Century ride 3 weeks after IM?

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2014-11-17 12:56 PM

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Subject: Century ride 3 weeks after IM?
I am doing IMTX in May. Three weeks later my friend wants to do an all womens century ride. It's a ride, not a race. I have never done an IM before so I am not sure if I'll be up for it. However, we do this ride together every year, it's one of my favorite events, and I don't want to let her down. Thoughts??


2014-11-17 1:15 PM
in reply to: KatieLimb

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Subject: RE: Century ride 3 weeks after IM?

I know you said not a race, but still wonder how your abilities compare? Also (and more to the point), when do you actually have to make the decision by? People can and do this, especially when the ride is more casual, but recovery for an IM is all over the place. If at all possible, wait until near the last minute after the race and explain this to your friends up front. Hopefully they understand. Without experience there is just no way to really have a decent idea. Some people are fine within a couple weeks, but others, well, there is a thread going in TT about burnout.

2014-11-17 1:18 PM
in reply to: KatieLimb

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Subject: RE: Century ride 3 weeks after IM?

I think you will be surprised at how much an IM (especially your first IM) will take out of you.  I was out of sorts for a couple of months after my first and second IMs.  No way I would've been up for a 100 mile ride three weeks later.

That stated, it also depends on how hard you race the IM.  Mostly running 26 miles has a way different effect than mostly walking 26 miles.

2014-11-17 4:20 PM
in reply to: KatieLimb

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Subject: RE: Century ride 3 weeks after IM?
I agree with the above 2 responses.

In my experiences, I'd not be ready to do 100 miler in 3 weeks post IM.

But you might feel ok and it will depend how the race goes, and how you feel.
I'm sure your friend will understand why it's tentative.
2014-11-18 8:37 AM
in reply to: KatieLimb

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Subject: RE: Century ride 3 weeks after IM?

Agree with the others based on my past experiences. 

Maybe you can volunteer at the event out on the course so you can still support your friend and enjoy the atmosphere? Just a thought.

2014-11-18 8:42 AM
in reply to: KatieLimb

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Subject: RE: Century ride 3 weeks after IM?

If you ride, expect your legs to be fatigued.  No power to climb hills.  No power to catch up if you fall off the back.  No, it isn't a "race" but if you're going to complete the ride, you still have to get up and over every hill on the route.  

Are there viable options to stop part way through the ride if you choose to try it?  

2014-11-18 9:45 AM
in reply to: KatieLimb

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Subject: RE: Century ride 3 weeks after IM?
I'm coming up on 3 weeks after my first IM (IMFL), where I put in a full effort. Physically, I feel like I could do a 100 miler this weekend **if** I took it nice and easy, and even then it would probably still be a beating. But mentally, I wouldn't want to. 3 weeks after IMTX also likely means it would be in the heat? IMs are just taxing both physically and mentally. Given it's just a rally, hopefully you don't have to decide until actually after IMTX.
2014-11-18 12:39 PM
in reply to: mbwallis

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Subject: RE: Century ride 3 weeks after IM?
As others have noted, I would expect you to have both physical and mental hurdles to get over in order to do a century 3 weeks after an IM. For me, after each of the two I have done, I would not have wanted to ride 100 miles 3 weeks later. Maybe I could have, but the want to would have been missing for sure. And the maybe I could have physically is a big maybe. Not really sure.
2014-11-18 9:41 PM
in reply to: #5068130

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Subject: RE: Century ride 3 weeks after IM?
Great input. The hard part is that this is a lottery system and we have to enter by Jan 5. I am really hoping we don't get in! I love this ride and this friend, but I agree, it's too soon. I may sign up for a shorter distance with her for the same ride, we can do anywhere between 20 on up mileage wise. Thanks for your input and talking some sense into me!!
2014-11-19 7:56 AM
in reply to: KatieLimb

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Subject: RE: Century ride 3 weeks after IM?
I Was way too burned out after IM to bike longer than 2 hours 3 weeks after. I thought I had it in me, but when I got out there I felt like a flat tire. I just couldn't go. 4 and 5 weeks later I was feeling much better
2014-11-19 1:13 PM
in reply to: KatieLimb

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Subject: RE: Century ride 3 weeks after IM?
if you were to put in for the lottery and got it, is there an option to tx or defer? maybe that could be an option to consider - throw your name in the hat and then if you can you can; if not, there may be something else you can do

2014-11-26 11:39 PM
in reply to: austhokie

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Subject: RE: Century ride 3 weeks after IM?
Probably a bad idea. If you do it plan on taking like a 10 minute break at every rest station along the route and pedal very slowly. I have done such a ride around 3 weeks out, was long.
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