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.

[Smilie]

Have fun and good luck! You will be just fine! You GO Girl!

[gabriellesca]

Thanks NY - I've heard from a bunch of people how nervous they get before even our training rides so that helps me to not feel like such a nut-case. I also love that you cry - I'm a crier - its very annoying but I do it. I cried I was so happy after my 45 mile ride. And I know there will be crying before, during, and after this ride. A teammate said 'she'll be crying - we just won't know if they're happy or sad tears.' LOL! And its true.

Misandal - Thanks for the heads up - this is a very small ride - not at all like Lake Tahoe. Many of my teammates have done Lake Tahoe for the last few years and I've heard non-stop about it all season. They've also done Mad River and so they say that its MUCH different because we're the only Team in Training team riding. So not to expect the fan-fare, etc. and from what I've heard there actually isn't a finish line. LOL! But I know my team - they're an incredible bunch of people, and they'll be cheering me into every single stop, bathroom break, and the finish! They even cheered for me when I came in in the Sag one day. So I know they'll provide the motivation I need. My sister and brother-in-law are also coming up - they'll be a great cheering section.

Thanks guys ....... this really helps!

[amy]

Good luck! I can't wait to hear the details.

[alpinerabbit]

I'm a crier too.

You know, perhaps it helps to numb you a bit and make you go on.

[violette]

I did my first metric centery in July. I was so nervous going to the start position. But I noticed everyone was pretty relaxed and just doing it for the fun. A lot of them were a bit nervous because it was their first time, but within 10km, we were all smiling and having a blast.

There will be some better than you and some a lot slower than you. Just go at your own pace and enjoy the ride, I did!!!

[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!