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[RC] !00 Miler - Roger RittenhouseI am surely NOT an expert. I have only done ONE 100 miler - the OD100. It took 3 tries. First year 80 miles, second 65 miles.. third all the way (on the same horse each try) and AND finish at 3:45 in GREAT shape Do I want to do another - YES. Why have I NOT done any since then. The horse that did the OD in 91 was not really suitable for that distance. We were just lucky. I have not had a horse since then I felt was good enough to do it. Not ALL or ANY horse can do a 100 miler... the horse must be of good confirmation - not perfect but just 'right'. Second is ATTITUDE and way of going. I want one that will just go on without rushing or lagging. You and the horse will just beat each other up if you fight a 'racer' or 'push' a lager all day.. I have one with my current horse Omni - He is NOW easy going willing to work and just go along. The last year set us back so far -- I have to really think about it when WE both MAY be ready. Had we not wrecked, I think this year would have been his 100 miler year. I planned on 3 years of 50 milers to get the base established then make the move. The little mare who did the OD was 10 with over 1000 miles of ECTRA CTR (one day and multi-day) as well as many 50 milers. She was really too small for me, and we had to work thorough issues with a shoulder. To get her ready for the third attempt, I rode 3 to 4 days per week starting in March, unless there was a ride on the weekend. Then we only went out 2 times in the week. We rode about 5 to 10 miles per session. Weekends were ECTRA rides or AERC 50 milers. She did a competition about 2 times per month until the end of May. I spent a week in Ft Valley riding the back half of the ride, program under direction of mentor Val Kanavy. Easy riding from the end of May until June 9. I have rider log books someplace. I need to find them. I may need them if I ever write a book? MY PROGRAM. During that period I was working full time and 'road running' I ran allot since Fame was small and I needed to get off on the climbs both up and down. I figured I MUST be able to spend about 20 miles on the ground to help her. I ran on the 'no ride' days about 5 miles. I also did lots of running with her and tailing. Some days I took her for the 5 mile run with me- no saddle. That was her off day. I was in a karate class 2 nights per week. THAT makes you tough to take the pain...and deal with issues. I did just basic calisthenics each day. Kept loose and built endurance. The rider has to be in good basic athletic condition. An out of condition rider will not make it- or will at worst mess up the horse. The 50 milers do not really bother me that much when I am in good condition. I suspect this year- I will not do so well with both of us getting back in competitive condition. It will take awhile. My suggestion to riders is to walk or jog a little each week - try some basic calisthenics and then just ride. With working 2 horses this spring and getting back into 50 milers late spring, I set my sights on doing 75 in the fall. The mental aspects were another issue. I made signs at my desk - 'THIRD TIME IS THE WINNER' etc etc.. I did mind trips when we rode- all that mental exercise we lean in karate and what I did while running marathons. Focus on the goal. I get within my self and try to do the same with my horse. We have to work as one, I felt with Fame and Omni - I have archived that - a mind meld. It only comes at times like a runner high, but when you get there its great. During the ride - it all went like a script. I rode to a plan and it worked. Got a little caught up in the moment coming down off Shermans Gap.. while going to the rive I let her run on.. like has been said by others, they REALLY do get the power after 80 miles. It was a real rush to cross the river and power trot the last 12 miles in the dark- alone. The riders mental attitude during the ride is quite important. I just keep 'looking' to the finish. From the time I started this sport in the 70s, I was always focused on doing the 100 milers, I thought that was all there was. Everything else was 'getting ready' to do the 100 I resent the fact or disappointed with my self- that I have not been able to do more. As I get better this year and either of these horses shows the promise and aptitude, I will do another 100 miler. -- Roger mailto:roger@xxxxxxxxxxx =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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