Schitzo Intervals February 29, 2008
Posted by kimayars Run
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I was supposed to run with Beth this morning, but I have a cold coming on. A cold means post-nasal drip, which means more gagging than usual. Her friend Mario was going to join us, and I was afraid that I wouldn’t have the energy to keep up, nor did I want to introduce him to my disgusting quirk.
Yet, as I got ready this morning I realized I really wanted to do something. And I knew Sherene would be at the gym. Who could resist our treadmill tryst? 
Today I decided to play with intervals on the treadmill. Actually, I decided to play with intervals after realizing that I was barely trudging along at 2 miles in. I started with 2min at 5mph alternating with 1min at 7mph. That didn’t seem too taxing so I tried 2min at 5mph and 2min at 7mph. Of course a couple of times I forgot what I was doing, so maybe there were a couple shorter intervals and a couple longer intervals.
What I discovered is I like to run FAST! Running at 7mph was fun! Getting tired was not. But to really feel like you were moving was pretty cool. I will definitely try that again.
So I think for my treadmill days I might alternate the 5k trainer with intervals. It would spice things up and put in some variety. Then my runs with Beth will be longer distances.
Logbook Activity
- Type: Run
- Date: 02/29/2008
- Time: 09:30:00
- Total Time: 00:41:00.00
- Distance: 4 miles
- Average Pace: 10:15.38/mile
Caaaaaaaaaaaaanter! February 28, 2008
Posted by kimayars Arena Work (Horse)
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Tigger is definitely mellowing out being in some regular work. He’s not really hot, but he does get a bit twitchy when he doesn’t have a consistent job. And he seems happier, much more relaxed.
Today we schooled some additional portions of the test, but without running through the test in it’s entirety. In particular we worked on:
- Canter departs in something less than Mach 2.
- Stretching his right side through shoulder-fore and shoulder-in tracking left.
- Halting.
- Free walks across the diagonal, in particular the picking-up-the-reins-and-staying-round part.
The cantering was just so much fun. He’s got a nice smooth canter, so when you get him balanced you feel like he could do it all day. Unfortunately, I only have two corners and 3/4 of a circle to get him settled. Currently it’s taking a wee bit longer than that.
And once again I was giddy at riding in the full arena. I forgot wonderful it was!!!
I’m still REALLY nervous when I think about the show. There are so many things that can go wrong. But, I’m optimistic that we’ll have a good time.
5k Trainer = Can of Whoop Ass February 26, 2008
Posted by kimayars Run
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A good friend of mine at work challenged me to up the ante on the “5k training” option on the treadmill. Last time I tried it I did level 2 at 6.0 mph. She did level 5. So of course, I had to try level 6…
I made it 1 mile at level 6 before I had to drop it down to level 1 in order to recover. At mile 2 I did bump it back up to level 3, but I was still puffin’ pretty hard.
I officially got my butt kicked by the treadmill.
I did, however, spend a fair amount of time stretching out my VERY sore body from the previous ride. And I WILL reach level 6. I will. You wait…
Logbook Activity
- Type: Run
- Date: 02/26/2008
- Time: 09:30:00
- Total Time: 00:31:00.00
- Distance: 3.1 miles
- Average Pace: 10:00/mile
Oh boy, we suck. February 25, 2008
Posted by kimayars Arena Work (Horse)
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Today in my lesson I rode my tests in their entirety for the first time.
First, the good news: I have the tests memorized.
The bad news is it was a complete and utter trainwreck.
I will fully admit that I was being kind of cocky. We can walk/trot/canter and look good doing it. But doing it with precision? Well, that’s a whole new ball of wax. It’s hard to put into words the sound that came out of my mouth when I asked for canter, the first canter transition since Christmas, practically. I sat in the saddle, brought my outside leg back slightly while weighting my inside seatbone. It was all very controlled and subtle. By his reaction, though, you would have thought that I had just lit a firecracker under his tail. I think the phrase my trainer used was, “Let’s try that again, but with a little bit less rocket ship.”
Luckily, my trainer did an excellent job of showing me how to school the components, and then put them together. We made some significant progress today. I was happy.
I’m still scared to death about the show. At this point I’m just hoping that we don’t get DQ’d.
FULL ARENA!! February 23, 2008
Posted by kimayars Arena Work (Horse)
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Today Sherene and I spread the last “little” bit of hogsfuel in the arena, making it fully functional for the first time in months. (I put little in quotes because realistically the pile was the size of a VW Beetle). After basking in the glory of a monumental job finally done, I hopped on Tiago and went for a little ride.
He was a little twitchy at first — we’ve been working on lunging so I haven’t been in the saddle in about two weeks. We have tools, and I used them. My favorite is to use a turn on the forehand to help him soften. Then, when he does, he is allowed the freedom to move forward. For him, it’s all about giving him the freedom to be soft. If you restrict him, you get one very tight, very worried, very agitated fur ball.
We walked the tests to see if I remembered them (I did!) and then trotted around for a little while just loosening things back up again. It was so AWESOME to have full use of the arena. I’m so lucky to have a barn manager like Sherene who takes care of me and my horse.
