Training for my 1st century is proving to be vastly differently from training for my 19th or 20th marathon. The fact that I’ve been there, done that means I know that I can run a marathon. But riding 100 miles, that’s a whole different story. Additionally, I’m afraid that my life continues to be just as busy.
By no means am I sitting on my arse doing nothing. I am leading an active life. However, I have a sneaking suspicion that cross training (running, hiking, yoga, etc.) does not translate to cycling in the same manner as it has for running.
Although I have ridden to and from work 1-2 times per week for a couple of weeks now, my weekend long rides are still lacking. I’m just not finding the same ease in solo rides as I did with solo runs. It’s more than just time. Perhaps it is a lack of drive, confidence, knowing where to go. Perhaps it is all of these… and more.
Don’t get me wrong. I am truly finding enjoyment in cycling. Today, after 2 1/2 hours of TITS (equivalent to 2:06 of moving time), I was spent. With that time investment, I’d only covered 30 miles (about 1/2 the distance I’d like to be covering at this point in the training). That’s a lot of time, and it doesn’t even include prep time.
Nonetheless, I will continue to do what I can. When the time comes, if I feel that I am unable to go the full distance, I will ride the metric century distance instead. For rather than change to a flatter 100-miler, or put it off another year, I have my set my heart on riding the Foxy’s Fall Century. And, you know me. If I want to do something, I do what I can to find a way. It just looks like it’s going to be a little more challenging than I first thought.
Thanks so much for your stopping by my blog. I wouldn’t worry too much about not getting in the distances you would like to be getting in for Foxy’s – it is still early. I did not start training for it until August of last year and while I had been on my bike on and off during the earlier parts of the year life kept me out of the saddle for June and July and I was still able to finish no problem.
I will totally agree with you that going out for a solo long ride is so much harder than a solo run. I think it is because the distance is just so much greater. Even a 20 mile training run can keep you fairly close to home if you do an out an back but 60-70 miles has you traveling a long way.
I would love to do Foxy’s again this year but I have some friends coming into town for the Nike Women’s the next day so I don’t think it will fit in the schedule. I think it was a great century to do for my first one though.
I am no expert but I would be happy to share with you how we trained. It worked for us based on the time we had. Good luck with the training – can’t wait to see how it goes.
I would love to have anyone’s training resources and/or tips or resources on training for a century, details on Foxy’s Fall Century, or just plain encouragement.