How long to train for a Sportif?

milese

I'm overweight and pretty unfit!

Well, I'm 24, 5' 8" and weight about 13' 3lbs, giving a BMI of about 28. I was about 12' 7lbs about 6 months ago, but then got bad knee's which stopped me running.

I find that in order to be motivated to lose weight and get fit I need to have a target, something measurable to work towards, so I thought that entering a Sportif would fit that bill.

Locally there is the Dartmoor classic on the 11th May, which has 100 mile or 100km option. I thought I'd enter one, then I'd have to make sure I can do it.

Ok, so I'm probably not really unfit, but haven't cycled more than 25 miles or so in recent times, although I've not actually tried! I ride MTB with a local group, and just about keep up; they've also got a road group that go out a few times a week that I could tag on to once I'm confident enough that I'll keep up.

I will be cycling the 7 mile trip to work on dry days, and can extend the ride home. I'm also happy to do a longer ride one evening a week, and on the weekend, plus probably an MTB ride a week.

Do you think that it would be too much to enter the 100 mile race?

Suggested training plans & other advice on training / how realistic this is would be great.

What are typical first and last placed times for 100 mile / 100 km sportif? I know I wont be near the front but dont want to come last!

Cheers!

Mettan

Milese wrote:

Do you think that it would be too much to enter the 100 mile race?

Cheers!

I've just had a look at the elevation profile for the 100 miler - its got over 11,000 ft of climbing :shock: - that's a huge/hefty slice for anyone - the 60 miler might be a better option although that's got over 7000ft of climbing, which is still substantial although do-able - perhaps the 60 miler might be the better option ?? - have a good look at the elevation profiles for both - if you do decide on the 60 miler you'd probably want to be able to do one or two hilly 40-50 milers in advance - that's in addition to day-to-day short general fitness rides.

LeighB

I would have a look at the cut off times for the Sportif you intend to compete in then do a few longer rides to work out the average speed you can maintain. This will give you some idea if you can complete the 100 miles in the time allocated. As for your results/position have a look at the times on the event web site results section. The event I completed last year was 125 miles in quite hilly terrain; in training I could average 15 MPH for 80-90 miles so I expected a time of 8 hours. My finishing time ended up being just under 9 hours as over the last 40 miles fatigue took its toll. Like many other things have a go, it’s the only way to find out what you can do.

richa

As a guess I'd say...

Fastest => 20 mph / 32 kph.
Slowest => 12 mph / 19 kph.

I see no reason why you couldn't do either the 100 miler or the 100 km. It's going to take a bit of training. But you were looking for something to motivate you to lose weight and get fit. So go for it.

andy_wrx

Yeah, go for it.
If you're the sort of person who is motivated by setting a target, set yourself this as a target.
You have time to get to that level in 5 months

If you can go out with a group, do so, regardless of what they're doing - if it becomes social/fun then you're getting 'training' with far less effort.

Remember a sportive is *not* a race, it's a challenge ride, so your target might just be to get round successfully and then if you enjoyed it do another.

SteveR_100Milers

It should be more than within your capability so long as you train for it - I did a similar thing from a position of even less fitness than you, and I'm not particularly fast nor strong, even now after a seasons racing!

oldwelshman

LeighB wrote:

I would have a look at the cut off times for the Sportif you intend to compete in then do a few longer rides to work out the average speed you can maintain. This will give you some idea if you can complete the 100 miles in the time allocated. As for your results/position have a look at the times on the event web site results section. The event I completed last year was 125 miles in quite hilly terrain; in training I could average 15 MPH for 80-90 miles so I expected a time of 8 hours. My finishing time ended up being just under 9 hours as over the last 40 miles fatigue took its toll. Like many other things have a go, it’s the only way to find out what you can do.

I do not see any point in looking at last years results, they will be no guide unless they are expecting same weather.
I did it ind the rain was horizontal and continious for over 6 hours !!!
I would say go for it 100% at your age you will have no problem with a bit of training.
I did london to paris last year with several people over 20 stone and little training and they did it, ok not the fastest but they did it, look at some of the pics on my site below, that will motivate you :-)
You are not that overweight, wait until you see some of them on ride !! Sorry Steve
Increase your mileage as you suggest, then 6 weeks before ride, increase milkeage to about 60 to 70 miles on weekend ride trying to get a hill or two in.
It would also be good to join some others to gauge your progress, but I am sure you will complete it ok.
From what I saw of the route last year between the black clouds it is a lovely route, but for such terrain is really a sill ytime of year for this, same as North Wales fondo because these two areas are notorious for fast changing weather conditions.
Good luck anyway.

milese

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement.

So do you think I should go for the 100 miler? I suppose I've got a while to see how it goes before it fills up and I have to book.

Does this look like a decent training plan?

Week Ending Long Ride Total Distance
13/01/2008 20 70
20/01/2008 25 75
27/01/2008 30 80
03/02/2008 35 85
10/02/2008 40 90
17/02/2008 45 95
24/02/2008 50 100
02/03/2008 55 105
09/03/2008 60 110
16/03/2008 65 115
23/03/2008 70 120
30/03/2008 75 125
06/04/2008 80 130
13/04/2008 85 135
20/04/2008 90 140
27/04/2008 95 145
04/05/2008 100 150

I've got a HRM, should I aim to keep at around 150 - 170 bpm?

Finding hills wont be a problem around here, I could even ride parts of the course if I was keen enough!

pjm-84

I rode it last year and really enjoyed the course. I may ride it this year as well but I give the ceramic rims a miss as they didn't offer any braking in the wet conditions . It's a quick course and I managed to do it a little over 6hrs without brakes for the large part of the ride

I would aim for the long course as it's not too bad of a route. A couple of tough climbs but not a constant bombarment . Have a realistic target and do not try to race with the fitter guys. Use an HRM to gauge your effort.

To ride distance you will need to eat and drink. It's taken me 3years to learn this.I haven't ridden anything longer then an 100km ride in the last 6 months but managed to do a 207km last Sunday in 8hrs by correctly fuelling and felt stronger at the end of the ride then I did at the begining.

Aim to get at least a couple of 100km rides in to give you a degree of confidence for the longer distances. Audax rides are pretty good for this

Aim to be fully hydrated before the ride (something that I forget to do...)

Look to join a club or find a training partner with similar aspirations

Aim to lose weight. This helps on the flat as well as the hills

and the main thing

Enjoy riding.

pjm-84

Doh....

Doing the TBT on the 11th and certainly can't ride two Sportives in a day. :oops: