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I bet you can't watch this without smiling...

Right?! Here's hoping your Monday is anything but mundane.

Putting on my thinking cap

I'm currently undecided as to where this blog will go next, but I have a few ideas... stay tuned :)

What a ride

September is already here, the weather is starting to cool down (perfect for long weekend rides) and I'm beginning to crave hot pumpkin spice lattes. It's hard to believe that the PMC was over a month ago and I still haven't recapped my weekend. It was a fantastic experience and I'm already planning on signing up for another year. Who's with me?

Friday before the start Kevin and I -- loaded down with all of our gear and bikes -- braved the MBTA and rain to meet up with the rest of the Bruins team at the TD Garden. We packed our stuff into the Bruins hummer, received a goody bag with the Bruin's jerseys and some SWAG, took a team picture, and boarded the bus to Sturbridge.

{Team "Before" picture with the Bruin's Hummer}

When we arrived at the PMC Village, the rain was coming down in buckets, but not even soaking wet clothes and puddles could dampen the palpable excitement in the air. There were thousands of people checking in, meeting up with old/new friends, drinking free Harpoon beer (DEFINITELY a big part of the weekend), and just having a good time. It's hard not to feel part of something bigger than yourself in an environment like that...

{All of the bikes, ready for Saturday morning!}

Saturday morning we set out at 5:30 am and rode off into the mist. It was unbelievable how many people were out along the route at that time of the day cheering everyone on. The first 24 miles FLEW by (I never thought I would type a statement like that - ha). When we pulled up to the first water stop I almost considered skipping it (many of the cyclists do). We quickly used the restroom, grabbed a few snacks, and got back on the road.

{So many PMC jerseys}

{Feeling great at 24 miles}

There were quite a few hills on the first day, as expected, but the adrenaline and occasional bagpiper got me through. The melancholy strains of the pipes mixed with morning mist make for an inspiring and surreal climb. Beats the spinning room any day! By the time we reached the lunch stop I was still feeling great. We met up with Aunt Nancy who was riding from Wellesley to Bourne along with my Aunts and Grandmother. So great to see them cheering us and everyone else on!

{Devoted and dedicated fans}

{Lunch time!}

By the time I started to feel fatigued, we were in Bourne! I felt like a new person after a long shower (it was so nice to wash away the salt and sweat!) and massage from the Bruins personal sports masseurs (fancy, I know). Dinner was carbalicious and by 8:30pm I was fast asleep in the Mass Maritime library. Riding 110 miles will do that to you I guess!

{Post day-one... we did it!}

Sunday's ride started again around 5:30 and it definitely took me 15 miles to warm up. Going over the Bourne Bridge was really cool, but I was a little nervous when we were riding along the Cape Cod Canal because I felt so sluggish! The first major hill helped me get focused and I really started to enjoy the rolling hills that make up most of the second day. The key is to get up enough speed on the downhill so that you can get halfway up the next hill before you have to start working hard again.

{A little tired, but ready to take on day two}

I spent a lot of day two riding with several members of the Bruins team. It felt cool to be in a line of about 8 cyclists and my average speed was up around 16-18 mph! Thing got a little dicey when two of our riders collided, sending Abby to the hospital with a broken collar bone. I was at the back of the line when it happened and it was not fun to watch. Luckily everyone ended up being ok and we were able to continue on. After the second water stop and a nice long rest, we rode for several miles on the Cape Cod rail trail before joining back up with Route 6.

{The team}

I don't think I ever realized the cape is so hilly! Even though the second day is 30 miles shorter, it doesn't feel like it! And, because Kevin and I were on hybrids for the ride, we had to put in a lot more effort to keep pace with the rest of the team. The scenery was beautiful though and all of the spectators cheering motivated my legs to keep spinning. The last 15 miles felt like 50 and I was so very thankful when I crossed that finish line. I was totally maxed out.

Kevin's parents met us in Provincetown and we all went to Friendly's to celebrate. Well, we actually went to "Mandy's Friendly Restaurant" which used to be a Friendly's five years ago. I wonder how often they actually update Google maps because it still said Friendly's! Luckily the menu was almost identical and after filling my belly with deliciousness I fell fast asleep dreaming of PMC 2010, and lived happily ever after, THE END.

Well, I don't really remember what I dreamed about, but that sounded good, didn't it?

Pan-Mass Challenge’s Starr spokesman for important cause - The Boston Globe

Pan-Mass Challenge’s Starr spokesman for important cause - The Boston Globe

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11 Days...

...until I check in at Sturbridge, pick up my official PMC jersey, and attempt to get a good night's rest before our 5:30 am start.

I had dinner tonight with my aunt Nancy -- a 6-year veteran of the PMC and Wellesley to Bourne rider this year -- and we spent most of the night chatting about what an incredible experience it is! And I quote: "It's the best thing I have ever done in my life." With that kind of a review, I can't help but feel super excited (squeee!).

An Eight Hour Tour

90 miles? No problem.

I wouldn't say it was an easy ride -- miles 60-80 were verrrry slow due to the repetitive scenery in the state forest -- but I felt like I had extra energy at the end, and experienced minimal soreness the next day. S-U-C-C-E-S-S!

I actually think that one of the biggest challenges we faced was trying to find an exciting 90-mile route on an island that is less than 30 miles wide!

The weather was perfect: partly cloudy but not too hot with patches of fog that kept things interesting. One minute we were basking in the sun and the next minute it felt like we had just ridden into an industrial refrigerator. Very cool -- literally...

{A break at 41.5 miles - Aquinnah Cliffs}

Having made it through the longest training ride, my nerves about the ride itself are all but gone. Especially when I think about the adrenaline that will be pumping through my system during the big event.

Time to taper... T-2.5 weeks!