REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Two months to train for 100 miles

1085 Views 4 Replies 4 Participants Last post by fsrftc, Jul 8, 2009

debusama

Discussion Starter · Jun 29, 2009

OK,
I did my first 24-hour race last May. I was on a 5-person team, so it was more like doing several short rides, separated by a few hours, than a real endurance race. I’m feeling the itch to do another race this season, and I’m thinking about doing a 100-mile race at the end of August.
I’m not down right out-of-shape, so I’m thinking I might still be able to get ready to at least finish a 100-miler. Now that I haven’t been training for anything in particular, My weekly exercise routine is as follows:

2 or 3 11-mile road commutes to work (3 miles down hill, and a ***** of an 8-mile climb, the ride home is easy)
1 or 2 trail rides, about 2 hours each.
One 3-mile interval run around a track, and two five-mile trail-runs.

Just in the interest of giving all the necessary info, I’m 29, 6’0”, 165 lbs, this is my first year of racing, but I’ve been bicycle-commuting and doing weekend trail rides since I was 12, and I’ve been a pretty avid runner since high-school. I’m planning on doing the high Cascades 100. I do pretty well with elevation. Although I only live at about 2300 feet now, I grew up at 5500 in Prescott, Arizona. My only training plans are to up my trail rides to more like 4-6 hours until a few weeks before the race.

So, my questions for anyone who has ever done the HC 100, are; is it particularly difficult? Do I have a chance in hell of being able to finish this thing? Do you have a particular tire recommendation (I’m currently running Kenda Karma DTC with tubes)? Any training recommendations would be appreciated.

Also, I do on occasion, go on very long all-day rides, and I have always done fine by just packing some bananas, granola bars, and a turkey sandwich or two. Is it absolutely necessary that I go crazy with the Gels and what not, or can I guy who just wants to finish get by on real food?

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kosmo

· #2 · Jun 29, 2009

Just wanting to finish isn't a bad approach to your first 100 miler.

Working up to two 4 to 6 hour trail rides a week is a good plan. Do very little the week before the race, but ride a bit. You really want a deep well of reserves heading into the race.

Eating what has always worked for you is an excellent plan. A 100 miler is not the place to try ANYTHING new (food, shoes, shorts, grips...........). But, if there is any racer in you, you'll probably end up pushing a bit harder than you think, so don't over do the slow digesting solid food.

You sound really fit, and you're at an excellent endurance age. I suspect you'll do well, and be back again to actually race a 100 miler.

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debusama

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 29, 2009

Great, it sounds like I’m doing OK. I had a bunch of events planned this year to get my racing feet wet, so I can be more competitive next year, but because of flaky teammates, I haven’t done as much as I wanted to. I’m thinking that this race will be a great way to make up for the races that never happened, so I’ll be on track for next year.

Thanks

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heythorp

· #4 · Jun 29, 2009

Kosmo's advise is all sound.

I would try to throw one longer ride in a week for the next 4 -5 weeks and then back off a bit. Pretty standard to tapper 2-3 weeks out from an event.

Add more to your riding and add to your rest. If you are feeling tired or the legs feel heavy take a day or extra day off.

I was reading something last night, I think it was something Frankie Adreau said. He doesn't know anyone who has overtrained, but he knows plenty of people who under rest.

As far as eating. Solid foods are fine and there will probably be some at the rest stops, but maybe not what you are used to. Carrying that much food might be a pita but perhaps not. Learning how to fuel yourself for the long haul is like 90% of the battle during these things.

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fsrftc

· #5 · Jul 8, 2009

debusama said:
OK,
I did my first 24-hour race last May. I was on a 5-person team, so it was more like doing several short rides, separated by a few hours, than a real endurance race. I'm feeling the itch to do another race this season, and I'm thinking about doing a 100-mile race at the end of August.
I'm not down right out-of-shape, so I'm thinking I might still be able to get ready to at least finish a 100-miler. Now that I haven't been training for anything in particular, My weekly exercise routine is as follows:

2 or 3 11-mile road commutes to work (3 miles down hill, and a ***** of an 8-mile climb, the ride home is easy)
1 or 2 trail rides, about 2 hours each.
One 3-mile interval run around a track, and two five-mile trail-runs.

Just in the interest of giving all the necessary info, I'm 29, 6'0", 165 lbs, this is my first year of racing, but I've been bicycle-commuting and doing weekend trail rides since I was 12, and I've been a pretty avid runner since high-school. I'm planning on doing the high Cascades 100. I do pretty well with elevation. Although I only live at about 2300 feet now, I grew up at 5500 in Prescott, Arizona. My only training plans are to up my trail rides to more like 4-6 hours until a few weeks before the race.

So, my questions for anyone who has ever done the HC 100, are; is it particularly difficult? Do I have a chance in hell of being able to finish this thing? Do you have a particular tire recommendation (I'm currently running Kenda Karma DTC with tubes)? Any training recommendations would be appreciated.

Also, I do on occasion, go on very long all-day rides, and I have always done fine by just packing some bananas, granola bars, and a turkey sandwich or two. Is it absolutely necessary that I go crazy with the Gels and what not, or can I guy who just wants to finish get by on real food?

take some ibuprofen with you, i take 3 pills every 3 hours...your body will hurt in ways you never thought possible even with taking them

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