jschen

Okay, so my first century attempt, the apple pie ride being discussed in this forum, is in a bit over 3 hours. My alarm is set for an hour from now, but I haven't been able to sleep for the past hour, and at this point, I've given up on further sleep. (I did get about four hours' sleep.) Anything useful I can do with an extra hour to kill? I'm certainly not going to try my guaranteed method for falling asleep, aka jogging around my room until I feel tired enough to sleep. I'm already packed. I guess I can get an early start to breakfast. Anything else?

SesameCrunch

Ha Ha Ha. I have my first in two weeks and I can understand your anticipation. (I am up at 2:30am because my two year old is up.) I would still urge you lie down and be still, that's more restful than running around the room and you do need to conserve energy. I'll be really curious about how I'll be two weeks from now, maybe I'll be sending you a post in the middle of the night . Best of luck tomorrow. From reading some of your previous posts, it sounds like you've been doing a lot of riding and you'll be just fine.

formulaben

That sucks. When I did a double century last summer I felt like I got about 2-3 hours worth...it was not good when I woke up to get ready for the ride. All I can say is once I got going I was totally engergized...just try to have fun with it. You'll be surprised at what you can accomplish!

jschen

Well, I'm eating breakfast now. No point sleeping more since my alarm's now in about half an hour (well, it would be if I didn't already turn it off). And most of the other people on the ride are awake by now anyway since they have longer drives. I'll probably just end up leaving a bit earlier to give myself time to get suited up and what not at a more leisurely pace once I'm at the meeting place.

The best of luck to you. Be sure to let us know how it goes, and if you do send a post in the middle of the night, I'll be sure to look for it.

Thanks. I'm feeling good about it, and expecting to have a lot of fun. I've met a few of the others on the ride, and I very much look forward to spending the day out riding with them. Plus, we've cut out 14 miles and 1200 feet of climbing, so it should be a more relaxed ride than what I was anticipating and training for. That said, today's ride will be my longest distance and second most elevation, so it will still be a new, challenging experience. By the end of the day, I should know what it's like confronting a 1000 foot hill at mile 98, with 8 miles to go. Yeah, I'll do my best to pace myself and keep something in reserve for that!

Az B

I've done centuries with plenty of sleep, and I've dont them with very little. There's not going to be much difference in your performance as long as you got a good night's sleep for the previous few nights. In other words, as long as you're not deep in a sleep deprivation cycle and haven't been sleeping well all week, one night won't hurt you a bit. Once you get going, you'll be fine.

Az

reneuend

I have my first 200k brevet on April 1st. The way I'm trying to avoid this kind of anxiety is by riding solo centuries before it starts. I rode my first in January and plan on riding one each month this year. From what I'm hearing on other posts, I'm a slow rider (it took me 8 hours). Its too late to give you advice since your on the road, but had you asked this question a month ago, I would have suggested riding a solo century beforehand. It gives you more confidence. With that said, we'll see what I'll be doing the night before!

We'll be interested in knowing how you did, and pictures are always fun to see too.

Good luck!

BeeTL

Jschen,

At first I thought you were saying you completed your first century in three hours...

Although you're already on the road, I'll wish you good luck!

So, better yet, how was the ride?

*sits patiently staring at the screen waiting for a response*

Portis

I like a good night's sleep before riding a century. But that's just me.

ravenmore

I did the same thing - actually mine was a 125 mile ride.

One strategy I'd recommend to everyone is to do these on your own every once in a while so its not so intimidating and you don't dwell on it overly much....

SDRider

Well, you're probably on the ride by now but good luck anyway!

I'm going to do a hilly 40 miles this morning but that's all I have time for.

C4Byke

I've actually heard that resting is all your body really needs, Sleeping is more of a mental stamina thing.

Retro Grouch 

When I first read that I thought you were saying that you had completed your first century in 3 hours. That would be a major accomplishment! Be sure to post us again when you can do that.

caligurl

awwwwwwwwwwww i'm sorry you couldn't sleep... but i understand.. i know how excited you've been to be dong your first century! and i know i'm gonna be reading about all the fun you all had!!!!!

i don't think i've ever had more than 4 hours sleep before any century i've done cuz we live so far from the start point of all of them... so i know it can be done! heck... i've had to get up at 12:30 a.m. to get to some rides... by the time we get home from work... get packed.... eat dinner... i'm lucky to get to bed by 9... doesn't leave much sleep time!

you'll be so amped up that i know you are out there peddling away! (you've been on the road a few hours already as i write this!!!!!) i had trouble falling asleep the night of my first century too.. and at the end.. i coulda kept going (of course my first century was flat! not 10,000 feet of climbing like yours!!!!! lol!)

cuda2k

Hope you are celebrating victory when you read this.

BeeTL

*...still sitting patiently staring at the screen waiting for a response...*

Mr. Beanz

Like AZ said, ou gotta sleep well the few nights before. I always have a hard time sleeping before orgnized/big rides too! You're not alone

Went riding this morning with some friends up Oakglen on 3 hours sleep. I knew it was going to happen ,so I slept well the last few nights!

reneuend

I guess I am too! I did 30 minutes on the trainer...came back and checked....did my 23 mile route...came back and checked....helped kids with homework...came back and checked....

C4Byke

I think he's been back for a while and is currently passed out, which is where I would be too!

Shifty

Hope the ride was great jschen, I bet you'll sleep like a baby tonight, here's to many more century rides!!!

af2nr

Report...

caligurl

he'll probably report here

jschen

As already reported by others, I finished 100.6 miles of the ride before calling it quits for the day. Details to come soon in the Apple Pie thread. I had a wonderful time.

blonduathlongrl

you can just stay in here and have us all wish you the best of luck

reneuend

Congrats!

Now that you have the first one out of the way, I'm sure you figured out what you would do different the next time. I know I'll be eating more and eating some different things. I'll bring my camera next time because it helps to do something along the way. Of course, it took me 8 hours on my first solo century (unlike everyone else on this forum who seem to finish between 4.5 to 6 hours), so I had more time to get bored!

I hoped you stretched afterwards.

caligurl

i'm proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

have you been jean shopping yet**********