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[RC] [Guest] Carolina Moonlight--What worked and what didn't on our first 50 - Ridecamp GuestDeb Ambrose mkkgs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hello All, Relieved, happy and tired! I guess that sums up how I felt at the finish, at 5:30 am after our first 50 on July 12. I made some interesting discoveries about how easy and how hard it was to ride in the dark for so many hours. First, I'm a wimp. I only had the courage to try riding at night once, for 15 minutes, to see if it was as terrifying as I thought. Not so bad, Lippy, my Arab-Appy with a big 30 miler under our belts last November, was less spooky and more sure footed than usual. And I have NEVER stayed up all night before. But what the heck. We signed up. The Good: Attaching a camelback around the cantle of my SportsSaddle with a bungee, running the tube out the end for drinking. No bouncing, the bladder collapses as you slurp. Eating lots of apple pieces, Clif Bars, a banana, an Atkins vanilla shake throughout the ride. Teaming up with a compatibly paced horse on the 2,3 and 4th loops. Walking into the check with pulse down. (We were not setting any speed records). Having husband in vet checks to offer food, drink and moral support for both horse and rider. For us, setting up our station near the vet check and not returning to our camp was a bonus--I know my boy would not have come bouncing out with zest for loop #4 at 3 AM. Drinking some Starbucks Frappacinos at the later checks. The less Good: Walking around like a boob in the hot, bright sun all afternoon before the 7pm start, with no hat, making too many trips to set up our camp. Even though he was calm 30 seconds before the start, trying to start with the group, ending up in the middle of a group moving with some speed and getting in their way. I could keep him off the rump in front of us, but he wanted to canter, buck and change leads up the shoulder of a paved road. I felt terrible for the rider behind, no where to go to get out of their way until we hit a wide dirt road. I kept looking over my shoulder apologizing. The look on the follower's face was, justifiably, "Shut up and ride." Thinking (worrying) about loops 3 and 4 while I was on loop 2. That'll tire you right out. It was a wonderful experience--except for the silly behavior the first mile and a half, he was steady. After the sun set, there were NO BUGS! The moon came up and reflected off the sandy roads. Then the moon went away, and a lightening display lit our way (No rain, though). We heard every kind of night time bird and singing bug in the woods, fields and ponds. My moral support and pacing partner, Trish took a spill after a spook and badly broke her finger. What a trouper, she rode the last 7 miles with her hand held up to curb the swelling, never complaining, always encouraging me. Even though I drained that 70 ounce camelback, drank lots of weak Gatorade and my shake, I was still 6 pounds lighter the next day. And I had hardly taken a whizz all night! My sheepskin seat cover and tights were pretty soppy though. Lippy and I were both a little leg weary on our final trot out, but he got all A's. I'm still re-riding parts of the trail in my mind, and find myself smiling. I must have read Julie Suhr's book about 20 times in the weeks leading up to this ride, and it gave me a great boost in confidence and inspiration every time I thought, "What the heck am I doing?". Not that I know yet what the heck I'm doing! Thanks to great ride management and supportive volonteers. Deb and Lippy =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= http://www.endurance.net/ads/seabiscuit.html 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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