Research Project - Help

[llayman@neorx.com]

     Calling all Endurance Riders...
     
     I need a bit of help from all you riders out there for a research 
     project I'm doing that explores the benefits of massage therapy 
     before, during and after an endurance race. 
     
     First order of business: PLEASE respond directly to me at 
     LLayman@NeoRx.com or slypner@juno.com (in case the first once 
     bounces). DO NOT REPLY TO RIDECAMP! Thank you. :)
     
     Here are the questions.
     
     1. Name, age, weight, average length of ride: do you most often ride 
     25's, 50's, 100's.
     
     2.  What sort of injuries/damage have you (the rider not the horse) 
     sustained from endurance riding. This includes but it not limited to 
     bone bruising/breaks, muscle tears/spasm/cramp, scrapes, tension 
     headaches, stomach upset... Anything directly related to endurance 
     riding that causes pain and makes you wish you were home in a soft 
     bed, possibly nursing a beer. 
     
     3. What muscles or body parts (please don't be too crude) do you find 
     to be the most sore during the ride, and two days after a ride. I know 
     the entire body hurts, but try to pick out the worst two or three.  If 
     you don't know names of muscles, just describe the area and I can get 
     back to you for more details if necessary.
     
     4. How many of you (the rider not the horse) use massage therapy as 
     part of your healing processes, or tension relief, or directly as part 
     of your training/conditioning program. How often do you have it done, 
     what type is used (sports massage, Swedish, myofascial release...etc.) 
     and what benefits do you feel it achieves.
     
     You may also include any information you feel relevant including 
     anecdotes, direct experience, or amusing stories. I would also be 
     interested (after you answer the specific questions) in any horse 
     information you feel relevant, especially stories about how your 
     injury affected your horse, or how an unbalanced horse caused you to 
     be injured or sore, or how a massage allowed you or your horse to 
     continue where you thought you would have to pull.
     
     All personal information will be kept confidential with only the 
     numbers being used in the project, i.e. your name will not be linked 
     with your weight or age. :)  I just need to know who to talk to about 
     what if I have more questions.
     
     I would really appreciate ALL of you who ride to respond. I'm hoping 
     this project will lead to many more. And if any of you are going to 
     the Alpine Endurance Ride in Plain, WA, this October 3rd, let me know 
     if you want to be part of the hands on portion of the project. 
     
     Linda-Cathrine
     LLayman@NeoRx.com
     slypner@juno.com
     Cascade Ridge Runners