Pan Mass Challenge 2017

This was my 4th Pan Mass Challenge (PMC).  My second out of Sturbridge.

It really is hard to know what to say about the two days on my bicycle with nearly 6,000 like minded bikers.

Billy Star provided some stats, so let's start there:

This charity ride is very important to me, really, it is the high point of my year.  I've been raising funds for Lung Cancer awareness and research since 2011, running 1/2 and full marathons for the cause was one thing, but to me, this is a bit more.  The whole event is focused around raising funds for cancer research, period.  My total fund raising for this event is approaching $25,000 for the 4 years I have been riding.  This is fully a result of my generous friends and family!  Thank you!

2017 is the 10th year my mother has been living with lung cancer.  That is truly astounding.  With a small hop forward in lung cancer treatment, the 5-year survival rate has budged from 15% to 17%.  We are still losing more than 50% of those diagnosed with lung cancer in the first year.

So 100 people get diagnosed, let us be generous and say 50 of them live a year, of those 50, eight or nine people will make it 5 years or more post diagnosis.  Pretty cruel fact, facts are facts, and I want to see those facts changed.

Oh and before you get all well they smoked, didn't they?  60% of those diagnosed with lung cancer either have never smoked or haven’t smoked for decades.  Honestly, does anyone DESERVE cancer?  no, no they don't.

In 2014 I joined Team LUNGSTRONG.  LUNGSTRONG was formed in 2011 with 8 riders in the PMC. We are now over 60 riders strong!  LUNGSTRONG rides to benefit LUNG CANCER research at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, under the direction of Dr. Pasi Janne, where there is a commitment to world-class care and innovative lung cancer research to develop new, more effective diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.

Lung Cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, killing more Americans each year than breast, prostate, colon and pancreatic cancers, combined. Yet lung cancer research is the least funded, relative to mortality rates.  With increased funding for research, we can reduce the mortality rates for lung cancer.

The Lowe Center of Thoracic Oncology at Dana Farber is a leader in innovative research in lung cancer. As one of the nation's premier lung cancer programs, the Lowe Center of Thoracic Oncology is raising the bar for thoracic treatments by fostering collaboration between its clinical and laboratory researchers in order to provide optimal, individualized therapies to patients.

It is kind of a big deal, at least I think so and the people treated at Dana Farber think so and the people and their families benefiting, even if it is only for a short while, from the research done at Dana Farber.

So the fun part of this is the ride.  Like I said in my previous post I do get wiggy about things, more about the logistics and a little bit about the doing of it.  That many miles and hours on a bicycle is a big commitment, physically and mentally.  Anyone goes into a big event slightly sleep deprived and anxious, I can't believe anyone is completely calm.  If you are, what's your secret???

Friday I took the day off.  I was going to work from home, but only did a few things, probably enough to not take it as a vacation day, but we shall see how this all shakes out at the end of the year,  I usually end up carrying days over anyhow.

I didn't want to miss out on getting an overnight parking spot at the hotel, I wouldn't be staying at that hotel but that would be the hub and where I would be dropped off on Sunday evening.  I got up there way too early.  Lesson learned.  But I was able to find a nice cool spot to veg for a couple hours before registration opened and I could pick up my stuff, get my bike looked at, and take part in the drinks and food.

My pre ride bike evaluation turned up what looked like a small cut in the sidewall of my brand new front tire.  Do I get a new one or not.  I got a new one.  I could hear my father and my imaginary husband saying, 'They are just trying to get money out of you, you don't need a new tire'.  But then who exactly was going to be there when, in the predicted rain for Saturday's 109-mile ride, was going to be there them? or me?  Me.  So a new tire it was.  Did I do the right thing?  Sure, it gave me peace of mind.  Otherwise Randy said my bike checked out, he cleaned the chain and lubed it and pumped up the tires and I was ready to rack my bike and go find some food and beer.

After a bit of a snafu getting to the right hotel for the night, I snuggled in for a few hours for my 3:30 wake up to get this party started!  I slept fairly well for trying to sleep in a stuffy room with daylight peeking in through every crack in the curtains!

4 a.m. on the bus ready to get some breakfast and get on the bike to roll at 5:15 a.m.!

The rain was off again on again in that annoying misty spray, it was hard to know to put on my rain jacket or not and I was on the verge of leaving it in my car when I decided to keep it with me and managed to shove it in my cycle bag under my seat.  I ended up needing it with in a mile of starting and then again after lunch when the rain came down like BBs.

The first few miles we are rolling on US20 East bound closed to traffic.  It is AMAZING to have the whole road with just cyclists.

This also helps everyone sort themselves out so when we do get on secondary roads and have to stay to the right people are about where they belong pace wise, much like a trail race where the field sorts it self out and much like a trail race, the road runners get WAY too far up in the mid/back of the pack and then cause a traffic jam once we get on single track.  And like a trail race, the best place to pass these folks is up a hill.  Good thing I love hills!  Nothing is more self-satisfying than saying "ON YOUR LEFT" as you crank past someone struggling up a hill.  Tee hee....

It is so amazing to see how many people are out so early cheering on the riders.  The tears start quickly with the signs about survivors and especially the children diagnosed at a young age and then the child holding the sign, I'm so and so.  SOB SOB SOB!!!

The first stop is Whittinsville, 25 miles in.  Here I was able to get rid of my rain jacket and stuff it back in my saddle bag.  Had a 1/4 of a fluffer nutter sammich and took care of biological balancing.  I was feeling pretty good and making decent time.  I'm not recalling much else about the first 90 minutes of the ride at this point.  Oh, wait, yes!  Snickers bars!  OMG, I love love love the Fluffernutter sammiches but that Snickers Bar was like gold.  I also took a Salt Stick Cap, and I was behind on my water consumption.   I should have finished at least one bottle. This was also the end hilliest hilly section of the 109 miles.

The next stop was 18 miles away in Franklin, MA.  This sends us out on some very quiet residential streets, there are a few families out cheering people on.  Mostly in bathrobes with coffee cups and I love that!  The next 27 miles are pretty sedated, and I look forward to completing them as it is the last big climb and then the lunch stop where we join up with the folks who start from Wellesley.  We were met with rain for about 10 miles before lunch and when I stopped it was pouring.  I didn't want to take to long at lunch but still, I didn't want to ride soaked the radar was so spotty and any rain wasn't going to stick around too long.  Also, the next stop is only 14 miles away, less than an hour.

The rain pelted me like bbs for those 14 miles and finally started letting up just as we approached the last mile (mile 83) before the Lakeville stop.  This is where all the posters of the "Pedal Partners" are and usually their families at the poster.  Those kids with cancer tear me apart.  Most of the "Pedal Partners" are at the Lakeville stop.  Also at this stop is Del's.  I love this stop for a lot of reasons.  All of that and clearly the rain had stopped and I could put my balled up road grime covered and soaked rain jacket under my bike bag for the remainder of the journey.

You can see the rain drops on my helmet!!

The next stop is Wareham, it is 18 miles away and then it's only another 9 miles until Bourne.  It is a tough call to stop or not to stop.  I was jonesing for a Snickers bar and to biological balance (I caught up on my water drinking, clearly).  I was so glad I stopped!  I ran into a huge group of the Wellesley LUNGStrong starters!!  Whoop I could ride into Bourne with them!  Of course, I managed to drop a few of them and then waited and then at the last 1/2 mile I cross chained and dropped my chain and couldn't catch up to ride over that interim finish line with the gang.  Bummer.

I've been in the same dorm room since my first PMC so I knew where to go, but first I stopped for a beer and chatted with one of my team mates from St. Charles ILL!  I checked the dorm assignment saw 4 names and 3 bags and there wasn't a bag in the room. Ok, we'd only be three.  I took the top bunk and got my extension cord and fan all situated and one of my roomies came in.  She remembered me from last year, I, of course, oblivious, had no clue.  She remembered the fan and the extension cord, not me, I'm pretty sure.  She had her own fan and extension cord!

The shower was heaven on earth and it was nice to be in non-restrictive figure unflattering bike clothing for my hot dog fest at the food tent!

We got our team picture taken:

I'm front row third from the left (of the picture), Dave and Diane Legg are to my left (or the right of me in the picture - Dave's rocking his plaid shorts)

Diane did a great toast for Living Proof:  Seriously listen to it, it is very short.

And the Living Proof riders and volunteers got their picture taken:

Relive the ride here.




Up at 3:30 a.m. for Day 2!

I slept a bit, rested mostly.  I found out if you stay on the ship it is air conditioned.  You can't flip flop around in bed as there is limited space between you and the bunk on top of you and you sleep in a room with 10 or 30 other people.  Did I mention it is air conditioned?  No flipping fan needed!!!

We were to meet at 4:30 a.m. at a designated spot, before this you needed to get your bag packed and loaded into the right truck and get some food, hence the early wake-up!  Day 2 is bacon egg sammiches, my second favorite to Fluffernutter, at least for this weekend's gastronomical festival!

I didn't get any coffee knowing that we'd be rolling by 5:15 a.m. and the first stop was at Barnstable in 24 miles, I could wait for 90 minutes or less for coffee and the bathroom....  well everyone else had the same brilliant plan.  Well, I guess when you are trying to move thousands of people it is never going to be easy.  The coffee lines went quick and I could drink that while I waited in line and caught up with team mates and a coworker who also rides this ride.  I've worked with Dean for 7 years, he has never acknowledged me until that weekend, and true to form, he was back to looking through me at work this week.  Lawyers, waddayagonadoaboutem?

Back on the bike, and back with the team.  The rollers through Barnstable are a favorite of mine and a lot of people.  I couldn't help but blast up the hills and blast down them!  I did my level best to stay with everyone.  We were all a bit concerned because Diane passed on this stop and hadn't had anything to eat before we left at 5:15.  Diane Legg is our team leader, this is her 7th PMC, riding with Stage IV lung cancer.  She was diagnosed at age 42, 13 years ago.  Read about her here and here and well Google her, be inspired.  She is an amazing woman, no she is a force, a real force lung cancer has to reckon with.  She is winning. She is a face of Lung Cancer.

At the end of the ride in Provincetown

The stop in Brewster was 16 miles and we all regrouped there.  Diane ate and really looked and sounded great.  She knows her body and well she is in charge.  It is our job to worry!!

This is the part of the ride that usually makes me hate the PMC and hate other riders.  I stuck with the team and well I loved it.  It was awesome.

Ok, so I was biking and playing with my phone, a no no.  But awww all the little LUNGStrong girls right in a row, it's cute, no?

The next stop is Wellfleet, with the ice couch.  Ahhhhh

Cool the tush with some fresh chamois cream, ahhhhhh
Christine and Martha didn't know about this - I was happy to share the experience.

And we were ready to roll!

This is the last leg of the journey, well mostly.  There is a decision point to go straight to the finish or do the dunes.  I convinced Kim, a first timer on our team, to do the dunes.  She's forgiven me!

Kim and I at the finish
Kim's mom was diagnosed with Lung Cancer when she was carrying her first child,
he has welcomed a sister and her mother, their grandmother, has been there to celebrate every one of Ryder and his sister's birthdays

We had a minute to spare to meet up with the rest of the team and Dave and Diane to roll the last mile in our biker gang to the finish.

Yeah, playing with my phone again, cool shot, no?

And PMC 2017 is in the books!  About 1/3 of the team.  Some finished earlier, some went to the family finish.

 We showered, ate, drank and I got on the bus back to Sturbridge at 2 p.m.  Most everyone takes the party ferry back.  This wasn't so much fun the last two years so I thought I'd take the bus, get a seat on the right side window and sleep for the 3 ish hours back to Sturbridge.   I did get my desired seat, however, a very friendly and engaging investment banker sat next to me and we chatted about bikes, gear, power meters, carbon wheels, the best hills we've climbed, and the best bike rides we've done for the trip back to Sturbridge.

It was a great event.  It is an emotional weekend for me.  So many people have been impacted so many more people will be.

Relive it here.



That wraps up my 4th PMC.  I'm a few hundred dollars away from the Heavy Hitter goal.... so if you'd been considering donating, the link is here.  And if your company matches, don't forget to do that and let me know!  Seriously, don't feel obligated.

Sincerely,
Beth, really it's hard to know what to say other than this is truly the highlight of my year.

Weekly recap: 7/24/2017 - 7/30/2017

I ran one 50K with only a hydration pack guess this makes me a bad ass... ha ha ha once in a while I need to feel good about my minimal accomplishments amongst the masses of over achievers.

Trying to get back to a normal week, a week of travel throw me off, and one of the nephews visiting threw me even more.  I'm old and set in my ways, it's only going to get worse.

My right knee continues to be wonky, sort of collapsing like the joint doesn't exist.  I'll have to do something about this sooner rather than later.  Seems to be worse after a long bike ride.  I probably need to raise up my seat a bit to get more extension in my leg.

It rained on Monday and I do love to run in the rain and it was chilly, even better, I didn't have enough time to plod my usual route.  Got Gus out for a walk, the band and color guard were practicing at the High School.  The music caught his ear and the activity his eye so we hung out there.  I really am apprehensive of walking him too far from home.  He is going to be heavy (80 lbs) to carry back if Dave isn't home to pick us up.  I'm totally being overly dramatic, it will pass...

Gus, ogling the girls, like a dog.

A cool day on Tuesday, unfortunately not a running day, but a boot camp day.  The knee did the funky collapse thing, but I can't remember which form of torture, I think it was jump-squats.  Crap. Dave's nephew was staying for a few days, so there was some scramble to make up the guest room and after we took him to dinner I got Gus out for a later than usual stroll.  Gus didn't want to come to bed at the normal time, Nathan was far more interesting.  Both the dogs got me up at 2 a.m. to check on Nathan, of course.

OMG I can't believe how beautiful it was and this is so close to what we saw

Hills with Ro is Wednesday and it was nice to get back to the routine.  The knee didn't do anything funny, I was happy about that.  Dave and Nathan spent part of the day making a board game out of wood, Catan, it sounded similar to Risk.  Nathan was happy to have this and they did a lot designing with the CAD program and the CNC machine, making designs on the game pieces. I got to see if the pictures made sense.  Dave took Nathan out on a mountain bike ride, to get out of the house.  He came back unscathed, phew I was worried this was going to be a 'you break it you buy it' thing and we'd end up with a teenager.  The dogs were busy keeping an eye on Nathan all day so they were worn out and didn't come looking for a walk.

Bunny!!!

Between getting Nathan back to his father, and Gus having an appointment with his cardiologist early Thursday morning and me needing to go up to Amesbury MA to meet with my LUNGStrong team the day was kind of topsy turvy.  I took the day off, took a few calls, got Gus to the cardiologist.  Dave would need to wake Nathan up (teenagers sleep till the crack of noon, my parents were correct) and get him moving to then get to the appointment and then take him back to his father's.  Plus there was a ride with my riding team planned and I don't get to see them much as they are over 2 hours away.  The ride was canceled due to lack of interest, harrumph.  I took a ride locally and stopped for ice cream.  The drive up to Amesbury took an extra 90 minutes because of traffic.  At least I had an interesting book to listen to?  The knee got wonky after all that sitting, and this is what makes me think its related to riding because it had been since Tuesday that it felt wonky.  It was good to see my team.  The color on the shorts from last year was off so who ever bought them last year got a new pair in the right shade of blue.  I can't tell the difference, I'll have to line them up to see.  SO I'll be all matchy matchy for both days.  The new Jerseys are accented with a cool electric green print.

Relive the ride here.

For Aimee, my friend visiting last week.

After a long day, it made a tired start to Friday.  I went out for a walk run, I didn't want to do anything at all.  I knew I'd feel slightly better if I did something, anything.

Ahhh a blizzard, that would make me so happy.

The blizzard was such a tease, I am so disappointed, I was humored by the continued alerts from January.  I ran and walked and got in a 5K, I felt a little better.  Work would be great if it wasn't for people.

And work...

The Imaginary Husband turned 51 on Saturday, finally, he is back to being older than me and I get the benefit of his tales of experience.  Cue eye roll...

I puttered around with those "it only takes 5 minutes" chores that many people (ok maybe only me) let pile up until they are a good couple hours.  It was a pretty productive couple of hours making me feel better, funny how that works.   I knew I needed to wash my 2017 LUNGStrong jersey and the shorts.  I also needed to try out the shorts.  Last year I ended up with men shorts, the color was off so the company (Primal) gave us replacement shorts.

I took a short ride to see how it all worked together.  The men chamois was fine, actually better than all but one of the female specific chamois I've experienced, as disturbing as that sounds.  The women's was a bit wider in the ass, I'll need to make sure I have a few individual packages of chamois cream or make my ass wider?  Um, no.

I'll still bring my Voler shorts, I love them.

Sorry about that ramble....

I went out for a ride and all was ok.  The issues I anticipated with the initial try on of shorts were bang on, so I know how to manage them.  Saw one of the running club guys, running, of course.  Always nice to see someone I know.

Strava allowed for a bit of fun afterward.  Always a good time.

I can't find the other one where JHuckle said I had a bright shiny smile.
If I didn't know my purpose by now, perhaps it is to make Paul feel unworthy of being acknowledged by me
That was so horrible to type.

HA! This all goes back to a run where Paul was hiding behind Jenn and I apparently I snubbed him.  Jeff V was out in the middle of the road, plus I've seen JV towards me far more than I've ever seen Paul run towards me, so it was easy to recognize him as I was biking towards the group of three.

Of course, I also recognized Jeff H when I was out on the bike...  I can't find the convo in either of our feeds... oh well...  It was funny, trust me on this...  Poor Paul, it seems my lot in life to make him feel left out...

It was nice to have the opportunity to sleep in on Sunday, I couldn't, even with the imaginary husband feeding the dogs so they would leave us in peace and not have upset tummies for not being fed.

I got out for a ride to Napatree to talk to my old neighbor Tom Papadilla and to take a walk during high season.  Then pedaled my way home via Dusty's, nothing spectacular ice cream wise, however always interesting viewing the beach inhabitants.

Sampled Jeff H's home brew stout.  He better not let the housesitter let me raid the fridge!\

Wee bit fizzy settles quickly into a nice easy drinking stout.  Wonder if he needs a dog sitter for Shep and Maggie???

Mileage:

Feet:  23
Saddle: 79

Books:

OMG "Small Great Things" by Jodi Pioclult.  

It is hard to know what to say about this book. It is eye opening. I give this 4 because I liked it.

Why did I like it? It made me think. Really think. Picoult broke down, as best she could, for a white woman of privilege what it is like to be a black woman making her way in the white world of privilege. I had to really think about the definition of privilege during this book and after listening to the author's notes. Privilege isn't one sided and it isn't all encompassing it is made up of tiny small things that make a person life easier, make making it through a persons life easier. I am not a Cheryl Sandburg fan, I view her as starting life on third base and resent her audacity to tell me to lean in. To me, she has privilege, how dare she tells me what to do, she has not one single clue what it is like to start at bat, to start from the beginning.

People have commented on my privilege, I recall various comments made to me through my life indicating how much easier I had it than they did in one situation or another. Fair points and they always brought me back to ground level understanding that with what I have, I have a responsibility to bring people up, not put them down or use them as a stepping stone for me to rise higher.

That is the message I ultimately walked away with. We all have our perspective and we all have some form of privilege, it is our responsibilities to use these things to the advantage of all not just those like us.

Even for the main character, a light skinned black, her privilege over her dark skinned sister.

The story is disturbing and it is upsetting, it is real, real in terms of race relations, both inter and intra not changing much in 400 years.

Is it wrong a white woman wrote a book about a black woman's experience? Is it wrong gentiles write books about the Haulocost or being Jewish? Why? Something to think about.

I started "Underground Railroad" by Colson Whitehead.  So much for light reading....

Knitting:

Nothing.

Sincerely,
Beth, not sure what to think about privilege.

Pan Mass Challenge 2016 -->> 192 Straight Outta Sturbridge

I didn't get the t-shirt because it was black, but I liked the theme!!

192 Straight Outta Sturbridge.

Friday I decided to use the navigation system in Eddie, my new ride, mistake.  Waze is so much better, the BIB* sent me up I 395 and over on the Mass Pike.  Where I sat, on the Mass Pike.  I should have asked Trusty Thomas my Waze guide to get me there with none of THAT Mass Pike nonsense.  I have to have a little chat with the BIB and see what I can do about changing her voice and ability to plan routes ala Trusty Thomas.

*BIB - Bitch in the Box  (I learned this term on the Bourbon Chase relay in 2013, it is uber appropriate because >>>  the female navigation voice sounds, to me, like she's in an utter panic the driver is going to pull a Thelma and Louise and go straight over the cliff into Dead Horse Point (Moab UT) and kill us all.  Nails on chalkboard to me, I can't imagine what she sounds like to guys, thankfully some navigation systems let you change the voice.)

I managed to get a spot on site at the Sturbridge Host Hotel where we'd roll out at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday.  This was good, because I'd have close access to my vehicle and would not have to schlep everything all at once and I could get my bearings before fully embarking on this adventure. My mother and father said I was slow to fully walk on my own, I was always an inch away from a wall or a table, walking but not quite confident enough to go through the middle of the room until I fully explored the boundaries.  Funny how we really don't change much as adults.  So parents, tell your kids how they were in the times before they remember, it may help them ease gracefully into adulthood!!

The Pan Mass Challenge is a 36 year old well oiled machine.  The volunteers are amazing, more amazing than the riders, IMHO.  They ensure we get checked in, fed, off on time to start our ride, fed along the ride, attended to medically, our bikes attended to as needed, and at our destination safely to be fed again and attended to as needed.  Anytime I've asked a question they've had an answer, either they know or they know who to ask.  Truly amazing.  To seamlessly and effortlessly shuffle around 6,300 bikers (and we all know bikers can be self important asshats) on 14 different rides covering one million miles, during the span of 48 hours.  Remarkable, truly.

All of this will raise $46,000,000 for cancer research at Dana Farber.  Forty-Six Million dollars, I can't even wrap my mind around how much money that is and what a difference it will make in people's lives, in the lives of my family and my friends.

Friday - Check in was well coordinated - find the first letter of your last name and stand in that line.  This always makes me uneasy.  My last name starts with an L, not an S.  I have a hyphenated name and the state of RI won't hyphenate the name on the drivers licence so this gets me directed to the S not the L line.  The volunteers, they get that we aren't completely stupid and know our last name, instead of sending we hyphenated folks to our spouses last name, oh the horror, they note the actual first name and find our packet, asking shoe size to get the socks that match the jersey.  I get the socks for my husband, he likes the PMC socks, I'm not a fan. Jersey, Socks, Water Bottle, Tags for luggage and Bike all in a nice carrier bag for groceries.  Instructions to put the bag for the jersey on the top of the luggage before we zip it up in case both of the luggage tags get ripped off they can open the bag and find out where it is supposed to go.  Brilliant.  I need to remember this for packages I mail and bags I send on airplanes.

Racked my bike in the sea of bikes, rack #26!

Wandered around the exhibit got a temp tattoo for my calf.  Managed to not buy anything!

Lesson learned:  I really should have never changed my name.

But Lazor-Smith is so freaking cool...

After 16 years I should know what to expect...

They fed us well and Harpoon was there with beer.  192 is my new favorite.  192 for the number of miles in the traditional route.  It's a lovely red ale, perfect for this stout and porter gal.  I had three and plenty of protein, chicken, roasted pig, eggs soaked in pickle juice.  I'm a protein hoarder not a carb hoarder.  The week up to an event I love a lot of protein, helps me get through and recover.  EVERYONE is different, do what works for you, totally not advocating one method over another. 

The Sturbridge LUNGStrong starters don't have the benefit of Diane to arrange all the accommodations!!  I ended up on an air mattress in a conference room with 10 other women.  Actually wasn't that bad after they got the lights turned off after 10 p.m. We had a 4 a.m. wake up.  Ear plugs and a face mask are on the packing list for next year.   I may opt for the conference room next year depending on how much the hotel option is.  $60 bucks and I got what I paid for in all aspects!

I met up with Steve at the start,  he and his girlfriend were smart and booked ahead, and also planned a week on The Cape for after the ride, wicked smart!!

The sea of riders at the start.  Most wear the event jersey the first day.  We break the rules and wear our LUNGStrong Jersey from the last yeas so we can be found by one of the 67 other team mates!!

We rolled off just a little after 5:30 with U.S. 20 to ourselves.  The coordination with the local police and the state police is amazing, when Billy Starr can get roads blocked he does, and for as long as he can, other wise we have the  benefit of orange cones and occasionally a motorcycle cop escort.  Truly amazing, and a gift for any cyclist.  A gift that should not be squandered by bad bicyclist behavior.

The first 20 miles were tough for me, I forgot my inhaler and the humidity was daunting.  I urged Steve on and to not wait for me as it was going to take awhile for me to get in my grove, the youngster pedaled off happy to not be saddled with the geezer, I'm sure.. ha ha ha.  he's a great guy and we both trained alone, that makes it hard to ride with someone you only ride with once a year!!

After the first rest stop, 25 miles, Whittinsville, I felt much better.  I also recognized the terrain from the Friendship Valley Tour Dave and I did for the organization Alternatives Inc, Dave's father is very involved with this organization, and it was a nice 30 mile loop you could do once or twice, once was enough, the roads were in pretty bad shape!

The next stop, Franklin, was surprisingly close at nearly mile 43.  I grabbed some fruit and got a picture!

Then lunch, someone mentioned the hill before lunch was a bitch.  Oh goodie (no seriously) it was a GREAT HILL, a sneaky one, you go up and then you think you are at the top and pedal for maybe a 1/10th of a mile and there is more up hill!  Wooo hoo.  Mile 70 was lunch and where we met up with the Wellesley start riders on our team.  Most of the Sturbridge starters were ahead of me by about 10 minutes, no worries, it was nice to see everyone I had started with the last two years!!

Then it was on to Lakeville to see the Pedal Partners, and meet mile 85 of my journey.  Here they have Del's Lemonade in both lemon and watermelon.  I had one of each, that sugar got me to the final rest stop.

I know it seems silly to stop at mile 100 of a 109 journey, but a top off on water was really necessary, I went through a bottle and a 1/2 in those last 9 miles of my journey to Bourne!!

When we got to Bourne it was like being greeted as royalty with people cheering.  If you've NEVER been a spectator at any sort of athletic event, it is so helpful and energizing to the folks participating.  Do it, really just go out there and cheer for people you don't know and may never meet, I love that aspect of athletics as much as I love participating.



I took a dip in the ocean, to calm down my aching legs, they enjoyed the cool water.  Got a nice cold shower, into clean clothes and off for meat and beer!

Make some dedications about why we PMC

"My Mom!  LungStrong!"

"Ride to the Roar"  (for Lisa!!)

We had our team photo and our living proof team members photo.

LUNGStrong - 68 strong!!

Living Proof - our living with cancer riders!!

And then bed.  My first year a friend said pack a fan and an extension cord if you are staying in the dorms, it is stuff and the moving air will help you sleep.  He was so right.  I had my trusty small fan and my extension cord, it blew on my feet till the 4 a.m. wake up call when a roomie pulled all the plugs to encourage us to get up.  I waited till the three of them were done and two were out before I got up, no point in tripping over people to start Day 2....

They have these amazing egg and sausage sandwiches, I had two and 1/4 of a cantaloupe, and a carton of chocolate milk, the coffee line was far to long and I was ready to get rolling.

I was rolling about 5:00 and up and over the Bourne Bridge and on to the Cape Cod Canal Path....

Sun coming up over the Sagamore Bridge Cape Cod Canal Bike Path

The amazing sun in the open harbor - Cape Cod Canal Bike Path

The first stop was 24 miles at Barnstable, I got coffee and chatted with Steve and his father John and we all remarked at how great awful coffee tastes when you REALLY need coffee!!!  Grabbed a muffin for some sugar and I was off.

We were back on the bike path and then once we get off the bike path we get treated to a long climb to a sneaky climb (my favorite) and are treated with a few miles of rollers.  This is one of my favorite parts of Day 2.  I learned how to conquer rollers my first time out, it was amazing, plus you had MILES to practice and get the rhythm down to not lose speed on the way up and gain more on the way down.   These start with one of those climbs I love, just when you think you are done the road turns and there is more!  I loved passing people up hill, I really do like climbing, such a conquest!

Caught up with the team at this point and enjoyed the company for a few miles.

Mile 40 we were in Brewster and the ICE COUCH!  OMG, nothing feels better than sitting on a bag of ice.  Horked down a few fluffer nutter sandwiches, got some ice in my bottles.  Totally lost track of every one and hightailed it to the last rest stop in Wellfleet, figuring they all left without me, and it was so much fun riding with people.  And I'm totally NOT a people person!!!

I never did catch up, which means they all left after me... :(

In Wellfleet, after climbing the hill to the rest stop, I fed my face more, I was really craving sugar and salt and knew I didn't consume enough water.  I took the time to find some shade, drink and eat salt and sugar, yummo.  The LUNGStrong folks trickled in so I hung out till they were ready to roll so we could all roll into the finish together.

Guess I was the one who ditched them in Brewster... 

Ran into a few of the people I met along my wanderings in Bourne, people look so different in bike helmets!

It was a nice break and so welcome after all the miles, I only had 25 to go and would be with my group, I could do this!!

We rolled on into P-Town on US 6.  Quite impressive to see 25ish riders all in the same jersey!

And we rolled to the finish, with seemingly millions of people cheering us!  So happy to be done!

Dave and Diane Legg - His 8th her 5th PMC
I will eventually get a picture of him helping her up one last hill with his hand on her back pushing
Stage IV Lung Cancer has nothing compared to this woman's zest for life!!

The team who rolled in together - some just wanted to be done and went for it.
I can TOTALLY understand.
After two solo finishes I wanted a group finish. 

Iced my aching knees and caught up on Facebook and WWF!!  My hip wasn't talking to me so I let it suffer till my knees felt better than gave it both packs!

Showers / Food / Beer and on the ferry back home to be greeted by some humpback whales swimming along and then a fire boat in the Boston Harbor.

They were spraying and jumping - hard to capture on film, it was really cool!!

Andrew would have LOVED seeing this!

Bus to Sturbridge to collect Ruby, and put my well earned 192 magnet on Eddie and head home!

On Monday I cracked open the Allagash Leslie O'Dell gave me a bazillion months ago at the Brrrlingame race - my reward for being so understanding and concerned about her stalker - HI Michael.

It was a good weekend.  Can't wait for next year!

Sincerely,
Beth, energized, exhausted, and enthused.

If you were inspired and are able to donate:  My donation page: HERE 

If you were inspired and think I'm totally crazy the comment section is below!!  

Week 17: 6/20/16 - 6/26/16

Well things are not going to plan.  I've had a niggling hip pain off and on for a while.  Amy elbowed it out around Christmas time.  It came back during the Rutgers 1/2 in April and seemed to disappear and I continued on with my BARRE classes to strengthen my hips and core to prevent injuries.

Then we had two weeks ago BARRE class with the serious girl and those band things and around the calves they go and we side step across the room and then back.  I think that's what finally hit the nail on the head and nothing's been right since then.  

It's good to have my blathery blog and hieroglyphics of notes, I wish I was better about labels... it would make searching easier, but then I don't know what I'm going to search for till I search for it.

I had a major step back week last week, and it continued on to this week.  

After an appointment with an ortohopedist, Dr. Carlow, he poked and prodded with various things on my legs wiggled my hip joint, declared the joint fine, then he pressed on this spot on the side of my hip and I flinched.   Ordered some x-rays, it was clear my hip joins are in great condition, nice and smooth, there were no fractures.  Bursitis is the most likely issue, 2x week PT.  I start that next week. 

Monday (0/3) - This was hard, I did take Gus for a walk after work so I got in some movement.  It helps to move, just not a lot.

Tuesday (0/6.7) - Walked at lunch then again at the Dog Watch fun runs.  It isn't fun watching people run when you can't.

Wednesday (5.8/1.5) - Hills with Ro, these still count as running training.  Met up with Jennifer for a walk on the beach then I took Gus for a short walk when I got home.  Appt with Dr. Carlow started the day.

Thursday (4.3/1.7) - I felt fine, my hip felt good, no pain all morning!  I ran.  Not smart.  It hurt and hurt worse and I wasn't going to stop.  I wanted to run.    Walk with Gus after dinner out.

Friday (0) - Jax and Gus got out for walks, they needed to get out.   

Saturday (0) - Took a nice slow bike ride, it nearly killed me to not try and meet some of my goals on starred segments, and it hurt even worse when my "virtual partner" popped up as Jeff W or Jeff H, really Garmin? really?  how do I make a more realistic target... sheesh.  All in all I enjoyed the ride and my hip didn't complain.  Well it did after I got off the bike and walked.  But seemed to simmer down with some Vitamin I.  



Sunday (0/2.9) - Took a long bike ride, time wise not so much mileage.  better get my ass used to the seat for extended periods of time. Since I can't run I'll get my PMC miles in!

I collected a few more PRs putting in little effort. That was kind of a nice gift.





And in case you wanted to support me in my fundraising efforts to have the honor to ride in the Pan Mass Challenge - 192 miles from Sturbridge to Provincetown! 

http://profile.pmc.org/BL0174

The couple hours out on the bike was nice time to think.  Coming up on 9 years since my mothers diagnosis with Lung Cancer.  She is the exception to the rule, and is living with this horrid disease.  The treatment took a lot out of her and aged her past her 71 years, my father too for that matter!   

The doctors were not able to take out her tumor as it was attached to her spine and ribs.  

The thing I remember the most was my father telling me "Beth your mother is not going to die from Lung Cancer she is going to die with it. This can  be managed like a chronic condition, like diabetes."  

The research done at Dana Farber in the Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology can make this a reality for more people, if they can't rid the patient of the disease they can at least live with it.  My mother lives with the disease.  Team LUNGStrong's founder Diane Legg lives with the disease (11 years now - she is 53), not only does she lives, she runs and bikes!  

The best possible outcome is complete eradication of the disease, however, barring that, being able to live as close to normal as possible is a pretty good alternative to death!

Feet:
Weekly Mileage:    27.2  Run:  10.1  Walk 17.1
Yearly Mileage:  1015.2 against a straight line target of 980.8

Saddle: 
Weekly Mileage:  52
Yearly Mileage:  427.1 against a straight line target of 980.1

Sincerely,
Beth, remain calm and pedal on