Originally posted by FLETCHER
I am training for the etape - which is in two weeks - The maximum distance I have done is 100miles. The etape is 150. I am now winding down. I have been doing about 120miles a week for the last 3 months - averaging around 15-16mph. Have I still got a chance at completing the etape. What sort of distances do people do leading up to a long endurance event?
I am doing the Etape too.
120 miles per week for 12 weeks – gives you 1400 odd miles, right ?
I hope it’s enough for you.
Being blunt, there is no point in trying to pile in miles at this point because
you’ll only tire yourself out and with it being so close to the Etape, this would not be advisable.
The Etape this year is very tough.
Have you seen the profile of it ?
The climbs are very tough and I think there are 11 in all.
The temperature in Limoges-St.Flour can hit mid 30’s quite easily – so all in all it
could be a very tough day.
For this years Etape – I was aiming to have 4000 miles in from between 17th March to 9th July.
I will hit 3000 miles by the end of next week (just can’t get the time to cycle 4000 miles).
(I will have done 200 hours cycling at an average 16mph = 3,200 miles).
This is my first Etape and I want to make sure that I can do it.
(Like you, I hit between 15-18mph average speed).
I used to compete years ago but now I am an alsoran.
Covering 150 miles for your first time out will be difficult as you have never hit this distance before.
What I would strongly suggest that you do is to pace yourself from the start of theEtape.
There are 7000 people doing the Etape this year, of varying levels of fitness.
Naturally at the start line, the adrenalin will be flowing and people will be very excitable.
Some people will get carried away and blow up because they will let this whole event get to them and they will start off too quickly.
You have simply got to ignore everyone around you for the first two hours and just ride at your own pace.
Their tempo is not your tempo.
You need to select your speed and cycle at your own rate.
You need to realise that you will need as much energy as possible toward the end of this event – rather than at the beginning of the Etape.
The course is tougher from 130km to 230kms : and the fact that you will have 130kms in your legs by the time you reach that marker will make the second part of the Etape course, tougher.
You must also eat at every feed station – even if you’re not hungry, you need fuel to cover 150 miles, so eating is crucial.
Don’t eat before a climb – you don’t want your body diverting blood to aid digestion while climbing and drink plenty of liquid before and during the Etape.