Lessons Learned in 40 Miles

I've been on two rides since my last post, and I'm nearing the 50 mile mark!  Go me!  I took another brief hiatus from riding due to a serious bout of food poisoning last weekend.   After three days back on solid foods, I decided that I'd get back on the bike today!  It was tough, but I managed to make it through my normal 10.5 mile route, plus an extra .5 mile due to some little detours.  Tonight was my first weekday ride, which was a bit of a change for me - lots more people on the bike path, more cars on the street, and me being tired from a busy day of lawyering.   Nevertheless, I persevered.   Jared came out for the first few miles and cheered me on.  He had to go back home for a conference call, but I really wanted to come home and tell him I did my whole route . . . and I did!

I thought I'd take some time to reflect on some of the lessons I've learned in my first 40 miles.

• Biking with Jared is more fun than biking without Jared!

• Biking alone is pretty fun too!

• My bike needs a bath . . .

• Slight gradual declines are my favorite biking surface!

• Padded bike shorts have really saved my tush!

• It's easier to stop when you use the breaks while you put your feet down.

• Balancing a shopping bag full of Thai food on my left handlebar makes me feel like those acrobats riding their bikes on the tight rope!

• Little toddlers on the bikes with no pedals are the cutest things ever!

• Nobody listens to my bell . . . :(

• Regardless of how many bugs I swallow along the way, I'm always hungry after 10.5 miles.

• Pedestrians, cyclists, rollerbladers, and cars all ignore the rules at times.

• Two out of three large grey-haired women over 65 will leave me in the dust.

• Riding home from Trader Joe's with a giant back pack full of groceries is not a nice way to treat your shoulders.

• I need to step up my weekly mileage!

• My legs are strong!

I'm going to be away this weekend, but I'm committed to getting to 50 miles by the end of the month.  That means, more weekday riding.

Do you think I can do it?  Your donations will definitely help!
Donate to Jared's PMC ride here! 

Tough Times

Confession.  I didn't get my miles in last week.  With the inconsistent weather and the holiday weekend it just didn't happen.  No worries though, that's why I gave myself a manageable amount of time to meet my goal. However, I do want to discuss some experiences this past week that really reminded me that life is fragile and that efforts like the PMC help people make the most of the one they have.  


My grandmother went into the hospital last week under circumstances that most grandchildren would not expect for their grandparent.  She's still getting treatment, but we don't really know what the future holds.  A few days later, three tornadoes touched down in Western MA, where I grew up.  The tornadoes and associated storms were very close to many of my family members and friends.  Needless to say, I've been a bit shaky and overwhelmed by the realities of life and death this week.


One thing I have in common with my grandmother is that I've always been really aware, too aware, of my own mortality and the impermanence of those I love.  My family has suffered a lot of unexpected losses, and I really think my grandmother missed out on a lot of her life because she was constantly focused on the family members we have lost.  Like my grandmother, I have a tendency to let my fears about the uncertainties of life and death limit how I live my life.  I guess one thing I can be thankful for is that seeing life pass her by is motivation to not let that happen to me.  


A couple of nights ago, I saw a news story about a mother who saved her 13 year old daughter by laying over her in a bathtub while the tornado destroyed their house.  The daughter survived, but the mother did not.  I sobbed for hours after I saw the woman's older daughter describe the situation on the news, and then I exploded in tears when I retold the story to Jared.  I can't imagine laying under my mother's dead body knowing that if not for her sacrifice, I too would be dead.  I can't imagine being forced to choose between my own life and the life of my child.  It was all too real because, my mother and my sister live in the areas of Western MA affected by the tornadoes.  Even scarier, they each work in towns where the tornadoes actually touched down. 


At times like this I'm flooded with thoughts of other tragedies.  Just a couple months ago my friend's sister and her family lived through the recent tsunami and earthquakes in Japan.  I can't imagine cradling my baby daughter under a table hoping that the shaking will stop and we will survive.  I still fear airplanes with an intensity that seems more appropriate for someone who experienced or was more directly impacted by the terrorist attacks on 9/11. I think of losing my Dad to a heart attack when I was a child.  I think of my cousin losing both her parents.  I'm not trying to be a sensationalist here.  My point is simply that it's too easy to become overwhelmed by all the potential tragedies in life.  Whether it be cancer, heart disease, an act of mother nature, or something else - life is full of tragedy.  I think so many of us get so overwhelmed by it all that we either give up caring altogether and ignore it or, like my grandmother and me, we let our fears consume us and limit the extent to which we can enjoy the life we have.  I've always admired Jared's ability to be right there in the middle of that spectrum.  He is seriously pained by the tragic effects of cancer, but he picks himself up and does something about it.   Not only does he work hard to train and fundraise for the PMC, but, he also donates platelets about twice per month at Dana Farber.  


When I went to bed after watching the news coverage of the tornado, I told myself that I was going to make sure I did not allow myself to enter a spiral of fear and sadness.  I was not going to be consumed by fear and plagued by the what ifs.  It's easier said than done, but I am trying to use these events as motivation to experience my life fully. I want these events to be a reminder of what's important - cherishing every moment, loving earnestly, and being kind and generous to others.  I hear the expression a lot - all we have is now - and rather than fearing it, I'm going to try to embrace it.  I send my love to everyone currently rebuilding their lives after tragedy.  This weekend, I will continue to do my part and get back on that saddle - literally and figuratively.  I hope you will consider donating to the PMC.  Your donation will help prevent another tragedy.

In the Links section in the upper right, I've added a donation link to the American Red Cross so that you can donate to the disaster relief efforts in Western MA, Japan, and all over.   Also, please check out Jared's blog to see an incredible example of what your donation dollars have accomplished at Dana Farber.

Thank you for reading.

Dress The Part!

As a lawyer, I know how important it is to dress the part.  In fact, I constantly find myself annoyed when lawyers show up to hearings not properly dressed.  Don't get me wrong, I show up to my cubicle looking all a mess on a regular basis, but when I have a hearing or an important meeting, I dress like I own the place.  And by "the place" I mean my cubicle, since my suit and dresses were all obviously bought on sale!  Well, many of you pointed out that I am not dressing appropriately for biking without some proper cycling bottoms!  My previous post elicited a number of urgent pleas to go get some real bike shorts with padding in the bum.  It's nice to know that so many of you have my back....or should I say backside!  


Finding good, durable workout clothes in my size is often a challenge.  Sports stores (at least the ones around here) do not keep plus size womens clothing on the shelves, and the stuff I am able to get at department stores is usually not very supportive, durable, or properly designed for a bigger body. However, I need some extra padding (never thought I'd be saying that) so I hit the internet in search of something to keep my booty protected throughout my 192 miles this summer.  I found a great website dedicated to women's athletic apparel called TeamEstrogen.com.  They have a pretty extensive selection of plus size (and regular) apparel in different brands, styles, and colors.  I found some promising-looking bike knickers (capris), by Canari, that come in purple. Score! I'll buy anything if it comes in purple, but I did check with Jared and he said he's had good luck with Canari, so it wasn't a complete impulse purchase. Check 'em out!

Jared also encouraged me to get a real bike jersey because when it starts getting hotter and I am taking longer rides, he says I'll be more comfortable in moisture wicking material than cotton or polyester.  Luckily, I found a matching purple bike jersey ON SALE!  Woohoo!

My order came within three days, which was pretty awesome. Though, it would have been more awesome if we weren't being pounded with rain for 10 days straight!  Riding in a rain shower that starts after you are already out is one thing, deciding to go out when it's already raining, is quite another, so I didn't bike during the week at all.  As for my new clothes, I love the pants.  Love! Love! Love!  The waist is high and they are very supportive without being tight.  They slide down a bit when I walk (Jared's have draw string to keep them up), but I won't be doing too much walking, so it's fine. The padding is thick and takes the edge off the pressure from the bike seat.  The shirt is good.  It's a little short on my long torso, but it's not like I'm doing much reaching while on my bike.  Besides, the chances of finding a plus size, tall, bike jersey in purple for a price I can afford are pretty slim! I'm so excited to pass as an actual cyclist!  Check Me out! 

That's our new dining room!  With all the rain, Jared needed to ride on his own today, so he left a couple hours before I did.  He did a short-ish ride though since we had plans to go to a family party.  I left around 10 am and thanks to my awesome new pants, I was able to do 10.5 miles - and with a lot less discomfort. I ended up biking in 4 towns: Somerville, Cambridge, Arlington, and Lexington!  I just barely crossed the Lexington border, so next time I'm going to try to make it further in.  I played around with the speed of my pedaling and learned that when I pedal slower, I feel my muscles engage more, but I feel less tired overall, and when I pedal faster I don't feel as much specific muscle fatigue, but I do feel overall tired.  I found that a combination of the two approaches worked best for me, especially since I'm not trying to win any awards for speed!  I also took a quick stretch break after 5 miles, and I think that helped.  I was really proud of myself and couldn't wait to tell Jared all about my solo adventure.  When he got home, I talked his ear off, made us grilled cheese sandwiches with fresh herbs, and begged him to pose for a picture with me.  Don't we make such a cute cycling couple?

Thanks for all your support, comments, and donations.  Click Here to donate to Jared's PMC ride!  Thank you!

Starting Off On The Right Pedal!

I woke up excited to take my first ride of the year.  Jared and I had been planning a Sunday ride all week, and with my new 192-mile commitment, I couldn't wait.  Jared was tired, so it took some coaxing to get him to get my bike ready for its first trip of the season.  In fairness, he had already had quite the PMC-full weekend.  On Friday we went to the Heavy Hitter dinner.  On Saturday Jared put in 40 miles riding a loop from Somerville to Andover and back.  Then he went to a fundraiser for one of his teammates.  Luckily, Jared is as excited about my 192-mile commitment as I am, and after a brief morning nap, he set up the bike computer he got me for Christmas, so that I could track my mileage.

I was excited as I got ready for our ride.  I picked out my moisture-wicking exercise capris, a sports bra, ankle socks, sneakers, a cotton t-shirt, a lightweight sweater, Jared's old bike gloves, and my awesome purple helmet.  As I was getting ready, Jared said, "I'll wear my jeans and I need to find my glasses."  That statement spoke volumes about the different bike rides we were each about to embark on despite the fact that we were going together on the same route.  See, when Jared goes on a bike ride by himself or with his PMC buddies he dons a tight bike jersey, those cute spandex shorts with the cushion in the butt, his contact lenses and sporty sunglasses, bike gloves, and special shoes that clip to his road bike.  When he goes biking with me, he wears jeans, a t-shirt, sneakers, and glasses.  Also, he takes his hybrid, not his road bike when he's riding with me.  I, on the other hand, wear the closest thing to a bike uniform I own, because any ride is a tough ride for me.  Look how cute Jared is in his bike outfit!

Riding with me is barely a warm up for Jared, but he knows how hard it is for me, so he is a great coach, cheerleader, and companion.  He even walked his bike with me down the sidewalk because we live right off a main road that I'm afraid to ride on right now.  No complaints, he just did it.  Once we got to the bike path I was comfortable and we were off.  About 2 miles in it started sprinkling, then pouring.  Uh oh!  Nevertheless, we kept going.  We biked through the rain until we got to Trader Joe's.  We stopped and picked up a few groceries and headed back.  By this time we were both water logged and freezing and decided to forgo the smoothie stop we planned to make.

While we were out we realized that I had forgotten how to stop properly, so next time we are out, and it isn't raining, Jared will give me another lesson.  I was also having trouble getting my bike into the lower gears for the hills, so Jared is going to take a look at it.  It should probably get its first tune up soon.  Though I had originally hoped to find a girlier bike in my size and price range, I love my silver and blue Trek bike.

The last few miles home from Trader Joe's were tough.  My inner thighs were screaming.  My quads were burning.  And, I had some leftover hamstring soreness from Saturday's yoga glass.  I was cold, wet, and covered in muddy debris.  Jared kept reminding me to keep pedaling.  I have a tendency to stop pedaling when I get tired. I'm not great at keeping my balance yet, so Jared reminds me that pedaling actually helps me stay upright!  I was proud of myself and my body for making it over 9 miles!  I'm pretty sure the longest ride we took last year was around 7 miles, so I was pretty impressed with myself.  I was happy to get home and heat up some leftover homemade pizza for our late lunch.  We decided that the rest of our Sunday would be a lazy one!  We deserve it!  I love my cycling coach.  He's the best!

Please be the first to donate to Jared through my PMC fundraising page by clicking on this link http://www.pmc.org/profile/HC0047

Inspired

Last night, I attended the Pan Mass Challenge ("PMC") Heavy Hitter Dinner with my husband, Jared.  The PMC is a 192-mile bike ride that raises millions of dollars each year for the Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber Cancer Institute.  I'll explain more about the PMC in future posts.

The PMC holds this Heavy Hitter dinner each year for riders who attained Heavy Hitter status as a result of raising a certain amount of money in the most recent PMC.  This past year was Jared's 7th PMC and his first year achieving Heavy Hitter status, so this event was a very special moment for him. 

At the Dinner, a family talked about their 2 and a half year old son Brent's battle with a hard to treat cancer called neuroblastoma.  As his mother explained, in one night their little boy went from a regular kid to a kid fighting cancer.  As his father noted, that night also forced their family to leave the world of regular people doing regular things and enter the world of people dealing with cancer.  Brent's parents recounted his grueling treatment and his remarkable recovery at Dana Farber. They told stories of the excellent care they received at Dana Farber, and the countless PMC supporters helping them through it all.  Two doctors also spoke about how lucky they are to work at a place like Dana Farber, because they can have real hope for the patients they see, due in part, to the support of the PMC. Brent's father became a PMC rider during his son's treatment.  He told many inspiring stories about PMC riders, volunteers, and donors who all do what they do for one goal: to beat cancer. 

Brent was at the dinner and just so happened to be turning 9 years old the next day (today!).  He is now cancer free, and appeared to be just like any other little boy.  I sobbed (as did everyone in the room) through his parents' stories and his big reveal.  A piece of me wanted to believe that Brent's story was uncommon, that kids don't really get cancer and that cancer treatment isn't so bad.  On the way home Jared noted that Brent's story was not particularly unique.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of other children and adults, just like Brent, who are facing difficult to treat and other cancers.  Fortunately, just like Brent, there are a lot of people who are surviving cancer too.  Having ridden in the PMC for so many years Jared is much closer to the reality of cancer than I have been, and this event was a real reality check for me.  

Brent's parents thanked the riders for saving their son's life.  When they said that, I couldn't help but realize that Brent's diagnosis came just after Jared started riding in the PMC.  I was always proud of Jared for his riding and fundraising efforts, and I always knew that he was making a difference, but in this moment, I really knew how big a difference he had made. It was very emotional to see the real "living proof" of what he and so many other riders do every year.  The money that Jared raised over the last seven years, that all his faithful donors donated, didn't just go to some amorphous cancer effort, which I guess is how I used to see it.  That money helped save this little boy and keep a family together.  People live because Jared rides.  People live because so many of you support him with your love and donations.  

I am inspired to help Jared's fundraising efforts with renewed vigor this year, and I hope I can play a little part in making cancer history.  Although I'm not ready to commit to riding 192 miles in one weekend, I am committing to riding 192 miles total by the end of the summer.  This will be a challenge for me, but I know it is nothing compared to what people battling cancer must go through.  I hope my commitment inspires you, just as Jared and the many other PMC riders have inspired me.  Please follow Jared and me throughout this journey, his eighth PMC, at the links below. 

Please visit my very own PMC fundraising page to make a donation to Jared's ride.  http://www.pmc.org/profile/HC0047

Also, please follow Jared's training and fundraising journey at: http://closerbythemile.blogspot.com  Check out past postings for a recap of past PMC's and great photos to learn more about this amazing event.