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Re: [RC] [RC] [RC] [RC] RideCamp -LDs. - Joe LongOn Thu, 29 Apr 2004 21:36:00 -0400, Truman Prevatt <tprevatt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: The marathon/10 k analogy is a poor one. The marathon is a foot race that is exactly (41.3 km or 26 miles 385 yards). It is the distance from Marathon, Greese to Athens, Greece and the race got it's name when a messenger ran from Marathon to Athens to announce a victory over the Persians in 490 B.C. The 10 k is a foot race of exactly 10 km and the 400 meter is a foot race of exactly 400 meters. Endurance riding has evolved. It was first a long distance race, Barbara reported a 35 miler in the early days. Then after the AERC came about it was mostly 100 miles. Then it evolved to 50 miles and up. The term "endurance" covers a lot of distances. For the analogy to marathon and 10 k to be valid there would need to be separate events for each distance, 50, 55, 60, 65, etc. and statistics and records kept in each distance with championships offered in each distance. I think that's a nit-pick, but it is a reason that in my recent posts I've used the analogy of "Ultramarathons" -- which, like endurance rides, cover a range of distances. I think the definition of an "Ultra" is anything longer than a marathon. And, no matter how many marathons you run, to be an "Ultra" runner you have to complete an "Ultra." Endurance riding is still evolving and I suspect that some day the 25 will be part of the sport - and not segregated into it's own category. I am sure a lot of old timers never though a whipper-snapper only riding 50 miles ( or as some put it a half a ride ) would ever be considered an endurance rider. I do believe the definition of an endurance ride could be better. A minimum of 60 miles in one day would be an improvement IMO, or even 75 miles in one day. But as a practical matter I don't think the AERC will be raising it anytime soon. ; ^ ) However, 25 - 35 mile rides are already part of the AERC, and part of the sport of distance riding. -- Joe Long jlong@xxxxxxxx http://www.rnbw.com ============================================================ The two best drugs to have in your kit are Tincture of Time and a Dose of Common Sense. These two will carry you through 99.999% of the problems associated with horses and endurance competition. ~ Robert Morris ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
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