I'm sore...

Talk about a crazy weekend. But in a good way...

I decided to take Friday off from work so I would have plenty of time to pack and get to the ride camp for the endurance race this past weekend. Good thing I did. I wasn't really ready to leave until after 3pm. Then I had to go and gas up the truck. We sat at the gas station for what felt like hours. That place was busy!!

Once we got to ride camp, Rebel set up camp and I went about getting Flash and I (well, just Flash actually) vetted in. The vets could care less what the humans look like... you could be bleeding out of every pore. Just as long as the horse is fit and ready to continue.

We had some downtime, so I decided to get Flash braided up for optimum cooling...

Flash was happy to get braided. He think he looks like a princess...

But, of course, he is a princess...

A few of us wandered down to the main part of camp to attend the ride meeting, where I got my first surprise of the weekend. The first loop (the orange loop) was going to be 22 miles long. Say what?!? Holy crap. That's a hell of a first loop for our very first ride of the season and in 7 years. Plus there was going to be a water crossing... not Flash's favorite thing.

After that, we settled in for dinner and I tried my best not to be too nervous (yeah, right). I spent most of the night tossing and turning and dreaming about all of the things that I could do wrong the next day. Needless to say, I was up pretty early. 5ish, if I had to guess. I got some breakfast and watched the 75's and the 50's leave. We were only doing 30 so our start time didn't come until 8am.

But when it did come, we were ready to go...

Time to go, mom!!

Do we have everything? Boy, I hope so. See you in 22 miles...

We headed out in about the 3rd wave of 30 milers and about 25 of us all together. I wanted to start in the middle to back of the pack but Flash had other ideas. He wanted to be in front, like now!! And it wasn't that he just wanted to catch up with whoever was in front of us. He would pass them and then keep yanking on my arms to go faster and catch up with the next group. It was a miserable first 9 to 10 miles. Flash was running way too fast and it was starting to get really hot, really quick. I was afraid he would be spent before we even finished the first loop. The other problem is that he was so excited that he refused to drink at the first 3 watering holes. Not good. Not good at all...

Then we hit the first hill.

 OK, mom. I think I'm ready to slow down and walk now...

View of our back trail about 14-15 miles in...

View from the top of the first big butte looking West...

There were a lot of riders who were actually trotting up those hills. We decided to walk up everything and do a light trot on the downhill stuff. Unfortunately, at about mile 15 we got lost. There was a hairpin turn that about 14 of us missed. We were all cruising down this 2-track road when about a 1/2 mile in I realized we hadn't seen any markers. Oops...

On our way back we picked up a bunch of other riders that had also missed the turn. But, in our defense, it was a tough turn to see. You came off an elevated trail along a fence line to a split that went about 6 ways. There were markers in the trees on the back side of the fence that lined the elevated trail we were on, but it just looked like it was marking the trail we were already on. However, you were supposed to come around that fence, make a u-turn (basically) and follow the trail on the bottom side of the fence. It was deceptive and took the bunch of us about 5 minutes to figure it out. Plus it was getting really hot at this point so none of us was thinking that clearly.

Once we got back on the trail, Flash was looking for water. Unfortunately none was forthcoming any time soon. We had to go another 2 to 3 miles before we hit the stream crossing.

Now, typically my horse is a complete water wimp. I always have to convince him that it is not going to eat him and it usually takes a few minutes to get him to cross... not this time. As soon as he saw the water he charged right in and started drinking. And kept drinking. And drinking. For like 5 minutes. That boy was thirsty!! There were 2 other horses at the stream at the same time we were there so I had Flash wait until they were done drinking and across too. Well, that was the plan anyway. One of the horses refused to get in the water. So the guy dismounted and decided to lead his horse across. At this point, Flash and I decided it was time to go and as we were climbing the hill away from the stream I saw the guy's horse leap onto him in the middle of the steam (completely knocking him over) and then drag him out of the stream on the same side they started on. D'oh. It might have been worth the dunking if the horse had come out on the side they needed to be on. They were still trying to cross when we rode out of sight.

After that, it was a pretty easy ride back to camp. Flash was running good but I was definitely starting to feel the miles. It seemed like that loop went on forever!! But we made it. Flash pulsed down and vetted in great. Bow was helping at the vet check and helped me out too. Rebel took care of Flash while I ate a little and drank. And then I sat down... big mistake.

Sooner than I was ready, it was time to go again. Rebel threw me up in the saddle and sent Flash and I on our way. The 2nd loop was only 10 miles and I was grateful. By that time I was hurting pretty badly.

We met up with a nice lady and just cruised with them for the 2nd loop. Flash was feeling good and had plenty in the tank. We figured we were somewhere in the back of the pack so didn't rush to get back. It was a beautiful loop with lovely views (that I didn't take pictures of *sad face*) and in no time we were wandering back into ride camp. As we came in we were told we were 9th and 10th. Say what?!? Apparently a bunch of horses were pulled at the first vet check. Out of 25ish riders, only 12 completed. At that point I was very proud of Flash. He still looked pretty good and vetted out fine. We also got to present for Best Condition (which we were no where close to getting) but I was still really proud of my boy. 

Both very sweaty and very tired...

After it was over, I couldn't find the wine or the Advil fast enough. Both were much needed. On Sunday, I could barely walk. Flash was feeling pretty perky by then...

We had a good time and can't wait to do it again. Next up, 25 miles in 3 weeks... I was thinking about trying a 50 but I need a few more weeks of conditioning for myself before I'm ready for that little adventure.

(thanks to Bow for the great photos... you can find her blog here)