Century nears!!

[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!