I love it when a plan comes together … And so far, so good.
Yesterday did a 3 or 4 fast, hilly heat acclimation ride on both boys. This involved tacking up when it was muggy and hot, then going as fast as we needed to go (and then some) to stay ahead of the carnivorous deer flies on the trail on our little 3+ mile loop.
When I got back from each ride, I stripped tack, hosed the horse for 3 minutes, and took their pulse. Both down to 60. Cross-tied them, put on hoof dressing and one minute later, both of them were down to 52.
So that’s a good sign, as they were both blowing and hot when we got back to the barn, but quickly recovered. Rachel and I will have to take pains to ensure that Ned’s core temperature doesn’t get way up there if it’s hot, but he’s far more heat-fit and ready than I would have guessed.
I am in the process of making lists. Lists of what groceries to buy, what to pack, what to wash, what we’ll need at the away vet checks, blah, blah, blah.
It helps to be the sort of girl who knows there is a hyphen in anal-retentive.
I’ve been joking that God wanted to help me with my own heat acclimation by causing the A/C to fail in both my Subaru and the F-450, and by preventing the estimator from returning our calls about the proposal for A/C in the house. I’ve been making a point of walking when it’s hot and muggy, hanging out at my brother’s pool with my nieces (important work) and enjoying sweltering in my car as I run around hither and thither picking up the items on above, aforementioned list.
My most wonderful friend, Janet, AKA Sas, has volunteered, with no arm twisting whatsoever, to come and crew for us next week. As you can imagine, I almost fainted with joy when she offered and have been trying to think of the ultimate crewing thank you gift. She’s a DQ (dressage queen) rather than an endurance person, but she’s experienced with handling unruly horses so should be a welcome addition when Ace gets wound up at a hold and I’m feeling homicidal.
I sent her the “explicit and detailed” crewing instructions that my friend Zoe requested when crewing for Ned and me at Vermont a few years ago, but keep telling her we’ll both be ridiculously grateful to have a friendly face to say hello and hold a horse while we hit the porta-potty.
I’ve been checking the forecast. Of course. And it’s looking rainy and relatively cool for next week.
Considering the alternatives (hot and ridiculously muggy) I’ll take it.
I’m stopping to pick up some Hammer Nutrition products from a bike shop tomorrow, including electrolyte capsules and some BCAAs that some of the other 100 mile riders recommend. Will let you know how they work. Have every intention of hydrating like a banshee.
Yesterday I tried an Ensure for breakfast (over ice) rather than actual food. Must admit, the stuff felt a little queasy in my tummy at first, but I rode both boys and did barn chores in the heat and felt fine.
Whatever works!