UNMC Off the Clock – Adventure racing with Linda Kelsey

For a good time, Linda Kelsey likes to run, bike, row and rappel for hours on end through nasty terrain.

For the past several years, the research technologist in the department of biochemistry and her husband have participated in Adventure Races throughout the country.

Linda Kelsey and her adventure racing team, Team Torti.

Adventure racing is a team sport in which groups navigate a course with a map and compass and no motorized transportation.

Teams must travel together through a series of check points. Races run anywhere from four hours to 10 days in length.

Below, Kelsey talks more about adventure racing.

How did you get started in it and how many races have you done?

In the 1990s there was a multi-day adventure race called Eco-Challenge, which was televised. We watched it avidly. A couple of years ago, we heard about the Angry Cow Adventure race series in Nebraska and decided to give it a shot. Angry Cow races are up to eight hours long. My husband and I now race on Team Torti out of Kansas City and we have done close to 25 races. We have raced in Nebraska, Kansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Texas and Utah. We were invited to and raced in the 2009 and 2010 Adventure Racing National Championships in Texas and Moab, Utah. We now specifically race in the 24-plus hour races.

When was your most recent race?

In June, we did a 30-hour race in Paoli, Ind.

What is the training like and how do you train?

We train six days a week, alternating with the different disciplines. Usually, two-to-three days running up to 12 miles at a time, two-to-three days biking with one ride being 40 to 60 miles. We try to sprinkle in swimming to help with the paddling. We also get together with our team and do night rides and practice navigating.

Where do these races happen?

Adventure races can happen anywhere. Most of our races are around state parks. Urban races are becoming quite popular. The Omaha Urban Race drew more than 400 people this year.