The PanMass Challenge is an event like no other. The largest sporting fundraiser in the country. 6000+ Riders. 4000+ Volunteers. Each and every one of us has some connection to cancer, and we are all there to do what we can to support one of the top 5 cancer hospitals in the country, Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
My weekend started out like the last four years...volunteering on the luggage crew. I love it. These riders are undertaking a ride of 192 or 150 or 80 or 50 miles. They are raising thousands of dollars each. Helping them get their luggage on the right truck and then helping them find it on the other end is the least I can do. (Imagine the logistics of 2 tractor trailer trucks and 5 box trucks full of luggage!) My shifts are Friday from 2-9:00 pm, and then Saturday from 5 am to 5 pm. I have slept in my car the past few years. This time my car was up in Wellesley. I rode down in one of the luggage trucks. I joined the hundreds of people tenting on the campus of Mass Marritime. The past years, I have done Sunday morning luggage stint, too, but not last year....
I decided over the winter that I was going to do the 80 mile volunteer ride on Sunday. That was a pretty big decision, in of itself, since I hadn't ridden a bike in about 25 years. Everything was meant to be. One of my clients shared an unexpected referral with me. This was enough to buy a bike. And then there was the helmet, bike shoes, padded shorts and bike rack to add to this. Only one problem. I had never ridden a bike with toe clips before. I was petrified. I spent weeks riding a 2 mile loop around the Springfield Industrial Park. I then graduated to doing laps (35 miles worth) at the Springfield bike path. My first venture on the roads was a 40 mile event that Okemo hosted in June.
Each week after that, I built up my ride, managed to conquer some hills, and got more confident. My longest Vermont ride was 64 miles. It made me nervous to head down to the PMC without hitting 70 as they had suggested, but I crossed my fingers that Vermont's hills would have counted for something.
Sunday came. Up at 4:30. Packed up my tent. Dropped off my luggage at the Wellesley truck, and then made my way over to the bikes. The volunteer riders were heading out at 5:30. It turns out, this was just a small group of first time riders. The rest took off earlier. So many thoughts...Could I do it? Did I have everything? Could I do it? How would I know the route? Could I do it? Oy!
Off we went. I discovered the PMC green arrows. One worry gone. I started to enjoy the ride. I feared a huge group of cyclists all clumped together. That wasn't the case. It was nice and spread out. I rode by so many memories from when I was a kid...Onset Beach, the entrance to Parkwood, Main Street Wareham, going by the bogs, passing Edavile Railroad. In no time I was at the first stop at 25 miles. I hadn't eaten breakfast, so I grabbed cantaloupe and peanut butter sandwiches (staffed and made by more volunteers).
Another rider and I ended up riding together for this next leg. The Vermont hills did help. Before long, we were at the lunch stop at the Patriots' Foxboro Stadium. After about 35 minutes, I was off again. It was decidedly more urban, but the road selection on the whole ride is great. This time I road by Norfolk Aggie where my Dad went to school, and then by Bubbling Brook in my old hometown of Westwood. The final leg was Walpole, Dover, Needham and Wellesley. I intentionally didn't watch the mapping computer on my phone. I didn't want to be thinking....damn, I still have 20 miles to go. Low and behold, I came around a corner, and there were signs...Welcome PMC Riders!
Emotions...tears, happy tears...I did it, and ....tears for all those I was riding for. Thankfully the finish was 1/2 mile through the campus and I had time to regain my composure. I felt great. My legs were fine, my only complaint was my seat bones. Boy, that is one hard seat.
I did not spread the word ahead of the ride. I did not want to seek donations and then let people down if I didn't make it through the training or complete the ride. I had a couple of early supporters and then I reached out for support. Just knowing that every dime that the riders raise goes straight to DFCI makes a huge difference to people. The event is all paid for by sponsors, bless them! I can't thank all of you that were with me in spirit and financial support enought. You are awesome!
Just imagine. 10,000 people coming together for three days, and who manage to raise over $50,000,000 in ONE WEEKEND. I can't begin to tell you what a thrill it is to be a part of this. Thanks for anything you can do. This year's goal is $52,000,000.
One last thing....If you think you would like to be involved as a volunteer, let me know and I will point you in the right direction. There are lots of other jobs besides slinging luggage!
I did it! You did it! You put me over the top of my $1500.00 goal last year, and this year I am out to raise $2000.00.
Keep in mind, on September 23rd, the Jimmy Fund Boston Marathon Walk will take place, also for Dana Farber Cancer Institute....I would love to have you join me on the walk to help out DFCI. 5 mi, 13 mi, or the full 26. Hope to see you then. Thanks for all you do.
