My first Century is Saturday - Terrified with Questions ...

[gabriellesca]

Hey Everyone ... Thanks again for your help on my other thread.

Well - the big day is almost here. My first Century is on Saturday. I'm doing the Mad River Valley Century up in Vermont (anyone that's done it feel free to let me know what you think). I've been training all summer with Team in Training's MA Chapter and I must admit that I've struggled every single step of the way. But I did feel very proud and excited as I said goodbye to the team yesterday until we see each other at the dinner the night before.

I've got a good plan for nutrition on the bike for Saturday since I've been struggling with the right combinations of foods and awful sickness after mile 55. But here are some questions if anyone has time ...

Nutrition this week - I'm trying to focus on good, unprocessed foods this week. Lots of veggies and fruits, oatmeal etc. I've been eating horribly all Summer and finally maxxed out on fast food and prepared frozen dinners. I'm following the guidelines set out by a great book and preparing my menu for the week. Lots of water all week long. Anyone have any additional suggestions?

Ride Day Plan - Stocking up on GU20 (which worked well for me) so that I have enough to be sure that I'm replenishing my electrolytes - good foods for the bike as well.

Tapering - My coach says maybe 2 or 3 very easy 10 mile rides this week - but I assume I don't want to ride after Wed?

Fear - I'm absolutely terrified - I couldn't be more scared. I've gotten so sick and really struggled with my longer rides I'm just so worried this will happen on Saturday and it feel so important for me to not Sag on Saturday. Any suggestions for fighting the fear factor?

Or really just someone tell me to chill - its just a bike ride, right?

[Trek420]

Chill. Have fun. After all these years I'm still nervous at the start of a long ride but in the days, weeks before I focus on nutrition, hydration, try to get enough sleep, getting stuff packed and ready to go.

By mile 2 you may find that the nerves are gone and then just ride.

[Thorn]

Chill. It's just a bike ride.

Seriously. You've done the training. You've figured out the nutrition. Relax and enjoy it.

Take it easy this week. Easy, short rides, just to keep your legs fresh. On the day of the ride, start out easy. No stomping on the hills, just spin and keep the pace easy for at least the first 50 miles. You'll do fine. As long as you stay calm. Don't overanalyze and you'll be fine.

Oh, yeah...and chill....it's just a bike ride.

[alpinerabbit]

Exactly. If you can't finish it, there will be another day.

And I'm afraid I would chime in on the lots of fruit & veg before a big ride.

Actually a coach told me to eat low in fiber the half week before an event. The reasoning - your intestines will have less to work on, and to expel, on the big day. Carbo load: I like pasta with just olive oil, parmesan cheese and a few chopped cherry tomatoes. Do your last ride on Wed, or at the latest Thursday, no more than 2 hours, then carbo load. That ride can be short, but brisk, to get your glycogen stores emptied.

But since you are having problems with nutrition, I don't intend to add to the confusion.

[gabriellesca]

Thanks guys ... I've actually been told that as well - to watch and not have too many fruits and veggies. I've eaten so poorly lately I am really craving them. But I think towards the end of the week I'll focus much more on low-fat carbs!

I know my fear is silly - its tough because I've never worked out, never been an athlete and its been an intense 16 weeks - which in my mind boils down to this one day. But I've raised all my money and I suppose I need to just relax and try to have fun!

[Zen]

Be sure to let us know how things go.

[ny biker]

I've ridden three full centuries and countless metric+ centuries in the past few years and I still get anxious in the days leading up to the ride. I think it's totally normal to feel a bit afraid/nervous about how things will turn out, especially when you've never done it before and you've put so much time and effort into preparing so you want things to go well.

I also tend to cry at the finish line.

Sometimes I cry in the middle of the ride, which means that it's time to dig deep into my suitcase of courage. It usually helps to have a snack, too.

[Misandal]

gabriellesca, Good luck on your first century! I did my first with Team in Training, too - America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride. I rode with my sister, who is a survivor of Hodgkin's Disease.

One thing you couldn't know until you do an event like this is how emotional it will be. Any TNT event I've done (and I've done 3) is different from the others, but they're always emotional. You'll see people lining the streets holding signs and ringing bells and cheering you as you go, you'll see other riders with pictures of loved ones on their jerseys, you'll see bald children who are obviously in treatment. That inspires so much, even when you hit a rough patch along the way, you'll find the strength to continue on.

And the finish! There will be a huge crowd at the finish and they'll cheer for you like you're the one they've been waiting for all day long. You will have an amazing day - but chill, it's just a bike ride.

[suzel59]

Don't be afraid. Think about how proud of yourself you'll be when you cross the finish line. I did my first (s) this summer. The MS150 is designed to be 75 miles each day with optional century loops. I planned to ride 100 each day and did. The second day was hard with tons of hills and even some pea gravel stretches, but I finished. The first day was so much fun, with all the adrenelin and pack riding. Just go out there and have fun and then pat yourself on the back when you're all done! Good luck! Is your ride supported in any way? We had rest stops every 15-20 miles with food (fruit and bagels mostly) and water or gatorade. I am sure that helped.

[indigoiis]

Be easy on yourself. We bicycle because we love it, so make sure to take time and enjoy the ride. It's not a race!

[NadiaMac]

I did my first century (solvang) with team in training, and they did a super job at training us up to complete the ride. I am sure that you are similarly ready to go! Also, you will have team members around should you need any support or encouragement along the way. Have a fantastic time!

[acutrainer]

I started riding last June and did my 1st century 1 month later in July - in Vermont too! Honestly, once you get going it's SO much fun!! Remember it's just another ride. Keep your focus on having fun and you will. Rest when you can & stretch. Everyone needs to Sag during a century. You have to go to the bathroom!
Enjoy it - every moment. It's your first century ever!!!
Tanya

[gabriellesca]

Thanks guys - I LOVE LOVE hearing stories of your first Centuries/Rides.

Team in Training has been incredible except that the MA Chapter is extremely experienced. Except for 4 other people the entire team has done at least 2 or 3 TNT Centuries. They're a very tight-knit group and so its been a challenge to sort of 'break in' on the team. I have a few people that I'm friendly with but really, because I'm so slow and new, I only ride with my coach or one of the mentors. Out of a team of over 20 only four of us have sagged all Summer (one of which was a mentor). The whole team is usually gone by the time I finish my rides. Its been alot of fun at times but far more difficult than I ever imagined. I think I've written that I've never been an athlete - never participated in any sports - I'm about 50 lbs. overweight - so this was a super stretch for me this summer. And for some reason its hard for me to see what I've achieved. Even that I've gotten this far.

My stomach is in total knots - I feel sick and can't eat. And I've really learned that my obsessive personality doesn't mix well with this sort of undertaking. I get myself so worried and worked up about training rides and now about the ride itself its just silly.

But I'm trying to drink alot of water - get as much sleep as I can this week (which isn't much - I have major sleep issues) - ride an easy 10 or 15 miles tonight - carb load Thursday and Friday. And then just get ready - stock up on my GU20 - other supplies and try to relax. But its very hard for me.

I don't know if I'll keep it up to be honest. I love riding my bike - but training has been super intense and hard for me.

Anyway - keep the stories coming ...

[Smilie]

Stop thinking about it, that may help you! I did my first century on a tandem. My 'captain' said I was riding with 1/4 of the training I needed. Yes, he told me this the week OF the ride! Turned out I did fine, no problems except I was a tad bit sore on my sitz bones-but everyone else was as well.

We started riding our next century the following day, but because of a blown tire, only got to do about 89 miles because of the time. I made it through both days, and could have gone the full 100 if it weren't for tire issues. All this with only '1/4' of the training.

I actually felt great, and had enough training to do both. You have had a lot of training and know all you need to know to get you through. Relax, and enjoy it! You will be fine!

[ny biker]

Thanks guys - I LOVE LOVE hearing stories of your first Centuries/Rides.

Team in Training has been incredible except that the MA Chapter is extremely experienced. Except for 4 other people the entire team has done at least 2 or 3 TNT Centuries. They're a very tight-knit group and so its been a challenge to sort of 'break in' on the team. I have a few people that I'm friendly with but really, because I'm so slow and new, I only ride with my coach or one of the mentors. Out of a team of over 20 only four of us have sagged all Summer (one of which was a mentor). The whole team is usually gone by the time I finish my rides. Its been alot of fun at times but far more difficult than I ever imagined. I think I've written that I've never been an athlete - never participated in any sports - I'm about 50 lbs. overweight - so this was a super stretch for me this summer. And for some reason its hard for me to see what I've achieved. Even that I've gotten this far.

My stomach is in total knots - I feel sick and can't eat. And I've really learned that my obsessive personality doesn't mix well with this sort of undertaking. I get myself so worried and worked up about training rides and now about the ride itself its just silly.

But I'm trying to drink alot of water - get as much sleep as I can this week (which isn't much - I have major sleep issues) - ride an easy 10 or 15 miles tonight - carb load Thursday and Friday. And then just get ready - stock up on my GU20 - other supplies and try to relax. But its very hard for me.

I don't know if I'll keep it up to be honest. I love riding my bike - but training has been super intense and hard for me.

Anyway - keep the stories coming ...

I did a TNT inline skating race once and was the last person to finish most of the training skates. However during the actual event I was ahead of a big group of more experienced and "faster" people on our team. I found one other person who was a good complement to my skill level and we stuck together and helped each other reach the finish line. So regardless of how the training rides went, you never know how things will turn out at the actual century - you might surprise yourself!

As for not knowing if you'll keep up with the riding, there's no rule that says you have to do centuries. I decided a couple of years ago that it was too much for me to train for 100-mile rides, especially since I don't deal well with hot sunny days and there's no way to avoid being out at the hottest part of the day if you're doing such long training rides. But also I just wasn't enjoying it. Now I'm doing the 70-mile version of my annual fundraising ride (Livestrong Challenge in Philadelphia) but every year I consider doing the 45-mile version instead because it still takes a lot of work to get ready for 70 miles. I still enjoy 40-50 mile rides but I won't be surprised if I decide in a couple of years to scale back to shorter distances. If you like doing long rides that's one thing, but if you're happier just cruising around your neighborhood for an hour or so, there's nothing wrong with choosing to do that instead. It's better to just relax and have fun and get some exercise.

And in the meantime, just take a few deep breaths and let the ride happen. Make your packing list now so you don't have to worry if you forgot to bring anything, then just put your feet up and rest. You will have lots of fun once the weekend starts.