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Need advice...desperate!

Old 06-14-22, 04:22 PM
  #1  
NewToEndurance
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Need advice...desperate!

I'm doing the Tri-State Trek from Boston to Greenwich (CT) from June 24-26. The trek is 270 miles over 3 days, about 90 miles/day.
A few months ago, right before I was set to begin my training, I tore my bicep and had surgery. Rehab has gone well, but I've only had ~5 weeks to train on a bike (2 of those weeks on a stationary bike).

Outdoor training rides I've done so far (8 total):
May 28th - 2 hrs
May 29th - 2.5 hrs

June 2nd - 3 hrs
June 3rd - 3.5 hrs
June 4th - 3.5 hrs

June 10th - 5.5 hrs
June 11th - 4.5 hrs
June 12th - 2.5 hrs

Now, with 10 days left,I'm looking for a plan to help me get to the finish line. I'm not backing out. It's for a cause a strongly believe in. My goal is to finish the race.
Can you please offer recommendations on how you would spend these remaining training days if you were me?

Relevant background:
- former college athlete (mid 30's now)
- been active since college with various sports including soccer and basketball
- NO endurance cycling experience; NO cycling-as-a-hobby experience (transportation in college, junior high)
- I understand training recovery: diet, rest, stretching, roll out/massage, etc.

I took this Thurs and Friday off of work to support any remaining training I need to do. (Training needs to conclude next Tues; I leave for Boston -from CA- next Wed).

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
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Old 06-15-22, 11:46 AM
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You're hitting taper time. Relax, make sure you don't injure yourself, do some short rides with a few sprints thrown in to maintain fitness. Maybe do a little figuring out what food you can digest well during a long workout. Make sure your bike is all ready to go and that you know what you need to know to pack/unpack it. Fix any things that annoy you while riding about your clothing/carrying food on your bike/etc.

You have the fitness you're going to have. Now the game is mental, and if you can convince yourself you will be fine, then you will be fine. When I was 12, my dad and I signed up for a two day, 78-miles each day charity ride. Our longest training ride was 30 miles, which I'd never done before. (My dad had other cycling experience, but I'd done a few 20-mile rides and one 30-mile ride, and was not yet really into any other sorts of athletics -- I didn't really know how to train or pace myself or anything.). I had a great time.

Stop at every rest stop and eat/drink/fill bottles and stretch -- you won't feel like you need it at the first few but you will be a much happier rider later in the day. Reapply sunscreen more often than you think you need to. The toughest part for most people in a century is around 60-80 miles -- you might feel like you're done. You're not. Eat, drink, stretch, take five minutes to lie down in the shade with your feet up, you'll be fine. Remind yourself why you're doing this; if it's in honor/memory of someone, pull out those memories then.

Starting the second day will likely hurt, especially your rear end. Coat anything that's chafed in chamois cream (if you don't have any, find some NOW), and any sit-bone bruises will stop hurting so much after 10-20 miles, I promise. If your little fingers start to tingle, try to move your hand positions around/shake them out regularly; if they go numb they will recover, it can take a few weeks.

Last edited by antimonysarah; 06-16-22 at 07:39 AM.
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Old 06-15-22, 01:26 PM
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Since it sounds like you are new to doing distance events/ rides. My piece of advise is to put yourself on a "hydration schedule". Using a cyclecomputer/ watch or anything that you can monitor time. Plan to drink at least a bottle an hour. If it's warm/ hot out you will need electrolites in the water.
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Old 06-15-22, 01:29 PM
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Just Plan on riding One Day. You do not want another injurie
The First day will burn you out anyway.
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Old 06-16-22, 03:00 AM
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Your legs will hurt less on day three than on day two.

But your saddle sores will be worse.
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Old 06-18-22, 07:35 PM
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are you able to do it on a credit card lunch or do you need to lug your own fuel? If you can avoid carrying a load, that'll let you plan hydration better. Don't mash a lot during the first couple of days. Stay out of the seat the first half of the travels as much as you can. Focus on your health more than speed & distance achieved.
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Old 06-18-22, 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by NewToEndurance
I leave for Boston -from CA- next Wed).
weather Monday 6/20 Tuesday 6/21 look good, not so great after that. but at least it won't be scorching sun
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Old 06-21-22, 10:24 PM
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What is a century, but an excuse to ride bikes all day? Just pace yourself and have fun.
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Old 06-22-22, 10:57 AM
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Just draft the whole way. Don't take a pull. Kidding. Watch around the world in 80 days on GCN. Let us know how it went. Good luck!! Have fun!!
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