How many times have you ridden a ride only to say, Well, if...<insert
whatever - rocks, mud, heat, big name riders> hadn't <happened, been there>
I could have done better (notice I didn't say faster or finish higher - just
better)??
It took me several rides to stop saying this - only I would do it both
ways...meaning I would make excuses for doing well also - like, so-and-so
just did a really hard ride last week so that's why I was able to ride
faster than him/her this time.
I finally realized it's all about what you do on _that_ day. Period. To
think otherwise leads to second-guessing which will drive you nuts.
So....to say BC (whatever aspect) is subjective is true..but...so what?
Isn't that why we do this? To see how we can do on that day, on that trail,
in front of those vets, on that horse?
The only way to take subjectivity out of sports would be to take the human
element out of it IMO - that would be like Nick Warhol's piece about riding
in the year 2025 or whatever year it is (I think it's still up on the
endurance home page - read it if you haven't).
To me it is that subjective human element that makes sports so neat - you
may not do well this ride but you may do fantastic on another one....why?
Because it's a whole 'nother set of circumstances and you can start all over
and try again.
===============
Tina and the crew which includes 8 cats, a horse or two,
Andy the dalmatian, and one husband
hickst@nichols.com