What am I doing here?

What the heck!!

2009-11-22T16:19:02Z

Since the Dad thing, I've been really towed under. I don't know why I haven't posted. Likely because anyone reading this thing hasn't gotten a thank you note (yet)! Sigh, I am such a slacker. I had told myself that I'd mail them before fundraising closed (Oct 1)... then I told myself that I'd do it before I got my heavy hitter jacket. I don't have it yet so I guess I"ll beat that one (if I finish them today ;-).

Now for a sideline. Bruce's bday was a week ago. I was told that if I didn't post... it didn't exist ;-0 So here are the pics.

It worked so well.. We headed up to his Mom's house to enjoy a welcome to the family party for Colt Aja (our cousin's child). So along went the birthday hat. If you don't know the birthday hat saga.... it's simple Bruce bought it for a friend for her 40th birthday. Since that point, it has rotated amongst the friends who were there for the birthday. Bruce has dodged that bullet and this is the first time he's had to wear it. We went to brunch at a hotel in Montpelier, VT. Bruce was wondering why everywhere we've been with people in the birthday hat.. you always get a hey Happy Birthday or is it your birthday from virtually everyone! In Vermont, uhm no... the staff said those things, but people just stare. Not one stranger said a thing even when we were in line to get eats. Tooo funny, and it wasn't all oldsters either. Weird. I think the next recipient of the hat will be mandated to fly in the hat (it's a day after his birthday, but does it matter.. NAHHHH)

Headed to StLouis on Turkey day. Should be there soon. Yay! Hmmm, and now remind me again why I'm trying to cut down on portion sizes and eat right again? Hmmm, we'll blame it on fat gained after no working out! I need to get moving again. I think I'll throw the bike training tire on (I melted one and it has a hole in it so no street riding for that tire), and get some seat time. Snicker, yea right. It's a good thought. I am planning on riding next year. I am planning on the ride from Sturbridge to Bourne. It will be my longest single day ever. I think it will work out! (Just reserved our room at the Wicketts.... Whahoo... It's coming again! Yay!

What's a life worth

2009-09-18T21:42:05Z

Apparently around 175k, or so someone let drop about dads triple bypass. I guess we'll see. I will write more when I can.

Swayze dead???

2009-09-15T02:32:02Z

Cancer strikes again. Patrick Swayze appeared to put up a valiant fight. Oh wait Dad asked again today what Sean penn's brother died of. Let me go look before i forget. Hmmm if he's talking about Chris Penn, it's obviosly been weighing on him since Chris died in Jan '06. Anyhow back to making my spud salad. Take care and RIP Patrick.

status check

2009-09-14T22:46:32Z

Dad is home and settled. Looks like he'll be on full-time oxygen because of his smoking (which he's stopped) and COPD. The next few days before my return home are doing errands and cooking and suchlike. Not more more to say. Thank you for all your support.

PMC claims they are at the $26 million mark. And since over 40 percent of all riders are under their respective requirements... maybe they'll hit the mark. YAY!

Oh my gosh

2009-09-06T19:01:14Z

Well I guess I got what I wanted and they made a move on my dad's bypass surgery. 2 days ago he had a triple
I'm in MS for however long he is and then back to his place in Mobile, AL. I was just cracking a friend up. I was explaining how I needed to fix a few wagons while here. Snort, I then had to explain the saying that you are gonna fix someones little red wagon. She'd never heard it. http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/57/messages/450.html. I may research better once I have time but it'll work for now.

Anyway on the conversation went, and after the first tease about my southern accent coming out... I was sailing along un-twangy as you please until I slipped. Oops , I explained my father had been totin'. Yes totin(toting, as in to tote, or)..., to carry. I yelled carrying he was carrying... Oops, it's back and although some of it was put on, that was a pure slip up.

It gave dad and I a chance to remember when we moved from KS to Alabama. I think I was in first grade, and the teacher, at days end, requested we "save our books". I was a kid trying to process save them from what, the janitor, a fire, hurricane??? Were they in danger. As I flew thru these thoughts, all the other students put the books in or under their desks. Ahhh, save as in put away for future use. Ahhh, live and learn. More adventures in language/life another time.

Al

2009-09-02T00:45:56Z

Well, Al is past today's surgery that left him with a colostomy. Poor guy, but at least they did what they could for him. Also, my Dad has his cath. scheduled for Thursday. Well in bright news. If he gets xferred to a civilian hospital I should have time to get to Biloxi, so I guess that's good. Sigh, too many balls in the air. No more thank you's sent.... maybe sometime. Let me take a peek at a few other blogs...

Ahh bless this guy, he must have known I needed a lift:

Regaining confidence is where our personal fight begins. It’s rare to find a person—able-bodied or disabled, healthy or sick—who has not been knocked down by life at one time or another. Regaining confidence is particularly difficult when we face a debilitating physical challenge, but we need to transcend our human propensity for self-pity if we want to feel fully alive and live up to our potential.

I’ve always found that my confidence is boosted when I push my body to the limit—skiing, riding my bike, swimming long distances—and deal with the physical pain. Win one victory; go on to the next battle; and win that too. Pretty soon, these little victories start to add up to confidence. At that point, self-pity becomes but a distant memory.

This is the ultimate goal I wish for everyone faced with a disability, a personal crisis, or any life challenge. Fight back. Find a way to win even with something small. Find a small victory and build on it. Build and build to the point where you have found a place to excel beyond those who are not disabled. Suddenly you are there—back on a level playing field. Strong and happy.

I wish that for everyone who is struggling right now, Uncle Al, the friend who is moving, the friend training for her 3 day, my father as he undergoes cardiac procedures, my brother, mom, grandma, aunts, anyone who is fighting, even if it's just survival of your life.

In other cancer news

2009-08-30T01:42:59Z

Sigh. Let's start with the good. I've written like 2 thank you cards and fundraising for the pmc is around 23 million. I wonder if we'll really hit 30. I sure do hope so, fundraising closes oct 1 if you still want in on that action. Now for the bad.

Our uncle al has colorectal cancer. He's survived a while cancer free past his tumor removal and chemotherapy, unfortunately the tumor or a tumor has returned. Monday he'll be admitted to the hospital again, and Tuesday will be surgery. I don't think for tumor removal. If the family grapevine is working, this is because the tumor has spread. I don't know if they are exploring, colostomy'ing or what. I tried to call al today. I hope I get to talk to him before surgery to let him know I'm sending him vibes like he supported me on my ride. Sigh, why did I watch Marley and Me tonight? Between my mom and Brad putting their "shop kitty" miss kitty to sleep last week due to a large tumor on her heart, watching the Kennedy funeral coverage most all morning, talking to my mother in law about al, to that movie pheh mood is low, pretty much bottom of the barrel. Ok Marley didn't die of cancer, but that's the common thread elsewhere. We'll be headed up to Vt next weekend and we'll see Al then. Send him your good vibes please. With luck my Dad's cath to look at his heart blockage will happen or at least get scheduled too. I should be happy I think he'll be going to a civilian hospital off of Keesler for surgery, should he need it. Whew when laying it out like that, how're we still standing. :-)

Ehh, it's just life I guess. Hang in there and thanks for you support.

The end of Day 2

2009-08-26T01:18:35Z

What I failed to realize was what was yet to come. As I left the waterstop, we had only gone about a mile or 2 when the road was closed for an accident. Unfortunately it was a biker down. I had seen another accident on Saturday where the guy was sporting facial road rash. He was at the side of the road being attended by a fire-truck and the rest of his team. This was beyond worse. It involved a rumored young rider who pulled the wheel hard to correct something. Unfortunately, he caught an edge and hit another rider, sending her into the oncoming traffic lane.  We heard she wasn't hit and I don't know what happened to the other guy. You have never seen so many bikers stand so quietly. We all had the fear of mortality in our mind. We were hoping they were ok, wishing that they would get up.   With the sounds of ambulances, they let us thru while they tried to calm the woman and keep her on the ground. It's scary to say how bloody her head was. Luckily when I contacted the PMC about my "incident" I was told that all participants who were transported were released.    We were all very somber and conscientious after we rode on.

As I pulled on thru the end on familiar ground again, I relished seeing Bruce, Amy, Kim and Danielle at the finish. I was so happy to have someone meet me. It was a way to assure myself that I'd done it. And do it I had. I have to say that I cannot fathom working thru some of the injuries and setbacks I saw that weekend. To be fair though, I REALLY cannot comprehend riding after cancer treatments (Living Proof). Yet that is what they do. It is what we do. We ride. I ride on the wings of those I ride for. This simple act of pedaling, putting one foot in front of the other, over and over, time after time, I pray it motivates all my honorees, and causes the spirit of my in memoriams to spring forth and bolster anyone who needs it.   I cannot accurately convey why this event moves me. I will continue to ride the PMC, maybe not every year, but likely fairly frequently.    Right now, I do plan on riding 111 miles in one day next year. I plan to ride from Sturbridge to Bourne, the historical day1. Maybe one year I'll ride the 199 miler... As has been my norm... I'll build slowly.

Now you'll want to know why. Why again, why beg for more support? I find that a few days past my Mom's 2 year cancer-free anniversary... I'm irrationally mad. I am mad that there is a neighbor dealing with pancreatic cancer (pancreatic cancer is a personal fear, not that I'll get it, but I remember my grandfather looking jaundiced when we visitted him in Fitzsimmons Army medical center.. and around that time I learned what a whipple procedure is..)... mad that many of my pets and others have had cancer/died of it... and lastly mad that my Mom has lymphedema. Now essentially that is nothing more than her lymph system showing the effects of radiation and not processing waste product correctly... totally manageable.   However let's talk shall we? Would I even know what the hell lymphedema was if it weren't for cancer... NO!!! Would I know what leukeran was if it weren't for my cat's cancer?  NO!!!! Would I know that shots "can" give our cats vaccine associated sarcoma... NO!!!!   Would our neice be a brain tumor survior? Would I continually send my love and supportive thoughts to my in honor of crew? Likely not. Hang in there!!! Know that every PMC rider is there for you. One day we will be closer by the mile.... and know that for all of that.... I ride! For all that I ask you to support me. Hang in there! We make an amazing difference.

Most of Day2....

2009-08-20T11:16:55Z

Day Two was a day of many unique challenges. To kick it off, I woke up too early and didn't get back to sleep. So I laid as quietly as I could, blogged, took cell phone pics, and read my book. It is funny but I believe others were in the same situation. They were up and out by 4am or a little after. I got up around then to roll up my sleeping bag. After all that I slipped into my clean bike shorts and last years PMC jersey. It was oddly gratifying to be sooo close to finishing. Right after reveille, I got my bag all closed up and trucked it on out of the ship. My legs wanted no part of that nonsense let me tell you. The stairs/plank entrances had not been much of a challenge other than balancing the night before, now? they were thoroughly unwieldy elements of torture!

Off to get some food, I think I had a sandwich and some yogurt (to be fair I don't think it's distance from the event that has wiped my memory on this front.... ), if you'd have asked me at that moment, I don't believe I would have known, nor would I have had the brain cells to look down and tell you ;-). To top it all off, I couldn't get my shorts seams lined up and obviously I had a rubbed spot from the day before. GRRRRRRRRRRRRR. Oh well, the show must go on. I headed over to the bike farm and grabbed Bets. I was ready to go, but it was only like 5:10 or so. The mass start for people returning to Wellesley, not heading to the traditional P-town finish was at 5:30am. So I stood to one side with other gaggles who might be doing the same. Well that theory worked until I found they were teams forming up to depart. I shifted further afield and found around 15 compatriots, none of us though had ever ridden this route. At 5:30 we were very twitchy because there were not many more of us. Uhm oops, what's that group starting on the other side of the lot... bet that was us... A-yup it was. We took off in our lone 20'ish pack to try to catch up.

So off we went, it was still twighlight and hard to see. THe people in the lead couldn't see the signs, but I could see them clearly so I took the lead for a mile or two as we wound thru town. Then off everyone went, setting blistering paces to catch up. I tooled along, feeling bummed as more and more passed me. Evidently they had slept in and didn't want to do the mass start. Now that's demoralizing... I don't know how far behind us they started, but here they were team after team of 2-5 people blowing by me. I just kind of kept people in sight and followed along.... Worked great until about 2 miles after a set of railroad tracks I came upon the core of my pack pulled over consulting each other maps etc... I hadn't seen a sign in a bit, but I was just following. Ooops, we were about oh 2 miles off track, we doubled back and picked up the course. On we trucked.

I was easily left in the dust at this point. Not long after that, this pic was taken as I slogged up a hill. I didn't realize there were other riders behind me until he asked them if we were the last riders. They said in effect how should we know, to which he replied going well then huh. Snort, that still cracks me up. So then they wizzzed on by me. After them, I was riding alone for a while. Singing "one is the loneliest number", ""she's going the distance" and so on. Sunday was a trial. It was a training ride at times, but more than that it was a test of my mettle. I was unsure I could. I felt like crying, I felt battered, bruised and raw. It seems odd now, but for each of those feelings I felt grateful and exhilarated! I was doing it! I was riding, and to be fair the physical aspect of riding felt good. It was not my body letting me down as much as it was my emotions. I was overwhelmed. I was doing this on the wings of so many donors! So many people lost, so many people saved, so many who had been saying thank you. I still do not quite process all the thank you. It's nothing is what comes to mind as a response. However if I recall miles 50-70 on day one and much of my wallowing on day2... it is something. It is a feeling of giving supporting and love that so far, I only find here.

On I slogged, at the first water stop, I regrouped with some humanity and from that point on I didn't feel like a singleton. There was one guy who I kept trading off with, every mile or two we would switch lead (2-3 blocks usually separated us). We slogged on until an interesting incident (which I have yet to hear back from PMC organizers about...). I think I was in Bridgewater, maybe West Bridgewater, coming up a hill toward a PMC photographer when from my right there seemed to be a pop and whine / wizzing sound in my vicinity, followed by a thud as something struck the house/ porch to my left, on the other side of the road. I was going uphill so obviously I slowed, but kept pedaling because I could not process the sounds. The photographer had a look of concern/consternation as well. I asked if someone had shot a bb at me. He said, not no, but I hope not. I hope he remembers the woman on a semi-recumbent bike with baby blue and pink streamers so that he can help the organizers place where the incident happened. Afterwards, I kept thinking that bb's don't whine... so air pistol or firework of some sort comes to mind...

Onward i slogged. There was a tremendous do it your self waterstop for us in a restaurant parking lot not much farther ahead. It felt amazing to stop and get an orange slice and some water. They were so sweet and were some of the few spontaneous cheerers along our route. After a while, we integrated with the riders from the 47 miler we had done the year before. It was going up a hill not long thereafter that one lone man sat with a lifesize poster of his wife who had died in 2007. That poster was so detailed, I felt I should stop to read it, but I also felt if I stopped... I might not restart. It was interesting that right around 7 miles from Sharon, the last waterstop, that I started overtaking people. I guess my training was enough. I felt I could not stop (mental), but I also felt that my legs had it (training). I passed a pair of ladies and when I crossed the Sharon line, I yelled we are in sharon!!! And the three of us whooped and hollered like we were at a pep rally. I guess at that point, we were... our own cheerers...What I didn't realize is that we had to cross to the other side of town to hit the waterstop (gahhhh).

I'll bring you in the last 19 miles sometime later..... Hope you've enjoyed thusfar.

happy late bday jackie!!!

2009-08-14T17:11:35Z

Yes you.... I think you might still be reading this and I thought I should throw it out there! I love you and think of you often.

I know I still haven't finished posting mine, but...

2009-08-14T15:27:31Z

This guy inspires me. I'll likely buy the book out of support and curisity.......
You are There: PMC 2009 On One Leg

Day 1 conclusion...

2009-08-09T20:02:57Z

So onward I trucked, tears in my eyes and just starting to crumble... I think it was an emotional toll trying so hard to keep going in the sea of humanity. It was also getting hotter, I had been hosed down by some cheerers (note: if you are gonna spray riders, mist them, do not BLAST them please. As a rider you aren't prepared for the gut shot), dunked my head under a faucet at one stop, but the heat was kind of settling into my bones. Rea was a trooper and let me pull ahead for a bit and set the pace.

In Onset (i think it was onset anyway)... there was some sort of festival going on downtown... and of course we had to pass thru that way. What a mess, all those people/tourists and us on our bikes. The park/fest was to our left on town common, but the road was only 2 lanes with 2 lanes of parking. Pheh, in order to get anywhere we had to slip between the parked cars and traffic on the right. That's tricky and dangerous anytime. We were lucky and made it out unscathed. Finally I located WICKETS INN and here Rea and I parted ways. She mentioned she saw an accident not long thereafter, I can attest that being tired will do that for you. I beat Bruce from the last waterstop to here by 20 minutes, at least. Once he found parking, I had beverages for both of us and some spinach/artichoke dip. It was only 3pm and we'd set an amazing pace. It was also indescribable to see bikers tooling by and hearing people cheer them on. Once I had sat for a bit, done lots of updates, and had a bottle of gatorade, I set off in search of the MMA. Unfortunately since I had waited so long, I had to go standby for a massage, but I had 2.5 hours to kill before then.

My accomodations were on the large ship to the right, off to find my stuff on the ship (they deliver to your room), and take a well earned shower. I had reapplied sunscreen thru the day, but with that much salt on your skin, it burns like a son of a gun. Time to get clean!!! I was relieved to climb aboard and get situated in my bed (kinda like this, but not quite... what can't you buy on ebay). Well I should have taken more time, but I really did want to enjoy some sunshine. I left out my sleeping bag, didn't make the bed, and I didn't leave anything outside of the locker (oops, as you've read I regretted that a little later). To get a scale on the berths, they were stacked 3 high, where you see little lockers there were small curtains. If you lay on your back in the berth, and bend your knee while bringing your foot closer to your tush, your knee will tap the bunk above you. Luckily for me, I was able to pull the curtain, turn on the light and read a little.

I will say that the campus provided me the opportunity to walk around and keep my legs limber. I had to truck back to the bike storage to grab water from my bike after my massage. Oddly enough the food tent had essentially pulled up stakes (well rolled up its carpet for the night). So I ran to grab the full water bottle i'd left on Bets. As I strolled that way, I saw others coming back with cold plastic bottles... AH-HA I was on to something. So right at the entrance... I found what I sought... 3 pallets of cold water. Called Mom and Brad and then Bruce to get my pep talks...

(then there was my 1am wake-up...)

---------
on to day 2.

Much of Day1...

2009-08-09T16:05:51Z

Here it is a week later, and I would have been nearing the first waterstop of Sunday. Let's see if I can wrap this thing up for you. Well would have been except for my network issue which has me pounding away still 2 hours later ;-).
============
So when I started off on Saturday,it was with a mass of humanity that put last year's Sunday ride to shame. I was so excited to see my co-worker as I coasted down that first hill. Not only is he a supporter, but he actually headed out to cheer. Wow! The first part of the ride is a comfortable easy-going and familiar since it is the same starting path of last year's ride. It was not really more than five miles before Rea and I fell in together. It kind of makes me feel inadequate to tell you the truth. She was riding the one day to Bourne with little/no training, except for a few 15 mile loops and the fact that she runs a mile and a half a day. I guess inadequate isn't the right term. Bets and I are a good match, but we are not made for speed.

As we came into the Wrentham waterstop, Bruce picked us out nice and easy. I jumped into the field to get a PB&J. The PB had run out (I split the last PB&J with a rider) and got some peaches. It was here that I had my first indication of what a pain spandex can pose when you have to use the facilites. Remember this was only those of us from Wellesley...Probably 25-30 portolets, lines 10 deep, sweaty spandex that does not want to be pulled back up. No, baby powder would have just made paste and been yet something else to chafe.

It was here that Bruce knew if I switch to a road bike he won't spot me (Betsey's unique frame, color and streamers stand out)... unless I switch to a team. The teams are funny, there are all kinds and over 200 or so, but regardless each team is riding together refining the comaraderie that exists.   Here are a few that I remember... There is Team Kermit who all have Kermie's strapped to their helmet ( "It's not easy being green") [if you know me, you know I'd be a sucker for the Kermie team]. Team ROAR (Reindeers on a Ride), Team Luca, Team PHAT Tuesday, and Team Maureen (Rea's favorite because their jerseys carry the picture of Maureen, she belted out a million times Team Maureen my favorite team!!! Wait, why were they always passing us??). Of course there are corporate teams, but many were pharmaceutical companies, go figure.

It was at this point or immediately after that stop that Rea's pack started bugging her a smidge. She had brought shower gear and a change of clothes so she could cleanup before she headed on home. I can't even imagine riding 80plus miles with that pack shifting and dragging on me. So we agreed that at the next stop (lunch) we'd give the pack to Bruce for safe-keeping (hauling). Uhmmm woulda been a good plan, but poor guy... at lunch we had integrated with the Sturbridge riders (my best estimate is now 4000 riders all going the same direction) making the traffic jam incredible.    I think it was right after that integration where we hit our "first" hill. It seemed to go on forever and Rea said she would have stopped if not for the bagpiper at the top. I snickered because I felt he was playing a dirge. Wow, that stop was overwhelming.  By lunch I was sick of PB&J already, well I was pre-dreading I suppose since it's my sammy of choice. In a small move that I thought was brilliant, I got a chicken salad sandwich. Now that could have been risky but all I was thinking was cold mayo/chicken ahhh soothing and cool. Ooops, anyone for tepid chicken salad (i could have paid a hefty price here, but luckily i didn't). We found shade on a hill and ate...Back with Bruce, the GPS he was using couldn't find this stop, issues with town, who knows.  At one point he came to an intersection with tons of riders blowing by. He asked if I knew which way, I said guess. Ahhh oh well 50/50 fails again... We took off and met him where he'd stopped about a mile down the line at an intersection with a police officer. It made him easy to spot and we connected there. (Doesn't Rea look happy not to have that thing weighing on her?)

Onward we trucked to Lakeville. Now what I didn't know was that a different co-worker who lives there was gonna meet me there. AHAHHAH, poor fella. That stop was insane, it was where the riders met with their pedal partners (Ayva wasn't able to make it).  He and his family were likely there when I was, but since they had planned on being tied up, we didn't sufficiently plan a meeting. Bruce just missd us by moments here too. I believe it was after this stop that I truly began to flag. Rea was giving me tips and suggested I should say the names of the people I was riding for.  I snickered and said that at this point my brain was shutting down. Hey imagine that, it was right around fifty miles. As I said here in the past, it's at around mile 50 that I just lose interest. However, I think in fitting homage to my grandpa bill (look at this pic even if you've seen the others... it's new to you... He rode across the miles, not only as a streamer, in spirit, but also on this ID.), I resort to calling cadnece. My brain shuts and I start with... cadences like MAMA AND PAPA WERE LYING IN BED MAMA ROLLED OVER THIS IS WHAT SHE SAID or Sound off: One, Two. Sound off: Three, Four. Sound off, one, two, (pause) three, four! I think this cracked up Rea, but it makes sense to me.    In this mileage, I started getting choked up because although I wasn't saying names, I was thinking about everyone. LIterally everyone who I was riding for. Heck it's choking me up right now. I'm going to take a break and finish this later.

The day of Kim???Nah, a day of sharing!

2009-08-06T17:52:30Z

The day of Kim fell apart early; my massage was postponed til Saturday morning. In decidedly unKim-like fashion, I have stayed home anyway. Thusfar today, I have been firmly ensconsed in front of this computer trying to put into words/pics the events of this past weekend (PMC '09)... Thus far I think I have a slideshow (click here if you can't see it immediately below... and about an hour of day 1 ;-).

----------------------------------

I don’t really know where to begin. I feel as though this journey has been tremendous. I can tell you that including training and riding in this year’s 30^th annual PMC I have ridden 1018 miles. Yes, that means I propelled myself, under my own power that far…Now, the funny thing is that though that is a “tangible” thing that people can digest, it really doesn’t scratch the surface. Reactions to my 153 miles Aug 1st and 2^nd this year have ranged from good for you, to I’m proud of you, to have you had your head examined. Now that it’s over maybe I can sum it up. Then again who knows, maybe words will escape me.

You’ve already seen that the PMC started with an act of kindness by a co-worker. After dropping off the bike (Betsey) and our stuff, Bruce and I headed over to register and buy whatever struck our fancy… While there, killing time before the NECN PMC kick-off simulcast, the sky opened, to the point there were rivers running thru the tent we were in. Luckily no leaks. We tried to wait to view the show from Sturbridge, but it seemed there were audio issues, or that we just couldn’t hear it where we were sitting. Off we set back to his house; he and his mother-in-law were very sweet to us and got my calorie count up by giving us chocolate silk pie and some milk (mmmmmm). Ahh what a midnight (well 9pm) snack! It was shortly after that that our cells started getting texts and calls from well-wishers. I was without internet access or I’d have seen all the emails that flooded my inbox. The gist: pedal-pedal-pedal, we love you, are here for you, and be safe!

The next day started with me waking up at 330am, about an hour before the alarm. We got up, stripped the beds, and snuck out of the house. It was nice to see Betsey all safe and dry in his garage. She’d have been fine on campus, but definitely damp. When we went to sleep that night, I said my good-bye’s not expecting my co-worker would actually be there to see the start. I spotted him about a half-mile from where we took off. His pics are the two of me waving. Nice huh?

At the start it is really just a slew of people trying not to mow each other down. It was as we came down Forest St in Wellesley that the inquiries about Betsey began. Hey that seat looks comfy a-yup, it is), I’m jealous of your seat (awww shucks), I’m gonna steal that seat in Bourne (won't work for you), hey what type of bike is that (semi-recumbent), is it custom made (no), who makes it (RANS), why do you have that bike (I like it), do you have a bad back(no), and so on the litany goes and did continue for quite literally all of day 1. To say Bets was popular would be an understatement. I have since joked that if I’d have been playing a drinking game where I had to drink for each question, I’d have been loaded and hospitalized for alcohol poisoning in very short order…

I don’t know at what mile Rea and I fell in together, but it was long before the first waterstop. I will say that having her to ride with gave me focus. She hadn’t ridden with a pack like this before and well, it only increased in size once we connected with the riders from Sturbridge. We were able to be traffic spotters for each other. You know, I’ll block you so you can pull out, or follow me up the left here, or slide back to the inside quick, and so on. I will say that yelling out things all day long, while talking about Betsey, I’m shocked that I kept my voice at all. The day is a day of warnings, car up (oncoming traffic), car back (car behind us, single file please), on your left, on your right, slowing, stopping, clear (intersection safe to proceed), sand, pothole, tracks, etc. All of these are belted out at top volume so that any rider in your vicinity knows what is in store for them. But more so than that, it is a day of THANKS. Thanks that all of us are healthy enough to do this ride for those who can’t; thanks that this ride will help; thanks to Bruce for taking the time to meet me everywhere I stopped and his support thru all of this; thanks to your sponsors for getting you here, listening to your whines, and supporting you; thanks to the volunteers who are keeping you hydrated, moving and sane; thanks to Rea for giving me someone to talk to and swap stories with; the police who help out; and lastly but never least… thanks to those who come out to cheer, offer snacks and drinks, or spray you down. We saw kids, slapped hands, yelled thank you for coming out, saw leprechauns, heard bag pipes (what a hill that was...), and well we just enjoyed the human spirit in a whole new way.

---------------------------------------

I'll be back with the rest of my tale when I can. The PMC has uploaded a highlight set of photos if you really need help falling asleep ;-)...(nope, I didn't see myself, but with 5204 riders.... I might actually have been anonymous (whooo-hooo!!! I did see the leprachauns though!)

Why am I already strategizing next year...

2009-08-03T20:59:57Z

An email from Billy Starr (the founder)... it's how they suckered me in :-):
I want to share this comment from a first year rider. Those of us who are long term PMCers sometimes forget the power of the PMC as it hits a first time rider full force. I think this rider's statement captures the full impact of the experience. What we do together is simply amazing. Thank you.

"Aside from the privilege of being there to hold my mother's hand as she passed away from cancer, the Pan Mass Challenge was the second most profound experience in my life and I wanted to thank you all personally for it.
I have done several fundraising rides for other causes over the years, but never have I felt part of something so critically important - something that truly makes a difference in the lives of others
This weekend I learned it's not about the personal achievement - it's about what we, who are strong and able, can give to others- life and hope. Thank you for all that you do to make that possible."

A start

2009-08-02T21:29:08Z

Below is a rambling snippet authored around 1-130 am

Seriously???? I want dearly to know what it is that makes me as stress magnet. I mean really my last pmc night has sucked. If you've been following along, 230am, 330am and now, get this baloney... 1am after sneaking into bed like a thief around 8:50, and getting or waking up to pee 3 times. I guess we determined that I did in fact hydrate. I'm gonna blather on here until 2am and then lay quietly until reveille (4:40) or go back to sleep. More on the berths setup in a later post.

Back to well, yesterday, no wait the day before, so a co-worker and I were talking about the thunderstorms due in, how close (2 miles) he lived from the start and lastly where my bike was being stored. It's hard to describe what happened next, but I'll call it a force of nature moment. He was worried about the uncovered storage of the bike and wanted it left at his house; I was fighting this cause it would have been outta the way. Next thing you know, bingo we are canxelling our hotel reservavttions snd sleeping in his daughters room and meeting his mother-in-law. Betty was neat, she doesn't know it but her name was already on one of Betsey's streamers. While Bruce and I registered, Betty wrote a sweet note aand left a donation on betsey who was safely ensconsed in the garage. You see, Betty is a breast cancer survivor (lost one about 20 years ago and the other about 7 years later).

Ohhh cmon where did autocorrect go or am I spelling that badly? It's only 1:27 but typing while laying in the berth is kinking me up. TTFN.

Listen to the voice, can ya tell it's over???

2009-08-02T19:36:39Z

Day2 last waterstop

2009-08-02T14:02:55Z

day2... what time is it...4:45am???

2009-08-02T08:45:14Z

End of day 1

2009-08-01T23:59:40Z

I am 2 miles shy of day one end...

2009-08-01T19:01:46Z

Lunch waterstop

2009-08-01T14:37:36Z

Wellesley, Saturday morning, pre-ride

2009-08-01T10:15:29Z

TIRED

2009-07-31T12:32:53Z

OK, last night went well. I woke up at a little after 230am today, got outta bed, watched a while of Prince Caspian: the Chronicles of Narnia, read and so on. It should all work out....we are here, i am packed and now just to survive the day. Guess I didn't take Billy's last email to heart...

Last Pre-event E-mail: Safety & Etiquette

Thank you for taking part in the 30th year PMC. Everybody wins on this weekend based on the nature of the work and the cause. But in the heat of the moment, with 5,000 riders on the roads, the big picture can, sometimes, get lost. Please remember:

1. ROADS ARE OPEN to vehicular traffic even though we enjoy comprehensive law enforcement support through the 46 towns we travel.
2. MOVE OVER - that means single file or into the breakdown lane - for a passing car or a faster cyclist who, firmly but endearingly states "ON YOUR LEFT"
3. NO LITTER anywhere: your cycling jersey has pockets. Use them.
4. NO IPODS OR HEADPHONES ARE ALLOWED while riding
5. SUNDAY MORNING BEFORE 6AM - keep the conversation down. Remarkably, some people are still sleeping in the communities through which we travel.
6. START HYDRATING NOW - cut down on alcohol. Stretch. Breathe.

Enjoy your PMC. You have earned it.

-----------------------
Now if only I could BREATHE! Oh yes, for those who don't know and need info on #5. Remarkably few homes in MA have AC... or just have window units.... That said, many of these communities have homes where the windows will be open even thought it's the heat of August. GASP!!!! So I suppose we're to keep our traps shut. Doubt I'll be conscious then so it shouldn't matter to much ;-)

Schedule

2009-07-30T23:52:21Z

Remember I stated that I was packing on Monday... Well needless to say I didn't make it ;-). So here we are at Thursday and I'm packing like a madwoman. I found our tiny camera to use since my phone, well I didn't buy it for it's picture capability ;-). Sigh. I promised a schedule for those who are keeping score:
Tomorrow we are gonna leave work at about 3pm or so.
Off to the Babson College in Wellesley:
Check-in, drop off Betsey.
Carb loading dinner at Bella Costa. Hope it's good.

Saturday morning:
430'ish--- get up at the Red Roof Inn in Wellesley
6am: Babson Campus
6:15-45: Opening Ceremony
7am: START YOUR ENGINES!
(it gets really estimated at this point)
8:45am at first stop (Wrentham)
Hit road again by 9:15
11:05 -- lunch (Dighton-Rehoboth)
11:45---hit road again
2:45--wareham water stop
1pm--- water stop Lakeville
3:30---stop for drinks/rest
by 5pm get to Mass Maritime Academy
Dinner is served until 8pm and hopefully I get my 15 minute massage in the meantime.

Sunday morning,
Reveille at 440am
Eat breakfast and depart by 5:30
7:30 Arrive at middleboro
7:45 hit the road
9am arrive sharon
9:15 depart
11:05 I finish????

This is as simple as it gets.... If I stop for longer, it puts me in later. OK.... I need to go finish packing.
If you follow this weekend, I'll be voice posting. It should auto convert to text, but if what you read makes NO sense, please listen to the voice post....