I am a newbie to endurance and my first organized ride is in May. My
longest ride in training to date is 31 miles and longest week is 116. However I
have way more experiance in long distance triathlon, running and biking. For
instance I am supposed to be preparing for my 6th year of a 500 mile bicycle
event in late July. So, that is where my prespective is at.
So, then to your question.
Yes. To me it is the same. Besides the enormous similarities in
training, (Both theory of increasing load, rest, nourshment etc between you as
the athlete and the horse as the athlete) the other major similarity to me
is the tremendous power of your own expectations. I have done 30 mile bike
rides that have just plain wore me out. Yet I have done 500 mile rides that went
like a brease. The difference? To me it was largely that I fully expected to do
the 500 mile with flying colors and a smile on my face.
I hope this makes sense to some one other than myself.
Do you think your personal experience with distance training (running and
cycling) are a benefit when you apply that experience to distance
riding?
I know my own perception of distance is good because of having
covered similar distances on foot.
I only ride LD's (lots of old injuries) but I do head trips. "Good
grief, the Redwood Ride is just the Pear Blossom Run - done twice." Or
"After all, Hasso (in his early 60's) does a century every Saturday."
Guess I can ride Headwaters - don't even have to pedal.
