R.A.IN training miles

[Miranda]

What's a realistic time table to train for the distance of R.A.IN?
http://www.bloomingtonbicycleclub.or...rain/rain.html

For my century last Fall, I followed a plan from the book in this link that took me about 3mos to ramp the miles up. http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-.../dp/1579541992

Unfortunately, I had my dog crash incident, and never got to finish the event. Hoping it's true that lightening rarely strikes twice in the same spot!

Anyrate, my furthest training distance was 70mi. Pretty sure I could have cranked out the last 30mi ok in the event.

Well... just started riding as weather is finally warming up here in the midwest. But, just doesn't seem like 2.5mos (event date 7-17-10) will even be enough time to ramp up the miles?

Ops / experiences? Please share. TYIA.

[Mr. SR500]

I would think a long ride up to 120 miles two weeks before, and maybe a century 2 weeks before that. So if you are able to do about 50 miles now, just ramp up the weekly mileage - 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, (2 wks), 120, (2 wks), RAIN. Just one long ride a week, but also try ramp up your total weekly mileage in a similar manner. Be sure to recover after your long or hard rides.

[indysteel]

What's a realistic time table to train for the distance of R.A.IN?
http://www.bloomingtonbicycleclub.or...rain/rain.html

For my century last Fall, I followed a plan from the book in this link that took me about 3mos to ramp the miles up. http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-.../dp/1579541992

Unfortunately, I had my dog crash incident, and never got to finish the event. Hoping it's true that lightening rarely strikes twice in the same spot!

Anyrate, my furthest training distance was 70mi. Pretty sure I could have cranked out the last 30mi ok in the event.

Well... just started riding as weather is finally warming up here in the midwest. But, just doesn't seem like 2.5mos (event date 7-17-10) will even be enough time to ramp up the miles?

Ops / experiences? Please share. TYIA.

I've done RAIN twice. Each time, I had a 100 to 110 mile ride over Memorial Day weekend under my belt before RAIN. In addition to that, I had lots of long, back-to-back weekend rides and weeks with 150-200 total miles. I knew plenty of people who have ridden RAIN with fewer miles than that, however. Training for the ride depends, in part, on how hard you want to ride it.

So long as your butt and legs are used to being in the saddle for long stretches, finishing RAIN really comes down to nutrition and hydration and a bit of good luck. With respect to nutrition and hydration, you absolutely have to stay on top of both, especially hydration. Your training rides should focus, in part, on developing the discipline to eat and drink regularly and figuring out what your stomach can handle.

The luck comes with the weather. Heat and wind make a big difference in how doable the ride is. If you have a pleasant day with a good tailwind, the ride is honestly not all that hard. If you have a decent group to ride with, it can be even easier.

Good luck. It's a fun ride.

If you haven't already made hotel reservations in Terre Haute, I would recommend that you do that soon btw.

[Miranda]

Thx thus far for the feedback.