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RE: [RC] What is a "reasonable pace"? - David LeBlancIf she's in deep sand, that could explain the high HR at a trot, and to some
extent the slower speeds. Also, if she trains in deep sand, if she then gets
out and rides on better footing, they might be able to go quite quickly -
biggest problem people have in the SE - they think that since it is flat, it
will be easy - all that sand is tough. We run into that on some of our rides
in places.
Here's how to figure the speeds - you'll typically have 30-45 minutes hold
per 25 miles, sometimes an hour (rarely). Give yourself some extra to
accommodate for stuff happening, and you need to run 5 mph minimum to
complete. If you can go 6 mph, that's a very nice pace, and some of the
people I know doing very long distances (75+ miles) will go that pace all
day. At 6 mph, you'd complete the 25 in 4 hours and change, which will
usually get you middle of the pack. Another way to figure 6 mph is that it
is a mile every 10 minutes.
While it may be ideal to do the same pace all day, or even reverse splits
(go faster as you go along), someone starting out is more likely to go a
little faster on the first 1/2, and I use a 60/40 rule - if you can do the
first 25 miles in 4 hours, as the day heats up, the horse gets tired, and
you slow down, the next 25 might take 6 hours. Totals up to 10 hours, which
will complete a 50.
So I agree with Cindy that if a horse can do 10-15 miles at a reasonable
pace (6-7 mph, IMHO), then they're ready for a 25, and if they can do a 4
hour 25 in moderate terrain, then a 50 wouldn't be unreasonable.
________________________________
From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Don Huston
Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2006 11:12 PM
To: susan cooper
Cc: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [RC] What is a "reasonable pace"?
Hello Susan,
I ride strictly by the motto "To Finish Is To Win" so my training
regimen is not as strenuous as the top 10ers. IMHO 9-10miles 4 times a week
at speeds fast enough to complete a 25 (1hr-50min) would be over-training. I
think 2-3 of your 2.5hr loops is perfect but you do need one faster loop a
week. Before my horse's first 25 I work up to a true GPS 10mi loop in
1hr-50min but I only do it once a week at that speed. The rest of the time I
ride even slower on average than you already do but I put in a mile (perfect
dirt and grass trail) at 22-26mph then trot some till the breathing comes
down then maybe get off and teach the horse to follow me or let him graze a
bit just whatever. The 160 heart rate while trotting is high and indicates
you are indeed riding a green horse but over the next 6-12 months it should
come down to 110+/-. I would not keep trotting at 160, 140 is my limit. I
would walk it back down then resume trotting but I am an old guy and I use
any and all excuses to rest. Walking in and jumping off to a 50 HR indicates
to me that you are doing very good LSD (Long Slow Distance) training. When
you do your once-a-week fast 10miler and walk in only 1/2mi and the pulse
drops to 60 in 10min or less (might be 75-85 at dismount) you did good,
20mins you rode too fast, 30mins too fast and something is wrong (back pain,
hoof pain, etc) and you need to find it. Basicly I think your training is
very good and you will have no trouble with a 25, just don't get in a hurry
up or down steep hills, walk. Go a little faster on the flats to make up for
the walking because that's what your horse is conditioned for at this point.
Good luck is always nice and have fun.
Don Huston
At 07:42 AM 11/2/2006 Thursday, you wrote:
Since I am a Newbie who has yet to do a ride (planning on
Square Nail in March), just what is considered a "reasonable pace"? I am
currently riding my green, 6yo 1/2 Arab, 1/2 TWH on mostly Jeep trails, some
deep sand washes, mostly flat desert about 9-10 miles 2 to 4 times a week
and it takes me about 2 1/2 hours. This is easy for her, and I am ready to
continue the same distance, and bump up the amount of trotting/gaiting with
only an occasionally canter thrown in. Her resting HR is 34, walking
(3-4mph) HR is 70, trotting (7-8mph) HR is 160 which drops to 70-80 within 2
minutes of walking. We always walk the last mile home, and when I dismount,
her HR is down to 50. So is 9-10 miles in 2 1/2 hours considered a
"reasonable pace"? Will this get me a finish in an LD in 6 hours?
Thanks,
Susan in NV
Happy High Desert Trails
Susan in NV
Nevermore Ranch http://users.oasisol.com/nevermore/
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