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| pulling-my-arms-out trot: Blll Gore Photography |
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| Cache Creek reflections |
After a few days reflection, I still feel pretty good about the ride. I love posts about the "aftermath" good or bad, of a ride. People do some awesome analysis of everything from ride to recovery. But I'm not much of an analyzer. We finished, we did well. I wish his respirations would have come down a bit quicker. So I may do a bit more short speed work in the next month, though that is hard to do on our trails. All my tack fit fine, though I was tired of being in the saddle after 50 miles. My feet were tired from the downhill hiking and I really need better shoes (I was wearing old trail runners).
I drank enough water and electrolyte beverages, but ate almost nothing. This is not a good plan. A banana and yogurt is not enough. I had all the yummy things I thought I could eat, it just wasn't happening. Must work on stress levels which cause me not to eat.
In the professional photos I'm leaning way too forward, this is in the first 10 miles of just trying to keep my horse under control. If I continue to do this I get a sore back. Since I didn't have a sore back, I guess I righted my position when we weren't having a pulling contest any longer.
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| pulling-my-arms-out canter: Bill Gore Photography |
My excellent SO/crew really likes taking photos. And I really hate having my photo taken. But it did document quite well what I was feeling throughout the ride, and that Major looked good the whole time.
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| apprehensive smile at the start |
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| coming into the second/lunch vet check |
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| leaving second vet check, Major looking determined |
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| leaving third vet check |
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| at the finish, I think I am more done than Major |
Other things: I love the big brim on my helmet. It looks goofy. But it kept me so much cooler. My chaps are hot. They are Ariat Terrains. But I think all chaps are hot after 50 miles, I cannot ride without them. I still love my grippy reins that I made. I love my crazy orange shirt, easy to know I'm coming! I love my horse, even after all the stress.
Endurance sure inspires a lot of love.
You guys look great! Pulling-your-arms-out may be a pain to ride, but the photos end up looking awesome!
ReplyDeleteha, thanks! I hate it when pictures have bad posture!
DeleteBig brims are THE BEST. A guy in our riding club calls mine my "Go to hell hat" when I wear it because my attitude when people make comments is "go to hell" hahahaha
ReplyDeleteDon't you wonder why everyone feels the need to make silly comments? Are they just jealous of the awesomeness? I just say I have to protect my lovely face!
DeleteI think your position did improve the rest of the ride because when I was riding with you your position lookEd really correct. my saddle put me in such a bad chair seat that I'm in embarassed to post any of my professional pictures :-(. but I guess it also told me what I needed to know about how that saddle fits me. I to really really struggle on the stress and it affecting my stomach and my ability to eat during a ride. I've managed to find those two or three things I can consistently get down but everything else is a toss up of whether I can even get it in my mouth.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you on the love part of endurance riding. everytime that I finish a ride I'm overwhelmed by how much I love my horse love this sport and love the other people do this sport with me. I've been sitting here staring at my half finished comment for 5 or 10 minutes now just because I can't think of any other way to put my feelings into words. I think you captured it perfectly in the last sentence of this post.
ReplyDeleteI find that most of my best shots come from the 'pulling my arms out' gaits. Rose always looks fantastic and I usually look better as I'm less relaxed and more focused on pulling Rose down. Major looks fantastic though and like he was having a grand old time. And hey, I have a nice brim on my helmet too and even though I used to think they looked goofy I now love mine. Better visibility and sun protection!
ReplyDeleteNice photos, Major sure is an expressive guy. Love that big brim, am seriously considering getting one myself. Love all the matching orange :)
ReplyDelete