A Metric Century

on April 28, 2009

I am excited about everyone’s feedback on Project Glow! Of course, everyone’s skin is different, so what worked for Angela might not work for me or you. But in general, I think ANYTHING is going to be better than my Irish Spring soap. 🙂

I had some pineapple to hold me over through lunch this morning:

Lunch was really fabulous:

I stuffed a Flat Out wrap with black beans, brown rice, and some salsa. I had carrots on the side.

And my first mid-afternoon snack was a thick and delish Green Monster:

It contained the usual mix:

1 cup unsweetened almond breeze milk
1 banana
1 tablespoon flax
2 cups kale

Mmm… Green Heaven!

A Metric Century

My Dad and I have been shooting e-mails back and forth all day about a Metric Century Bike Race (about 60 miles) that will take place in June. I think we’re going to sign up! I’m so excited to have a endurance challenge to focus on. I feel pretty lost without a training plan! 🙂

My dad is super athletic and has been racing his entire adult life. Here’s my dad and mom at a triathlon in 1984:

And us on a bike when I was just a wee one:

Has anyone out there ever raced in a Metric Century and, if so, do you have a training plan? I would appreciate any advice! The longest bike race I’ve ever done is 13 miles.

{ 44 comments }

MarlÃ¨ne April 28, 2009, 10:17 am
Woah. You and your mom are IDENTICAL!! You must get that alot.

It’s good, ‘cos you get a sneak peek at what you’ll look like when you’re older… heh heh.
Thinspired April 28, 2009, 10:23 am
Lunch looks delicious! What a cute photo of you and your daddy, and I love one of your parents, too. Your mama is so pretty! You guys do look alike!
Jen Makes Office Supply Art April 28, 2009, 10:34 am
I love that your family is so damn athletic! In my house it was a sin to play high school sports, lest ye become a jock, so I didn’t figure out I was athletic until I was 22! I have never biked that far, though, good luck.
ely7 April 28, 2009, 10:35 am
I’ve done a few metrics, you’ll love it- basically it’s just like running, short rides during the week and long ones on the weekend. you can start by using time as your goal. 1 hour easy and build from there. Nutrition on the bike is really different from running though- you’ll need lots of water and fuel since 62 miles will take you about 4 hours.
tfh April 28, 2009, 10:37 am
Doing a long bike race with your dad would be so cool! Go for it. There’s nothing better than athletic bonding w/ a parent. 🙂 Awww, aren’t early-80s-era dad photos so cute?
Brandi April 28, 2009, 10:50 am
beautiful green monster!

You look just like your mom in that picture! I think the bike race with your dad sounds awesome.

I’ve never done any type of bike race – I am not good on 2 wheels :\
Run Sarah April 28, 2009, 10:53 am
I have a black bean flat out just waiting to be eaten in my lunch today! That bike race sounds fun! My dad does open water swim races so I may join him for one this year.
Runeatrepeat April 28, 2009, 10:55 am
That sounds like fun! I’ve never done more than 26 miles on a bike and I didn’t even train well for that so I can’t help ya with a training plan.
Tina April 28, 2009, 10:57 am
Metric centuries are so much fun! I've done several. And really the only think you really need to worry about is getting your saddle time in, so that your…um…"bum & parts" are used to being on a saddle that long. You are in good enough shape that the actual biking part should come quite easily. Have fun and good luck!
Life.Art.MidnightSnacks. April 28, 2009, 10:58 am
You definitely look like your mom! I actually just signed up for my first marathon and am kinda freaked out about it- good luck on your new adventure! 🙂
Matt April 28, 2009, 10:58 am
A bike race sounds fun! It’ll be a way to keep your mind off running I guess.
Danielle April 28, 2009, 10:59 am
What a great idea for you to focus on biking instead of running!
Your lunch looks fabulous, and obviously your dedication to training is something you’ve gotten from your dad what an awesome thing for him to pass on to you!
Anonymous April 28, 2009, 11:05 am
Wow, you look so much like your mom! I first thought it was a picture of you…
Melissa @ For the Love of Health April 28, 2009, 11:11 am
It’s wonderful that your whole family is active!

Your lunch looks very tasty!
K from ksgoodeats April 28, 2009, 11:33 am
That’s great that your family is so active!! 60 miles! Holy cow!
Lindsay April 28, 2009, 11:37 am
I’ve never “raced” for 60 miles but I have done a 50-60 mile bike ride before, for several days in a row. There’s a bike ride that goes across Iowa, called RAGBRAI. I signed up for the last three days of it. Then I did another ride that goes along the Mississippi River.

I really didn’t have a plan. I just rode my bike a lot during the week, short rides. And the on the weekend did long rides. It’s sorta like running. 🙂

I ended up having to stop after 2 days because of my knees. You know, that whole chondromalacia thing. 🙂 I also did a 1 time 45 mile ride and it hurt then too.

But the good news it that I was using a heavy mountain bike. This past winter I bought a new road bike, much lighter and should be easier to push along. I’m taking a few weeks off after my marathon so I haven’t done any exercise but soon will start on my bike and cannot wait!

I wouldn’t worry about the “racing” part as much as just getting to that point. You could also ride to another town and have Husband pick ya up and then have dinner that night there. That’s what I did as a training ride!
Anonymous April 28, 2009, 11:41 am
I want to try a Green Monster but I am afraid that it will taste nasty :-0 What do you think of the taste? Can you compare it to anything?

Jolene
Holly April 28, 2009, 11:42 am
That is SO exciting! I can’t help you with the how-to, as the farthest I’ve rode is about 12 miles. So we’ll all learn from you. 🙂

And I agree – you and your mom could be sistahs.
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point April 28, 2009, 11:46 am
jolene – dont be scurred 🙂 lol ummmm i would describe it as tasting thick, rich, creamy, vegetabley, and sweet (the banana helps). trust me, if it tasted BAD i wouldnt drink it. i think its pretty yummy, actually!
Rose April 28, 2009, 12:05 pm
Love the flashback photos!
snackpak April 28, 2009, 12:10 pm
I did 100 miles last semester, my first century too! Basically I started off making my long ride a 10 miler (on Saturdays) and during the weekdays I would try to do 4-6 miles. Did that for a couple weeks, and then went up to 15-20 milers for my long ride, and adjusted the weekday rides accordingly. I kept tacking on miles to my long ride until the longest I rode was about a 50 miler. And that was it, before I did the 100 on the day of! They say you don’t actually have to ride the actual amount that you’re going to be riding on race day because the adrenaline will push you through, sort of like a run. Hope that helps! And CUTE photos.
Christy April 28, 2009, 12:10 pm
My husband and I did a 50 mile bike ride in Mexico. It was fantastic! We didn’t officially train for it, but we took Spin classes 2-3 x week and went riding on the weekends (but not for more than 1-2 hours.) There was a HUGE hill they called El Tigre and I am proud to say I was flying by all the other professionals out there with their bike gear. I was so proud! I am excited for you to complete this bike race!
Trish April 28, 2009, 12:19 pm
I’m going to have to try one of those green monsters. 🙂

I wish my family was more athletic. I am the odd one out – the only one who eats healthy and goes to the gym. Heck, I even work in the gym I like it so much!
Keegan April 28, 2009, 12:28 pm
I’ve been training to be part of a relay Half ironman in two weeks. It’s a 56mi bike leg, so close to your 62. I’ve been using triathlete magazine’s training schedule since without some set direction, I would have easily lost motivation early on. It’s been awesome training for it. It’s pretty similar to what people have been describing, mine was just more time based (ride 1 hr this day, 1:20 this day, etc), slowly building the time in the saddle. I love riding and having my trainer made winter riding much better.
Which ride are you planning on doing? Good Luck!!
Colleen April 28, 2009, 12:38 pm
I too thought that was a picture of you…but I was wondering why it looked kinda 80’s! LOL You and your momma are beautiful!
L.A. Daze April 28, 2009, 1:13 pm
I’ve done metric centuries and centuries before. The best thing to do is just to spend time on the bike! Build up your mileage slowly. Learn how to eat and keep yourself hydrated for such an event. I think the most amount of mileage I had done before my first metric was 45 miles and before my first century was 73 miles.

Shoot me an email and I can give you some more advice!
Brooke April 28, 2009, 1:15 pm
That wrap looks fantastic!

The long bike race sounds great! I know what you mean about always wanting to have a goal or something to train for – this sounds perfect because it’ll be gentle on your knees!
My Year Without April 28, 2009, 1:46 pm
Wow, I’ve heard of veggie smoothies but have never seen one. That looks amazing. I can not wait to try making one.

I seem to forget how simple it can be to eat healthy. Sometimes I get caught up in all these fancy ingredients, but your rice/bean burrito grounded me instantly. Thanks!
Amandaaa April 28, 2009, 2:13 pm
That’s exciting!

The picture of your mom and
your dad is great! You look just
like her.

That burrito stuffed with yummy
stuff looks delish!
BOBBI McCORMICK April 28, 2009, 2:27 pm
love the cute old photos:)
Annabel April 28, 2009, 2:28 pm
Aww those pictures of your dad/mom & you and your dad are adorable! Your lunch looks delicious too and I find it very fitting with what I wrote about in my blog today 🙂 http://www.feedmeimcranky.com/?p=637

Take care!
p.s. what are Flat Out wraps and where does one purchase these? I've seen you use them a lot (and other foodie bloggers too) and I haven't seen them around…

Annabel
BOBBI McCORMICK April 28, 2009, 2:28 pm
o and I have always wanted to do a metric century too, just need a good raod bike first!
Carolina John April 28, 2009, 2:38 pm
i’ve done 60 k bike rides and triathlons, but i’ve never tried a metric century. a metric is 66 miles, so basically the training plan just has you biking 3 days a week with a long ride every weekend that eventually gets up to about 50 miles in length. put some hills and some sprints (speed work) in there too, and you’re good to go.

a metric is like the half marathon of bike ride distances. a full century trains just like a full marathon does. if it’s fairly flat with no climbing then you should be able to cover 15 – 18 miles an hour, so you’re still in for a four hour ride. but it’s still fast and fun.

i say go for it girl. you’ll have a blast!
ashley April 28, 2009, 4:28 pm
As a fellow runner I was curious as to your thoughts on Marathon Running and its health side effects. I have completed a marathon and a half marathon and while thinking about signing up for a marathon again recently, I decided to do some research into the controversy about if marathons are actually harmful to your health. After reading articles such as this: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27460551/, I wonder if they are right and if half marathons are the safer distance in the long run. (health speaking) what are you thoughts?
Kelly April 28, 2009, 4:39 pm
Gonna share one of my favorite swamp water recipes with you:
2 cups spinach
1 cup unswetened vanilla almond milk
1 T. flax seed
1 C. ice
1 orange, peeled
1 kiwi (the fruit, not the bird) peeled
1 banana
sweetener of choice, I use Stevia

Blend and enjoy. It’s so totally yum and filling.
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point April 28, 2009, 5:06 pm
ashley – i have heard similar things that marathon running is really bad for you, and i’m inclined to believe that it would be negative for a lot of people to run that distance. running longggg distances is wearing on your joints, ligaments, muscles, immune system, and puts tons of stress on your heart. i dont think there are BENEFITS to running a marathon over a half marathon. personally, i will never run a marathon (for a lot of reasons) and if you feel better suited for shorter distances, definitely try those.

kelly – awesome recipe!!
Anya April 28, 2009, 5:22 pm
You look SO much like your mom! I thought that was you in the picture! I’m super jealous of you having an athletic family, I hope to have one too one day.
Abby April 28, 2009, 6:11 pm
How cool that you and your dad are racing together!
lauren April 28, 2009, 8:32 pm
Hey caitlin…very exciting about the metric century!! I did a century a few years back as part of a 150 mile weekend to benefit ms. I would say increase your mileage like running but I didn’t have a plan I followed as mine was not a race-just a ride for a good cause. I will be excited to follow your training though and see what u do!
healthy ashley April 29, 2009, 6:47 am
DO IT!!!!!!

I’m going to sign David and myself up for it. As it is we ride about 30-something miles every Sunday. I think it’s about time we up that mileage and do a race! You should totally go for it!
loveofoats.com April 29, 2009, 7:34 am
you can so do it! i've biked in 7 races so far consisting of 65 miles or more and i really think you can kick butt if you give it a go! you are such a dedicated athlete so don't worry about it and just dive right in 🙂 I love biking just like you love running, can ya tell haha…

i never really had a formal training plan but I just focused on getting in long rides every weekend and during the week I did spinning 3-4 times a week…

For me, lower body strength training & stretching also helps… as well as a great road bike, padded bike shorts, and a Camelbak…
Sarah W. April 29, 2009, 8:29 am
you totally look like your mom in that pic!!!!!!!
DoubleDigits April 29, 2009, 1:27 pm
Bike ride advice? Padded seat and padded shorts. Seriously.
Tina May 7, 2009, 1:14 pm
Can you tell me what part of the grocery store you find the Flat Out Wraps in? I know my stores should carry them (based on the companies website) but I can’t find them near the torillas, the bread, or the pitas. HELP!!

Keep up with the riding. It’s great. I also did RAGBRAI that Lindsey was talking about. It’s so much fun to ride in big rallies.

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