Five Questions

Based on a post from UltraRunnerPodcast, Mel of Boots and Saddles posted "5 Q's With Mel", altering the questions to add in endurance riding. To take my mind off the fact that it's a glorious day and I'm not running or riding or otherwise fun-ing, here are my answers :)

Name: Cydnée Michelle Ross (Née Handley)
Age: 27
Where do you live? Fort Bragg, California
Family status: Married with one horse and one dog (who doesn't get to live with us due to rental)

1. How long have you been riding? Endurance? Running?
I've been riding ~23 years, and discovered endurance in 2008 after moving here from England. I've only had the opportunity to do a handful of rides, but am fortunate to have some very experienced endurance riders to learn from so missed some of the steeper aspects of the learning curve.  Of course, theory into practice is going to come with hurdles and I don't ever expect it to be easy!
I've only been running for a few years, got a little burned out after training for my first road marathon, then discovered trails and the longer distances where it's more about endurance than speed, and I love love love it!

First LD at Cuneo Creek, Sep'08 on Runnin' Rebel

San Francisco Marathon, July'11, Photo by MarathonFoto.com

2. What does a normal training week look like for you?
There's a huge variance in my pony-training week, we do not really have a 'normal' yet. I try to ride two times a week, but since Bugsy is only rising five, we're just getting a slow solid base on. Mostly our rides are walk peppered with some trotting on flat(-ish) or less steep ups. We have a nice six or ten mile loop (and longer when we need...) that we can ride from home, or we tag along with rides from Ricochet Ridge Ranch who are a few doors down from us. We can also very easily ride to the beach, which is perfect for LSD (long slow distance) - about seven miles one way. (Also has some areas of good footing at low tide for a brain blowout as needed :D) Bugsy has yet to be ridden on the beach, though we have hiked there and ponied him when Fuega was still here.

I have some amazing places to train on two or four legs!

As far as MY training week, I try to run at least three times a week, ideally four or five, with one longer hilly run, 99% on trails. I strength train three times a week with a group weight bar class, and go to a 'gentle' yoga class once a week with additional stretching and foam rolling at home. I'm flirting with the idea of other sports that would be great cross training (mountain biking, surfing). Overall I'm at about twelve hours and eight workouts a week, with a goal to up that to 15 hours and ten workouts for a three week cycle prior to my 50. My job as a massage therapist means I spend most of my working hours in a moving lunge, and virtually never sitting at a desk (a few reception hours a week, though we may be getting a standing desk, which would be great).

3. Any advice for endurance spouses?
We are pretty determined, and you probably knew that before you married us, so no excuses there. This is our sanity, and it may not seem productive as we obsess over seemingly minute details regarding our horses, our gear, training and nutrition (horse and human) but I promise it's better than our stir-crazy selves. Like when we're tapering. We're probably not good at it, and for that short period we apologize. If all else fails, keep back and toss grain free/dairy free/insert-blank-free deliciousness at us and know that we love you extra for supporting our slightly mad endeavours to cover vast distances powered by two or four legs.

Entertainment for non-riding endurance spouse

4. Where will this sport be in ten years?  Both sports are growing and becoming more accessible to those wishing to participate. With information available everywhere you turn, there's no need to wing it and hope for the best (though you still can if you want to). I like that more rides are offering intro rides for those thinking about getting their feet wet, but dislike the internal arguments such as why LD is not called endurance; also in running, is a 50k a 'real' ultra marathon or do you need to go 50 miles? I just hope neither sport gets over-commercialised as so many others have done.

5.a) What was your best ride? Why?
Whiskeytown 50, 2011. Fuega's first 50 and my second. A lot of things went right, and some important learning points specific to my horse. We just clicked and had a great fun ride, taking time for photos and enjoying the trail with our riding buddy. She figured out her job (after throwing herself to the ground just after I mounted, and nearly dropping us off a cliff but I would expect nothing less from her...) Then to come in and find out we were 10th and she got high vet score was an extra bonus! Miss this mare!!

5.b) What was your best run? Why?
I keep thinking on this and I really don't know. Nothing sticks out as being truly fabulous, and I could name a number of races for different reasons. LS50, even though I didn't finish, was a fantastic learning opportunity. Nitro was a lot of fun even though a) it was in Oakland and b) it was rainy and windy and gross, but it was my first race and I had a lot of fun (and I came 2nd in my age group - out of three, but still, 2nd!). SFMarathon was my first marathon, and my first real test of persevering. While it wouldn't make it into 'Best Run' category, Big Basin showed me that I have the mental strength to keep on trucking when it's all gone to shit. Headlands was fun to run it with my dad, and great views even if I buggered my knee. I've had some great training runs that I couldn't pinpoint why they were so great. Maybe I can change this answer after Salt Point next week?

Nitro Trail, First Half Marathon June'11

Bonus question: Favorite beer?
Scrimshaw from North Coast Brewing, followed closely by PranQster! Beer is delicious. Also perfect for runners - carbs and hydration :) (Telling myself what I need to...)