Training to Century Ride Day ?Mileage Span?

[Aggie_Ama]

With that many centuries and the knee issue, I have another question - did you take Ibuprofen? My physical therapist says that the endurance athletes he works with all subscribe to the "3 -I's" Ice - Ibuprofen - and Ignore. Works for me!

On that first century? No. After the next spring when I had a bad case of runner's knee but insisted I would do the MS150- yes. My knees seem very sensitive to distance, temperature and my menstrual cycle. I now take ibuprofen before a long ride and carry some with me or beg it off anyone I can! I won't do anything over 50 without taking some prior to leaving, much to my doctor's horror (he is worried about my kidneys and an ulcer).

[Kano]

Sorry I haven't replied to the post I started. We went out of town for the weekend and saw Newsboys in concert (Christian rock band from Australia - they were GREAT!) and just got home

Out of town, relaxing, enjoying anything is ALWAYS acceptable!

Yeah, not that there is anything wrong with that but I don't want to be the one that hears "ON YOUR LEFT" ALL day long!!!!!

I don't think you'll hear it ALL day -- for a while, you might even be the one saying it!

Yep. I train alone. The cows in the field don't talk back when I holler at them. I need to get a multiple personality to train with me when I ride. My evil nemesis or something like that!

I usually ride alone too, and you're right, cows don't usually answer -- I've had them trot along right next to me (this is weird!), and I've had chipmunks chat back. DH has a dog that he converses with on one of our routes...

What?? Are you kidding?? I have spent HOURS on the trainer this winter. Actually, I have perfected the art of carbo-loading - I think I have enough research to write a paper. I am steadily getting ready, though. Tomorrow I tackle the 50 mile ride! I think I have enough carbo stores from the winter that I should be able to ride for a week without eating - hahahaha!! Are you signed up for Little Red???? I was in Boise Saturday night for a concert at the Taco Bell arena. Your weather was BEAUTIFUL - did you get out and ride??

I have not signed up YET. I AM still thinking about it, maybe even more seriously than I was, after this weekend!

Yes, we DID get out and ride. Yesterday morning, there was still some ice on one of the fields we passed on our first 20+ ride of the season, and today was fab! DH didn't think to put on sunscreen, he seems to need to learn that the hard way every year! Today, we rode 40 miles -- well, I did. DH turned in the driveway at a smidge over 38. I just had to get that 40, once I survived the hill at the end of our ride -- we were tired, but that last mile and a half or so of flat felt GREAT!

(and with 60+ miles this weekend, even knowing that it's early season, my butt says the saddle needs to go. Could be I'll have a bike ride to the LBS tomorrow)

Neither will I unless the sag wagon approaches to tell me that I am the last one on the course

Hey, if I sign up too, we can be last together -- y'know, we'd still have done it, and that's the whole goal, right? It would be nice to have someone finish after though, I agree!

Karen in Boise

[cycliste]

I did my first centuries last summer, the Seattle to Portland (STP) ride. (Back to back 100 mile days.) My longest prior ride that year was around 40 miles; longest ever ride before that was 55 miles in 2006.
I hadn't followed a training plan, and hadn't had much time to prepare. I made it through the ride, I think, because of dumb stubborness, and because my kids were waiting at the finish line. I took my time, and ate small snacks frequently. I'll always remember the pepsi on ice I drank in a saloon somewhere along the road - it was wonderful. By the way, I discovered that I was able to accomplish alot more than my mind thought I could do, as long I could ignore the suffering.
I was sore and tired for a couple of weeks after. This year I'm actually following a training plan.
I'm 40+ years old, so didn't have youth on my side.