fitness for eventing (rider!)

diggerbez

diggerbez

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i am currently very unfit! have done two events this season and found it really hard work- have managed to stay off my horse's back and still ride,but been really out of breath. need to get much fitter- but what can i do? normally i just do a lot of running as find that builds my stamina and doesn't take loads of time- plus can exercise the dogs at the same time! however, in the last week i have twisted my left ankle quite badly 3 times- so really thinking that it might need a rest from running! :eek: i can't afford to join a gym and i don't have a bike. any suggestions? also, any ideas for how i can strengthen my cankle (i call it this as its swollen so doesn't even look like an ankle anymore!) I used to have a really weak right ankle until eventually snapped my ligaments and now its really strong. bit worried that my left one is going the same way.... :confused:
 
I was horrified with how unfit I was on the weekend, so will be following this with interest.
I've also been following Matt Luxtons threads - I WILL get fit!!
 
Could you borrow a bike? I've got my instructor's bike at the moment! Or buy a cheapy one? Otherwise yes swimming probably best plan..... I've just started running, managed to stay in 2 point and ride round tweseldown on Friday fairly competantly but youngster is rather harder work so think more cardio fitness can only be a good thing :)
 
Swimming. Running is a no no for your ankle and even cycling won't help it much. The other thing you can be working on is core stability - will help you maintain 2 point more easily. Get a swiss ball and a book of exercises - that will keep you busy :D
 
Another vote for swimming. Doctors always recommend it over running because it's good for your joints as opposed to bad for them. Really good for fitness and great fun too :D However, unless you have a reasonably priced pool near you it's probably a no.
 
hmmm yes swimming could be a goer- bit more of a PITA to fit it in but i guess i should be motivated as there is a reason for wanting to get fit. (bike riding does scare me a bit- i used to bike everywhere when i was at uni but i am quite clumsy and knowing me would fall off in front of a truck or something :rolleyes:) there is a leisure centre near me, will have a look how much it will cost :)
 
I am currently on a fitness programme - not for eventing, but this is what I am following:

http://www.bupa.co.uk/running/training/training-programmes/beginner-5km/

After being posted by another forum user a few months ago. Its definatly helped my fitness, I was a total bum before (just used to ride didnt do anything else at all). When I have finished this in a couple of weeks time, I will then be moving onto the RAF six week fitness programme.

Unfortunatly I cannot comment on how I would be if I was out eventing - as I wont be doing that for a long time. However, it has got to be better than when I never did anything and was out of breath by the third xc fence!
 
How effective is walking to help eventing fitness do you think?
And when I say walking, I mean this bearing in mind I live on the side of the Malvern Hills, so pretty strenuous walking!
 
icestationzebra said:
The other thing you can be working on is core stability - will help you maintain 2 point more easily. Get a swiss ball and a book of exercises - that will keep you busy :D
Click to expand...

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This. I absolutely agree. Having gone to a 'core strength' class at the gym at the weekend, I realise that I don't actually own a core, but I know it would be SO beneficial for riding once I have built one up. Although I did the class on Saturday, it's Tuesday now and what is there of my core is still killing, ouchie!!! Good luck with the ankle!
 
I swam last year to get fit and found it really helped.
For one reason and another I had to stop at the beginning of this year and at my first event I was puffing like a steam train so am now back in the pool.
I only do 20 lengths (its quite a long pool but don't know how that translates into distance) and tend to use a float so that I am just exercising the legs - it was hard work at first couldn't believe how out of breath I was but its slowly getting better and fingers crossed will help on the XC.
 
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