Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Some more thoughts about 100 milers and other challenging things:  I am 
respectful of most everyone's reasons for participating in the sport of 
endurance. Heck, it's an exercise in endurance just to read my posts 
sometimes, I imagine. But in the strictest sense,  modifying the way in 
which rides are put on (special rules for elevating, de-elevating, 
credit for partial completion,etc.,.)  to suit the personal reasons of 
each individual participant is unrealistic if not impossible. The Boston 
marathon attracts thousands of runners each year. ( I used to run, but I 
have a guy that does that for me now.) Those runners have a myriad of 
reasons for participating: endorphin release, personal goals, fitness 
goals, awards, overcoming a disability, raising charitable funds, 
testing their mettle, whatever. The marathon committee simply puts the 
race on, unable to shape or modify the marathon based on the preferences 
or goals of the runners themselves. They don't move the finish line a 
few miles closer, give partial completion awards, soften the running 
surface, or worry at all about the pocketbooks or mental health and well 
being of the hundreds of individuals who don't meet their particular 
goal that day. I guess they presume we can handle a little 
disappointment in our lives from time to time. Even when we've tried 
hard. In fact that ability may very well be a sign of mental health. 
There is no pressing effort that I know of to remove the top 10,000 feet 
of Mt Everest so that more climbers can reach the summit.
   As far as the horse is concerned, I think there is potential for 
harm to the horse in the de-elevation idea that was offered in an 
earlier post. If you had a compelling reason for finishing a 100 miler, 
let's say they're going to repossess your house if you don't finish in 
the allotted time with a fit sound horse, would that influence how you 
would train, and what mindset you would arrive at the starting line 
with? I think so. On the other hand, if you "take a whack" at a 100, 
knowing you could bail well short of the finish line and still go home 
with some lovely parting gifts, could that also influence the intensity 
of your training and focus? My point is, a horse that is trained 
lackadaisically but is asked to complete the entire 100 miles might 
suffer compared to the horse that was trained more thoroughly with a 
definite intent on finishing.
  The fear of attempting a 100 miler, I believe lies partly in the fact 
that until you have done one, you are unable to "see" yourself actually 
completing one, in your mind's eye. I suggest reading as much as you 
can, and talking with those who have succeeded, and practice visualizing 
yourself finishing the ride. The mind react to things vividly imagined 
just as it does to reality. That's why we enjoy movies, and can "think" 
our way to high blood pressure and ulcers. Let's not move the goal 
closer to us. Let's move ourselves closer to the goal. Eventually the 
two will meet.  Bruce Weary


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