Henry Miller,Tevis Cup, and Western States 100

" In this age, which believes that there is a shortcut to everything, the greatest lesson to be learned is that the most difficult way is, in the long run, the easiest" stated Henry Miller, the rebel, who wrote the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. You will be able to read his sexually explicit autobiographical novels today which are a good thing. Miller was born in 1891 in New York, and died in 1980 in California. He lived a long life.

If you disagree with this quote let me know. I think that he is right on and that this quote applies to all of us today.  In my experience, with endurance riding, running, and ride and tie, I have not discovered an easy way or shortcut in terms of training or conditioning. If you have, share your shortcuts with us. The real key is knowing about self-assessment addressing whether or not you’ve under trained or over trained.

For me, over training generally results from being nervous about an event. When I am nervous or worried about the activity, myself talk often has to do with “I haven’t done enough”. The self talk message is filtered by the worry and distorts the reality. So you have to know and be able to determine what the worry is about and analyzing your training method. Knowing oneself is paramount. I know since I have over trained and not analyzed myself correctly nor the activity.

Just think of the Western states runners this year. The snow conditions are extreme and likely the heat conditions will be also. How do you properly train for running in the snow? And at this late date, how does one train for the extreme heat during that one day event? The temperature is heating up and is likely to be extreme within the next two weeks.

As many of you know by now, the Tevis has been rescheduled to October 8 of this year. It is clear that with the extra time between July and October that it is important not to over train or lame your horse. Everybody wants to get to the start.  So ,for those of you that are going to do that ride be careful and protect your horse. Another problem for you riders is going to be the limited daylight conditions. Night riding is going to be another key this year .Good Luck. Pay attention to “how the thinking process affects achievement and performance” which is a learning from “It Has Nothing to Do with Age”.