Re: RC: Conditioning for 100 milers

[DebiG54@aol.com]

In a message dated 09/01/2000 12:28:51 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
Tivers@aol.com writes:

<< Success is a relative thing. The exercise protocol that won today's race 
will 
 not win next year. Again, if all you can do is what you've always done, then 
 all you can be is what you are right now. Others will move forward--if 
you're 
 going to be competitive, you must move forward as well. Never say never. 
   >>

Tom:

I think you misunderstood the essence of my post, just a tad.  First, your 
admonitions to "never say never" are unnecessary.  I've NEVER done that.  My 
knowledge and expertise as a trainer and rider change all the time.  I have 
always changed and moved forward and will continue to do so as long as 
winning is my goal. I also never said that today's training protocol or MY 
training protocol were set in stone. I'm always open to change, always 
willing to try or learn something new. 

I also never said the way I trained, train now, or will train in the future 
is the ONLY way to succeed.  No one has all the answers yet, and the horses 
are the living, breathing experiments for all theories promoted by you, Tom, 
and anyone else who dares to try something new.  Horses are individuals, too, 
and the key will be finding the training system that maximizes each horse's 
genetic potential.  

You said the following: "In the years to come, if you are going to remain 
competitive, you're going to have to increase the overall volume, not only of 
the specific race 
preparation, but of the base that is its foundation."  This is wonderful 
advice.  Please don't assume that I don't know this or that I'm not already 
doing this. 

 Then you say, "And they'll be doing more next year.  And more the year 
after."  Maybe.  I don't think we know what the future holds until the 
results of today's training miracles have had a chance to show long term 
results.  Will extreme training distances with ever increasing speeds and 
intensities create tougher athletes who can stay sound and competitive for 
more than the short term?  These horses will certainly be tough, but will 
they last?  Will there be a price for too much quantity in the training?  
These are questions no one can answer yet.  Let's see what happens. You said: 
"You certainly can't put a semi-cripple through much in the way of aggressive 
exercise."  True.  How long before today's winners are semi-crippled?  And I 
have to wonder if it matters.  If careers of winning endurance horses become 
as short-lived as nearly every flat track champion, then what have we 
accomplished?  I'm not predicting this outcome, but sure do wonder about it.  
Will today's winners have careers and soundness that lasts for ten years or 
more?  It'll be interesting to see what happens.

Debi Gordon