Re: [RC] 100 Mile Apprenticeship (New Idea) - NO - DVeritas
In a message dated 1/13/2006 9:21:03 P.M. Mountain Standard Time,
donhuston@xxxxxxx writes:
This
"apprenticeship" category could also be added to 50 mile rides to let
25'ers learn about 50's. Yes? No?
The only way to ride a 100 miles in 24 hours or less is to ride 100 miles
in 24 hours or less.
There are essential components required to ride 100 in 24
hours...commitment, preparation and application. "Commitment" carries
a horse and rider back out onto the trail when lack of it gives birth to
rationalizing and self-deception. "Preparation" gives the horse
and rider the courage to show up, announce their intentions and go about doing
it."Application" is when the rider swings his leg over the
horse's back and they head out together to front whatever awaits
them....a sudden cold rain for ninety-nine miles of the 100, a howling wind
which sends the meek scurrying for shelter, too much heat..to little water, and
so forth.
There's a reason the word "endurance" is used to describe our
sport.
To make a successful 100 mile ride happen is where the nature of
the sport of endurance riding comes in. Change the classic recipe and
we all might as well start drinking Coke Zero....gee, the can says Coca-cola,
kind of looks the same, it holds the dark, syrupy liquid...it must be Coke....it
ain't.
Committing to the hundred miles happens long before the ride date...it is
an endeavor for which the horse toes the line just because the rider
asks. To expect less commitment from the rider "just ain't
right".
So, if someone isn't reasonably SURE if they can get the 100
done, perhaps a closer examination of what it takes to be successful needs
to happen. The successful endurance rider will figure it out. Some,
who continue to make the same mistakes over and over, lack the commitment, lack
the time to train, lack the "really" (tic) good horse, lack the body totally
devoid of an ache here and there, lack the right electrolyte mixture or
whatever, have yet to truly commit to the ride.
