Re: RC: Conditioning for 100 milers

[Tivers@aol.com]

In a message dated 9/1/00 6:35:54 AM Pacific Daylight Time, DebiG54 writes:

<< Maybe.  I don't think we know what the future holds until the results of 
today's training miracles have had a chance to show long term results.  Will 
extreme training distances with ever increasing speeds and intensities create 
tougher athletes who can stay sound and competitive for more than the short 
term?  These horses will certainly be tough, but will they last?  Will there 
be a price for too much quantity in the training?  These are questions no one 
can answer yet.  Let's see what happens. You said: "You certainly can't put a 
semi-cripple through much in the way of aggressive exercise."  True.  How 
long before today's winners are semi-crippled?  And I have to wonder if it 
matters.  If careers of winning endurance horses become as short-lived as 
nearly every flat track champion, then what have we accomplished?  I'm not 
predicting this outcome, but sure do wonder about it.  Will today's winners 
have careers and soundness that lasts for ten years or more?  It'll be 
interesting to see what happens.
 
 Debi Gordon  >>


All valid concerns, Debi. 

ti