Well, we're off to the Valley of the Sun ride in the morning. We're helping volunteer tomorrow, so we have to be there early to help ribbon part of the trail (Note: If you're at the ride, and hate the ribbons, I didn't do that section. *grin*).
I'm starting to get a bit nervous, but I'm really looking forward to it. We are once again going to try a 50.
Mimi and Beamer got baths today. They were super-lucky and I hauled them down to Cindy's house, since she has hot water in her washrack. Then they got turned out in her pasture for about 20 minutes, and they trotted and cantered around, quite eager to explore the new turf. And Mimi got to flirt with Panama, so she was quite happy. Again, she didn't get the memo about what age she's supposed to be.
The trailer is packed. I just need to pack the food cooler tomorrow morning. It's supposed to be warm, which necessitated a last-minute clipping flurry of pony-fluff removal this afternoon. I have two cases of waters in the truck, extra ice for the cooler, and sponges and scoops ready.
My goal is to just finish the ride. I think it'll be easier for me to go slow and ride conservatively in the 50, versus risking pushing too hard, too fast, in the 25. I want to take pictures, something I've done a pretty poor job of up to this point.
The nice thing about McDowell is that it's close, only about an hour away. Which means I get to go home Saturday night and sleep in my own bed.
Showing posts with label pre-ride. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pre-ride. Show all posts
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Friday, October 3, 2008
Off to the races!
I've just got to make breakfast really quick, and then we're out the door for the 25th Annual Man Against Horse Race! This is a really fun ride that pits human runners against horses and their riders! They offer a 50 mile race, a 25 mile race, and a 12 mile run/fun ride. It's held in Prescott, Arizona, which is about 2 hours north of Phoenix, in the mountains.
This will be my fourth year participating in this ride. For the past three years, I've done the 25 mile LD ride. This year, we're doing the 50. This was also my first AERC ride ever, so I'm very partial to this ride, and it has a lot of sentimental attachment for me. It's also a very casual, laidback ride, but very well organized. Ron Barrett and his team do a fantastic job every year, and it's my understanding that this year, they even went as far as clearing rocks off the trail! Wow!
It's usually a smaller ride for the 50 - anywhere from 20-30 entries. I'm guessing this is probably because the ride has a very tough reputation. The 2000' elevation gain in 3 miles climb up Mingus Mountain halfway through probably has something to do with it.
But I'm really looking forward to the challenge. I think this ride will be a really good test to see if Mimi and I have what it takes to keep aiming for Tevis. A lot of climbing, some rough trail, and some very tricky, technical areas. This last bit is more concerning me than the pony - she could care less. It's me that has a bit of a thing about heights and long dropoffs. *don't look down, don't look down*
Thanks to everyone for their well wishes!!!
This will be my fourth year participating in this ride. For the past three years, I've done the 25 mile LD ride. This year, we're doing the 50. This was also my first AERC ride ever, so I'm very partial to this ride, and it has a lot of sentimental attachment for me. It's also a very casual, laidback ride, but very well organized. Ron Barrett and his team do a fantastic job every year, and it's my understanding that this year, they even went as far as clearing rocks off the trail! Wow!
It's usually a smaller ride for the 50 - anywhere from 20-30 entries. I'm guessing this is probably because the ride has a very tough reputation. The 2000' elevation gain in 3 miles climb up Mingus Mountain halfway through probably has something to do with it.
But I'm really looking forward to the challenge. I think this ride will be a really good test to see if Mimi and I have what it takes to keep aiming for Tevis. A lot of climbing, some rough trail, and some very tricky, technical areas. This last bit is more concerning me than the pony - she could care less. It's me that has a bit of a thing about heights and long dropoffs. *don't look down, don't look down*
Thanks to everyone for their well wishes!!!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Scrambling...
Way too much stuff to do still...
Heading out the door tomorrow morning to Man Against Horse in Prescott. Trailer is washed, about half packed, my clothes are packed, I'm working on the food, and am out the door to go bathe ponies.
I need about 3 more hours in a day.
Heading out the door tomorrow morning to Man Against Horse in Prescott. Trailer is washed, about half packed, my clothes are packed, I'm working on the food, and am out the door to go bathe ponies.
I need about 3 more hours in a day.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Done and done!
Whew. Trailer is packed, truck is packed...except for the extra waters, why do I always forget those??? Just finished showering and in the process of waiting for my hair to dry somewhat, redecorated myself with henna.
The quest to break myself continues...slammed my left index finger and right pinkie in the sliding window of the trailer yesterday trying to get it unstuck. The end result is some painful brusing whenever I clench my fists. That'll get me to "ride light" this weekend. Mimi, no pulling!
Then, my coupe de grace was this evening, carrying the folding table out to the truck, I wasn't paying attention when I lifted it and clipped my big with the edge of the table. Goodbye, 1/4 chunk of toenail off my right big toe. :((( Took almost 15 minutes to get it to stop bleeding...Wonder Dust for horses works really well on people, too.
Well, I had been waffling on what shoes to wear this weekend...Terrains or Columbias. This makes the decision for me, because I think my Columbias are going to be too tight in the toe area, whereas the Terrains are super wide. I guess I have an excuse to avoid running now? Heh.
3:30AM wakeup call...time to get to bed.
The quest to break myself continues...slammed my left index finger and right pinkie in the sliding window of the trailer yesterday trying to get it unstuck. The end result is some painful brusing whenever I clench my fists. That'll get me to "ride light" this weekend. Mimi, no pulling!
Then, my coupe de grace was this evening, carrying the folding table out to the truck, I wasn't paying attention when I lifted it and clipped my big with the edge of the table. Goodbye, 1/4 chunk of toenail off my right big toe. :((( Took almost 15 minutes to get it to stop bleeding...Wonder Dust for horses works really well on people, too.
Well, I had been waffling on what shoes to wear this weekend...Terrains or Columbias. This makes the decision for me, because I think my Columbias are going to be too tight in the toe area, whereas the Terrains are super wide. I guess I have an excuse to avoid running now? Heh.
3:30AM wakeup call...time to get to bed.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Wednesday: Stress
Definitely miss those two extra days. *sigh* Glad for the extra money, though. Means I can go raid Horses Dacor for toys. Already have a new purple sponge on hold to pick up from them. :)
I' ve got half the grocery shopping done...just need to go to the regular grocery store in a few minutes. And then I've got to clean my tack, and start sorting stuff in the garage. At least packing the trailer doesn't take quite as long anymore. And it's already been washed out in the back, I just need to reapply a fresh layer of Gorilla Tape to the gaps in between the mats.
And I seem to be doing my best to break myself. First, I jammed my finger, nail first, into the door handle trying to get out of the Suburban today. *sigh* Blonde moment. Broke the fingernail off, though, down to the bed, which is a really weird sensation, since I've gotten so used to longer nails. Grrr. That's goingt o probably throw my writing on my machine off at school tomorrow, what with the bandaid and all. *more sigh*
And then, for some reason, my left shoulder is really bothering me today. Any time I try to lift something forward, it hurts. The weird thing was, I never had any specific injury that would cause me problems. The only thing I can possibly think of it when, a couple years ago, Mimi spooked and ran me into a tree and I ended up flipping over backwards.
We were grazing alongside a wash, all relaxed-like, which meant I had dropped my stirrups and was holding the reins by the buckle. Genius, me. Something spooekd her front behind and she majorly panicked. Apparently she dug 8" deep divots in the dirt, she launched herself forward so hard. Unfortunately, she launched right into a very low-branched palo verde tree. She had just enough room to scrape under the branches, but I didn't.
I threw my arms up to protect my face, out of pure instinct...it was one of those things that I never even had a chance to really grab the reins, I was already screwed and in 'survival mode.' The branches stopped any forward movement on my part, and as she scooched forward, I got shoved up into the branches, then flipped over backwards and dropped into the dirt.
At the time, I thought the worst injuries I acquired were a concussion, a cracked bone near my knuckles, and some sprained fingers. Now I'm wondering if I didn't wrench that shoulder in the process of tangling/flipping? It's an off-and-on problem and I'm hoping goes 'off' in the next two days! Otherwise, I'd better hope really hard the Mimi doesn't pull. That, and it'll affect my ability to wear my Camelbak, which I always drink better with. Hmmmm. Time to go rustle up some Motrin.
I' ve got half the grocery shopping done...just need to go to the regular grocery store in a few minutes. And then I've got to clean my tack, and start sorting stuff in the garage. At least packing the trailer doesn't take quite as long anymore. And it's already been washed out in the back, I just need to reapply a fresh layer of Gorilla Tape to the gaps in between the mats.
And I seem to be doing my best to break myself. First, I jammed my finger, nail first, into the door handle trying to get out of the Suburban today. *sigh* Blonde moment. Broke the fingernail off, though, down to the bed, which is a really weird sensation, since I've gotten so used to longer nails. Grrr. That's goingt o probably throw my writing on my machine off at school tomorrow, what with the bandaid and all. *more sigh*
And then, for some reason, my left shoulder is really bothering me today. Any time I try to lift something forward, it hurts. The weird thing was, I never had any specific injury that would cause me problems. The only thing I can possibly think of it when, a couple years ago, Mimi spooked and ran me into a tree and I ended up flipping over backwards.
We were grazing alongside a wash, all relaxed-like, which meant I had dropped my stirrups and was holding the reins by the buckle. Genius, me. Something spooekd her front behind and she majorly panicked. Apparently she dug 8" deep divots in the dirt, she launched herself forward so hard. Unfortunately, she launched right into a very low-branched palo verde tree. She had just enough room to scrape under the branches, but I didn't.
I threw my arms up to protect my face, out of pure instinct...it was one of those things that I never even had a chance to really grab the reins, I was already screwed and in 'survival mode.' The branches stopped any forward movement on my part, and as she scooched forward, I got shoved up into the branches, then flipped over backwards and dropped into the dirt.
At the time, I thought the worst injuries I acquired were a concussion, a cracked bone near my knuckles, and some sprained fingers. Now I'm wondering if I didn't wrench that shoulder in the process of tangling/flipping? It's an off-and-on problem and I'm hoping goes 'off' in the next two days! Otherwise, I'd better hope really hard the Mimi doesn't pull. That, and it'll affect my ability to wear my Camelbak, which I always drink better with. Hmmmm. Time to go rustle up some Motrin.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
One Week of Ride Prep, Saturday-Tuesday
Countdown to Ride Day…Devil Dog 50, Williams, AZ
Saturday, 6/21
Medium-workout day. About 8 very hot miles in the San Tans on one of the ponies’ favorite loops. Lots of trottable single tracks and a few hills. Mimi’s a happy girl, despite her best efforts to destroy the inside of my trailer with her impatient kicking. Grrrr.
Sunday, 6/22
Final ride. All legs are still attached. We only did about 4 miles, and it was hot, Hot, HOT! I was wilted at the end, and went through two water bottles just in that short time. Too lazy to fill my Camelbak for that short ride. That, and some of the muscles around my left shoulder blade are sort of tweaked, and I’m trying to keep stuff off it until the ride. School is not helping, the way I sit at my machine, especially if I’m being lazy, puts a lot of pressure on the area.
Monday, 6/23
I’ve really lost some of my getting ready time this week. I’m helping a friend out by pet-and-babysitting for a couple of days, Sunday evening through Tuesday evening. She’s taking her daughter up for an NAU freshmen orientation, and her 13-year-old didn’t really want to go along, so she asked me if I’d be willing to watch him and their two Schnauzers, whom I’ve already sat for during the past three summers. Being of the “poor, broke college student” inclination, I agreed.
Unfortunately, this means I lose two days of my week for packing the trailer, which is now sitting in the street in front of my house for the week. Gotta cram everything into Wednesday and Thursday now.
Tuesday, 6/24
Williams is going to feel so good, weather-wise, in comparison to Phoenix. 79* as compared to 109* here right now. However, the prediction of 87* on Saturday is slightly worrisome, as it is high elevation up there – 6500’ – and at that height, 87* can be really warm, as it’s closer to the sun. I hope the rumors about natural water along with ride-provided water on the trail are true. Might actually need my sponge for once.
I’m really looking forward to the ride. Our farrier Patrick will be taking his new horse Clark up for his first ride, and is entered in the 25 mile LD. We’re driving up together, since he lives right along the way, about twenty minutes from the barn.
I emailed Patty Danley, fellow endurance rider and ABC distributor yesterday for a Redmond’s Salt order. Patty was one of the first people I met at my first AERC ride, and we were camped right across from her. She was so helpful in answering all my newbie questions and really welcoming me to the sport. Well, she’s starting her new mare, a Doc baby, at this ride, and asked if she could head out with us at the start, since we always start a few minutes after the mob. I told her we’d love to have her join us…it’s nice to be able to return favors in any way I can after everything she’s helped me out with.
That’s one of the things I really love about AERC…coming from of the show world, distance riders are so incredibly friendly, welcome, and accommodating in comparison. Every ride I’ve been to, I’ve always made at least one new friend, and have been fortunate to camp next to wonderful neighbors.
I’ve at least got my packing and shopping lists made, so it’ll just be some intense work tomorrow and Thursday to get everything packed and ready. That’s the unfortunate thing about having 6 months in between rides…in that time, it’s harder to keep the trailer neat and organized.
Saturday, 6/21
Medium-workout day. About 8 very hot miles in the San Tans on one of the ponies’ favorite loops. Lots of trottable single tracks and a few hills. Mimi’s a happy girl, despite her best efforts to destroy the inside of my trailer with her impatient kicking. Grrrr.
Sunday, 6/22
Final ride. All legs are still attached. We only did about 4 miles, and it was hot, Hot, HOT! I was wilted at the end, and went through two water bottles just in that short time. Too lazy to fill my Camelbak for that short ride. That, and some of the muscles around my left shoulder blade are sort of tweaked, and I’m trying to keep stuff off it until the ride. School is not helping, the way I sit at my machine, especially if I’m being lazy, puts a lot of pressure on the area.
Monday, 6/23
I’ve really lost some of my getting ready time this week. I’m helping a friend out by pet-and-babysitting for a couple of days, Sunday evening through Tuesday evening. She’s taking her daughter up for an NAU freshmen orientation, and her 13-year-old didn’t really want to go along, so she asked me if I’d be willing to watch him and their two Schnauzers, whom I’ve already sat for during the past three summers. Being of the “poor, broke college student” inclination, I agreed.
Unfortunately, this means I lose two days of my week for packing the trailer, which is now sitting in the street in front of my house for the week. Gotta cram everything into Wednesday and Thursday now.
Tuesday, 6/24
Williams is going to feel so good, weather-wise, in comparison to Phoenix. 79* as compared to 109* here right now. However, the prediction of 87* on Saturday is slightly worrisome, as it is high elevation up there – 6500’ – and at that height, 87* can be really warm, as it’s closer to the sun. I hope the rumors about natural water along with ride-provided water on the trail are true. Might actually need my sponge for once.
I’m really looking forward to the ride. Our farrier Patrick will be taking his new horse Clark up for his first ride, and is entered in the 25 mile LD. We’re driving up together, since he lives right along the way, about twenty minutes from the barn.
I emailed Patty Danley, fellow endurance rider and ABC distributor yesterday for a Redmond’s Salt order. Patty was one of the first people I met at my first AERC ride, and we were camped right across from her. She was so helpful in answering all my newbie questions and really welcoming me to the sport. Well, she’s starting her new mare, a Doc baby, at this ride, and asked if she could head out with us at the start, since we always start a few minutes after the mob. I told her we’d love to have her join us…it’s nice to be able to return favors in any way I can after everything she’s helped me out with.
That’s one of the things I really love about AERC…coming from of the show world, distance riders are so incredibly friendly, welcome, and accommodating in comparison. Every ride I’ve been to, I’ve always made at least one new friend, and have been fortunate to camp next to wonderful neighbors.
I’ve at least got my packing and shopping lists made, so it’ll just be some intense work tomorrow and Thursday to get everything packed and ready. That’s the unfortunate thing about having 6 months in between rides…in that time, it’s harder to keep the trailer neat and organized.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Countdown to R-Day!
Ride Day is on Saturday! First 50 miler coming up at Wickenburg, and I'm jsut about ready. The trailer is packed, the food is bought, the clothes are even packed! All I have to do now is bathe the ponies and fill their haybags, and they'll be ready to go! First ride of the season for me...getting a bit nervous, I have to admit.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
We're off to see the...mountain?
Mingus Mountain, to be exact, for the Man Against Horse endurance ride! Woohoo! Just a quick post, because there's no way I could catch up on everything that's happened since August. Let's just say life has been nuts. Thank goodness for well-conditioned horses that can stand to miss a couple days here and there.
Naturally, we had to have some nail-biting tension 2 weeks before the ride when Pony went lame. Turned out she jsut had some muscular stuff that was off. Darla Vanni with A Midas Touch Equine Massage worked her magic and returned my pony to good as new, and we're ready to roll!
The trailer is packed (except for my duffel bag and saddle), the horses came flyingin from pasture this afternoon for their baths. They're ready to go, Go, GO! We're planning to pull out of the barn by 8:30 tomorrow morning and get up to camp nice and early so we can preride and let Beamer get his heebie-jeebies out, since this is going to be his first endurance ride! He's got 3 NATRC rides under his cinch now, and a brain in his head, so we're hoping this'll go off without a hitch. This ride is old hat for Mimi...this will be our 3rd year doing it. And this ride is always special to me, since it was my first AERC ride. We're only doing the 25 this time, for Beamer's sake. And because life hasn't given me the time I would like to have them ideally conditioned for a 50. But now that the weather is breaking, we're on the path to a 50 once more!
Naturally, we had to have some nail-biting tension 2 weeks before the ride when Pony went lame. Turned out she jsut had some muscular stuff that was off. Darla Vanni with A Midas Touch Equine Massage worked her magic and returned my pony to good as new, and we're ready to roll!
The trailer is packed (except for my duffel bag and saddle), the horses came flyingin from pasture this afternoon for their baths. They're ready to go, Go, GO! We're planning to pull out of the barn by 8:30 tomorrow morning and get up to camp nice and early so we can preride and let Beamer get his heebie-jeebies out, since this is going to be his first endurance ride! He's got 3 NATRC rides under his cinch now, and a brain in his head, so we're hoping this'll go off without a hitch. This ride is old hat for Mimi...this will be our 3rd year doing it. And this ride is always special to me, since it was my first AERC ride. We're only doing the 25 this time, for Beamer's sake. And because life hasn't given me the time I would like to have them ideally conditioned for a 50. But now that the weather is breaking, we're on the path to a 50 once more!
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