If you haven't caught spring fever yet with the nice weather (unless you're my buddies still in Denver, in which case you are seeing snow today), and are looking for some motivation to exercise, try using these little fellas to help you. On Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 6pm, Churchill Downs will host one of the oldest ongoing athletic contests in organized sports in this country, the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the triple crown. Currently, 21 horses are entered to start the race though some might scratch come post time (race time) due to injuries or other issues, but there will not be more then 21 contestants. These 3 year old horses will run just over 1 mile in time between 1min 30 seconds and 2minutes. That time makes the fastest man in the world look like a infant crawling to cross the finish line. However, the jockeys are even more amazing. They will fully dress in their uniform (silks), put on their boots, and with helmet on and saddle in hand, most will weigh in between 100-110 pounds. Then each one will climb aboard an animal that weighs between 1200-1400 pounds, maneuver themselves into a perched position, straddling the horse and balancing by putting each foot in a metal stirrup that is about 2" wide, and in that position they will 'ride' that 1300 pound animal running about 35-40mph for just under 2 minutes, hopefully to cross the finish line first and win a purse for the horse owner of about $1million. Oh and did I mention that the jockey also has to weave in and out of the 20 other horses running at roughly the same speed, more densely packed together then the worst, crowded airport terminal you have ever seen, while perched in that position?
If that doesn't give some desire to go out there and do some strength training I am not sure what will!
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