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Re: [RC] Defining Endurance - Joe LongOn Tue, 08 Aug 2006 19:48:02 -0700, "Beverley H. Kane, MD" <sensei@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: The 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. Indeed. I've told this story before, so those of you who've seen it can just skip the rest of this. My first wife had a serious heart ailment. She would turn blue (literally) climbing one flight of stairs. It was a real challenge for her to ride even a few miles. But she wanted so badly to ride an LD ride. So one fine day, we set out together on a 25-mile LD ride. She literally risked her life to do so -- she could have brought on a heart attack and died on the trail. But she finished! She was so happy, and I was so proud of her. We were both ecstatic. That 25 miles was far tougher for her, and a greater risk for her, than the most tough 100's are for most of us. But would she have considered herself an endurance rider for having done an LD? Not on your life! She wasn't made that way. Events like Marathons and endurance rides are defined by the parameters of the event (such as length and time) and not by the abilities of the participants. -- Joe Long jlong@xxxxxxxxxxxxx http://www.chiprider.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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