PMC 2009 Statistics

Registered: 5,216
Off the line: 4,949
Male / Female: 65%/35%
Alumni / 1st Year: 75%/25%
Avg. Years in PMC: 4.6
Average Age of Riders: 43
2-day: 3,557
1-day: 943
1-day Sunday: 449
Teens: 13-19 176
Over 70: 39
Volunteer/Ride 36
Sturbridge Sat: 2,521
Wellesley Sat: 1,978
States: 36
Countries: 10
Volunteers: 3,000
Kids Rides: 36
# of Kids: 7,000

My wife: My hero

We're about a little more than halfway through 2009, and it feels like that we've already accomplished so much! Not to brag, but it's been a great year so far. At the top of the list is of course the birth of our daughter, Callen. Like every other child, a true miracle (in a non-cheesy, but really cheesy way).

Quickly following that accomplishment, and directly related, is Megan's riding of the Pan Mass Challenge only 6 weeks, 5 days, 2 hours and 23 minutes after giving birth to Callen. When we agreed to re-up for the PMC in January as a couple, we were both a bit cautious, and there were plenty of incredulous looks as we discussed our plans. It is an awfully big commitment to the organization, Dana Farber, our family and our friends to not give it your all. Often women have
enough going on post-birth just sorting out their newborn and themselves and couldn't even consider adding 84 miles to the mix.

Megan was spinning into about 8 months of the pregnancy to the point where she was unable to grab the drops on the handlebar. We worried with Callen's late birth (thanks Bean) that we'd be ill-prepared for the PMC.

With the help of our families, Megan was able to slowly get back on the bike with some slow, 10-15 mile rides around Martha's Vineyard in July at about 11 mph (about 5-7 mph off our 08 PMC pace). Within the next few weeks, the training miles grew slowly as did the donations.

PMC Saturday came like a blur with lots of logistics and calculating rest stops and meetups with her mom and Callen for feedings. Suddenly it was 4am, then we're in Wellesley, and we're off!

Riding with my wife those 84 miles, I have to say she looked like she never left the bike. Comfortable, poised and even a few bits of no-hands riding. And lots of passing others. So PRO.

We motored to Wrentham with the help of Josh, our other teammate then Megan went to Dighton solo to get there for Callen's feeding while I backtracked to Wrentham with mechanical issues.

As you might imagine, riding in itself is quite a feat for 84 miles. Add coordinating and calculating feeding a newborn in sweaty, spandex under a tree, surrounded by bikes to the mix, and it's almost inconceiveable. I don't quite think that the MMA baseball team's dugout ever was designed with feedings in mind.

When we crossed the line at Bourne, it was such a joy to do it with my best friend, lover and wife. Now I also add hero to that list of descriptors when talking about my wife.

In Bourne!

Quick hydration and carbo load pre Wellesley start