About Having to have take 'alot' of
days off to do 100's --
Ok, maybe I fueled this a couple days ago,
When I posted 'time and money post'; ( late again reading emails,
just when I thought had caught up ) ---
but when I posted possible number of days off
to do 'major rides' - 100's - depends on "where you are located and
where they are located'.
Let me say - if I were considering my
first 100 - I would pick one that is 'close' to "home", relativley
speaking,- ( if I lived NE, or MW, I would not pick Western States as my
first 100 )-
= day travel time, day for horse
to 'check in' / relax, and day to do ride, day to 'relax'
after, maybe, depending on distance to travel, and travel home - day
after.( Personal prefence, ...if possible give horse til at least following day
after 100 before trailering distance home ; and allow a day before
ride... granted after 50, or after 2 day 100, etc, I would
often travel that pm. If not far to travel, after 100 and your horse is
doing well, eats, and drinks well on trailer, then may consider, traveling pm
after ride. otherwise wait til next am before heading for home, if can.) You
have to know your horse, make adjustments. But..... to do a 100. unless
you pick a ride 'far away' - in a different region, you should not have to take
'alot' of time off. I was referring to fact to some regions only offer one
or two - maybe 3 - 100's; and they are often about 500+ miles
from your home - in that case - I would take week, but that is me. (
1 day travel. one day to let horse 'check in', 'relax', one to ride , not
head back til next day - by then - ok 4 days, maybe 5, might as well,
plan week, ok, go back to work. Monday /.. Tues - most likely,, only use 2 -3 /
4 vac days - personnally, found better to take extra day -- just
'in case', had to stay over, plus - I had the time :
) only reason would take 10 - 11 days - if I
were going way out of region, as I am in NE - say to do Shore to
Shore ( 5 day ride ) - Mn. or ride somewhere MW; Now if planning to go
cross country - out west - ok, 3
weeks minimum*. )
tips for 100 - practice
ride in dark in 'whatever' you plan to use, - ie, glowsticks, flashlight,
head light. nothing. Get your horse and you accustomed to it / how to
use, to best advantage. Some may 'freak out' to flashlight, etc. and if
you use light - like flashlight, headlight - be aware your horse will probably
'follow the light', learn how to use. You do not want to take him off
trail, or over a cliff, as you look , around... Horses do well in dark, ( I
preferred some light, I hate to beat up by tree limbs, and my horse liked light
the light too .. He wanted me happy.)
If can you can get 'crew,' - do so,
but plan to take care of your horse yourself - you know him.
better... they are just to get your 'stuff' from point A to point B, and
give you moral support, help out alittle. have your 'stuff' ready.
If you can have a riding
partner, do so, or ' hook with someone at the start', and / or talk to
people night before, it will be easier if you have someone with
you.
Misery loves
company! : ) Like personalities, ...( at about 65 miles your personality
may change for worse, warn your crew !! your riding partner will not
have a choice by then ).. do better, IE, - if you tend to
cuss sometimes, find a similair partner. ( I could have blistered a
sailors ears, at about 60 miles, my first 100. )
Drink
- even if not thristy,and do not just drink water !! - use
'sport' drinks, 'diluted'. and other beverages. (Full strength
'sports drinks' can cause diarrhea, if drink several of
them; consider diluting them.- this is not the time to find out.
)
Eat - even if usually do
not on shorter rides, ( I don't, usually ), but -used 'boost',
"ensure", etc. similair - products ( I may use on 50, sometimes) ,
and have on 100; and soup does well, if have someone to heat
water for - like ' instant soups' at vet check,( especially at about 70 -
80 miles) ; trail mix, etc. that you can eat as
you walk along on trail - if so desire.
*** One of the best '
tips ' I ever got - * was to - ride from vet check to vet check
*, forget about overall distance. Think all you have to do is 20 miles, 25, to
the first vet check -"piece of cake", .... then another 15 - 20,...
then another 10 - 15,... then another 10 - 15, ...and so on. Hell anyone
can ride 10 - 15 miles??? Just an idea,
In all actuality, if your horse can do
a reasonably paced 50, and has done a couple without problems -( you and
him ), better yet a few 2 day 100's, can eat and drink
and relax at 'checks'. You do not get 'caught up with front runners' !, you
can probably do a 100; as long as..... the Gods are smiling that day, and
there is not a 'rock with your name on it',
