Tomorrow, we ride.

A PMC Timeline:

• In January, I registered for my 12th Pan-Mass Challenge.
• In April, I started fundraising to raise critical cancer research dollars.
• In May, I started commuting to work by bike to get stronger.
• In June, I traveled - a lot - and missed my bike - a lot.
• In July, I collected donations totaling $4,500 and rode my bike up a mountain to get stronger.
• Today, I head to Sturbridge, the PMC starting line.
• Tomorrow, we ride.

To the 88 of you who have contributed in support of my 12th Pan-Mass Challenge, THANK YOU. You are a huge part of the fight against cancer, and I am honored to ride with your support. Thanks to your generosity, I am only $1,265 from meeting my $8,000 fundraising goal.

To those who have yet to donate, today would be a fantastic time to jump on my virtual handlebars and join me in the quest for a cancer-free world! 100% of your donation will directly support the programs and research that are saving lives, including the lives of your friends and family. Visit my fundraising page to make your secure donation.

Finally, it's become an annual tradition to carry the names of people who have battled cancer to honor their lives and/or memories. I have my own list of people "We Ride For..." but I also carry the names that my donors wish to honor. Please email me or submit a comment below if you'd like me to write anyone's name on the "We Ride For..." banners tomorrow night. After they are covered in names, the banners fly high over the finish line in Provincetown. Knowing the names of my grandmother, our pedal partner Anna, and my team captain, Dave, are on there bring me to tears every year. I'd be happy to write down your names as well.

Tomorrow, we ride. Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.

Climb to the Clouds

This past Sunday, I did my annual "PMC litmus test" ride, which is called "Climb to the Clouds." There are various routes, but I chose the 60-mile route that goes up Mount (yes, as in MOUNTAIN) Wachusett. It was a hot, muggy day, as it always seems to be. As much as I would have loved 70-degree weather, it's a great test for the Pan-Mass Challenge - if you can handle this ride in that heat, you are ready for the PMC.

The first 20 miles of the ride are rather hilly (almost every street we ride on has "Hill" in the name), and then we start our ascent up Wachusett (on aptly named Mile Hill Road). It's a mile of a constant, relatively steep grade - the road winds slightly so you don't see the top until you get there. Then it's a looping road that goes up to the summit of the mountain. The steepness varies on this road, so you get a few breaks, but it is also steeper than Mile Hill Road in parts. Making it to the top feels like a huge accomplishment - can't you see the joy on my face?!

The remaining 35 miles are always hillier than I remember them to be. I was thirsty, hot, crampy, hot, and hot most of the way. Based on my performance, I am BARELY ready for the PMC. Boy was I tired. But I DID IT. By the way, I just looked at how much elevation I gained on the ride - 3,500 feet. That's almost 5 Prudential Center towers!

Speaking of the PMC, it starts in 9 days! Where did the summer go?! If you haven't yet made your cancer-fighting donation, do it today! It could save a life. Thank you! Click here to make your donation.

$2,500 in 7 Days Challenge!

It's early July (How did that happen? I feel like I was shoveling snow just yesterday!) and it's full-on summer, which means it's PMC training season. I've been traveling like crazy (9 trips in 9 weeks!) and I've struggled to get miles in on the bike. I am on vacation this week in Provincetown, however, and I got out for a short ride where I did repeats of the notorious Provincetown Dunes. I didn't feel as strong as I'd like, but it was good training. Despite my busy schedule, I'm confident I'll be able to conquer those hills in three weeks!

My fundraising continues as well. Today I launch my $2,500 in 7 Days Challenge! This is THE WEEK for you to make your donation! Every day I will be posting stories on Facebook of why I ride and what the event is like to give you a glimpse of why I do this year in and year out. I hope that it inspires you to make a generous donation to support the innovative cancer research that the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is conducting.

Why not make your cancer-fighting donation today? It'll make you fee soooo good, I promise! Visit my fundraising page to contribute. Thank you!