[RC] Some Thoughts on Pacing (Part 2) - Jim Holland
Magic’s vet scores were perfect at
Hallelujah…not one B….I was supremely confident that I could finish
Goethe 100 easily and should have been able to do so. I got
overconfident, did not “ride my own ride”, and didn’t adjust
to some adverse conditions. It was a humbling experience.
Goethe
had one 10 mile loop….all the others were 15. I was concerned
about starting in the dark, so I “parked” behind a good rider
on a really good horse (Sarah Engsburg) who was going faster than my pace
on the first 15 mile loop. Very cool morning, deepest sand of the
ride. I KNEW that in advance. Even walking some of it at the end, I
did it in just a little over 1 ½ hours…WAY too fast. I knew I
was too fast, but disregarded it since I usually do the first loop a
little faster than I want to go and the last one a little slower. However,
THIS WAS NOT A 50! I need more horse left at the end. I should have
gone LESS than 6 ½ mph on that loop and picked it up later when it was
warmer with less sand, then slowed down again after dark. Duh!
Magic
was into it…eating, drinking, getting great vet scores…and I
lost my overall perspective. At the 55 mile check, I rode out with
Alicia Mansuetti and Clare Summers and trotted along with them, enjoying
the company and wanting to get back to camp before full dark. A
little under two hours...TOO FAST! I had plenty of time. I’m
over half done! Should have got off in some of the heavy sand bogs
and slowed down. The last two loops would be a repeat of the first
loop…30 miles in deep sand and colder temperatures. I’m over
½ hour AHEAD of the pace I want on a LONGER ride with the two hardest
loops left to go. Duh!...again.
I
didn’t take into account the cold. I’m thinking Florida, and
although I KNOW it can be cold at nite down there, I did not have a warm Rump
Rug……just don’t ride that much in the cold/dark and it
never crossed my mind. Duh!..again.
The
sand was deeper this year and it was colder…I didn’t adjust
accordingly.
So now what? I will not compete in
January and step up the INTENSITY of my conditioning for Magic for 6
weeks. Not work him longer, just harder and run him up hills to build his
hindquarter strength. (Several 100 milers at Goethe suggested this) I
want to be able to hold the 6 ½ mile pace on a flat 100 mile ride even if it is
sand. I will drop back to a 75 for his next ride. (Boy Scout Powwow in early
February) I will try another similar 100 in late spring and try to ride it
smarter. Hopefully, Joan will be there to keep my head on straight. J
Jim, Sun of Dimanche+, and Mahada Magic
PS…I am now of the opinion that we
should have Limited Distance riders (25 milers), Distance Riders (50 milers),
and Endurance Riders (100 milers) <grin> It appears that the
last 25 miles of a one day 100 is as large a step as moving from 25 miles
to 50! Obviously 100 Mile Rides are not very forgiving of mistakes in
judgment.
