need encouragement before my first century!

I'm riding in my first century this weekend (Back Roads in VA), after a summer of training. I fit in a 70 mile ride a week and a half ago but I know I'm a bit undertrained. Work's been crazy recently too, so I've barely ridden since that 70 miler. I was feeling nervous but reasonably confident, but then last weekend I came down with a productive cough -- I don't know if its allergies or a cold or what, but I bailed on a planned 60 mile ride only 5 miles in. I'm feeling a little better today but I'm still coughing up crap.

Can someone please reassure me that I can still finish the century? Any tips on clearing a productive cough fast? I'm attempting this unless I'm on my deathbed, pretty much. It's been a tough year and I need an accomplishment like this. I could use some encouragement though!

Coughing up crap without the other symptoms of a cold or allergies should be an indication to go see the doctor. I had that happen when I was training for my first STP and a course of antibiotics put me back on track--but that was with a month or so to recover before the event. See what your doctor says about riding. I have no doubt you trained enough, but the health issue is troubling.

I would love to offer an enthusiastic "you can do it!" ...however...please see the Doc first! We have had a lot of asthmatics in PICU this week- allergies and some pneumonia- none of which can be muscled through!

Thanks for the concern guys, but I'm sure I'm fine. I'm sneezing too -- it must be allergies. I've had the cough less than a week, not long enough to warrant any worries. I'm just nervous about having the mental toughness to get through that distance feeling anything less than 100% -- biking when a bit under the weather is one thing I don't have a lot of experience doing. Typically I'm a little bit of a wuss. But like I said, its been a long year and I really need this accomplishment.

I am sure you can do it, provided you feel ok. Just take it one 'stage' at a time (from rest stop to rest stop). Keep your stops short and focused: eat what you need, refill your bottles, stretch and go. If you linger for too long at the stops, it is harder to get back on the bike. After the ride, have a recovery drink ready and get a good, balanced meal shortly after. My first century, I did not do that (waited around to go out with friends) and I was ravenous for the 4 days that followed.

Hey, if I can ride 72 miles around Lake Tahoe, at 55 (after having taken up cycling a year ago and coming from flat, near sea-level Dallas) ... and I did, there is no reason that you cannot do this. Take your time - don't get off the starting line at a super fast pace. If you need to, as noted above, break it into multiple short rides between rest stops. Mentally, it's a lot easier to think about having a 10 mile ride (to next stop) than 70 miles left to finish. Like all the advice above - don't linger too long at each rest stop, but take advantage to refill bottles, stretch, eat something easy for energy. Then, sit up and pedal! Have fun!

Well, I did it!

All in all, it was definitely a success. I hit a mild slump at mile 40 which freaked me out a bit because it was earlier than I expected (I think related to not eating enough the first 30 miles), but then was ok from miles 45-55 and STRONG from 55-75 (even though / maybe because we hit the biggest hills around mile 70 -- I sure like being short when i'm climbing better than all the heavy men around me). Around mile 88 I hit a pretty serious slump that I think had more to do with my allergies (but, also the mileage probably!) -- I was coughing and blowing my nose a bunch the whole ride, and at that point it was starting to hurt to breathe and my throat was sore. And then a bunch of people dropped me on a hill. That was a rough 7 miles or so, but around mile 95 the adrenaline kicked in, and I passed a lot of people in the last 7 miles (because of course the route was really 102 miles, 100 wasnt enough!).

GORGEOUS countryside, well organized ride -- I'd definitely do it again. Preferably without the allergy/whatever issues, though. It was fun!

Congrats!! I was just talking to some guys at the LBS yesterday about that ride. I've never done it, but might try the metric next year.

BTW the cold dry air probably contributed to your symptoms.

congrats and yay for your first century. Glad you did it although sorry that you struggled. Feel very proud of yourself.

Awesome!! Congrats!

That's quite an accomplishment! Way to go!

Congratulations! I am so glad to hear it went well even with some nose/chest issues, because I am doing my first century this Sunday and have been battling some illness for the past couple of weeks as well. I am hoping it clears up enough in the next few days that I will be able to enjoy the challenge and not just feel like I have to get it over with. I am so glad you (mostly!) enjoyed it. Mine is 102 miles, too - hopefully those last two miles will be downhill!:)

Good luck! It helped me that there wasn't a ton of climbing, since I really didn't get out of breath much (which sets off the coughing). I'm sure if its just allergies you'll be just fine. (Be careful if its anything worse, though). Have fun!