100 Days and Counting....

The Pan Mass Challenge is exactly 100 days away!!   

And speaking of 100, I finished the second 100 miles in my training.  Thankfully, it was easier than the first.

Kickin' Butt

My butt, that is...  This past weekend I got out for two back to back power rides - 40 miles on Saturday and just under 30 on Sunday.  

I had my first of the season wind-free day on Saturday, taking a nice rural route through North Andover, Boxford, Topsfield, Hamilton, Ipswich and back. What a pleasure.  Here's a picture of the church in Topsfield Center.

On Sunday I went out and back to Byfield to watch my son's lacrosse game.  The route back takes me up one of the biggest monster hills in the area. It almost sucked the life out of me as I tried to maintain a speed of at least 5 mph so I wouldn't fall off my bike.  Thankfully, I made it and was rewarded with a 31 mph sprint down the backside. But clearly I need more uphill work.

I hope to eventually work up to 7 - 9 hours per week as the spring progresses and we move into summer.  This weekend I was on the bike almost 5 hours, so I'll be in good shape if I can repeat this formula in addition to some lighter weekday rides.

PMC Freshman Orientation

Last week I attended the Pan Mass Challenge "Freshman Orientation".  This event was planned for newbies like me to learn all about the PMC.  

Founder Billy Starr kicked off the presentation and was followed by enthusiastic speakers on things like fundraising, training, safety, nutrition, logistics, and anything else you'd want to know if you were doing this event for the first time.  It was very informative and I'm so glad I went.

The highlight of the night for me was seeing the videos about why the PMC was started, why people do it, and the impact it has made in people's lives. I'm not embarrassed to say that I was openly weeping during certain clips.

I knew I was in for a big physical challenge when I signed up for this. I also knew I was supporting a great cause. 

But I had no idea of how being a part of something this big - this huge - might affect me.  I think I got a glimpse of it as I was watching the videos, wiping my eyes.  Now I can't wait to live it.

A Swamp Thing

Ah, another swamp picture.  

I never really had a thing for swamps before I started riding.  But I sure seem to take a lot of pictures of them.  

I don't know why that is. Maybe I just happen to pass a lot of swamps on my rides.  Or maybe there are just a lot of swamps out there.

Whatever the reason, they always catch my eye and give me a few moments of quiet tranquility.

The First 100

I've got the first 100 miles of training under my belt and all I have to say is this: Boy, was I out of shape!

These initial miles have felt so hard. I'd like to say it is because I've chosen hilly routes on excessively raw and windy days (which I think I have). But unfortunately, I think it's simply because I'm out of biking shape.

Why is it that it takes so long to build, but then falls off so fast? That's just not right. Plus, it seems that being in shape in other ways, like through running or walking regularly, doesn't really do much in the bike shape department.

All I know is this can't have anything to do with getting older, right?

The only choice here, though, is to get my butt back out there regulary and keep pushing forward. And just maybe, the second 100 won't be as hard as the first.

The Memory of Winter

I complained a lot about the cold this winter.  But occassionally I did stop to appreciate its quiet serenity, like this roadside scene from my first ride of the season last month.