Originally Posted by
e0richt
hi,
I know this might be a stupid question... but I have read a few of you have different routes (which have different distances). Is there a way you would recommend increasing distance to "hurdle" an alternate route / distance?
As a decades long, year-round, and goal-oriented cycling commuter and occasional centurian, here's my strategy:
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
I do a ten week century training program that I saw published in BICYCLING MAGAZINE years ago. There are two variations, called "Easy Century Training," or "With Strength to Spare." I do the latter one, and it is about the most time I can spare to train.
Fortunately I cycle commute, so that's where I do it by lengthening my usual 14 mile one way distance (Commuter Rail home with bike). I find that the schedule motivates me to keep up, and it's very satisfying to plug the data into my Excel spreadsheet and watch the charts expand. My modification of the plan is to make Sunday my rest day, and Saturday is my long ride / Century day.
Code:
WITH STRENGTH TO SPARE:
Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. Weekly
Easy* Pace* Brisk* Pace* Pace* Pace* Mileage
10 12 14 Off 12 40 15 103
10 13 15 Off 13 44 17 112
10 15 15 Off 15 48 18 123
11 16 19 Off 16 53 20 135
12 18 20 Off 18 59 22 149
13 19 23 Off 19 64 24 162
14 20 25 Off 20 71 27 177
16 20 27 Off 20 75 27 177
17 20 30 Off 20 75 32 194
19 20 30 Off 10 5 Easy Century 184
1,516
EASY CENTURY TRAINING:
Week Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. Weekly
Easy* Pace* Brisk* Pace* Pace* Pace* Mileage
1 6 10 12 Off 10 30 9 77
2 7 11 13 Off 11 34 10 86
3 8 13 15 Off 13 38 11 98
4 8 14 17 Off 14 42 13 108
5 9 15 19 Off 15 47 14 119
6 11 15 21 Off 15 53 16 131
7 12 15 24 Off 15 59 18 143
8 13 15 25 Off 15 65 20 153
9 15 15 25 Off 15 65 20 155
Cent Week 15 15 25 Off 10 5 Easy Century 170
Due to vagaries of New England weather, I usually begin in April, for the first Century in July…I usually retrench down to about week six through late July and August, and ramp up in September for a second late September local annual charity ride …Then I gradually taper down and by November I slog my way through winter with my minimal 14 mile commute (as daily as possible) until April again.