Training for a metric century in 3 weeks

[Tuckervill]

I completed a 50 mile event on Saturday. 2 weeks before that I did three rides within 5 days: a 46 miler, a 36 miler, and a 27 miler (by accident, on my mountain bike). Before that I was doing club rides on Saturdays of about 25 miles, and 2-3 times a week of 15-20 miles at a time. That's all since July 1.

Since it is getting cooler, I knew I wouldn't be able to ride as much, so I signed up for a 9 week "boot camp" at a physical therapy place. It's physical training in a group with a physical therapist. M-W-F. I've been to two classes and it is really going to be a challenge for me not to be tired and sore in between. I couldn't jog the mile this morning (I HATE running with a passion, and I didn't choose the best bra for running this morning, so that has something to do with it). I did 80 out of 100 jumping jacks. (I came in the class at the beginning of the 4th week out of 12 total. They were already up to 100 JJs.)

I can do everything else they do (rich and varied and from every discipline it seems), but I do have to modify to protect my creaky knees and lower back. Of course, I will get stronger as the class goes on.

So here's my question. Could I do the metric century on the 27th if I just did the boot camp and didn't ride at all until then?

I could possibly ride on the weekends, but our weekends are pretty full. I get "over-trained" really quick if I work out every day, so riding T-Th-S-S is out of the question. I would worry about my "butt callouses" getting soft if I didn't ride at all, though.

So what do you think?

Karen

[kelownagirl]

Personally I think you'd have no trouble. It's only another 10 miles longer than your longest ride. I'd try to get out for an easy spin a couple of times if possible, just for the butt-callous issue. If you're tired from boot camp, make it an easy, flat, 15-20 miler.

[velogirl]

Karen, how long have you been riding?

Training is very specific. To train yourself to ride a metric, cycling is the most effective thing you can do. While a boot camp may help improve your general fitness, it won't help you with the specific demands of riding 64 miles.

If you were able to ride 50 miles this week and planning to ride 64 miles next week, I would say "no problem." However, if you're planning to take three entire weeks off the bike, especially if you're new to endurance/distance riding, I'm afraid you won't have a very positive/comfortable experience and may risk injury incurred during the event.

Lorri

[AllezGirl]

Then yes, you can.

When I first started riding I was told..."if you can do ___ miles comfortably, then you can do double that with effort"

Sounded like good advise to me. I had done 50 miles, once 3 months before a challenging century was put before me. So I thought, I did 50 (once) what's 100? And you know what....I did it! Not fast, but it was great! At mile 50 my friend asked how I was doing...my reply was..."great...every mile from now on is the farthest I've ever ridden!"

The moral is...if you beleive you can do it....then yes, you can. Your fitness level is there. You just have too beleive in yourself!

[kelownagirl]

My first real ride was 55 km, on an old mountain bike, on rolling hills, at 100 degrees temps. I won't say it was easy, but I did it and was darn proud of myself. If I was as knowledgeable then as I am now, I never would have done such a challenging ride. Not sure that's a good thing.

Anyway, the training comments are correct but from what I've read about Karen, she's a fairly experienced cyclist and can probably manage it. I do think she should do some easy rides during the next 3 weeks though.

[Tuckervill]

Thanks, Allez. I'm of the opinion, too, that you can do anything you set your mind to.

I guess the real question is would I enjoy it if I didn't ride between now and then!?

The boot camp is leaving me very very tired, which means to me I'm not taking in enough calories. I came home and had to have a nap at 10 am yesterday. This also why I think I may have low iron more often than not. I feel good today, though.

However, the whole point of the boot camp is to break this weight plateau I have been on for months, so I'll have to be extra careful about upping my calories. I did get a compliment about my weight just now (but it was from a lady who walks her dog up to meet my dogs at the gate several times a day, but couldn't remember that my other dog died in March, so how credible can she be? )

Thanks for your confidence in me, KG! I think I will try to work in some rides. We're going camping this weekend on a mountain that has some nice MTB trails. I'll be the only one there with a bike, but I don't mind riding alone. That'll help.

Karen

[blueskies]

When I was training for Cycle Oregon, my training plan had me doing recovery rides twice a week. Basically, the day after a short intense training ride (intervals or climbing), I would have a recovery day, but an active recovery day.

In practice, it would be a 1 hour ride, on a flat course, using an easier gear & a slightly higher cadence than usual.... very light pressure on the pedals. Maybe something like that would be a way to recover, but keep your body used to being on the bike.