100 mile mntn bike race--who's done one?

[limewave]

Anelia . . . how is your training coming along???

I have come up with the bare-bones of a training schedule. Which only has me riding 2 days a week. Scary, I know. But that is all my current schedule will allow.

1st ride: 90 min/intervals (done indoor on the trainer, very controlled)
2nd ride: Build from 30-50 miles on trail or gravel road up to 5 weeks before. 2.5 weeks pre/race--pre-ride entire course. No rides longer than 30 miles after that.
3x a week strength train
2x a week, run
1x a week yoga

we will see how it all works out!!!!

[SAMbike]

I've done a couple 100's and in addition to properly training your body for pounding away the miles, I think the other, almost equally important, thing to figure out and "train" for is your food and drink consumption pacing. So I'd say practice this too! On long rides think about what you can continue to eat, what's working, what's not etc etc. Hope this is helpful - and good luck!

[Aggie_Ama]

What I found over marathon season and my 80+ mile race in January is I would have trained long rides on my mountain bike, even if it was long road rides. Most of my long rides for endurance were road rides, I would do some longer mountain bike rides but usually only 20 +/- miles. I found the mountain bike position is different on my sit bones and back, I was really sore there after a race. So this year I will probably put slicks on my mountain bike and ride it on the road to train. Can't wait to hear about your race, I have a 100 miler on my list of "must-do" but it is a few years off.

[Anelia]

I've done a couple 100's and in addition to properly training your body for pounding away the miles, I think the other, almost equally important, thing to figure out and "train" for is your food and drink consumption pacing. So I'd say practice this too! On long rides think about what you can continue to eat, what's working, what's not etc etc. Hope this is helpful - and good luck!

Sambike, thank you very much for this reminder. This is something every experienced rider knows about BUT we sometimes make stupid mistakes overlooking thing that are "by default".
I suggest that we make a list of important things which we should not forget. I'm in with:
1. butt cream
2. electrolytes
3. to be added later

[limewave]

The schedule is from a coach. They work with endurance athletes (cyclists, triathletes, ultra-marathoners), some of the best in the midwest. But, their training routine does go against the grain. Their philosophy is less than more. It is tough to follow because it goes against what everyone else is doing.

But here's the thing, I can't train more. My schedule and my commitments don't allow for it. I talked to them about this the possibility of doing the 100 mile event thinking that it was something I would have to put off for a few years, but they convinced me it was possible!

The strength training is designed to develop muscle endurance specific to mountain biking. I do think it is beneficial. I've been doing some of it already.

So . . . I'm going for it! I do agree that fuel/nutrition is going to be a challenge and something I'm going to have to practice.

Butt cream is a definite MUST! In fact, I had a race last weekend and we didn't have cream because my 2yo son had gotten into it and smeared it all over himself and the windows! It was a mess.

I went to three different stores in the wee hours before the race and, fortunately, the last one carried Bag Balm. Phew!

Must haves:
1) Butt Cream
2) Electrolytes
3) Extra water
4) Bananas (otherwise I get cramps)
5) Extra clothes
6) Chain tool

[Anelia]

Oh, you already raced Cool! How was it?
My first race is on 8th of April, the next is on the 22nd and the big one is on 28th, followed by another one 60 km just on the next day So I have to save my energy not only to finish the first day but also to have some more for the second day. I know it is going to be tough and that's why I train hard now.
limewave, when is your long race? Do they have a website of the race?

[Wahine]

Their philosophy is less than more. It is tough to follow because it goes against what everyone else is doing.

This is not actually true. There is really good research out there to support the less is more philosophy and a lot of people are starting to do it. Unless you are a professional athlete with infinite time to train, it's usually better to focus on less, but better quality and throwing in sport specific weight training. The yoga is also important, mostly from an injury prevention/muscle balance stand point.

[Anelia]

Hi there, endurance racers!
Today I did a major rehearsal for my race at the end of April. I wanted to check my pacing, nutrition, water consumption or any other issues I might have on a longer race. I rode alone, offroad, I did two circuits of our local race track. My computer stopped working at 72nd km (low battery) but the statistics is about 85 km, 6 hours and 5 minutes, about 14km/h, 2000 m climbing. I did no longer breaks than to pee (once) or to wait for a passing car when I crossed a road. My average pulse was 138 which is not bad for a training but on the race I expect it to be higher.
What I rode today is 2/3 of the distance for the race. Do you think I should ride the whole distance 120 km offroad or the equal hours on road next week?
I did ok with pacing, nutrition and water, I did not bonk. Only my hamstrings hurt a lot but I rode through the pain. My butt was perfect, I am so glad about it
And one more thing to add to the must have list is CHAIN OIL.

[limewave]

I NEED to get in a long ride this week. My plan is to ride 20 miles from my house to some singletracks trails. Do an 11-mile loop on the trail system and then ride 20 miles home. I'm nervous about it. I wish I had someone to ride with!

My guess is it will take 1:20 to do 20 miles, another 1:10-1:15 on the trail and then another 1:20 home for a total of almost 4 hours of riding

This will be my first chance to test nutrition for something over 2 hours.

[Anelia]

Anelia . . . how is your training coming along???

I have come up with the bare-bones of a training schedule. Which only has me riding 2 days a week. Scary, I know. But that is all my current schedule will allow.

1st ride: 90 min/intervals (done indoor on the trainer, very controlled)
2nd ride: Build from 30-50 miles on trail or gravel road up to 5 weeks before. 2.5 weeks pre/race--pre-ride entire course. No rides longer than 30 miles after that.
3x a week strength train
2x a week, run
1x a week yoga

we will see how it all works out!!!!

Hi there. Sorry for the late post but I didn't see the thread developing. Limewave, did you made this schedule by yourself or a coach recommended it? I would recommend you to ride more instead of doing weights or running or yoga. At least this is what I was advised to do: focus on riding. Everything else is a waste of energy and time.
So now I ride 7 out of 8 days. I aim at 6 out of 7 days but I don't want to miss a nice day out and I ride more. I do shorter rides during the weekdays: 1-2 or even 3 hours, as much as time permitted. I do intervals or/and strength training on the bike. On the weekends I do longer rides. On Sunday I had 6+ hours on the bike: most of it on road but still the miles and time on the bike count. At the beginning of April I think about 200 km Randonneuring on the bike as I did last year. It takes me about 8 hours to finish since I don't have a roadie. I wish I could ride more off road but I don't have company who can endure that much (6-8 hours)
Also I have to get used to my racing bike. It is very rigid and my butt is always sore after longer rides.