danadear

Is this possible? Not trying to do it fast, just do it. My schedule calls for three rides per week with one long ride on the weekend and two other rides during the week. The total weekly mileage builds up to 122 miles with the longest ride before the event being 65 miles. I may try to get to 75 or 80 though. I am running 3 to 4 days a week also. Will the running help my endurance enough to make up for only riding three days?

I'm trying to balance running and cycling and having a bit of a hard time. But triathletes do it all the time (plus swimming!) so I know it can be done.

jsjcat

You can do it. Last year my wife and I would do long rides (65- 85) miles to get ready for a century. Now that we've done several we don't train as much. This week we rode 55 on Sunday and won't get to ride all week. We are riding in the Tour de Corn century this Saturday too. Don't psyche yourself out. You are ready. Take a couple of days off before the century and hydrate well. Drink before you get thirsty and take some snacks. If you can stop at a restaurant or convenience store and grab a sandwich halfway through. Report back with your results. You got this.

StanSeven

Running helps with the aerobic part but doesn't really carry over much to cycling technique. The important thing with three day cycling training is ensuring the time/miles are quality. It looks like they are (no short and slow "junk" miles).

If you want to have a decent time, I would increase to an 80 instead of a 65 mile long ride. You can get by with 65 but the last part may not be pleasant.

danadear

Thanks! I think as the date gets nearer I will have to eliminate a run and add another ride but that will be okay. That way I can break the mileage up otherwise my weekly rides are going to get really long and hard to schedule.

I agree that getting my long ride to at least 80 would be a good idea. 65 is a long way from 100!

cafzali

It's totally possible. The 100-mile part is only a portion of the overall equation, though. Equally important is how much climbing the route will have. A hilly century is a whole different deal than a flat one, though in my experience anything "non-Fondo" that's 100 miles is generally low on climbing.

I've never ridden 100 miles at a clip before a century. Completing a century is all about endurance and there are lots of ways to build that other than riding 100 miles before the event. Go out hard regularly, do a few long rides, do intervals, etc.

danadear

Thank you! The route is described as "moderately difficult" whatever that means. I don't think it's horribly hilly but my regular riding route is pretty hilly so I should be okay there. I haven't incorporated intervals at all. I will try that on my shorter route.

RPK79

Sounds similar to my average weekly riding and I'm confident I could do a century. I did a 76 miler last weekend and still felt strong only cut it short because I broke a spoke and didn't want to put too many miles on my wheel that way.

chasm54

It is easily possible. The running will help with your general fitness level, which is important. Personally I'd like to see your peak training week at about 150 miles, woth a long ride of, say, 75, but what you're proposing is quote feasible.

There's a sticky in the long-distance forum offering tips on riding your first century. One of mine is "start slow, finish fast". If you ride the first fifty miles of your century at a fractionally lower pace than you have ridden your long training rides, you'll be in great shape for the finale.

danadear

Awesome! There is actually a different century scheduled two weeks after the one I was considering. I may switch to that one which will give me two extra weeks to get my long ride up to 75 or higher.
We'll see how it goes. I'm also joining a group ride once a week starting next week. That should help me to push myself.

therhodeo

Yeah its doable. You might, if you can, mix in some planks and such to help with your upper body over those hours of riding.