advice on training please

reallyarunner

Hi,

Hope some of you lovely people can help. I have entered a 50 mile sportive in peak district on 12 June in an attempt to regain fitness and to give me a target to aim for. Unfortunately, due to work and family commitments, I have only been able to get out twice a week and the furthest I have got so far is 20 miles (on Friday). To give some context, I haven't cycled for three years prior to the last four weeks, but before this rode fairly regularly - the longest i did was 50 ish miles. At this time i was a regular runner (10k - marathon) and cyclist but injury and family commitments curtailed my fitness and i am a stone and a half heavier. My question is this - what is the longest ride i should do in prep? how soon before? is it a do-able target? Thanks

chrisdouglas

I'd say you wanna focus on building your endurance as quickly as possible. Long rides of medium intensity will help, 20+ miles I'd have thought, maybe 3-5 a week until the event..

It is a tough deadline to make and I doubt that you'll cycle the whole thing, no doubt there'll be times were you'll be walking/pushing. Do the best you can but give yourself the last few days before the event off as rest days, as well as making sure you rest plenty over the next few weeks training.

Make sure your diet is bang on too and you're getting enough carbs. Then on the day make sure you've got enough food/drink to keep you going and avoid bonking on the ride.

I'm sure no matter what you'll have fun though mate.

njee20

Cycling isn't like running - it doesn't get exponentially harder with distance unlike running.

If you can ride 20 miles you can ride 50. Pace yourself, keep fuelled, you'll be fine.

Just do as many miles as you can before the day. Time in the saddle is all you need. Again, it's not like a marathon where you should aim for 80% distance in training - if you've got a chance to do 50 (or 60, or 100) miles then go for it.

reallyarunner

Thanks folks. just back from a two hour ride. all advice taken on board