Tried my first century today, but failed I need help!!

[Mambwe]

I tried the NYC century this morning hoping to gte to the 100 mile marker, but it just did not work out.The event had a 75 mile spot so i did that instead. My legs felt great from the beginning till the end, like they never tired. My only problem which was pretty big was that my shoulders were killing me. Everytime i turned my next to see who was behind me killed, I couldn't look down even without bad pain. I tried stretching which helper for a little while but it just came back. The pain was kind of between my shoulder blades and in the back of my neck and upper back area.How do i train this are so that i canride a century pain free? I also did not train right for this event as my longest road ride was only 30 miles. If you guys can give me any advice that would be great.

[1oldRoadie]

Get your bike adjusted to fit you.

The cool thing about centurys is that they tell you about every little thing that you are doing wrong. all the way to those taco's that you should not have had for dinner two days ago.

To me this century says that your enough of an athlete to ride the ride, but you were not prepared enough to complete it.

Great effort, you will finish the next one, no problem.:beer:

[aerobat]

75 miles is still a great achievement, congratulations!:beer:

Possibly some exercises to make your upper body, (shoulders, upper back and neck), would be in order, as well as just longer rides to condition your body to keeping your form for that length of time.

[Andy Dreisch]

I need at least one 50-miler before even considering doing the actual century. 70 miles during training for a century is best for me. You did only 30, so 75 miles is actually quite good. Congratulations.

(Actually, I find titme-in-the-saddle to be the most important factor; not so much miles.)

It's not the legs that get you when you exceed your training distance by 2x or more. It's instead the things you said: shoulders, and neck, and butt ... all of which get hardened with training and allow you to push through a century.

Good luck on the next one.

[DnvrFox]

You DID complete a Century - a metric Century. Congratulate yourself.


Incidentally, the responder who wrote that it is not your legs that will kill you, but the rest of your body (especially neck and shoulders) was oh so right.

Congratulations and check out that bicycle fit!!

[ngateguy]

Originally posted by DnvrFox
[BCongratulations and check out that bicycle fit!! [/B]

Thats all I got to say well that and I did cross training from my first century a little light weight training to help with upper body strength.

[Andy Dreisch]

Originally posted by DnvrFox
Incidentally, the responder who wrote that it is not your legs that will kill you, but the rest of your body (especially neck and shoulders) was oh so right.
Oh, and the hands, too. And did I mention the hot spots you'll get on the feet?

Yep ... it's more than just the legs.

[MichaelW]

I always find that my upper arms ache on the first few days of a long tour, but a few 50mile days soon sort out that problem.
Make sure your bar position is comfortable, it doesnt need to be too aerodynamic at century speeds.

[roadbuzz]

Good job on the 75 miles!

I agree with the other posters... preparing for a century takes more than just conditioning... it's also things like logistics, eating/drinking schedules, and bike fit! It takes more than 30 milers to get it all worked out! The additional miles turn little annoyances into significant problems.

The pain that you describe makes it sound like maybe you're a little "stretched out" across the top tube? Maybe go by a shop or ask a knowledgeable rider to check out your positioning.

[Argonne]

Definately sounds like a bike fit issue. Remember that a bike that's well suited for races and aggressive short rides probably won't also be comfortable for centuries.

How much of a drop do you have from your saddle to your handle bars? A drop of more than a couple inches is nice and aerodynamic for races and short rides, but will put a huge strain on your neck/shoulders/hands/butt/back during a century attempt. A bike that's comfortable on long distance rides will generally have a longer top tube and higher handlebars, keeping you somewhat more upright and reducing strain on the hands and neck.

[Mambwe]

I forgot to add that this was done on my mountain bike with slicks on it. I also want to thank everyone for helping me get this far. I posted earlier about doing my first century and you guys are a great help. I would not have been able to do the 75 without this board. Thanks!!

[roadbuzz]

Well, give yourself credit... 75 miles on a mtn bike is like 150 on a road bike. :thumbup: