is always [great] - he's an incredible athlete . . . he's a great climber, he's super strong and he's just fast.
"He's comfortable to be in the lead and putting the pressure on when he needs to.
"There is no rivalry.For me it's just fun."
Fun would not be the way most people described adventure racing, sometimes battling ice and snow, other times blazing sun and dry terrain, but it's those variables Hawkridge enjoys most, particularly when he's enduring them off the beaten tracks.
"I like it rough.
"The Motatapu is not my type of run - it's a flat . . . run. I like the climbing . . . it's more stimulating than just zoning out. You can still appreciate the environment . . . you're definitely aware of the environment."
And Hawkridge says you have to be, otherwise there are injuries that will be sustained, particularly to ankles.
"I tend to do that during training runs. The ankles get a bit of a hammering.
"I get quite angry with myself when I do that - it usually means I'm not concentrating enough. You've just got to be so on to it."
It could be said Hawkridge is a bit of a glutton for punishment - after he completes the race on Saturday, weather permitting, he will head to France for three months to test himself in adventure races in Europe, before heading back to Queenstown in August "when the snow is good".
It's hard to believe Hawkridge does all of this for "fun" and while turning professional is an option, the expense and pressure is a "big step".
Sponsored this year by Salomon, in addition to his employer Outside Sports, had made it easier, he said.
"They've been really supportive, which has been really cool.
"Without that support, races are really expensive - being professional . . . is getting paid by companies and getting prize money.
"I'm not at that level yet."
At 34-years old, the question begs to be asked: How long can a body tolerate the hammering from adventure racing?
"There does come a time when your body's just had enough . . . I'm not there.
"I'm just getting started."
