Skeered

I know there's another worried about my big ride thread going but I have different concerns and I like hiding in the quiet of the new rider section.

I'm doing the Tour de Cure Saturday and I entered the metric century. Unfortunately I didn't get nearly the training I wanted in because my life has been crazy. I work two physical jobs, one at a small retail pet store that has me busting my butt chucking food around, and another bar tending. I walk my dogs a lot and commute to work about 10m round trip. I've gotten some 20m plus rides in as well as one 45m that didn't totally destroy me. I can change my mind and do the 50k but it seems so short.

Here are the stupid thoughts running through my head:

What if I get left behind and finish last, all alone?
What if I can't finish? Will they give me a ride back?
What if I'm so slow I get left out on the course and can't make it?

I know it seems totally dumb but it's a whole new world to me. I really don't mind riding alone, do it all the time, but it's the whole getting "herd bound" and panicking. I have some separation anxiety issues I swear. Once we when were at the beach and parked far away my mom went back to the car to get some sand castle supplies. I was freaking out the whole time thinking she left us because she was gone so long. Yeah, that's me in a nut shell.

I know this is all stupid, but they're real fears to me. Part of me knows I can do this, I've got grandma cheering for me, but that part is quieter than Little Miss Negative. I just need to be sure if I can't that someone with motorized wheels will cart my butt back. I'd rather start the 100k and fail than throw in the towel and do the 50k.

I am not sure about your particular event, but most bike events have sag units that will pick you up and transport you in case you stop. But I think you can do it. Just pace yourself and make sure your nutrition and fluids are adequate and even if you do not finish the ride, you will gain incredible confidence at what you did do and will be better prepared next time. My husband and I are trying to train for the Florida MS150 next May. We were looking at the suggested training schedule for that ride which is 150 miles over two days and the training schedule for that is only 8 weeks. We are starting now and getting in a variety of grades, elevations (which is tricky in flat old Florida!) and increasing our total miles each time we ride. I am also overweight but hopefully that will change with my increased activity. Good luck to you and enjoy that ride!

Just have fun! I did my first one in March and it was great. Stop if you want to/need to for food/drinks or to rest. There will be club support and cars or scooters checking on people. Try to find a group at your pace for the start and join in. The hammerheads will be flying for time but you will see people on big fat tire bikes, even recumbents. Try to change your riding position and stretch from time to time so you don't get sore and drink. You WILL make it. You have the base and you can take all the time you need.

Smurf:

If you can do the 45-miler, you can do the 62, probably no sweat.

Find your pace, and stick with it. Do not let yourself go anaerobic... but ride in your comfort zone, your happy place. Way down inside somewheres, you know where that is. Ride with a buddy and draft with each other, or make a friend or ally out on the road to share the work in the wind. Where there's a wheel to follow, there's a way.

If your normal ride is 20 miles or so, then break the ride into 3 pieces, say between the rest stops or whatever. Then do your normal ride, only you do it three times with a little break in between...

The most important thing is to wrap your mind around the idea, "I can do this." If you toe the start line thinking "I'm sunk... I'm in over my head," then you certainly will be.

Instead, set your mind to something like, " I am a hard-a##, and I 'm going to grind this thing under my wheels." When you've got your mind right on your goal, you can do it,and looking back, you'll be amazed at yourself.

You go, girl!...

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Originally Posted by smurfalicious

What if I get left behind and finish last, all alone?

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Someone has to finish last. Every ride, every race, someone is the last one across. Might as well be you -- do it with style!

When I started riding, I would do every century I could find. Showed up for one that had about 30 people doing the full 100. 29 were from a race team and I never saw them after the start line. I did the ride, knowing my money went to their cause. I felt like I has personal sag, because the sweep was just hanging around me all day. I actually had a great time.

I still do small centuries, and many times, I'm still the last one in. Someone has to be -- might as well be me!

If your ride has a longer option, remember that someone from THAT route will likely be the last one in.

Ditto the other replies.

I rode the Greater Cincinnati Tour De Cure 100k in the spring. It was my first long distance event, and I had a great experience. I am 49 and had been riding about a year when I participated. Try to find someone with whom to ride, as it will make the trip much more enjoyable. If you don't know anyone who can go with you, there should be no problem meeting folks there of a comparable fitness level who would also welcome the company.

Additionally, there should be 3 or 4 stops along the way with drinks and food. I would expect you could check with the local ADA for exact information. Drink plenty of liquids, eat and have fun.

The ADA does a great job supporting the riders. In addition to supporting a great cause, it will be very satisfying to get your first metric century under your belt. I don't know what the terrain is where you are, but if it is hilly, plan on being exhausted by the end, but persevere. You can do it.

I did my first charity ride last September, a two day ride that was a total of 150 miles. I set my goals at doing as many miles as I could each day an then being okay with myself when I got into the sag truck. Saturday I did 47 miles, more than I had ever done on the road; Sunday I did 51 (30 of those after I got my hand closed in a truck door!). I still think that it was a successful ride, because I did what I could.

I was one of the last three people in at the end of Sunday, and I have to tell you it was worth being last. At the end point the crew was there cheering on riders as they arrived, and each new rider joined the cheering crowd. By the time I got there there were over 200 people cheering for me...I was in tears, so rarely do we get that kind of support in our lives.

So, ride your ride, do what you can, enjoy it, be okay with yourself if you get to the point that you have had enough and know that we are all cheering for you when you finish.

Barbara

Smurf, you're gonna be great. Whether you're first, middle or last, you're going to have a great experience, I just know it. Maybe you get to ride alone for a long way and test yourself, maybe you get to feel really strong when you hadn't expected, maybe you get unexpected company, maybe you'll need to cheer up somebody else who needs it. You have the willpower, you may not be as fast or as fit as you'd like, but that doesn't really count for much on a long ride. So if you really want to do it, you just have to decide to keep going no matter what. And if you decide on the way it's not worth it - well, that's a learning experience too. But pace yourself and break the ride into chunks you can handle, and don't give up unless you really WANT to.

We can find you even here in the new riders section :D

There is no way you will be last. And even if you were--remember it's not a race!

As to finishing the 60+ miles, take the first half easy and don't push it if you're feeling good as you'll regret it at mile 50.

Is it a loop or an out-and-back? If it's an out-and-back you can always turn around early.

smurf, I have no doubt that you will be able to finish this ride. Go! Have fun and stop worrying!

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Originally Posted by PscyclePath

Find your pace, and stick with it. Do not let yourself go anaerobic... but ride in your comfort zone, your happy place. Way down inside somewheres, you know where that is. Ride with a buddy and draft with each other, or make a friend or ally out on the road to share the work in the wind. Where there's a wheel to follow, there's a way.

You go, girl!...

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Good advice. Just settle and get there. If you start out thinking you can't, you probably wont.
Enjoy it
:)

You can DO IT! Have a great ride and have fun!

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Originally Posted by Smilie

You can DO IT! Have a great ride and have fun!

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Super ditto!

I haven't done any long rides for 15+ years, but when I did, I always finished toward the back of the pack. Slow but steady, that's me! :D

Awh, you all are the best! I was really stressing and added work and family drama was not helping! I like the idea of thinking of it in chunks. All it comes down to is three of my casual 20 milers, or 6 of my daily commute. The biggest climb ends at mile 20 and it seems to be rollers from there. So what if I climb at 8 MPH it's still better than the average overweight lazy American. I just feel a little lacking because I live in the fittest state, and probably city, in the US.

I ride horses and in endurance racing they say, "To finish is to win." I've adopted that motto to everything I try and this is no different. I know I am going to feel so awesome about myself once I'm done!

I don't know why but I was totally convinced that if I couldn't finish they would leave my sorry but out there as crow bait! I've decided SAG stands for Sexy A** Girl vehicle and I have NO shame getting in it! Attitude is definitely everything and if I can finish the Chain Breaker, 14 miles of MTB chain destroying hell, I can handle this!

This might get a little emotional but for my grandma as a very Catholic woman, nothing was more important than midnight mass on Christmas Eve. A few years back I talked a friend into attending service with me and I broke down crying. I swore my grandma was with me there in that church and it brought me back to my faith. I try to attend midnight mass every year since. I KNOW she will be with me supporting me on this ride. She was the grandma that encouraged me to ride my horse, and be a strong, confident woman. With her by my side, I can't fail.

I just finished my first charity ride last weekend, about 65miles also. I felt the same way as you...hadn't been on my bike in two weeks (traveling), and the ride was 15 miles longer and a 5 mile climb more than I'd ever done. I was scared, but kept reminding myself that there would be lots of folks in front of me, and quite a few behind me too.
It's really dry here in Colorado, so I drank a TON of water and electrolytes and therefore had to pee at EVERY stop. That was annoying. But I made sure I ate and drank frequently (shot blocks, gels, powerbars, fruit...something). That was a big help. So make sure you don't let yourself get hungry!!!
It's okay if you're in the slow group like me (I'm pretty quick on the flats but hills kick my arse)...just set yourself a goal. Maybe that goal is simply to finish; maybe it's to finish under a certain time. And set mini goals as you ride. At about mile 52 I was getting pretty fatigued, so kept saying to myself "I'm going to make it to the next intersection" or "next rest stop".
And enjoy the scenery. Living in the city, as I do, it was so nice to be out in the country where I could hear crickets and smell cows (yes, it's a good smell when you're a country girl at heart ;) and see hawks overhead. Besides, it takes your mind off your body, if only for a moment.
You'll be great! And others will encourage you along the way.
Finishing my ride was one of the most gratifying experiences ever, but I'd also made up my mind to be okay with it if i didn't. We all know that some days, no matter what our training level, we're just not on our game. So make peace with that too. Takes the pressure off and lets you enjoy the moment.
Have a great time!! And like me, I'm sure you'll be jonesing for the next opportunity :).