Re: RC: Rider Fitness

["Linda Dewees" <quiltrider@hotmail.com>]

Dear Wendy,

Your post ispired me!!!  I am an on again, off again jogger, and one of my resolutions this year is to jog regularly.  (I did a couple slow marathons a few years ago and would love to get fit again.)  My husband got a Totalgym for Christmas and he gently urged my to give it a try too, and boy does my upper body need it.  But I said NO, for now I'm only concentrating on riding and jogging regularly.  Well, you changed my mind and inspired me!  See what a post will do when it comes at the right time?!  I bet you encouraged some others, too.

Also, I'm new at distance riding and have a POA mare.  We're going to attempt our first LD at Fire Mtn in one week.  I live in Inyokern and I'm keeping my eyes open for a good horse for a newbie  to  do endurance on.  Let me know if you happen to know of any in our locality now or in the future. 

Thanks for the motivation!

Linda Dewees     quiltrider@hotmail.com

>From: "guest@endurance.net"

>To: "ridecamp@endurance.net"

>Subject: RC: Rider Fitness

>Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2001 17:14:21 -0800

>

>Wendy Merendini merendiniws@navair.navy.mil

>Barbara said :So I decided to sign up at a gym and go for twice

> weekly workouts, strength training on various cruel-looking

>machines.

>

>Barbara you have found the very best way for any endurance rider

>to maintain strength, greatly reduce fatigue and become a real

>help to your mount!

>

>I have been lifting weights for many years and it is the main

>reason that I can finish a 100 mile ride as "tight" in the saddle

>as when I started. I just do not get the muscle fatigue that

>I see in many riders as the miles go by. I lift about three or

>four times a week and really concentrate on upper body strength.

>Working your legs is good but as you noticed your leg strength

>was already more than most folks because of your riding. Upper

>body strength is what will keep you balanced and steady in the

>saddle throughout a ride.

>

>I also run - but that is for me because I like to run. Where as

>yes I am capable of running with my horse on rides and everyone

>should do some kind of cardio fitness for just general health -

>it is the weight lifting that really makes the difference in

>staving off rider fatigue and delayed reactions that come with

>fatigue.

>

>So Barbara - Congratulations and keep it up - if you ever need

>a pep talk give me a buzz!

>

>Wendy Merendini

>

>

>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

>Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.

>Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp

>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

>

---

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com