tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86931589157259144832011-04-21T14:40:07.625-04:00Chronicles our 2008 Pan Mass Challenge (PMC) training & fundraising efforts. The PMC is 192-mile, 2-day ride that raising money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institutes "Jimmy Fund" which provides money for cancer treatment and research.Team Iwamotohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13724671346067580188noreply@blogger.comBlogger331100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-64034843100480204512008-11-06T20:05:00.002-05:002008-11-06T20:17:30.652-05:00

5,300 PMC riders raised a total of $35 Million in 2008. This brings the total amount raised by the PMC for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute to $239,000,000 since 1980. That is a huge amount of money for cancer care & research. It's nothing to scoff at - thats some serious money.As you may know, Ken & I are expecting our first child in late April of 2009. You might think that we would take a year

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-11478616852500651162008-08-06T13:35:00.002-04:002008-08-06T13:38:05.417-04:00

This is an email I received just now.... Kind of a nice break down of PMC demographics, for those of you who have not yet dropped dead of statistical boredom. As you can see, I, as a woman who is now, finally, in my "30s" - I am in the minority in this group... 13 years younger than the average, and among the 37% minority. Sturbridge Start: 2,837Wellesley Start:

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-6152247487916079672008-08-05T10:21:00.003-04:002008-08-05T12:07:40.012-04:00

Now, I know that the stats are the ONLY reason some of you check this blog - and I completely forgot them. They're the most interesting part!PMC - related miles for 2008: 940 milesMarch: 61.1 milesApril: 115.8 milesMay: 71.6 miles (I had 3 rides in May. What was I doing instead of riding? I can't remember.)June: 139.65 milesJuly: 438.69 miles (more than the entire year put together up to that

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-51101715124865222122008-08-04T12:25:00.004-04:002008-08-04T13:11:45.432-04:00

By August 3rd, our 2008 fundraising total for the PMC is just over $4,700. We're still accepting donations until the October 1 deadline. I know some of you have expressed concern because you thought you missed the deadline, but you haven't - we still have almost 2 full months left.  There is still time.Our total over the years is now about $14,700.  Not too shabby. Although, obviously, we're

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-32623624830780325562008-08-04T12:19:00.003-04:002008-08-04T13:44:51.901-04:00

You know, for signing up for a mere 47-mile route, I was on some level surprised that yesterday turned out to be my longest single-day ride ever. I shouldn’t have been, but there you have it. The grand total for our 2008 PMC ride was 112.48 miles. Previously, our longest ride to date was 111 miles, during the first day of last years PMC.Yesterday went like this: We woke up at 3:45 in the

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-1416990408817605742008-08-01T08:48:00.002-04:002008-08-01T09:32:54.754-04:00

Opening ceremonies will be broadcast live starting at 8 p.m.  on NECN. It MIGHT be broadcast on their website as well, although I don't really know. Here comes the time when I wish I hadn't been so darn logical in choosing our route this year.  It would have been really nice to do the whole 2-day event again, despite the other stuff going on in our lives and our inability to reach the minimum

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-17188622428766465412008-07-28T06:38:00.002-04:002008-07-28T07:06:07.532-04:00

Ken & I completed a 70-mile ride down on the cape on Saturday.  We've come to the conclusion that riding on the cape, although flat, is much harder than riding in a "normal" place:  the traffic on cape roads is generally awful, but the rail trail, while beautiful, is full of starts and stops with road crossings and random kids stopping directly in the middle of the trail - by the time you get up

kainoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-3909670907122563962008-07-20T11:41:00.002-04:002008-07-20T11:48:42.906-04:00

I joined a '300 mile per month' challenge that started on July 1. Yesterday I completed the challenge a full 12 days early.  I'm averaging 100 miles or so a week. I had been hoping to get 130 miles or so in this week, but unfortunately reality has gotten in the way, and it looks like I'll be stuck at 88 miles (unless I find some energy later on). Ken ended up having to work all night long last

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-44019436563815356022008-07-20T11:28:00.002-04:002008-07-20T11:41:12.761-04:00

Well, we've made our goal. Thanks again to all of you who have helped us along way. Your generosity is commendable. We are still asking for donations, however, so if you've been planning to donate but haven't yet gotten around to it, it's not too late. In fact, our fundraising isn't actually due until October.  Even though we've reached our goal, we would still like to raise as much money as

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-20997823363829899202008-07-17T12:17:00.004-04:002008-07-18T09:49:00.594-04:00

So I've mapped out the 1 day route that we are riding this year. The elevation profile is showing a measely 207 feet of climbing and a length of 45 miles.   According to our ride booklet, there is a breakfast buffet from 6 am until 7:15 am.  It's possible we will have 2 big challenges on the day of the ride: 1) getting to that buffet before the ride starts and 2) getting home after the ride. The

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-52785319684794034862008-07-14T07:14:00.004-04:002008-07-18T09:47:10.830-04:00

Well, we're back home now, and I have my handy little spreadsheet that shows my seasonal totals. I've ridden just a hair over 600 miles, burned 25,000 kcals, and spent 45 hours in the saddle. On average, it costs me 40 calories to ride a mile on my bike.25,000 calories is like eating 581 pounds of lobster meat. Follow that link if you were looking for an excuse to indulge. Apparently, the

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-25664051446754838242008-07-14T00:34:00.002-04:002008-07-14T00:42:26.988-04:00

Last month we were noted in the local paper, along with the other 10 town residents who are participating in the PMC.More recently, six town residents who are volunteering their time and skills to the PMC during the ride weekend were also noted.I was pleased to see that our local paper recognizes both volunteers and riders - we riders can't do anything without the volunteers. Without the riders,

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-14415411216208028462008-07-13T10:23:00.003-04:002008-07-13T11:09:23.648-04:00

Well, I'm borrowing Ken's computer while we watch Le Tour on TV, so I don't have access to my cumulative totals for the season. But yesterday we did a long training ride on the Cape ("the Cod" as my niece used to say).  "Long" is a such a relative term - last year, the ride we did yesterday would have been considered "shorter" or maybe "medium length".  Funny the difference a year

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-90112300084347102062008-07-09T10:53:00.002-04:002008-07-09T11:03:04.787-04:00

We're at about 30% of our fundraising goal - we've raised $895 to date. Thanks so much to those of you who have already contributed! Our average per-person contribution is $81. At this rate, we'll need an additional 25 donors to make our fundraising goal. We officially have until fall to raise the total amount, so I am trying not to panic yet. I think we can do it.I have to send more letters

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-18933189971404641262008-07-09T09:57:00.002-04:002008-07-09T10:53:01.434-04:00

.. has come and gone. Hope everyone had a happy & safe holiday. Ken took last week off - a much needed break from constantly checking his blackberry. It was really nice to walk into a room and not crash into him because he was standing in the doorway reading email. It appeared to have been good for him as well :-)We did some biking last week - a group ride Wednesday morning at 6 a.m., and we did

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-64642019758460485662008-07-01T21:00:00.002-04:002008-07-01T21:18:11.600-04:00

Well, June is over. We've had a nice string of thunderstorms nearly every afternoon. For the first time ever, I saw hail in New England. Luckily, I've gotten into the habit of riding in the morning. As a result, I've only had to cancel one ride due to weather conditions thus far.Fundraising: We've raised $570, which means we're at 19% of our goal. Not too bad, but we still have a long way to

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-46795257828376923092008-06-23T12:11:00.003-04:002008-08-05T14:29:07.843-04:00

So after update our PMC profile & history on the PMC website, it occurs to me that we might do well to explain why we particpate in the PMC. It's a lot of work - we wouldn't want to seem crazy.Karen's mother, Wanda, had cancer when she was in elementary school. As a child, Karen was shielded from the pain & the fear associated with her mother's illness, but looking back, it was a definitive life

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-25819666002538254942008-06-22T11:03:00.005-04:002008-06-24T13:39:33.795-04:00

On Friday, I received an email from a friend - she has sent in a $250 check to our PMC team. Very thoughtful of her, and we so appreciate it. Between this friend and my mom, we'll be up to about 15% of our goal once that check clears. We have a LONG way to go.

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-19814795606748637562008-06-22T10:05:00.002-04:002008-06-22T11:02:57.951-04:00

We had a nice little 26 mile ride yesterday, just Ken & I. It was hotter out than we expected - we later saw a bank sign that stated it was 87 degrees out - but it was still mighty fine out. We started our ride and headed up the first dreaded hill. Dreaded not so much because of it's size, but because we only ever ride up it completely cold - we are never warmed up before climbing the hill.

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-89993179479088325162008-06-20T14:22:00.005-04:002008-06-20T14:58:54.561-04:00

I had an EMG scan done today as part of a "checking out a new chiropractor" exam this morning. Part of my continuing "try to stop the pain in my shoulder" quest. This was after a 20 mile ride at 630 this morning (which contained hills at 9% and 11% grade, at times - a good ride).This is my take from it: A normal, well adjusted, pain free person's scan would like the diagram in the upper Right

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-86810723370667751922008-06-16T09:46:00.002-04:002008-06-16T09:56:17.532-04:00

So we're up to $200 in fundraising (thanks, mom!). My mom apparently got very tired of waiting for the donation letter to arrive, and sent me an unsolicited donation. Which was a nice kick in the butt to finally get those letters out.We only have several thousand dollars left to go. I was hoping to avoid sending paper letters out, but I've come to the conclusion that it's just too easy to loose

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-88050047541049477422008-06-16T09:17:00.005-04:002008-06-16T11:34:34.063-04:00

Summer solstice comes this weekend! We've had our first heat wave and Ken's allergies are no longer keeping him off the bike, and he has been figuring out some quick routes that he can ride before going to work a couple of mornings a week. Due to his intense work schedule, its been really hard for him to find time to ride. Although, you know, it's light out until 830pm or so. But if we were to

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-12002184108713151392008-05-11T19:17:00.002-04:002008-05-11T19:29:27.353-04:00

Well, it's Mother's Day. After seeing my mom for her day, it occurred to me that it really is time to finally get those donation request letters out. I can't wait any longer, as the year just keeps marching on.This year, we are trying to go the electronic route for fundraising. Here's the link to our PMC online donation page. If you would prefer to send us a check, then that is fine to- send

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-48194102355182716622008-05-01T09:52:00.003-04:002008-05-01T10:29:12.834-04:00

Well, now that Blogger has decided our blog ISN'T a spam blog (thanks, guys) - we are back on track.We had a wonderful stretch of summer-like weather for most of the middle of April. It was beautiful - riding without the neoprene booties and those ridiculous tights was a welcome relief (it was also nice not to freeze). Of course, it was allergy season, and Ken was sidelined by a nasty cold/upper

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-36658071308435970602008-04-12T20:52:00.002-04:002008-04-12T22:00:42.521-04:00

Well, after today, I have ridden 76.70 miles so far this April. Pretty good, considering I rode 60 or so in all of March. Year to date, I've ridden 152.60 miles, which doesn't include trainer time (I don't think).Today's ride was incredible. Originally, the forecast for today was rainy and in the 50s. Lo and behold, it turned out to be in the mid-70s and sunny. Gotta love New England! We cut

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-31823673655147803592008-04-08T21:18:00.002-04:002008-04-08T21:23:53.529-04:00

While checking out MapMyRide, I came across a common route that we typically do early in the season, or later in the year as a recovery-type ride. The ease of inserting this info here is really amazing, so I'm going to participate in some gratuitous linking/inserting. Bear with me.<a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/

kainoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-80365313654187454882008-04-04T11:37:00.001-04:002008-04-04T11:37:31.551-04:00

... bring May flowers? Let's hope so. Earlier this week, the forecast for this coming Sunday was for a sunny day in the mid-50s, so were planning a ride. Now they are calling for rain and 43 degrees. Another weekend of riding in the basement - there isn't much that is less appealing than sitting on the trainer in a cold & dark basement for an hour or so. Unless, of course, you consider riding in

Team Iwamotohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13724671346067580188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-17461838153326043692008-03-31T10:55:00.001-04:002008-03-31T11:18:14.741-04:00

Well, March is over. Wish I could say it was lovely - alas, it was not. But hey - it's over!In March Karen bought a new bike - one that actually fits. This should prevent a repeat of last year's injuries. Her old bike was a 48 cm size frame- her new bike's frame size is 53 cm. In bikes, that is a ridiculously HUGE difference. Appalling, really. To the point where her body is in such a different

Team Iwamotohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13724671346067580188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-50509292142589037932008-01-23T18:43:00.000-05:002008-01-23T20:02:15.799-05:00

who has survived cancer, or honor the memory of someone who was less fortunate, please let us know the correct spelling of their name, and any pertinent information you'd like us to have when you make your donation (or at any time, really, even if you choose not to donate for any reason).One thing that has become apparent during our previous fundraising efforts is that everyone knows a survivor

Team Iwamotohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13724671346067580188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-4290306048711579022008-01-18T15:59:00.000-05:002008-01-23T18:43:34.450-05:00

For now, I'll post the link & instructions on how to support our ride online using the PMC's secure eGift method. In an effort to be more environmentally friendly this year, I would like to conduct as much fundraising as I can online - it'll cut down on paper and stamps. If this doesn't work out so hot, I'll revert to the original mailing of letters and forms with a SASE envelope. If you'd

Team Iwamotohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13724671346067580188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-69945787694493510302008-01-18T15:42:00.000-05:002008-01-18T15:59:03.378-05:00

Well, OK, maybe not FUN, but important facts.The PMC began in 1980, and since that time it has raised more than $200 Million for the Jimmy FundThrough the 1990s, the PMC contributed between 92 to 99 cents of rider-raised dollarThe PMC attracted 5,100 cycling fundraisers from 36 states and 10 countries in 2007.There are now seven PMC routes which cover 360 miles of infrastructure and travel

Team Iwamotohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13724671346067580188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-73017746243408721202008-01-18T15:13:00.000-05:002008-01-18T15:41:48.921-05:00

For those of you who weren't subjected to my on-going ramblings regarding the PMC last year, I should explain what the PMC is, and why it is important to not only us, but to a great many people.The PMC, or Pan-Mass Challenge is 2-day event in Massachusetts that raises money for the Jimmy Fund, which is the main fundraiser for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. The Jimmy Fund was

Team Iwamotohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13724671346067580188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693158915725914483.post-51818246116093628532008-01-17T20:17:00.000-05:002008-01-17T21:01:36.763-05:00

Well folks, hello again & Happy New Year. We received so much positive feedback regarding last year's PMC blog, that we are starting earlier this year (i.e., more than a few weeks before the actual event like we did last year).We've just signed up for our third year of involvement with the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC). For PMC 2006, we participated in a one-day Sturbridge to Wellesley route (which

Team Iwamotohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13724671346067580188noreply@blogger.com0