Turns out that Howie hadn't left the barn yet for his new home in CA so I got another chance to ride everybody's favorite horse. Had the usual little problems with Howie, but overall it was a really good ride. Talked to Laura about doing a shoe lease on one of the horses to start getting more time in as well as if I'll be ready to jump/compete next spring. Looking good so far.
Because of traffic coming back from the barn on the east side, I didn't make my 4:30 swim time. This gave me a chance to grab a bite to eat, take a nap and head back to the pool for the 7:30 swim. The late swim didn't feel much different than the other times of the day that I swim. Maybe a little more energy, but my arms felt a little heavy, due to - I believe - an arm weight workout I did the last time. I did take a few more seconds off my 100m time, but I wasn't really trying too hard. I did another mini flipturn practice at the end of my workout. I did pretty well, got most of the turns just fine. I still have to take the turns pretty slow though for it to work out right.
I found out last night through my friend Peter that another friend of ours, Batina, is quite the shooter. I had no idea, so I'll try catching up with her to find out where she is shooting. Its in Bellevue, so it will be easier than Kenmore for quick shooting trips. Also found out that Peter has some relatives in Sydney that I will be able to catch up with.
Showing posts with label Howie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Howie. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 22, 2000
Tuesday, August 15, 2000
Howie countdown and short swim time
I did my Tuesday afternoon ride today, no lessons, just a ride to give me more time in the saddle to work on some things. I got to ride Howie again. A big chestnut...the kind of horse I will need to do the kind of jumps I watched at Evergreen this last weekend. Howie's actually done a few Grand Prix events, so he's a great horse to learn big jumps on. The ride on Howie went really well, he's back to the point where he responds easily and quickly to my aids...keeping his head down, slowing down to the pace I ask for, etc. Unfortunately, he's going to California this weekend to reunite with his owner. Everyone at the barn is sad to see him go. He's a great athlete, so he will be missed.
The swim went well later in the afternoon as well. Took two seconds off my 100m time which was pretty good considering I felt like I was putting in about 60%. Overall, my workout time has dropped about 10 minutes from when I first started. My workout now takes about 40 minutes. When I get back from Syndey and start working with a coach, I expect this time will go up. I discovered that of the lifeguards at the Y give private lessons. I worked on my flip turn a little with one of them today, but in October, when their summer schedule is over, I'll get some stroke skill work too.
The swim went well later in the afternoon as well. Took two seconds off my 100m time which was pretty good considering I felt like I was putting in about 60%. Overall, my workout time has dropped about 10 minutes from when I first started. My workout now takes about 40 minutes. When I get back from Syndey and start working with a coach, I expect this time will go up. I discovered that of the lifeguards at the Y give private lessons. I worked on my flip turn a little with one of them today, but in October, when their summer schedule is over, I'll get some stroke skill work too.
Tuesday, July 25, 2000
Slow ride, fast swim
Went to the barn today to start getting back into riding. With my trip to Nebraska, its been over two weeks since I last rode. Howie was his usual tripper self. Laura had just sprayed down the arena, so I didn't do any cantering since it was still pretty wet. The trot work felt really good though. More importantly, it felt good to be back in the saddle. Found out that Meyou, the horse I was thinking about buying, had some problems while I was away. He fell while stretching (slipped), hurt his back and then fell again while recovering when trying to get out of way of another horse. Laura is doing her therapeutic magic touch, so we're all waiting to see how it turns out.
The swim went really well. I took seven seconds off my time, still without flip turns and at about 75% pressure.
The swim went really well. I took seven seconds off my time, still without flip turns and at about 75% pressure.
Thursday, July 6, 2000
Swim like a slug and ride like butta
The swim started very sluggish today. Well...sluggish until I got into the water any way. Once I was in it felt really good to stretch out in the cool water and get going. I added a 200m after my warm up to start keeping track of my times. I swam it at about 75% and didn't do flip turns which gave me a 3'14" time. I'm shooting for under a 2'30" time so I have a ways to go. I'm up to about 44 laps now which is over a mile and is about 1100m. I need to get this up to over 2000m though which would be another 4 laps...very doable.
Went for a solo ride tonight. I had my lesson last night since Laura and much of the barn was off to a competition in Whidbey Island but Laura suggested that I still put in a ride tonight. Howie and I worked onthe same things we did on Wednesday, mainly rythem. I spent most of the time at two-point trying to feel and control his rhythm. It felt really good and Howie was responding very well to the aids to slow down..."it felt like butta".
Ricky, the horse that was having GI problems last night is up and doing fine after a long uncomfortable night...for Ricky and people observing him.
Went for a solo ride tonight. I had my lesson last night since Laura and much of the barn was off to a competition in Whidbey Island but Laura suggested that I still put in a ride tonight. Howie and I worked onthe same things we did on Wednesday, mainly rythem. I spent most of the time at two-point trying to feel and control his rhythm. It felt really good and Howie was responding very well to the aids to slow down..."it felt like butta".
Ricky, the horse that was having GI problems last night is up and doing fine after a long uncomfortable night...for Ricky and people observing him.
Wednesday, July 5, 2000
Rough run and ride rythem
The run at Greenlake wasn't the best I've had...my shins fatigued pretty quickly and stayed that way the whole time. I mush have had bad form or something. But I did finish and did take a minute off my time. I did the 2-off/1-on workout and was able to stay pretty close to one of the running groups ahead of me...pretty happy about that.
Tonight at riding we worked a lot on rhythm. I spent a lot of time at two-point, both at the trot and the canter, counting measures. Then Laura placed three poles on the ground for us to ride over at the canter. Had to work hard to keep Howie at a consistent speed and going straight, but we did pretty well over all. He's getting much better at keeping his head down.
On a side note, one of the other horses in the barn was having some GI problems, possibly colic. Its been a while since I've been a round a horse in this situation...pretty serious stuff. Laura and all at the barn did a good job of keeping up and about until the vet came as I was leaving. The horse should be OK, but it makes me wonder if I'm ready for horse ownership...now as much emotionally than financially. Its a great thing owning a horse, but its also a lot of responsibility. I could see myself getting really into it, especially with a horse like Meyou - a jumping and polo horse - the question is how would it affect my overall training. Would the responsibilities of owning and training a horse eclipse my training in other events. Hmm...
Tonight at riding we worked a lot on rhythm. I spent a lot of time at two-point, both at the trot and the canter, counting measures. Then Laura placed three poles on the ground for us to ride over at the canter. Had to work hard to keep Howie at a consistent speed and going straight, but we did pretty well over all. He's getting much better at keeping his head down.
On a side note, one of the other horses in the barn was having some GI problems, possibly colic. Its been a while since I've been a round a horse in this situation...pretty serious stuff. Laura and all at the barn did a good job of keeping up and about until the vet came as I was leaving. The horse should be OK, but it makes me wonder if I'm ready for horse ownership...now as much emotionally than financially. Its a great thing owning a horse, but its also a lot of responsibility. I could see myself getting really into it, especially with a horse like Meyou - a jumping and polo horse - the question is how would it affect my overall training. Would the responsibilities of owning and training a horse eclipse my training in other events. Hmm...
Tuesday, July 4, 2000
Howie hurries and a little more run
Started my Tuesday afternoon sessions with Howie this week. The objective is simply to get more time riding in hopes of starting jumping competitions this spring.
Howie was very strong today and, as usual, in a big hurry right from the start. Howie's walk was almost as fast as Duke's trot (Laura was riding Duke at the same time) and Howie's trot was as fast as Duke's canter. So I had to work really hard to keep Howie at the pace and rhythm that I wanted. Howie did eventually slow down a bit, but even at the walk at the end of the lesson he was a little speedster.
Laura and I talked a little about the possible impending purchase of Meyou, the horse Evan brought to the Tacoma Polo Club for Laura to consider for herself of one of her students. Meyou is exactly the horse I would be looking for...a jumper and a bit of a polo player, but I wasn't expecting to buy a horse until next spring. Meyou's even a chestnut, which makes him even more appealing...to me anyway. I'll be talking to the parents and looking at my budget very closely to see if "Me and You Forever" (Meyou's full name) will come to pass.
For the run in the evening I changed my workout to two minutes off, one minute on. Wow...how an 30 additional seconds can seem to drag on forever. But in the end, I was able to do it and actually felt pretty good during and after the workout. I'll continue this interval set for a couple weeks and then bump up again by 30 seconds.
Howie was very strong today and, as usual, in a big hurry right from the start. Howie's walk was almost as fast as Duke's trot (Laura was riding Duke at the same time) and Howie's trot was as fast as Duke's canter. So I had to work really hard to keep Howie at the pace and rhythm that I wanted. Howie did eventually slow down a bit, but even at the walk at the end of the lesson he was a little speedster.
Laura and I talked a little about the possible impending purchase of Meyou, the horse Evan brought to the Tacoma Polo Club for Laura to consider for herself of one of her students. Meyou is exactly the horse I would be looking for...a jumper and a bit of a polo player, but I wasn't expecting to buy a horse until next spring. Meyou's even a chestnut, which makes him even more appealing...to me anyway. I'll be talking to the parents and looking at my budget very closely to see if "Me and You Forever" (Meyou's full name) will come to pass.
For the run in the evening I changed my workout to two minutes off, one minute on. Wow...how an 30 additional seconds can seem to drag on forever. But in the end, I was able to do it and actually felt pretty good during and after the workout. I'll continue this interval set for a couple weeks and then bump up again by 30 seconds.
Thursday, June 29, 2000
Super swim and "show him the way"
Had a great swim this afternoon. Few people in the pool and just felt really good with lots of energy. I did add another length to my pyramid so now I'm doing two full laps at top speed. I still need to take about 20-30 seconds off my time, but should at least be able to complete the full 200m at top speed soon without much problem. I think I will also add an endurance day where I just swim for an hour or so rather than doing drills.
Riding went really well too. Howie is such a great horse. I am still working with him to keep his head down, in the past he was allowed to hold his head too high. Laura's advice is to "show him the way to the ground" in other words use the reins to help keep his heed down and guide his head down towards the ground. This is accomplished by bringing the reins down whenever his head starts to pop up again. The trot and canter were great as usual, I could keep the Howie-the-speedster pretty much under control. For jumping we did a small cross rail, then changed up to a straight rail. I'm still working on keeping him straight after the jump, keeping my hands down, staying back in the saddle at the jump and allowing my hands to come up a little when Howie goes into the jump to give his neck room to stretch out.
I did let Laura know I am hoping to do my first pentathlons next spring. She said it would be challenging, but that I could do it if I put some more riding time in. So, I will be adding Tuesdays as a riding day going forward for sure. The other events are going well too...Athens 2004 or bust!
Riding went really well too. Howie is such a great horse. I am still working with him to keep his head down, in the past he was allowed to hold his head too high. Laura's advice is to "show him the way to the ground" in other words use the reins to help keep his heed down and guide his head down towards the ground. This is accomplished by bringing the reins down whenever his head starts to pop up again. The trot and canter were great as usual, I could keep the Howie-the-speedster pretty much under control. For jumping we did a small cross rail, then changed up to a straight rail. I'm still working on keeping him straight after the jump, keeping my hands down, staying back in the saddle at the jump and allowing my hands to come up a little when Howie goes into the jump to give his neck room to stretch out.
I did let Laura know I am hoping to do my first pentathlons next spring. She said it would be challenging, but that I could do it if I put some more riding time in. So, I will be adding Tuesdays as a riding day going forward for sure. The other events are going well too...Athens 2004 or bust!
Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Greenlake Gusto and down Sean, down
I went to run with the Greenlake group, but showed up and hour early and decided to run around the lake myself. Its a little over 3 miles and I decided to start my intervals...2 minutes off, 30 seconds on = 2 minutes at about 7.5 minute/mile pace then a 30 sprint, then back to the 2 minutes off and so on. I will slowly build to where my on times are longer. The workout felt pretty good, but I'm still a long way from where I was last fall. I'll continue to do the intervals from here on out and plan on running with the group next week. I'm housesitting on Lake Washington this week, so the lakefront run should inspire me. The Greenlake group will be a great motivator: 1. Mike Jones, a former pentathlete works out with them, 2. several people from the group placed in the top 10 of some recent local races, 3. Coach Wendy's husband works out with the group so I'll be able to get some coaching in with her without any scheduling challenges and 4. there just a great group of people.
All went well with riding tonight, with the exception of my hand height. Laura's still not satisfied with where I carry my hands out of the jumps. Joan was riding Eli and it was Howie again for me. Its always a little scary when jumping a new horse for the first time, but this is what I'll need to do in the pentathlon, so the more new horses the better. I've been riding Howie for three weeks now, but his was my first time jumping him. We did a three fence mini-course several times each direction. Jumping went really well overall, Howie rushes the fences a little, but I was able to keep him under control. The biggest challenge was keeping my hands down coming out of the jumps, but was able to correct this too. Looking forward to higher and/or more complex fences next week.
All went well with riding tonight, with the exception of my hand height. Laura's still not satisfied with where I carry my hands out of the jumps. Joan was riding Eli and it was Howie again for me. Its always a little scary when jumping a new horse for the first time, but this is what I'll need to do in the pentathlon, so the more new horses the better. I've been riding Howie for three weeks now, but his was my first time jumping him. We did a three fence mini-course several times each direction. Jumping went really well overall, Howie rushes the fences a little, but I was able to keep him under control. The biggest challenge was keeping my hands down coming out of the jumps, but was able to correct this too. Looking forward to higher and/or more complex fences next week.
Greenlake Gusto and down Sean, down
I went to run with the Greenlake group, but showed up and hour early and decided to run around the lake myself. Its a little over 3 miles and I decided to start my intervals...2 minutes off, 30 seconds on = 2 minutes at about 7.5 minute/mile pace then a 30 sprint, then back to the 2 minutes off and so on. I will slowly build to where my on times are longer. The workout felt pretty good, but I'm still a long way from where I was last fall. I'll continue to do the intervals from here on out and plan on running with the group next week. I'm housesitting on Lake Washington this week, so the lakefront run should inspire me. The Greenlake group will be a great motivator: 1. Mike Jones, a former pentathlete works out with them, 2. several people from the group placed in the top 10 of some recent local races, 3. Coach Wendy's husband works out with the group so I'll be able to get some coaching in with her without any scheduling challenges and 4. there just a great group of people.
All went well with riding tonight, with the exception of my hand height. Laura's still not satisfied with where I carry my hands out of the jumps. Joan was riding Eli and it was Howie again for me. Its always a little scary when jumping a new horse for the first time, but this is what I'll need to do in the pentathlon, so the more new horses the better. I've been riding Howie for three weeks now, but his was my first time jumping him. We did a three fence mini-course several times each direction. Jumping went really well overall, Howie rushes the fences a little, but I was able to keep him under control. The biggest challenge was keeping my hands down coming out of the jumps, but was able to correct this too. Looking forward to higher and/or more complex fences next week.
All went well with riding tonight, with the exception of my hand height. Laura's still not satisfied with where I carry my hands out of the jumps. Joan was riding Eli and it was Howie again for me. Its always a little scary when jumping a new horse for the first time, but this is what I'll need to do in the pentathlon, so the more new horses the better. I've been riding Howie for three weeks now, but his was my first time jumping him. We did a three fence mini-course several times each direction. Jumping went really well overall, Howie rushes the fences a little, but I was able to keep him under control. The biggest challenge was keeping my hands down coming out of the jumps, but was able to correct this too. Looking forward to higher and/or more complex fences next week.
Thursday, June 15, 2000
Down Howie, down
My Mom is visiting from Arizona this week, so I won't be able to fit all my workouts in (I love having excuses like this). But, here's what I am up to...
...it was Howie time again this week. Laura had ridden him earlier in the day, so he wasn't Mr. speedy this time. Well, at least not as speedy as last time...his walk and trot were almost at regular pace. Laura had me working on positioning my hands correctly and we worked primarily on getting Howie's neck turned correctly to the inside. This meant holding him with my outside rein while pulling down and in with my inside hand. This went pretty well at the walk, trot and canter. The next objective is to keep Howie's head down towards the ground and tucked as he is used to keeping it pretty hight up. A really great ride though.
...it was Howie time again this week. Laura had ridden him earlier in the day, so he wasn't Mr. speedy this time. Well, at least not as speedy as last time...his walk and trot were almost at regular pace. Laura had me working on positioning my hands correctly and we worked primarily on getting Howie's neck turned correctly to the inside. This meant holding him with my outside rein while pulling down and in with my inside hand. This went pretty well at the walk, trot and canter. The next objective is to keep Howie's head down towards the ground and tucked as he is used to keeping it pretty hight up. A really great ride though.
Thursday, June 8, 2000
Tough times ahead and high speed Howie
The swim today was so-so. I felt a little off on technique and a little sluggish at first, but soon got into the groove. I did note my lap times for the first time ever. Looks like I have about 20-30 seconds to take off my time to be at the competitive level for the swim in pentathlon...doable but still a goal that is going to be a challenge.
Had a great ride tonight. Sheila was on Pet and Vesty had already been ridden, so I rode Marya's Howie tonight. Howie is a big chestnut...BIG. A couple inches taller than Pet. Howie has the attitude of a lab, you best buddy, ready to go and wanting to please. Howie is also the one that told Joan, the horse communicator, that he liked being outdoors...another nature boy like myself.
As soon as my foot was in the stirrup, Howie was off like a bullet...the fastest walk I've ever experienced. Per Laura's instructions, I let him do his fast walk thing until he took a big deep breath and slowed down the walk. Then we went up to the trot...WHOA Howie. It took a lot of talking to his mouth to get him under control, but we did settle into a pretty good rythem. Howie is very sensitive to a riders balance and aids, so I really had to do my best to sit and give commands correctly. The trot felt great, the canter felt even better! Didn't have any problem keeping him under control at the canter, which was a surprise to me and Laura since he was so strong. Laura brought out the poles and we did a little pre-jumping workout...come into the poles at a trot, come out of them in a canter. Howie wanted to make the poles on the ground into jumps, but with a little communication, we were able to get into the groove here as well.
I had a great time riding Howie, we get along well. Since Marya moved to CA and won't be bringing Howie down for another couple months, Laura asked me if I wouldn't mind riding him more both to keep him exercised and to get me some more riding time...looking forward to it.
Had a great ride tonight. Sheila was on Pet and Vesty had already been ridden, so I rode Marya's Howie tonight. Howie is a big chestnut...BIG. A couple inches taller than Pet. Howie has the attitude of a lab, you best buddy, ready to go and wanting to please. Howie is also the one that told Joan, the horse communicator, that he liked being outdoors...another nature boy like myself.
As soon as my foot was in the stirrup, Howie was off like a bullet...the fastest walk I've ever experienced. Per Laura's instructions, I let him do his fast walk thing until he took a big deep breath and slowed down the walk. Then we went up to the trot...WHOA Howie. It took a lot of talking to his mouth to get him under control, but we did settle into a pretty good rythem. Howie is very sensitive to a riders balance and aids, so I really had to do my best to sit and give commands correctly. The trot felt great, the canter felt even better! Didn't have any problem keeping him under control at the canter, which was a surprise to me and Laura since he was so strong. Laura brought out the poles and we did a little pre-jumping workout...come into the poles at a trot, come out of them in a canter. Howie wanted to make the poles on the ground into jumps, but with a little communication, we were able to get into the groove here as well.
I had a great time riding Howie, we get along well. Since Marya moved to CA and won't be bringing Howie down for another couple months, Laura asked me if I wouldn't mind riding him more both to keep him exercised and to get me some more riding time...looking forward to it.
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