General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Century Taper Advice? Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2008-09-23 3:27 PM

User image

Master
2491
2000100100100100252525
Subject: Century Taper Advice?
I'd like some advice from the experienced cyclists out there.

I'm doing a century on Oct. 11. You can look at my logs and see that I'm not training specifically for the length of the ride, but that I've been riding consistently. My plan is to stay in zone 1, stop to eat some food at all of the stops, and generally ride easy and have fun. Given the training I've been doing, when should I begin to back off, and what should my volume the last couple of weeks be? Will short runs in that time be a bad idea?

Thanks!


2008-09-23 3:41 PM
in reply to: #1691349

User image

Champion
5117
5000100
Brandon, MS
Subject: RE: Century Taper Advice?
If you're just planning on riding easy, chilling, and enjoying the day, then I don't see why you need to taper at all.  Just don't do a really long run a day or two before hand, and make sure you eat properly those few days before hand as well.
2008-09-23 3:45 PM
in reply to: #1691349

User image

Champion
19812
50005000500020002000500100100100
MA
Subject: RE: Century Taper Advice?

Tapering isn't really needed. In a quick glance at your logs I would suggest you try and get one longer ride in each week in the 50-80 mile range. Maybe do 50 this weekend, 60-65 the next, etc.  It appears you are riding a lot but not so long.

Century rides at a comfortable pace is all about being able to deal with sitting in your saddle for 5-8 hours depending on your pace and having your body handle that.

Weekend before your century try and ride 75-80 miles and then ride a couple times that week and last time or two just do aerobic would be my suggestion.

You can run but listen to your body. Does running fatigue you a lot? Not much? I wouldn't do a super long run the few days before, but other than that keep training.

 

2008-09-24 4:35 AM
in reply to: #1691349

User image

Master
2491
2000100100100100252525
Subject: RE: Century Taper Advice?
Thanks!
2008-09-24 3:24 PM
in reply to: #1691349

User image

Master
2491
2000100100100100252525
Subject: RE: Century Taper Advice?
Well, okay, but after spending four days at a music festival, and not training the entire weekend, my next runs and rides were noticeably stronger, so the rest was good. I guess my question is really about how much rest and how much to cut back to maximize my legs on the big day.
2008-09-24 4:47 PM
in reply to: #1691349

User image

Champion
8766
5000200010005001001002525
Evergreen, Colorado
Subject: RE: Century Taper Advice?
You really shouldn't need more than a day or two if you haven't been riding long...


2008-09-25 2:09 AM
in reply to: #1691349

User image

Master
1718
1000500100100
Loughborough, England
Subject: RE: Century Taper Advice?

If you're planning on riding the century at an easy pace then there's really no need to taper.  Obviously don't go and do a stupidly hard ride the day before though!

If you want to ride it fast then just knock back the mileage you do in the week before the ride.  For me personally I like to have the a complete day off two days out and then just an easy 30-40 minutes on the day before, just to keep the legs working.

2008-09-25 8:45 AM
in reply to: #1695065

User image

Champion
5117
5000100
Brandon, MS
Subject: RE: Century Taper Advice?
tridantri - 2008-09-25 2:09 AM

If you're planning on riding the century at an easy pace then there's really no need to taper.  Obviously don't go and do a stupidly hard ride the day before though!

If you want to ride it fast then just knock back the mileage you do in the week before the ride.  For me personally I like to have the a complete day off two days out and then just an easy 30-40 minutes on the day before, just to keep the legs working.

And I'm the opposite.  I like to have the full day off the day before.  I MAY throw in an easy swim.  It's different strokes for different folks, and you just have to find what works for you.  Basically, you just don't want to have put in some intense long run or ride within a day or two, because this doesn't call for a taper, it just calls for being hydrated and rested.  It is a long time in the saddle.  Just rest one of the two days before hand.



Edited by sesh 2008-09-25 8:46 AM
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Century Taper Advice? Rss Feed