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[RC] A Newbies Ramblings & A Heartfelt Thank You - PartIV - LeslieBut let's talk about that third loop again. On this particular ride, the third loop was the kicker. We've all seen those cool endurance pictures of people running downhill with their horses, right? That being said did it ever cross my mind that I'd have to do this on my first endurance ride? Of course not! Somebody give me the elevation drop on that canyon - it must have been a thousand feet! Now I've hiked a few mountains and canyons but I've never hiked anything so steep with so little room for error. Not to mention the thousand pound horse behind me that wasn't near as distressed over the steepness of this trail as he was about catching up with Kathy and Blue. Love my Ariat Paddock boots but having no traction they were simply not cutting it! Much whimpering and whining ensued but I did finally make it down that canyon. Talk about being awake and really really FEELING ALIVE (phew)! Third loop fun didn't end there though. Perhaps it was all the alive and awake feelings, recent beverage intake at lunch, or just my normal nervous bladder but I swear I had to pee every other mile. I'm sure many females can relate and woefully attest to the inconvenience of natures call when trying to be an endurance rider!! Kathy was a trooper though, and didn't bat an eye as I called for a 4th or 5th potty break and unceremoniously jumped off my horse and dropped my drawers. Unfortunately in so doing, I ended up with quite an uncomfortable collection of pine needles in my tights. Boy didn't that make riding comfy! Not to have suffered in vein though, I've since discovered Detrol-LA. TRY IT - IT WORKS!! At the 40 mile point, it was my nervous stomach. Seems it had finally had enough so while Merlin was tanking up I puked. Not a huge deal, obviously a little gross but once it was out of my system I felt much better. Now Kathy, ever supportive, found this tremendously funny - something about a "Ride 'till ya puke" bumper sticker. Please reference her post on her experiences at the Tall Pines ride this year. Heh Heh. Who's laughing now!! Anyway we completed! I forget my time but who cares. What a wonderful mix of exhaustion and elation. In my time since that first 50 my husband and I have moved to Ohio. I've entered and completed two more 50 mile endurance rides. Plus I even went and did a week of LDs in Michigans shore-2-shore ride all by myself J! The whole ride experience can be very hard, and at times you question why you put yourself through such abuse. But then you remember all those moments when you pop up over a hill and are suddenly surrounded by the most stunning views. It's just you and your horse and for a moment time stops and you can hear the angels sing. Therein lies the addiction at least for me. I'm just so thankful that I'm of sound enough mind and body to participate in this sport and that there are so many wonderful people like Kathy who will help get you through. Here's to another great year! Leslie Beyer =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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