How long to train for a century?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by imgomer
I'm completely new to this forum, so please bare with me if I'm asking this in the wrong forum or if I'm asking something that's been asked a millions times over!

I'm a triathlete (sprints), but I'm now interested in doing a century. Does anyone know how long it normally takes to train for one? For about a month now I've been doing 36 miles on Saturdays as my "long" ride. This past Saturday I rode 50 miles.

I have my eyes set on a century on August 21st, but is this unrealistic?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Sure it's realistic. You could probably make it now, but you'd likely suffer and it wouldn't be fun. The long rides once a week are perfect training, IMO. Just extend your mileage about 5 miles/week, getting you up to 80 miles on 14 Aug. Focus on comfort; don't dawdle, but don't kill yourself on the pace either.

Remember to taper the last week prior to the event....just 2 or 3 easy, short rides, maybe 10 miles max. I like to rest early in the week, and do a couple of easy prep rides on the last two days before the event.

Other thing that I've found important is to go out easy in the event. If you've been doing all your training rides at 15 mph average, keep to that speed or less during at least the first half of the Century. It may be tempting to join faster pacelines, but I'd pass them up since your goal is to finish comfortably. If you're still feeling good at mile 85, then you can always turn up the pace for a strong finish.

Make sure you drink enough, and eat enough as well. A bottle an hour (or more if it's hot) plus about 60 grams of carbs is the standard rule of thumb. You probably know all this, but it's more critical for the long endurance rides. Good luck!

Thanks, dhk. You were actually very helpful. I'm great with what I drink since I'm riding in weather that's always over 90 degrees. Last week I went through 2 full bladders on my Camelbak. I didn't eat anything until mile 42 when I started to bonk and luckily I had a melted granola bar in my bag. I didn't know about the 60g of carbs every hour, so I'll try that out on Sat.

It's always nice to think there might be hope. There aren't many Centuries in my area, so that's why I picked one that's so soon. Thanks again and I'll let you know how many miles I was able to add on.

😄

Good luck!

Thanks, Bolo.

I ended up doing 55.11 (have to get in that .11). :p It was rougher than last week, but I think that was because I only had 5 hours of sleep, I'm dieting (I know, I know...), it's my first ride out on my new bike and I've never been fitted before so I was using different muscles and it was HOT out (105 by the end of my ride). Not that I'm complaining... 😄

Anyway, I was flying for the first 32 miles and then started to bonk. I kept drinking and eating, but around mile 42 I completely lost my legs. After mile 36 it's all hills and that's where I really could have used my energy. I was hitting some of the hills at 4-7mph and was ready to quit, cry and call a heli to come pick my body up. I slugged through and made it to 55 miles somehow.

Next week I'll try for a little over 60 and see how that goes. If I can make it through that, I'll probably sign up for the Century (there are only 200 spots left).

I did it all in 3hours and 30 minutes for a 15.7mph average.

Thanks again!

hehe I live in Phoenix Az so I know what you mean about riding in heat. When the sun rises it is already 90+

I just started training for my first Century. The Century is in Nov so I have lots of time to train. Which I need 😄

Which Century are you doing that's in Nov? I looked at Active.com to see if there were any in AZ, just in case I couldn't do this one in Aug. and nothing came up.

I think we're in the same kind of climate-hot, hot, and hot. Today we were at 110. :eek:

pbaa.comHome.htmlOpen ↗

The Tour de Tucson

on Nov 20

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by imgomer
Thanks, Bolo.

I ended up doing 55.11 (have to get in that .11). :p It was rougher than last week, but I think that was because I only had 5 hours of sleep, I'm dieting (I know, I know...), it's my first ride out on my new bike and I've never been fitted before so I was using different muscles and it was HOT out (105 by the end of my ride). Not that I'm complaining... 😄

Anyway, I was flying for the first 32 miles and then started to bonk. I kept drinking and eating, but around mile 42 I completely lost my legs. After mile 36 it's all hills and that's where I really could have used my energy. I was hitting some of the hills at 4-7mph and was ready to quit, cry and call a heli to come pick my body up. I slugged through and made it to 55 miles somehow.

Next week I'll try for a little over 60 and see how that goes. If I can make it through that, I'll probably sign up for the Century (there are only 200 spots left).

I did it all in 3hours and 30 minutes for a 15.7mph average.

Thanks again!

Sounds like you're doing fine. Your pace of 15.7 is good, especially for the heat. That kind of heat and sun will slow anybody down and raise the HR.

Maybe next weekend, don't go out "flying" for 32 miles, but try doing the first 45 miles at a 15 mph average, relaxing whenever you can to save your legs. Then up the pace for the last 15 miles, maybe to 16. You can always fly on the homestretch miles if you're still feeling good. Bet you'll have almost as good an overall average speed without all the suffering.

Besides, your goal now should be comfortably completing the distances and enjoying the rides. The speed will come naturally as your endurance improves.

Good luck!

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by dhk

Maybe next weekend, don't go out "flying" for 32 miles, but try doing the first 45 miles at a 15 mph average, relaxing whenever you can to save your legs. Then up the pace for the last 15 miles, maybe to 16. You can always fly on the homestretch miles if you're still feeling good. Bet you'll have almost as good an overall average speed without all the suffering.

Besides, your goal now should be comfortably completing the distances and enjoying the rides. The speed will come naturally as your endurance improves.

Good luck!

Definitely! I think that's where I went wrong this time out. I guess trying to keep up with 2 men wasn't the best thing for me to do, especially since I knew better. Next time I'll set the pace and they can follow me. 😎

My brother seems to think if I do this Century coming up I'll be risking injury. He said it's too much too soon. I'm not sure when I'll figure out if I'll me ready or not...

Thanks for your help!