Horse is Fine, Rider is Not Quite

Saturday September 21 2013

I asked my surgeon the most important question ever: "So, how soon afterward the surgery can I RIDE?"

"Two weeks," he said. "Don't do anything strenuous before that."

So I started riding again, 2 weeks and 1 day afterwards. Short rides - 6-8 miles a day. The first day back was a little sketchy… I felt a little faint at times (although I blamed that on the heat, which is usually totally legit), and I had to take a long nap afterwards. I rode a little bit every day for a week; and then we came to City of Rocks to start setting up for the AERC National Championship 50 and 100 mile rides - setting up camp, marking trail on foot and horseback. Nothing longer than a 12 mile ride, or 10 mile hike (downhill), but it all felt good. I wasn't up for running a marathon, but I was ready to ride more.

And then I rode the AERCNC 50 miler on Bodie.

Or, well, part of it.

The first 17 miles to the first vet check was great. It was a cool morning, and Bodie and I had a great time, trotting over the Boise-Kelton Stage route and Salt Lake Cut-Off through Emigrant Canyon, and over the California Trail through the valley of City of Rocks National Reserve, and on to the vet check at Elephant Rock.

And then I sat down while Bruce and Nance crewed my horse. 

And then it hit me. I was tired.

The longer I sat, the more tired I got. "How far is it to the next vet check?" 23 miles? 23 slower miles, a lot of climbing? 

And then I was exhausted.

A heart doctor/runner/endurance rider did a study where he found that riding a 50 mile endurance ride is the equivalent stress on your heart as running a marathon. I wasn't up for a marathon.

I'm an endurance rider. I've been tired, sore, scared and hurting while riding, but I've never quit an endurance ride, unless it was for the horse. I quit this one. Gave myself a metabolic pull. I had overestimated my super hero powers - I wasn't up to doing a marathon yet. (Besides, if I'd fallen off my horse out on that 23 mile loop, I wouldn't have been doing him any favors.)

I felt bad about wimping out, but when I revealed to Dr Mike the vet about my recent surgery, and said "But the surgeon cleared me to ride after 2 weeks!", he said "But did you tell him what kind of riding you do?"

Dr Matt the vet said, "This isn't your average trail riding…"

Oh, yea. If you ride endurance you don't really think about it, but 50 miles is a whole 'nother ball game compared to short trail rides.

That made the quitting a little easier to stomach, although it's disappointing to discover I'm not as immortal as I thought I was. (I mean - a little surgery - come on!)

Well, anyway, it was a nice training ride for both of us. The horse is fine. The trail kicked the rider's butt. I just need a little more time before I'm up to doing a marathon.

2013 City of Rocks Day 4

Friday August 9 2013

I rode Bodie today on Day 4 of the City of Rocks Pioneer Trails endurance ride - the real Bodie who was on this planet with me (see 2013 City of Rocks Day 2 to know what I mean about the other planetary Bodie).

We waited till most of the riders were out, then we followed 3 calm horses and riders out onto the trail at a walk; and we walked on by them for another half mile, then picked up a nice trot, and away we went. Bodie sure saved himself a lot of wasted energy by staying calm, cool, and collected. He felt great and looked good all day.

We rode the Circle Creek High Trail (see a cool video from last year of this high trail here) to about 7500 feet to a cool and refreshing spring at Indian Grove in the Albion mountains, then rode back down-down-down to camp. I discovered Bodie is a Downhill horse (not so much uphill) - sure footed, and he can boogie downhill!

Loop 2 was a nice not-so-hot loop out on the flats - aided by a rather strong breeze that kept the heat down. And we finished our second 50-mile ride together. Yay Bodie!

Here are a few pix from the day:

Up top is about 6000 feet near the Tea Kettle (climbing rock)


Bodie and I are on the right. Bodie (!) and Kelly are on the left! She called hers the Evil Bodie. We saw them again near the end of the ride, and her Bodie was still full of himself! This photo is in Circle Creek valley - we climbed that mountain above our heads!


Back down in Circle Creek after coming down the mountain.


Bodie was afraid of this woman's helmet!


On the stretch back home, along the Salf Lake Cut Off (emigrant) trail


Bodie and The Raven finished their second 50-mile ride together!

2013 City of Rocks Day 2

Thursday August 8 2013

Day 2 was my first 50 mile ride on Bodie. It was a most interesting day to say the least.

The first 5 miles were, well, 5 miles I would rather have skipped. Bodie was on another planet. Linda (riding Tex with us) said I was riding 4 different horses. It sure felt like I was riding 4 different horses doing 4 different things at the same time. I did manage to stay on.

We eventually got through that and I was finally back on the real Bodie.

Then on loop 3, Linda got sick. So sick she had to be rescued by some people in a truck. I ponied her horse for 8 miles back to camp. We got caught in a thunderstorm, and most of you know how scared I am of lightning. And I discovered Bodie is afraid of thunder. It was exciting for a while! We hunkered down with our butts to the wind with 2 other riders, Sandy and Kaylee (thank you guys for waiting for me!!)

The rest of the ride/ponying went well, and Bodie actually finished in 7th place. Here are some photos of the most interesting day!


Bodie and Tex up on top of this steep-*ss hill that Linda made me get off and walk up leading my horse. (Actually she didn't make me; she said she was going to get off and walk, so I did too!)


One of the lovely trails in the Raft river mountains.


Tex and Bodie sharing a bucket of feed at the first vet check


Bodie and Tex with their butts turned to the howling wind and pounding rain.

More to come!

City of Rocks: Year II

Thursday August 1 2013

Half the herd (human and horse) has arrived at City of Rocks, getting set for this year's 5-day City of Rocks Pioneer Trails Endurance Ride, August 6-10.

It's about 10 degrees cooler than Owyhee (hallelujah!), though there are some thunderstorms in the forecast (eek!) (I brought real Turquoise Beads, to wear properly in my hair, and my horse's hair!).

Stay tuned!


Bodie was afraid of this water trough (it's his first time here) when he first got here… but later he splashed and splashed and splashed in it. Made a big mess, actually.


Jose getting a good belly scratch (he chases me around for one!), while observing the valley east of City of Rocks National Reserve.


Part of the herd in the sunset, looking toward the park.

Stick It

Sunday March 176 2013

You'd be hard pressed to find cactus around here in Owyhee. It exists, but not so's you'd find enough to stick your nose in it.

Except for Bodie. He found it, and stuck it where it hurts - his nose, which he uses for just about everything - eating, sniffing, feeling.

Even if the horse held still, you obviously don't want to try pulling it out with your bare hands, because the other spines will stick in your skin. You don't want to try pulling it out with gloves, because even if you get a grip on it, you'll probably poke it further in, or poke other spines in his nose.



Best is to use a comb, and rake it over the area quickly, flipping the whole cactus piece out. Fortunately I haven't found any single cactus spines in any of the horses. These can be a nightmare to remove, often requiring veterinary sedation and subsequent treatment, as many people living in Arizona have probably learned.

Bodie hardly knew what happened, and right after I swept the cactus off his nose, I gave him a good (much appreciated) scratch.

Smoochies!

Friday November 30 2012

Is it love?

Smooch!

Eyes closed!

Neck hickey?

We'll see Part II of this Smoochfest next.