Audax is an endurance sport, if sport is the right word for it. A few things have really helped me when working back up to distance after taking time off.
1) Get out in the saddle for the time. Somewhere between 10 and 11 hours is about normal on a flattish 200k for the bulk of riders. Get out and ride for the day, even if it's just for a slow run at short distances.
2) Sort out your eating and drinking. Make sure you're getting the right food and hydration that works for you. Everyone is different so tips are a good place to start but you'll find it infinitely easier if you can get the right fuel in you when you need it. Learning when a bonk is coming is handy to. Helps you avoid the downward spirals that can make the end of a ride a bit miserable.
3) Speed sessions. Doing short distances at speed, such as your commute, will help build your general speed making the distance more comfortable.
4) Economy of motion. Group riding, as well as distracting you from some of the task at hand, reduces the effort needed. Does help if you can remember not to decide you can ride a bit harder and disappear off the front only to be shelled by the peleton a short while later as you're fading. Learning to descend well and properly exploit descents will save some energy for later on in the ride.
Audax is an endurance sport, if sport is the right word for it. A few things have really helped me when working back up to distance after taking time off.
1) Get out in the saddle for the time. Somewhere between 10 and 11 hours is about normal on a flattish 200k for the bulk of riders. Get out and ride for the day, even if it's just for a slow run at short distances.
2) Sort out your eating and drinking. Make sure you're getting the right food and hydration that works for you. Everyone is different so tips are a good place to start but you'll find it infinitely easier if you can get the right fuel in you when you need it. Learning when a bonk is coming is handy to. Helps you avoid the downward spirals that can make the end of a ride a bit miserable.
3) Speed sessions. Doing short distances at speed, such as your commute, will help build your general speed making the distance more comfortable.
4) Economy of motion. Group riding, as well as distracting you from some of the task at hand, reduces the effort needed. Does help if you can remember not to decide you can ride a bit harder and disappear off the front only to be shelled by the peleton a short while later as you're fading. Learning to descend well and properly exploit descents will save some energy for later on in the ride.