Catching up on the Marcha di Resistencia
Hello fellow Athletes!
Not sure if you have been following along our social media accounts for the last two weeks or so, but I have been answering questions about the Marcha Di Resistencia and sharing about my experience as the first international rider and only third woman ever to complete the full 750km race.
Now, this could be a VERY long newsletter if I share everything here, so I am going to share my first and last post… if they excite you, I highly recommend that you visit our instagram or facebook page to read all the other posts.
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With the 21st annual Marcha di Resistencia ramping up to start, I want to spend the next little bit talking about this super cool race.
Before I get started though... what do you want to know about it? Ask me anything!
A couple of key points to whet your appetite:
-The race is held on the border of Brazil and Uruguay every year
-Women were only allowed to begin competing in the Marcha just a few years ago, shortly thereafter a woman won! Last year I became only the third woman to complete the full distance.
-The race is 750km and the horse is the star, it can have multiple riders but there is something just so special about bonding with a horse for that many miles
-Last year, I was the first international competitor (outside of Brazilian and Uruguayan nationalities) to compete at the full distance. I'm Canadian!
- The horses are put in "concentration" before the ride - 30 days on pasture without any human interference, they all compete without supplements or even grain, just hay and pasture
- The race follows similar rules to endurance, vet checks are required at the end of each stage before being allowed to continue
- The first 12 days are controlled paces, gradually increasing in pace and distance. The race really only starts on day 13!
Ok, so now you know a bit about this race you probably have some questions! Drop them below or send a PM and I will tell you EVERYTHING you want to know.
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Today is the final day of the marcha di resistencia and I am going to answer the question I get the most… would you do it again?
The answer might surprise you, read the whole thing!
My answer is…. Likely not.
Hear me out. This was an incredible experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I highly recommend it for other riders and I will cherish all of my memories, lessons, and friends that I made here.
Why not? well that is two faceted.
The first reason is it’s simply not my way… I love these ultra races. I love travelling the world and seeing it on horseback, I love making friends and learning about different horse breeds. Each one holds such a large place in my heart. But I really want to see more of the world. I only have so much vacation from work and so much budget to keep doing this. I have been doing this for nearly 10 years now and it’s my MO. I know what to expect going in and coming out and it’s not to do the same thing twice (though maybe one year I could crew…?)
The second is it actually wouldn’t be fair for me to return. This year saw 4 international competitors compete. That’s 4x more than last year! However that is not a lot when you compare to other races like race the wild coast and Mongol derby which both take anywhere from 20-50 people in one year. How selfish would it be for me to take one of those spots.
I want others to be able to experience the amazing criollo horse, the Brazilian gaucho hospitality, the sincere sense of accomplishment of riding that far and being able to care for a horse over that distance. It can be life changing. I can’t keep that to myself.
The next question that I get is how does one go about entering the marcha. Well you can message me and I’m happy to talk about it and connect you, and you can also reach out to @paranoiateam which is the team I rode with and leases horses for this race. And if you do, let me know anyway! I want to geek out following your adventure.
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I had so much fun sharing these stories and insights on the Marcha. I hope you enjoyed reading them and that it has inspired you today to go after one of your own personal dreams.
And speaking of personal dreams, I want to mention that I am here to help you! I have just opened up 2 more spaces for private coaching and custom training plans. This package is suited to those who have unique goals (like the Marcha!) or unique needs who want a unique plan to go along with it.
It also includes 2 video coaching sessions per month where we talk about your fitness plan, your goals, your obstacles, and how to incorporate “all the things” in to ensure that your fitness plan is working FOR you. The athletes that I work with privately have the best results because of the added accountability and a sounding board.
I want to share a testimonial of one of my current private clients:
“Here is where I have gained the best sense of what I need to do to be strong. We crafted a personal fitness program together. It didn't stick for me. We refined it. I still wasn't doing it regularly (life kept getting in the way). Then, Sarah, always resolved to find a solution, asked me what I do consistently. Go to the barn, of course! So, she created a workout program for me at the barn! It uses lead ropes, mounting blocks, water buckets, etc. and I build my fitness while my horse looks on! Now this was something I could do and found it really fun. Sarah's program helped me to finish my first 50 mile ride with energy to spare. She also helped me to create a post-ride recovery plan and now we are crafting a plan for the remainder of the ride season. What other trainer can do that? Along the way, I ask questions about horse care and horse fitness too. Her words of wisdom are invaluable. Sarah is motivational, fun, talented, creative, and so very knowledgeable. I'm grateful to have her guide my fitness on my endurance journey!” Mary, Endurance Rider
Is it any surprise I love working with Mary too?
I would also love to work with you. Collaborating with passionate individuals like yourself brings me immense joy, and I believe that together, we can achieve great things.
If you're interested in exploring this opportunity further, simply reply to this email, and we can schedule a time to chat about private coaching. I'm eager to learn more about your goals and how I can assist you in reaching new heights.
In the meantime, if you'd like to get a glimpse of what it's like to work with me without making a long-term commitment, I have a fantastic suggestion for you – the Hips Program! It's a fantastic way to experience my coaching style and witness the incredible benefits firsthand. Plus, I'm offering a limited number of discounted programs exclusively for our valued subscribers, using the HIPSDONTLIE coupon code. (Packages are listed below)
By using the HIPSDONTLIE coupon code, you can secure the program for as little as $25 CAD! That's an incredible deal you don't want to miss out on.
Don't hesitate to take this opportunity to invest in yourself and your future success. Act now, as these discounted spots won't last long.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Cheers!
-Sarah
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