Getting Stronger!

The Pan-Mass Challenge is in 11 days! I've been ramping up my training over the last few weeks to prepare for my 3-day, 275-mile journey across the Commonwealth - all with the goal of raising funds to fight cancer.

Last weekend, Ian and I did the annual Climb to the Clouds ride, a 60-mile ride up to the top of Mount Wachusett (2,000 feet above sea level!). It was a hot day, so we got an early-ish start. The foothills that lead to the mountain are tough, but are a breeze compared to the two-tiered climb to the summit. The first section is on aptly named Mile Hill Road - it's over a mile at a relatively steady but steep angle, starting at the mountain's base and climbing to the Visitor Center. From there, you get a brief reprieve before tackling the summit road (which is steep enough to be a ski trail in the winter!). That road has more flat and downhill parts, which means the rest is even steeper than Mile Hill Road. I can't explain to you the sense of accomplishment when you get to the top! It takes a few minutes for my heart rate to come down to actually appreciate the view. But it's a nice one, as you can see in the photo above!

Yesterday, Ian set out on another hot day (sensing a theme) to the South Shore to do one of our favorite routes: the South Shore Coastal Loop. If you look at the map on that link, you'll see that what we did isn't actually a loop. Instead of driving to Rockland to start the ride, we left from home and rode through Dorchester, Quincy, and Weymouth to get to the starting line. That let us enjoy the coastal scenery and end in Hull, which is a long spit of land that sticks out into Boston harbor. Instead of riding back down through Hull and on boring, busy roads back to Rockland, we took the ferry from Hull to Boston - a mere 23-minute ride. And THE BOAT HAD A BAR! It was the perfect end to a great training ride.

As fun as this all sounds (and it is VERY fun!), I'm doing all of this for an extremely worthy cause. I have committed to raising $8,000 this year for the Jimmy Fund, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's fundraising arm. If you choose to support my efforts, 100 percent of your donation will go straight to the Jimmy Fund, which supports Dana-Farber's innovative cancer research and its life-saving and compassionate cancer care. Please join me and donate today. Thank you!

$2,000 in 7 Days Challenge!

I did a training ride in the dunes of Provincetown yesterday!

It's that time again! I'm setting a goal to raise $2,000 over the next 7 days for my Pan-Mass Challenge ride. The funds that I raise, with your support, help to fund the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, one of the world's leading cancer research and treatment centers. The PMC provides over half of the Dana-Farber's annual funding to support innovative research that is leading to cancer cures, and compassionate care of the patients they serve. 100 percent of your donation will go straight to the Jimmy Fund, the Dana-Farber's fundraising arm. I strongly believe that supporting the Dana-Farber through the PMC is one of the BEST things you can do to fight cancer. Please join me and make your donation today!

2016 marks my 13th year riding the PMC, and I couldn't be more excited to get back to it! This year, I am doing the unofficial "Day 0" which includes an extra day (and 90 miles) of riding through the Berkshires and Western Mass prior to the start of the official ride. I am doing Day 0 in memory of our beloved teammate, Danno, who passed away last year. We will have quite a contingent in Danno's honor - I know he'd be proud! Three more weeks to train!

PMC Training in the Green Mountains

The Lesbaru loaded with our bikes!

Last Saturday, Ian and I drove up to Vermont to ride in the Long Trail Century Ride, which benefits Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, an organization that empowers people of all abilities through inclusive sports and recreational programming, regardless of ability to pay. We were both excited to support this cause and to ride the 60-mile that the ride organizers had put together. Riding in a state whose motto includes the word "mountain" was a good way to train for the PMC as well!

A few of my Team Kinetic Karma teammates (Joe, Vicky, Amanda, and Christine), joined Ian and me on the ride. The route is gorgeous and simple - only 5 turns - which helped us keep our focus on conquering the climbs instead of fumbling with a cue sheet. The route starts with a gradual downhill with some rolling hills. Then, around mile 10, you start a 6-mile, 700-foot ascent. Ian, Christine, and I skipped the awkwardly placed rest stop at the tippy top of the hill (just on the side of the road, no real place to pull off comfortably) and spun out our legs on the fast, bumpy descent. We met up with Joe, Vicky, and Amanda at the second rest stop (37 miles in). After saying goodbye and getting back on the road, a nice Canadian gentleman joined our paceline. Then he dropped his chain and we ditched him like true patriots. Murica!

There was a gradual ascent that led back into another gradual descent - we took advantage of our momentum and picked up the pace. My average speed kept climbing as we approached the Brewery (and BEER). We finished earlier than expected, just before 1 PM - just as the heat of the day was settling in.

I decided in advance that I'd be happy with a 16 mph average. I haven't been training as much as I usually do, and it was a new course in a mountainous state. I set the bar low. Way too low apparently. We finished with an average speed of 18.2! Those are PMC Day 2 speeds for me, not June training ride speeds! I have Christine and Ian to thank for doing much of the pulling!

This is just one of the many training rides I will need to undertake to prepare for my 3-day, 275-mile Pan-Mass Challenge ride in August. Please consider making a donation to support my efforts to raise money for the Jimmy Fund! 100% of your donation will go directly to the Jimmy Fund in support of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's life-saving research and compassionate care. Please visit my fundraising page to make your donation today. Thanks! 

Inspiration for My 13th PMC

This year marks my 13th consecutive Pan-Mass Challenge. I've been doing this ride for a while, but by no means has it become routine or ordinary. Every year's ride is different. My first PMC in 2004, which I rode on a hybrid bike, was more difficult than I had imagined. My ride in 2010, my first as a member of Team Kinetic Karma, was where I realized I had tapped into an amazing group of people who would become my friends. The torrential downpours in 2014 made that soaking wet ride one for the record books.

So what will make the 2016 stand out for me? It's who I'll ride for: Danno, Jeff, and Anna.

Danno is the one with the giant glasses and the huge grin.

Danno joined Team Kinetic Karma in 2011 and was a strong presence on our team ever since. A bicycle mechanic with his own shop in his garage, he was always at the ready to fix a flat, true a wheel, or, in my case, tell me that my frame was cracked. Danno also served as our team's athletic trainer, offering cycling workshops and giving advice during our long rides. He was also one of the spirited members of our team. Every time he saw a dog, he'd yell "puppy!" and it always made me smile. He and his wife, who lived just off of the PMC route, opened their home to our team and provided us with our own private rest stop, complete with fresh fruit, baked goods, and, of course, a bike shop for repairs. Danno passed away last fall doing what he loved most - cycling with his friends. This year, I dedicate my ride in Danno's memory. 

Dave, my team captain (left), and Jeff (right) in 2014.

Jeff was a childhood friend of my team captain, Dave. He had since relocated to California and was beginning an acting career when Dave was diagnosed with Stage 3 throat cancer. Inspired by Dave's fight, Jeff joined Team Kinetic Karma in 2014 (yes, the torrential rain year) to ride for his friend. Jeff was far from being a seasoned cyclist, but he crossed that finish line like we all did that year - soaking wet, and smiling. Sadly, Jeff was diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma in November, shortly after Danno passed away. The cancer had grown too strong for modern medicine, Jeff's determination, and the thoughts and prayers of his loved ones to defeat. He passed away in January. This year, I dedicate my ride in Jeff's memory.

Anna and her father at last week's Pedal Partner Party!

Anna, Team Kinetic Karma's "pedal partner," is a sweet, strong, and charismatic nine-year old who, in October 2013, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Anna's doctors at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute put her on a chemotherapy regimen to rid her of her cancer. 32 days of induction (intense chemotherapy immediately after the diagnosis). Three rounds of three-week-long consolidation (more chemotherapy). Cranial radiation. 32 weeks of chemotherapy shots. Lumbar punctures. Pneumonia. Blood transfusions. This girl endured so much. Her treatments ended this past December, and I am thrilled to report that Anna is thriving! We saw her at the Pedal Partner Party earlier this month - she was thrilled to see "her bike team" and meet Wally, the Green Monster! Anna has many decades of smiles ahead of her. This year, I dedicate my ride in Anna's honor.

Inspired by Danno, Jeff, and Anna, I will expand my 2016 Pan-Mass Challenge by riding "Day 0," 90 miles from the MA/NY border to Sturbridge one the day before the PMC. That turns my ride into a 3-day, 275-mile Pan-Mass Challenge. I'm also raising my fundraising goal to $8,000 to match my increased physical commitment. Please join me in honoring Danno, Jeff, and Anna by making your cancer-fighting donation today. 100% of your donation will go straight to Dana-Farber's innovative cancer research and compassionate and life-saving care. 

Please visit http://profile.pmc.org/JF0128 to make your donation. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

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!