As
we got closer to the start of the Pan Mass Challenge a week ago, the forecast
went from sunny and warm to rainy and cool. I've been pretty fortunate...I've
only had rain on one other PMC, many years ago. I almost quit that ride...but
that's a different story.
Friday
evening we were preparing for the ride, thinking about the next morning and the
effect the rain would have on the ride. Frankly, I was not happy about riding in
the rain. Then Amie and Greg White, our team captains, were interviewed on WBZ
(local televison station) at the PMC Opening Ceremonies. They described the
battle that Amie has faced over the past nine years, the treatments she's
endured...
I
realized that a little rain wouldn't be an issue and told myself to "shut up and
ride."
So
ride we did. Jonathan and I set off Saturday morning under overcast skies. Temps
were in the mid-60s, the warmest that they would be on Saturday. We saw our
share of rain, puddles, flat tires, accidents, a few bruised elbows and more. At
one point, my front wheel hit a rock and I lost my grip on the handlebars,
almost going down. Somehow, I managed to keep the bike upright, jump a curb and
find myself speeding across a wet front lawn. Fortunately, I've done some bike
racing on grass and mud, so at this point I was in familiar territory and back
in control.
Jonathan
and I arrived in Bourne early Saturday afternoon, with the temperatures in the
low 50s. The warm shower that followed was amazing, even better than the food
and massages that came later.
Sunday
started out rainy but cleared up towards the middle of the day. We saw a number
of old and new friends, enjoyed sitting on the ice bench at the Wellfleet rest
stop, and planned our ride through the dunes near Provincetown.
Yet I
have learned that my PMC experience isn't always what I expect it to be, and I
remain open to change. Well, Sunday morning, as Jonathan and I sat in Wellfleet
planning our attack on the dunes, John, another member of Amie's team, mentioned
that the team was going to gather four miles from the finish, meet up with
Amie, and ride in together.
Well,
four miles is where we had planned to take the right turn off Route 6 and tear
through the dunes. Jonathan and I set off with a plan to follow the dune route
and meet up with the team one mile from the finish line. As we traded pulls on
Route 6, averaging 23-24 miles an hour through Truro and into Provincetown, I
began to realize that supporting Amie and the team was more important than
following my "traditional route."
So,
without a word, Jonathan and I had one last strong sprint along Route 6 and then
stopped to wait for the rest of the team to gather.
It was
the right thing to do.
Amie
joined us, ready to ride the four miles to Provincetown. It was all she would
ride, could ride, on Sunday. She and Greg led the team, with Greg providing a
helping hand on the slight upgrades on Route 6, and we flanked her on either
side as we crossed the finish line.
Watching
Greg help his wife and partner to cover those few miles had a powerful impact on
me and others on the team. I can't imagine what they go through on a day to day
basis, supporting Amie through treatment, helping the kids to have a somewhat
"normal" life, holding it all together. Amie is a trooper and Greg is her
rock.
I
don't know how they do it.
I do
know that my seventeen years with the PMC has allowed me to contribute to the
fight, and I count on my sponsers to help. Together we will beat cancer.
Together we win.
So, if
you haven't donated to the Pan Mass Challenge yet this year, now is the time.
Help Amie and Greg in this fight.
Donate
here:
Every
donation brings us - Closer by the mile.
Your
donation is tax deductible and 100% will go to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
If
your employer has a matching gift program, ask your Human Resources department
for a form, and follow the process for matches.
To
learn more about the Pan-Mass Challenge, please visit www.pmc.org.
