Century nears!!

[latelatebloomer]

I've got 4 weeks until the rubber meets the road at the Seagull Century (Oct 7). This is all your fault. I never heard of a century before this forum, and I caught the 4-step madness. (1- what's a century? 2- you have to be crazy to ride 100 miles 3-it must be kind of cool to be that crazy 4- I want to be that crazy)

Most of you know that I'm a newb & a big woman rider, this is my first year on a road bike, I had to get over a crash in the spring, and heck, a year and a half ago I could barely do 3 miles on my hybrid. Cycling has taught me something I never knew about myself. I apparently don't know the meaning of "quit."

The last 2 weekends, I rode 50 & 60 miles. Flattish roads since this event is flat, trying to get my speed up. It's working, I'm cruising flats at 16, sometimes I feel really strong and hit 18 for a bit. (what a thrill!) Unless my food energy bottoms out, then I can go down to a struggling 9 or 10. I apparently need a lot of fuel (200lbs, working hard.) Right now I have 3 questions. As the time nears, I know I'll be running to you with more.

1)You larger riders who do endurance rides and also need a lot of fuel, what has foods have worked best for you? I'm alarmed that the 2nd stop (the 40 miler) will only have water and toilets. I bet that's when I'll be wanting lunch! DH offered to wear a backpack. I will have gels and bars, but I want the security of some real food, too. I still have a couple weeks to experiment.

2) Is it too much to try to do 70 miles this weekend? At the end of 50 & 60 mile rides, I had some gas left in the tank. My main problem at the end of 60 was some crotch soreness, and after the endorphin rush died down, I felt pretty wiped out and strained for about 24 hours, though no real back or joint pain. I would like to train up to 80 miles before the event.

3)Does it sound to you like I'm ready? I veer between confidence and utter terror. When I set this goal of a century before my 47th birthday (10/10, the timing's perfect) during the winter, I kind of imagined a different person actually doing it, maybe someone sent in from Central Casting.. Now the time approaches, and it's clear that it'll be me, in the fleshy flesh, warts and all. I don't think my psyche has caught up to the changes the rest of me has been making.

Thanks for your help.

[Pedal Wench]

You'll go great!

I usually do a century just on junk food (gels, powerbars, fignewtons, etc.) but my first ones were taking alot longer, so I needed real food. I just took a big bagel/peanut butter with me. That was big enough to stop my tummy from grumbling.

[java]

You'll be fine. The adrenaline rush that comes from doing the ride will give you a boost in a way that's not present in your training rides.

If however, at some point in the ride to find yourself doubting your ability to finish, consider breaking down this seemingly overwhelming idea of a century into increments or chunks of smaller rides:

"Okay Self, over this last chunk of 20 miles I've felt good enough that I know I can do the next chunk of 20, too."

I find that breaking long rides down into groups of 20 miles or so is something I can easily get my head around. I keep breaking it down to something I feel I can manage until I'm at that last chunk and then it's over.

You can physically finish 70 miles now, so you will be able to finish that century. But so much of long rides is the mental part. If you can figure out a way to manage the mental part, you'll be fine.

The most important thing is keep putting in the saddle time before the event so that you know what will work for you.

I mostly rely on bagels, figgies, bars/gels, etc, but I've been known to stop at a mini mart or deli and pick up a sandwich if that's what I felt I wanted to eat. I do also always take along some gorp because I find the crunchiness satisfying--it makes me feel as if I'm eating something substantial yet it doesn't make me feel sluggish on the bike.


Good luck and have fun!

[SandyLS]

Hi Latelate,
I just wanted to wish you luck on your first Century. A century was one of my goals for this year, but I think now it will wait until next year. Lava is right about breaking the miles down into small groups that you already know you can do. I did my first multi-day tour a few weeks ago of distances of up to 80 miles a day. Each morning I would tell myself that I only had to ride my first 20 miles, and I knew I could easily do 20 miles. After that was done, I only had to ride another 20 miles, ect. Before I knew it the day was behind me and all I had done was 20 miles (X four).
I had to be careful not not to eat too much at a time because it would upset my stomach and found snacking worked better for me than meals. I have yet to find an energy bar that I like, but fig nutons, jelly bellies, string cheese and peanutbutter sandwiches worked well for me.
I did have some trouble with my hands the last day of the tour. My fingers on my right hand seemed too weak to shift my bike. I had to reach over with my left hand to shift! Remember to move your hand position frequently and support yourself as much as possible with your core muscles. My massage theripist says that she thinks I should do some crocheting over the winter to strengthen my hands for next spring. Maybe everyone will be getting ponchos or something for Christmas!
Have a great ride. You will be so proud when you reach that finish line and us gals from TE will be so proud of you.
Sandy

[Rakekay]

You'll do great! I did my first century last fall (after only having been riding for about three months). It was going to be the Seagull Century, but the weather prediction was so horrid that I didn't want that to be my first experience, so I switched to one on the Eastern Shore of Virginia the month after the Seagull.

I did fine with just bars and whatever they provided at the various stops. I did make sure to eat every time food was offered, regardless of whether or not I was hungry, because I was sure I'd need the fuel.

I don't think you should do a long ride this weekend. You'll be fine having done only 60 miles. ("Only"! Did you ever think you'd consider 60 miles to be "only"?)

The best advice I can offer you is to not linger too long at any of the rest stops (including lunch). You don't want to stiffen up.

And, like others have said, break it down mentally into smaller chunks, especially near the end. I found that helpful once I passed the 60-mile mark and still had 40 miles to go and was out by myself in the middle of no where, without another soul in sight. I'd just tell myself "Only 17 miles to the rest stop. You can do that. You do that all the time."

Let us know how you do!

[latelatebloomer]

Thanks, everyone! Actually, I didn't do much riding this past week, just some low recovery miles because my crotch was sore and I didn't want to risk another skin breakdown. But I went out today just for a 20 miler (yeah, my "casual cruise around the neighborhood" has turned into a 20 miler) , and I took Mon & Tues off and I can get in some some longer riding on those days, and we'll do a BIG ride on the weekend. And I'm very happy that today I took a sharp hill that has always beaten me. I ate her like a cookie! I may still be an apple, but it's apple full of dynamite! hoho!

[Selkie]

LateLate - The longest ride I put in before my first metric century was 51 miles (about 13 miles shy of the metric distance). The course was extremely hilly, but I really had no problems save a bit of fatigue after a series of "one hill after another" about 2 hours into the ride. Before the ride, I had been logging 200+ mile weeks, though, and I really worked raising my lactic acid threshold. Sounds like you've been training smart. You'll be fine---just take your time, pace yourself, listen to your body, etc.
The good news for you is that the Seagull is a flat course. The winds could be an issue, or so I've heard, so be ready for that.
Maybe I'll see you there. I'm riding the metric -- hope to bring my pink Luna Eclipse but if there's rain predicted, I'll be riding one of the "rain" bikes (Specialized Dolce - probably the blue one w/the pink tires). ;-) Looking forward to that pie & ice cream rest stop refuel!!!

[jobob]

Great advice here. The only thing I'd like to add is to try not to start out quickly. It'll be tempting, with the adrenaline rush and all, to go out at a brisk pace. But you don't want to burn yourself out. Like mickchick said, take your time & pace yourself - and don't think about all the people passing you at first. Some of them might be cooked by mile 60.

You'll do great !

[7rider]

Hey there!
DH and I are going to attempt the Seagull again this year. We tried last year - in the pouring rain and blowing wind - but had to quit with 50 miles in b/c DH's knee was in too much pain (he just had surgery in June to fix it).
I successfully completed the Seagull in 2000 - it was awesome. Two things about it:
1. It's pancake flat, so there are no hills to worry about (but it can be windy). No hills is good and bad. It means you have to pedal all the time. No coasting. But it also means no hills to burn out your legs.
2. Don't think of it as a 100 mile ride. Think of it as 4 25-mile rides...just all in one day! Okay, maybe I'm deluding myself. But my longest ride to date has been a metric (62 miles) in June and DH's has been 45. I only hope we're ready. I hope at some point to get out for at least 50+ with him very soon.
There are so many interesting people on this ride that you can ride and people watch at the same time, and the miles will fly by before you know it.
I think I read on this site last fall that the best training for a century is "T.I.T.S." - Time In The Saddle. I pointed that out to a friend who also did the Seagull last year (her first) - it became our battle cry for every ride we did, no matter how short. She did fine, and I'm sure you will too. Snag a few granola bars or Fig Newtons at an early rest stop and stash them in your jersey pocket if you're concerned.
Good luck, and have fun!

[latelatebloomer]

Maybe I should write "latelatebloomer" under my number so someone might see me. Or we could have a TE rondevous (sp?) sometime during the weekend!

You are all helping me so much! Every positive word helps fill my tank. I will probably even print these out to read before I start out.

[Cyclesome]

Great thread! Good luck! I too am getting ready to ride my first century, the Seagull Century, and will turn 48 on 10/13. I will be riding a hybrid since I am still researching road bikes (down to three options Specialized Roubaix, Specialized Ruby or Trek Pilot 5.2 any advice about these bike is appreciated)
I work out at the gym 3 - 4 times per week (1 hour on the bike 1/2 lifting)and take a bike ride on the weekend. My longest ride has been 80 miles. I too am wondering, with the Seagull Century just a week away, how do I ensure my legs are fresh? Should I stop lifting? Should I take only short easy bike rides or stop going to the gym and riding this week altogether?

[latelatebloomer]

Cyclesome, I'm still quite a newbie, but my trainer says we're already in our rest period for the Seagull Century! so light maintenance riding, no more push for distance, lots of sleep, lots of hydration. I am doing milder upper body weights this week, none next week & also trying to keep up on daily stretching and some core work - will lay off the core work a couple days before. (I haven't been doing leg weights this summer.) My biggest ride will have been the metric century I did on Saturday. I was hoping for a 70 & even an 80, but DH and I have both had an increasing workload, so we just did the best we could. But since I felt strong all the way and had lots of bounce after, and no soreness or fatigue the day after, everyone's telling me I should be fine. (oh, I hope so!)

I am doing a spin class or two, but at a very low, fat-burn, endurance level, and I'm using the time there to close my eyes and visualize myself riding strong and having fun. This is the first big athletic event of my life - I want it so be a good "first time."

[Geonz]

Sounds like the anticipation is even more fun :-) we'll have to tell all the storms to stay away so you can HAVE A BLAST!!!

[7rider]

LLB, sounds like you got your preparation well in hand.
Now.....
If we can only keep that tropical storm Issac that is developing out in the Atlantic FAR AWAY from the Eastern Shore of Maryland for next week, we'll be all set!
I did a 10-day forecast on weather.com, and at least for the D.C. area, looks like it'll be nice (fingers, toes, legs, and even eyes crossed!)!!

[latelatebloomer]

I AM getting psyched! So many nice things are happening. A very nice benefit of my summer training - my trainer's face as he saw me in person for the first time since the end of March! (he's away all racing season, but kindly kept helping via email and phone.) When I show up at the gym, the cyclists run over and say "rest phase! rest phase!" I feel the love!

Regina, thanks for checking in on the weather. I'm afraid to look. Shall we TE'ers attempt some sort of meeting? Are we all going to the breakfast in the morning?

I'm bringing my helmet to work so my dudes with brain-injury, who inspired me to start using this healthy body I'm so lucky to have - and who have cheered me on from my first struggling miles - can sign it. I told them it's so they can "tap" me on the head if I think of quitting. I call one of the guys my assistant trainer. He was a high school athlete, about to go into the Marines, when he was in a terrible car wreck. Twelve years later, he still battles to learn to walk. He has terrible memory and self-control problems, but remembers how to train and has given me absolutely priceless support and inspiration. And I swear that when I have felt overwhelmed, he's shown up in spirit.

I ordered 2 rain jackets (but it won't rain, right?) so I can pick the best. I'm going to the fabric store to get material to make some armwarmers (don't know how, but there's a sewing maching around here somewhere!)

I'm babbbling! I MUST be excited!! Gotta go!!