Today, I did my body awareness work, and then right after, I hoofed it up the bench. I ran up, I felt good. I walked down, and that felt so good that I did not feel like running. I was inspired by Kathrine Switzer who was the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon. I am reading her book – it’s a good heat wave read. It is also good in that it has me thinking that I want to make further connections between horse and human endurance training. The books are either on one or the other. I now see people conditioning their horses but giving little regard to themselves.
The afternoon was hot – Pete worked like a dog on replacing a fence post. It was a tough one – he hit a large rock and this slowed him down. I had the easier job – I scooped the water out of the trash cans by the compost station and watered the compost. The cold water on my legs did feel good.
Then I cleaned my saddle, which also involved the use of copious amounts of water. The timing was good because just as I was starting this project the UPS man showed up at the gate with a large package. It contained CTR prizes AND my new Equipedic Saddle Pad. This was a pricey item, but well worth the price, as I was to find out. It has a gel cushion and underneath, wool. I finished saddle cleaning and Pete and I went for a ride.
Hrimmi is no longer lame, so we went to Grizzly Camp, which has a long hill. Ohh, the pad – it feels so good – and I imagine that Raudi likes it too. My big revelation today was that I can stand a bit in the stirrups and not post. This is going to save on my knees.
We only went five miles, but it was a good five miles. Tomorrow I am going to get up early and get a ride in before Karol C and Terri M. get here, then do a ride with them.
So I am essentially working hard at keeping the dog days at bay.
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