Training & Nutrition - training set backs

I'm training for my first century ride the first week in July. Unfortunately, I broke my Radial head in April and lost 10 days of riding completely and had to cut back to just my commuting. At this point I had hoped to be doing an 80-90 mile ride. Instead, I did 70 today, but I was very slow the last 20 miles and really struggled on the hills. My century route has a long 8% hill just before the end. Am I kidding myself that I can make that ride by July? Vacation times have already been put in for.

I wouldn't think 10 days would set you back that much, but you're the only one who can judge. Does the ride have alternatives, such as a metric century? Also, have you done a supported group ride before? I find having the support people and all the other riders around motivating... it makes the mileage easier. Also, if you get in with a group riding the pace you ride, you can paceline, taking turns at the front. That can reduce the effort significantly.

Originally posted by Jean Beetham Smith
Am I kidding myself that I can make that ride by July?

You are doing fine, go for it.

But, I would look at the way you are training and preparing though.

If your race/ride is 100mi then build up to 75 one week before the ride (40,50,60,75). The last week or ten days taper off. You don't have to complete a century before "the ride" but build up to 75%. The excitement, pacelines, food, etc will carry you through.

Even though you might not be racing, do one day of Interval workouts each week, and don't neglect to recover.

Last year i built up to 75% for a 155mi ride. The last two training rides were more difficult than the ride itself!

Erik

When I was a teenager, I worked at American Youth Hostels and one of the rides was TOSRV (tosrv.org). It is a double-century ride. Last year, my husband, both of my college aged daughters and myself rode the ride. My kids had only bicycled 10-20 miles the previous year and none the year of the event. My husband and I rode 8 miles 4 days a week for a couple of months. We took two cars down, because we wanted to do only 1 day of 100 miles. We all finished the century on mountain bikes bought from a department store. (They were heavy!!) You can do anything for one day, you'll just be sore. It's the second day that's hard. Even without training, the excitement on the day of the event will carry you through to the end. The fact that you are training, I'm sure you will succeed. Good Luck!

Just read my post, and meant to say: I rode TOSRV when I was 16 years old and wanted to do it again at age 44 to see if I could. Personally, I think a one-day century is easier than two separate 50 mile days. The second day, your butt is on fire & your legs are dead. :)

Jean, if you can do 70 you can do 100. Remember to eat and drink on the ride to maintain your energy level. It's VERY important to do so.

I guess I should have mentioned that this is an unsupported, solo century. The more I think about it, although I won't have the encouragement and pull of other riders, the excitement of finally doing the ride I've dreamed of for 30 years, and there being no way home but to finish it; should get me there. Distance I'm not too worried about, I've been riding 80 to 100 miles a week for 2 years now, but the hills may be a problem. Although I ride some hills here, that one hill at 90 miles is going to be a bear. Thanks for all of your advice.

Sounds like you've got all the motivation and training you need!

It's in the bag... have a great ride, and post a report for us afterwards! :thumbup: