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[RC] Time and Money to Do This Sport... getting philosophical - Mike LewisI've been riding endurance for about 9 years now, including a 4 year break due to work duties and graduate school. I have been wondering how folks afford this sport financially and in terms of time. Big changes since I last rode endurance regularly: got married and started a family, and was promoted at work. My desire is to ride at least 90% of the rides in my region during any given season, and to go as far with this sport as I can. I want to ride well in some big races overseas sometime within the next 40 years. :-) After riding an old gelding for years, I finally have a horse who might be competitive in long races (and want more such horses in my stable), and being an avid athlete myself know I can take just about anything the trail offers. Bottom line from what I've observed is that it looks like most folks who are successful in this sport are self employed, are part of a wealthy family who share this hobby, or are employed by a gracious employer who allows plenty of time off to trailer to rides on Thursdays/Fridays. It seems difficult for us mid-30-somethings with a "regular job" and family responsibilities to dedicate the time and money endurance racing requires to be successful. I'm not here to gripe as much as I'm looking for folks' anecdotes telling me I'm not so unique in my search to give endurance racing more priority in my life despite job responsibilities and pay situation that makes doing so difficult. :-) Would be interested in hearing from folks who are excelling in this sport despite demands of job/family/pay situations. How'd ya do it? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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