I just did my first century last weekend (111 actually, and I'd say those last 11 seemed like the longest 11).
Here's my question, do those last 20 miles get any easier? I ate consistently every 15-20 miles, I was drinking a ton of water and gatorade when I could get it. I was fine until about mile 90-95, at which point I just couldn't keep my pace anymore, I dropped probably 3-4 mph or so for those last miles.
I assume that I just ran out of energy, but I didn't really feel like I could eat anymore. I wonder if this is a symptom of eating during the ride simply not being able to keep up with the required expenditures of the ride, and at around mile 90 the deficit I was running all along caught up with me?
Will my body get better at handling this? I mean next time I do this will the glycogen stores remain intact a little longer? Or is there some set limit to the stores my body has and I just need to force myself to eat more along the way so I don't crash at the end?
Here's my question, do those last 20 miles get any easier? I ate consistently every 15-20 miles, I was drinking a ton of water and gatorade when I could get it. I was fine until about mile 90-95, at which point I just couldn't keep my pace anymore, I dropped probably 3-4 mph or so for those last miles.
I assume that I just ran out of energy, but I didn't really feel like I could eat anymore. I wonder if this is a symptom of eating during the ride simply not being able to keep up with the required expenditures of the ride, and at around mile 90 the deficit I was running all along caught up with me?
Will my body get better at handling this? I mean next time I do this will the glycogen stores remain intact a little longer? Or is there some set limit to the stores my body has and I just need to force myself to eat more along the way so I don't crash at the end?