Train for faster or longer?

[indysteel]

By the way, how fast do you spin? If you aren't already, try to find a gear(s) that allows you to spin in the 80-100 rpm range. That may help you with both of your goals.

[Tuckervill]

All really good info. But I do have one question.

What the heck is a fartlek????

I really have this idea that March is going to miraculously clear off to be sunny and warm, and I will begin cycling in earnest. March is almost here, tho, and the skies are gray and it's cold outside. If I could just get out and ride, I think my question would answer itself. Not the one about the fartlek, though.

Karen

[Grog]

I always love Google's "define" feature:

http://www.google.ca/search?client=f...=Google+Search

Not always on the nose, but this time it's good!

Enjoy!

[Tuckervill]

Thanks, Grog. Somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind, the meaning was in there. (IOW, I'd heard the word before.) Now I know.

I think I spin in the 80-100 range for sure. Sometimes I count my strokes when going uphill just to keep my mind off of things. (Counting is a calming behavior for me.) So definitely I spin in that range.

It did clear off today to be gorgeously sunny--but it's under 40*. No thanks. I did need some sunshine, though.

Thanks!
Karen

[Crankin]

I might be crazy, but I didn't do that much training for my first century. I did my usual hard and or long riding, but nothing more. My average is around 15.5-16.5 if it's not a route with steep climbs; my idea was to do the century at a SLOWER pace than normal! I've heard of too many people burning themselves out trying to finish. The century I did was mostly flat, but with terrible headwinds and rain/thunder.
I'd make sure you build up to a ride of at least 80 miles before the event (I didn't, but I KNEW I could do it) and find a pace that you are comfortable with. If you want to improve your speed, then intervals are the key, but I did find concentrating on a target time goal was better for me. I wanted to finish in 7 hours riding time and I did it in 6.5.

Robyn

[tulip]

It would be cool to start a Century Training Thread, where us folks who are attempting our first century could report on our training, daily, weekly, or whatever...and those century veterans could could always chime in with helpful tips and such.

I know it would help my motivation...what do you think?