Monday, March 31, 2014

Is it Spring Yet?

According to my local weatherman, the first day of spring was almost two weeks ago. The spring racing classics have started in Europe. My racing team, the Boston Road Club, scheduled our first weekly training criterium for March 30...and had to cancel due to heavy rain.

Even as I type, I'm watching big snow flakes fall outside. I guess I'll be indoors for another couple of days, watching the Sufferfest training videos as I start to prepare for the 2014 Pan Mass Challenge.

2013 was a great success. The PMC raised $39 million for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.



This year my personal goal is to raise $10,000 for cancer research and to help the PMC raise $40 million for the Dana.

As I begin my 17th year riding in the PMC, I am excited and amazed by how much my PMC family has grown. Amy has been volunteering for almost 15 years. Last year, Jonathan rode the PMC with me for the first time and successfully raised more than $4,300. Rachel volunteered last year, also for the first time.

This year we are all in. Only Max will be sitting out, and if we still had our old Burley trailer, I'd consider finding a doggie helmet for him and bringing him along!

Many others have joined the larger PMC family. A number of coworkers and customers are now in their second or third year of riding. I've encouraged others to ride or to volunteer. The family grows.

I am also reminded of those we've lost along the way. A friend and fellow rider lost his fight with cancer a few years ago; his bike trainer is now set up in my basement and I think about him whenever I train inside.

Soon, the weather will clear and we will be training in earnest. I'm just waiting for the word from the weatherman.


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