Training for Century

[skywalkerbeth]

I am wondering too... I'm at 30 and have 11 weeks to go.

My plan (not sure if it's a good one) is to step up by 5 miles each Saturday and then make Sunday "half of Saturday". Meaning 35/17; 40/20; 45/22; 50/25, and so on... too much?

[blue_angel]

I am wondering too... I'm at 30 and have 11 weeks to go.

My plan (not sure if it's a good one) is to step up by 5 miles each Saturday and then make Sunday "half of Saturday". Meaning 35/17; 40/20; 45/22; 50/25, and so on... too much?

I think that's too little. I increased my long ride by 15 miles per week on a 7 week training plan. Since you have 11 weeks, you could do 10 miles per week. Of course this should be tempered by what you know about your own fitness level and capacity.

[TrekTheKaty]

Most training programs recommend increasing by 10% each week, so 5/week sounds about right. However, a long ride of 60ish is sufficient, so if you've completed a metric, you're there. Anything above that is a bonus.

[blue_angel]

Most training programs recommend increasing by 10% each week, so 5/week sounds about right. However, a long ride of 60ish is sufficient, so if you've completed a metric, you're there. Anything above that is a bonus.

I have heard this advice, and frankly, I don't believe it is good advice unless you are also riding at least 120 miles per week. Riding 60 miles feels almost nothing like 100 miles, and even my longest training ride of 75 miles felt inadequate compared to the full century. Of course a lot of this will depend on your overall fitness levels and your strength as a rider.

I used Selene Yeager's century training plan from "Every Woman's Guide to Cycling." She recommended not exceeding an increase to your total weekly mileage of more than 10%, which is different from increasing your long ride by only 10%.

[ny biker]

Really, if you're only increasing rides by 5 miles at a time, then suddenly going up by 40 miles is huge. That's an extra 2-3 hours of riding, maybe more. It is a mental challenge as well as a physical challenge.

My longest training rides for centuries were 80-90 miles.

[Dogmama]

Really, if you're only increasing rides by 5 miles at a time, then suddenly going up by 40 miles is huge. That's an extra 2-3 hours of riding, maybe more. It is a mental challenge as well as a physical challenge.

My longest training rides for centuries were 80-90 miles.

Adrenaline will carry you through 10-20 miles, so this would be minimal, in my experience. Also, you need to taper during your last week. So, 7 days before, you might ride 60 miles, then mid-week ride 30 miles & give yourself 2 or more days off the bike before your century.

[grey]

A fellow rider and I are training also - we have 6 weeks to go and are up to 60 miles. I ride three times a week - Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. 60 still feels a little rough, so I'm a little concerned because I am certain there is a huge difference between 60 and 80, and again between 80 and 100!
I was going to try adding 5-7 miles per week, depending on the amount of incline the route offers. Food/fuel might be an obstacle for me to sort out now - what do you usually carry? Right now I have one water bottle with Nunn in it, the other is plain water, when we refill I do the same, first bottle is Nunn the other plain. I carry peanuts and home-made fruit roll ups. I usually also have a peanut butter granola bar along.