Let me know if you get private postings, I'm sort of in the same boat. I bought a gelding that has 2 (slow) 50 milers under his belt, but I've never been able to compete because of lameness issues with my mare. I have been crewing for years, and have done training rides of 20+ miles (not on this horse). Personally I have been working out, started running recently and hope to continue. I'm not sure if I can manage a 50 yet, but hopefully in a few months, and my boy should be ready again at about the same time as he's been in pasture for a few months over the winter.