Re: RC: Conditioning for 100 milers

[DebiG54@aol.com]

Sarah and Tom:

My prescription for success has never included extremely long distance 
training.  My longest training rides will rarely go over 25 miles.  On my 
very fit horses being prepared to win, that distance will be covered in two 
hours on hilly, somewhat rocky terrain.  I feel better doing at least one 50 
mile race at top, winning speed before asking a horse to do the same in a one 
hundred miler as the season begins.  However, I've started the season with a 
hundred miler, felt like the horse was slightly undertrained and had great 
success.  

I personally believe extreme training distances (such as 100 miles in a 24 
hour period) are overkill.  I can't imagine that type of training being 
carried out for many years in a row.  Bodies can only stand so much.  To give 
an example...CBS Redman lasted 10 years at the top, placing first or second 
in nearly every race he ran.  His training always included intense work at 
whatever distance my time would allow.  (I was raising 3 kids--never had an 
actual training schedule).  And as a horse starts to age and suffer the 
inevitable wear and tear, extreme distance would be even more risky, not to 
mention unnecessary.

Once a horse has good base training behind it, training rides should be 
intense and include intervals, hills, and speed.  I agree with Tom about 
training at an intensity that will equal or surpass your competition pace.  
Of course, intensity should be increased gradually and carefully.  Obviously, 
it's ideal to mimic whatever conditions you'll face in competition during 
your training, whether it's mountains, sand, humidity, high altitude, or 
whatever.  Reality being what it is, you do the best you can.    

And Sarah, the Old Dominion is certainly not a speed course.  If you finished 
it at any speed, you KNOW what an accomplishment it is to cross that finish 
line.  Now, if you want to finish the Old Dominion before dark (Redman did it 
3 times--shameless brag, I know) you'll have to plan, train, and pray for 
moderate weather.

Debi Gordon