ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Johnna's Conditioning Plan

Re: Johnna's Conditioning Plan

ROBERT J MORRIS (bobmorris@rmci.net)
Thu, 10 Apr 97 08:29:38 -0500

-- [ From: ROBERT J MORRIS * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --

Tom & Johanna:

Interesting to read about your ideas on conditioning. In my hill country I
have not been able to break the work down into specific minutes of trot,
walk or any other gait. I find the controlling factors to be the terrain,
slope, condition of trail and weather.
For instance, today we went out and the weather was in the high forties,
strong wind and humidity about 35%. We took a route that starts out with a
mild hill (not over 15% and a mile long) drops down a hundred feet in
elevation in about a half mile then up a 30% slope for 200 yards then a
comparatively flat (not over 8% ) for another mile. Then a half mile down
hill to water. Then up another slope about 20 % grade for another 200 yards
and into a cross country for a mile and a half on to a trail that goes up
about a 15% grade for a half mile, another two miles of up and down cross
country and down a half mile dropping about 500 feet of elevation. Then
five miles home on trail and dirt road descending about 1200 feet at a very
fast trot. Took about 1.5 hours to do the ride. I am very sure the pulse got
to - or above 200 several times in the ride and was above 140 most of the
time. Finished the ride walking in the last half mile with my wife's horse
at 25 and mine (the barb that feels the heat) at 64. Realize my wife rides
at 165 and I ride at 215. I think the 50 lbs could be a factor.

Horses were still in eager to go shape and ran off into the hills when we
were done.

Tom, some of this route is very much like what you called the stadium=m
steps. We only trot up the really steep sections as any other gait turns
into leaping and lunging. (tough on my body, remember I will be celebrating
the second anniversary of my 35th birthday this year)

I feel this regimen,alternated with a bit tougher ride once a week is
adequate. I admit that there is little speed work but we just do not have
the straight or flat required.

Your comments would be appreciated. Hope you are not having the high winds
we have. Makes the critters a bit spooky, but we were able to get close to
two eagles sunning on some rocks, many deer and a fox today while riding.

Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID

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