"and boy are my legs tired!"

Remember that "500 miles in June" goal that I set for myself? Consider it done.
Today I rode my first century ride (100+ miles) of the season to end the month with 512 cycling miles under my figurative belt. I'm proud of myself for having achieved such an ambitious goal. I am also satisfied with other elements of my training - I rode two days back-to-back twice (an important training strategy to prepare for the 2-day PMC) and tackled some particularly steep and long climbs throughout the month. My legs feel stronger than they ever have - bring on the PMC!
I hope that achieving this goal helps you understand my level of commitment to the Pan-Mass Challenge and all that it does for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Every time I sit on that saddle I think of the families that benefit from the advancements in cancer therapies and passionate care provided by Dana-Farber and how it is made possible by your donations. I am honored to know that the work that I am doing is playing a part in forming a cancer-free future. In future posts I'll tell you more about exactly how your donations are crucial in the fight against cancer.
Please make your donation today. Thank you for your support!

I will ride 500 miles (and I will raise $500 more!)

Ah, that song takes me back to my college years...
Anyway, Here's an update of my training progress. Since my time at the beginning of the month was taken up by graduation (yay!) and vacation (yay yay!!), I had to fit this month's training for the Pan-Mass Challenge in the last two weeks of June. I set an ambitious goal of riding 500 miles, which is an average of just over 30 miles per day of potential riding. As of today, I've ridden 284 miles over five riding days. I have seven days left in the month to achieve my goal. Can I do it? I think so, but it'll take a lot of motivation. That's where you come in.
To date I've raised $1,390, just over 20% of my total goal of raising $6,300. I would like to finish the month having raised $2,000 to motivate me to climb those hills. Like my training goal, this too is ambitious. However, my supporters have come through for me in the past, and I am confident that - with your help - we can achieve this goal too.
Remember, 100% of your donation will go directly to the Jimmy Fund in its support of cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, one of the world's leading cancer research facilities. I feel very strongly that a donation to the Pan-Mass Challenge is an investment in a cancer-free future. Please join the fight by supporting my ride. Click here to make an online donation. Thank you!

Training Update

To train for the Pan-Mass Challenge, riders must put in countless hours in the saddle in order to prepare themselves for the grueling two-day trek in August. Unfortunately, I'm a bit behind in my training schedule. I rode just over 186 miles in May - nothing to sneeze at, but certainly not where I should be. Though I have a good excuse for my inactivity (I was busy finishing my thesis, which is DONE!), I need to get back out on the road.
I've set a goal of riding 500 miles in June. This mileage will put me at 750 miles for the season and will prepare me for some long and challenging training rides in July (Climb to the Clouds, anyone?). This is an ambitious goal, especially since I am either busy (graduation is on Friday!) or out-of-state (vacation!!) for a considerable portion of the month. I can do it, though (mostly because I don't have a job yet). I see bike rides to the beach in Gloucester in my future!

Riding for Charlotte

One of the best parts of PMC weekend happens as riders arrive at the Lakeville water stop (85 miles into the first day). Photos of children currently undergoing cancer treatment line the road for the last half mile before the stop. At the water stop, these children greet the riders with huge smiles and cheers and provide the inspiration to continue on the long trek. This year, my teammates and I are riding for one of these children. Meet Charlotte Casgar.
Charlotte is a radiant three-year-old with a passion for princesses and Dora the Explorer. In January of this year, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a common form of childhood leukemia. Charlotte has been undergoing an intense treatment plan that has involved long and short stays in the hospital, numerous visits to the Jimmy Fund Clinic, and at-home treatments. She is a champ at taking her medicine and getting twice-daily "leg pricks." Though cancer treatment is anything but fun, Charlotte has demonstrated amazing strength, and her sense of humor has not wavered.
Luckily for Charlotte, ALL is very treatable, thanks to advancements in the treatment of leukemia of the last few decades. The five-year survival rate for children under five years old that are diagnosed with ALL is 91%. Thanks to the research conducted at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and other world-class cancer centers, Charlotte is very likely to beat this disease and live a long and healthy life.
Charlotte is Team Kinetic Karma's 2010 Pedal Partner. We're riding in her honor and are inspired by her fight. We were lucky to meet this brave little girl last weekend at the PMC Pedal Partner Party at Fenway Park. Here's a photo of Charlotte and her dad (center) and some of the members of Team Kinetic Karma.

I ride the PMC so that children like Charlotte can get the world-class care that they deserve to help them fight their cancer. I hope to one day live in a world without cancer, and your donations are getting us Closer By The Mile. Please make a donation to support my ride in honor of Charlotte.
For more information about Charlotte and her fight against ALL, visit her family's blog.

Team Kinetic Karma

When there are 5,500 bicyclists on the road, it can be pretty hard to distinguish one person from another, particularly since on the first day of the PMC, all riders wear the same jersey. On the second day, riders are encouraged to wear PMC jerseys from years past or jerseys that represent the PMC team that they are on. I've always been in the first category of jersey-wearers, but 2010 will be different.
This year, I've decided to join Team Kinetic Karma. This group of 20-or-so riders has come together with a common goal: the eradication of cancer. Since 2003, the team has raised over $642,000 for the Jimmy Fund! I'm proud to have joined such a dedicated team of riders.
I've been on two training rides with a few team members so far. It's clear that some of these guys are going to give me a run for my money. I'm not slow, but I struggle to keep up on the uphills this early in the season. I'm happy to have that extra push to ride hard.
One of the great benefits of being part of a team is the ability to join the PMC's pedal partner program. The PMC pairs teams of riders with a child that is currently undergoing treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. This year, Team Kinetic Karma will ride in honor of Charlotte Casgar, a young girl battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). The team and I will be meeting her on May 15th at the PMC pedal partner party. I'll write about this brave girl in a future post.
Gooooooo Team!

Training for '10

After emerging from a New England winter that was truncated by epic rainfall in March, it's finally starting to look like spring in Boston. Daffodils are peaking from the earth, robins are returning from their tropical vacations, and Pan-Mass Challenge riders are emerging from their long slumber - I mean hardcore indoor workout regimens.
I have signed up to ride in my 7th Pan-Mass Challenge, the 190-mile ride across Massachusetts on the first weekend of August. Since the ride is a mere four months away, I'll be spending a lot of my time training and fundraising. Come back to this blog often for updates!
This year, I've decided to join Team Kinetic Karma. It is a group of 15-20 riders of all abilities who train and ride together in the event. I'm very excited to be joining the team, and I'll write more about it in a future blog post.
Stay tuned for future updates on my training and fundraising. In the meantime, visit my fundraising page to make a donation toward my ride. My goal is to raise $6,300 this year for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. 100% of your donation will go directly to the cause. Make your donation today!

$270,000,000!

Thanks to generous donors, the Pan-Mass Challenge has once again exceeded its annual fundraising goal. In 2009, the PMC ride raised $30,384,200, exceeding the $30 million goal! This year's total adds to the 30-year fundraising total of $270 million for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. What an accomplishment!
I am humbled by the outpouring of support I received for my sixth ride. Even in these tough economic times, my donors allowed me to raise more than ever before. You are making such a profound impact in the lives of others, and for that I thank you.
In a few weeks, I'll be registering for my seventh PMC ride. I am grateful for the opportunity that you all give me to experience the best humanity has to offer, packaged into a 190-mile weekend. Happy new year!
Click here to read the full press release about the 2009 donation.