While I was riding this morning, I couldn't stop thinking about what I wrote last night. I train hard for the PMC so that the ride itself is easy. So that I can show up strongly for other less experienced riders and for the spectators.
Invariably, the less experienced riders are there because they're fighting for someone. So I'm there to help them up the hills with a kind word or a pat on the back or to change a tire for them.
I also train hard to ward off illness. A good friend and neighbor battled cancer and won, in part, because of his excellent physical condition. I pray that I will never have to undergo what he went through, but if I do, I want to be prepared for the battle.
Early morning is my favorite time to ride. There's little traffic...in fact this morning I saw more cyclists than cars until about 6:30 when the commuters started to show. The mist rose over the river and all was still, except for the birds and occasional other wildlife.
This morning was a treat.
Lee
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
The Headlong Rush to August
I'm already starting to feel pressure to ride again. I rode 4 days last week, skipped Saturday, rode Sunday and Monday. Monday I launched this blog and emailed a few of my friends. Donations jumped almost 50% today.
For those who are interested, corporate donations are gladly accepted along with personal donations.
So tomorrow I'm not riding to work, but I'm thinking about getting up early and riding with the Crack O' Dawn Riders. "Be There at 5:45 or Ride Alone" is their motto.
Thursday I'm driving to upstate NY for a college reunion, then next week I'm doing some business travel. So time on the bike is dear.
And only in part because I'm pretty selfish about my time on the bike. Just as importantly, I view it as my opportunity, my obligation to ride the 192 miles strongly. To ride past the many spectators and supporters on the route with a smile on my face and spring in my legs. I actually have several spots on the route in which I take pride in sprinting up hills to show the spectators that I appreciate their support as much as they appreciate mine. To show them that I and the other riders bring unending strength to this fight.
I think I'll get up early tomorrow and ride. Those spectators by the side of the road are counting on me.
Lee
For those who are interested, corporate donations are gladly accepted along with personal donations.
So tomorrow I'm not riding to work, but I'm thinking about getting up early and riding with the Crack O' Dawn Riders. "Be There at 5:45 or Ride Alone" is their motto.
Thursday I'm driving to upstate NY for a college reunion, then next week I'm doing some business travel. So time on the bike is dear.
And only in part because I'm pretty selfish about my time on the bike. Just as importantly, I view it as my opportunity, my obligation to ride the 192 miles strongly. To ride past the many spectators and supporters on the route with a smile on my face and spring in my legs. I actually have several spots on the route in which I take pride in sprinting up hills to show the spectators that I appreciate their support as much as they appreciate mine. To show them that I and the other riders bring unending strength to this fight.
I think I'll get up early tomorrow and ride. Those spectators by the side of the road are counting on me.
Lee
Monday, May 28, 2007
Prepping for the PMC
It's late May and I'm late to prepping for the PMC. A week ago my bike and I got reacquainted. I left the car at home 4 of 5 days last week and rode the bike to work. Sunday I did a hard ride in the hills of the Berkshires, about 30 miles. Earlier today I did another ride, finding one killer incline that really pushed me to my limit.
With this blog I intend to capture the both the thoughts, feelings and the physical preparation that make the PMC so special. I've pushed some of this out in email in the past; I figured that this would be a great way for me to become more involved in the web 2.0 phenomenom, withouth taking up too much space in my supporters' email boxes.
So what's going on?
Last time I thought about writing, cancer had just hit the news. Elizabeth Edwards annouced that her cancer was back and that her husband John would continue with his run for the presidency.
Shortly therafter, Tony Snow, White House press relations, also announced the return of his cancer.
Public people in the public spotlight, dealing with a very private issue.
I was torn. These are private matters that have no business in the public spotlight. Or these are political people maximizing the value of the cards that have been dealt them. I don't know.
I do know that cancer research funding did not rise from last year to this. I do know that clinical trials are at risk for lack of funding.
I do know how it made me feel to see my father-in-law, along with a dear friend of his, lead the survivor's lap at a recent Relay for Life event. I do know how I felt when I saw my father's name listed in the presentation as a cancer survivor.
I do know how I felt when I saw friends' names on luminaria bags at this Relay for Life, friends that were my age and had passe away. And how it felt to see my father's name, and my father-in-law's name, and his friend's name, on other luminaria bags, signifying hope that others could also beat cancer.
So I ride. And I raise money. And I pester people for donations to the PMC, to the Jimmy Fund, my one big cause. This year I've set out to raise $10,000. And to bring 20 new people into the fold, as sponsors or riders or volunteers.
As of right now, I've raised just about $1200. And it will be a headlong rush between the end of May and the end of July to get my body ready for the 192 miles and the $10,000 raised so that I can say this year, again, I've done my little part in the fight against cancer.
Enough for now.
To donate, please visit:
http://www.pmc.org/mypmc/profiles.asp?Section=story&eGiftID=LL0033
And please do leave your comments after reading.
Thanks,
Lee
With this blog I intend to capture the both the thoughts, feelings and the physical preparation that make the PMC so special. I've pushed some of this out in email in the past; I figured that this would be a great way for me to become more involved in the web 2.0 phenomenom, withouth taking up too much space in my supporters' email boxes.
So what's going on?
Last time I thought about writing, cancer had just hit the news. Elizabeth Edwards annouced that her cancer was back and that her husband John would continue with his run for the presidency.
Shortly therafter, Tony Snow, White House press relations, also announced the return of his cancer.
Public people in the public spotlight, dealing with a very private issue.
I was torn. These are private matters that have no business in the public spotlight. Or these are political people maximizing the value of the cards that have been dealt them. I don't know.
I do know that cancer research funding did not rise from last year to this. I do know that clinical trials are at risk for lack of funding.
I do know how it made me feel to see my father-in-law, along with a dear friend of his, lead the survivor's lap at a recent Relay for Life event. I do know how I felt when I saw my father's name listed in the presentation as a cancer survivor.
I do know how I felt when I saw friends' names on luminaria bags at this Relay for Life, friends that were my age and had passe away. And how it felt to see my father's name, and my father-in-law's name, and his friend's name, on other luminaria bags, signifying hope that others could also beat cancer.
So I ride. And I raise money. And I pester people for donations to the PMC, to the Jimmy Fund, my one big cause. This year I've set out to raise $10,000. And to bring 20 new people into the fold, as sponsors or riders or volunteers.
As of right now, I've raised just about $1200. And it will be a headlong rush between the end of May and the end of July to get my body ready for the 192 miles and the $10,000 raised so that I can say this year, again, I've done my little part in the fight against cancer.
Enough for now.
To donate, please visit:
http://www.pmc.org/mypmc/profiles.asp?Section=story&eGiftID=LL0033
And please do leave your comments after reading.
Thanks,
Lee
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