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[RC] Defining Endurance - Beverley H. Kane, MDThe definition of endurance is always relative to the envelope that the individual is pushing. Recently I ordered the promotional packet from the Arabian Horse Association. On one page there is a picture of a woman born without legs and with only one arm, sitting on a calm (aren't they all that way? suggests the ad) Arabian. I imagine that at first, riding once around the ring was a major feat of endurance for her. For several years, I worked in hippotherapy and therapeutic riding facilities. One client was a woman with chronic fatigue immune deficiency syndrome. It was all she could do to endure each lesson merely walking on a lead rope. At the end of 45 minutes of willful exertion on her part, she looked as exhausted as I felt after a 50. For many people w/ disabilities/injuries, fears, or inexperience, an LD is an Olympic event. My first 50 was a *huge* challenge and it was never a given that I would make it. The 2nd 50 was one of the hardest things I've ever done physically--5x harder than my marathon. After both 50s, I was absolutely done in. I don't know where 50 more mi will come from for my 1st 100, but I intend to somehow build the strength and reserve. The quote of the year was Angie saying today, "I started doing 100's when 50's quit hurting very much." At the awards ceremony at Tevis, I was struck by the different kinds of people who crossed the stage--elders, jrs, skinny, fat, buff, flabby, smokers, nonsmokers, people walking tall & strong, people walking bent and stiff--all of whom worked hard to be there. Anyone who goes to the extremes of their capabilities, whether my CFIDs patient or John Crandell, and certainly all our magnificent horses, inspires the rest of us to make the supreme effort at our individual outer limits and call it endurance. Beverley _____________________________________ Beverley Kane, MD Horsensei Equine-Assisted Learning & Therapy Woodside, CA http://www.horsensei.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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