first 100, 20MT

["Jim Mitchell" <navion@lightspeed.net>]

 My two daughters, Jamie and Alicia, 11 and 14 just finished their first 100 at 20 MT.  I did not encourage them to try the 100, they could have ridden the 60 with my wife. But they wanted to do a 100, both for self satisfaction and to try to win Jackie's award of excellence.  They had previously finished all 4 days of Death Valley making them eligible for her award. My wife has had to give up her horse to Jamie for her to compete at these distances. Jamie's horse is new and not ready for 200 miles in 4 days or 100 miles in one day.  So we started the 100 with great anticipation on their part and responsibility on my part. (It really would be easier to ride alone)  We rode a mostly conservative pace and slowly ate up the miles.  A little too much lunch gave Jamie some stomach cramps with all the trotting. But after 15 miles and some tears it went away. She had the chance to quit at camp at 60 miles and I told her she would have to quit if she couldn't trot.  But she lied and said it was all better and kept on going.  Then at 70 miles she said it finally was all better and she was sure glad she hadn't quit. 

   As the night wore on I swore I was going to be the National LD champion. Done by noon, shower and lunch, why do I do these 100's.  At 88 miles Alicia made a observation.  She said "Dad, 100's aren't hard, just annoying"

   The last 10 miles have to be the longest 10 miles I have ever done. I have done that loop twice now and I swear I am going to drive over to Ridgecrest and measure that loop with my mountain bike. It can't be just 10 miles. It takes us almost 3 hours to do it every year.  I'll admit they are slow miles as we are tired and so are the horses but it is soooo long and we don't just walk.

   Anyway after a 6 AM Saturday start we walked into camp at 3:20AM Sunday morning.  The girls look great, I'm still hobbling around.  

   Remember to all those contemplating their first 100,  "it isn't hard, just annoying" 

 

see everybody at the convention

 

Jim

proud dad