Jena Beecher's Ride
192 miles? BRING it.
Family and friends,
In just a few days Kat and I will be in Sturbridge! From there, we will pedal to Provincetown. From Sturbridge. No, seriously. We will.
The mental aspect of any challenge, physical or otherwise, is a fascinating thing. There comes a point on some rides where I am convinced I can't make it another mile. I have truly contemplated hollering up to Katina to go ahead without me. But, I see Luca's face on her jersey and am reminded that if cycling down Atlantic Ave in Cohasset is too tough for me, I'm certainly not worthy enough to be a member of his team. So, I keep pedaling. And once again he proves me wrong. He knew I could do it all along.
Someone else knew it too - my close friend and Team Luca partner, Kat, has never doubted my ability. She tests this by trying to chat while struggling through Marshfield Hills. She says "I prefer a tough uphill to a steep downhill" - and sporting a high ponytail through her helmet all the while. Can anyone believe I am a soul sister to this person?! For anyone lucky enough to receive Kat's updates as well, forgive the lovefest. I simply can't write about/think about/actually pedal 200 miles with someone unless there is a close bond. A REALLY close bond. Trust me, a 60-mile training ride that spans almost five hours includes conversation that covers LOTS of topics. I'd say I know all there is to know about her, but somehow I think 200 miles will introduce some fresh material (from both of us). And, according to Tracy, veteran PMC rider, there is a community shower at Mass Maritime to deal with. Bring it.
Lyric asked me recently if I was nervous about the PMC. Um, yes. I am nervous. I'd feel silly if I weren't. Team Luca riders from past years have shared things like, "When I was on the Bourne Bridge on Sunday morning, I thought I'd actually die." So, there's that. I know the first 50 miles on Day 1 are described as "hilly." That should be fun. The entire ride is just about 195 miles but I have already told Kat I plan on circling around a few water stops to make it an even 200. She agreed with the plan. See? Soul sisters.
The B-I-G news since my last update is my surviving a monumental wipeout. I happened to be in the lead when we crossed railroad tracks that had the helpful sign displayed below. We were on a flat stretch and were moving about 15 mph (the speed increases each time I tell the story). It wasn't pretty. I have a scar. And I may have saved an email from Kat which states "I can't believe you did 20 miles after the fall. I am in awe of your cycling prowess." I mean, really, when is someone going to use the word 'prowess' in a note to me again?
This PMC will be much different than my last, and not just in terms of miles. Last year I pedaled purely from anger, an anger I felt after meeting Meg and learning of Luca's story, an anger I didn't know I had in me. For this PMC, I have had one entire additional year with Meg, Jeff, and Olivia. I have heard a year's worth of stories about Luca. I have met (and come to adore) his grandparents. I learned I have an AMAZING and generous group of supporters.
I will always wish I'd had the chance to meet Luca, to bring him to my Mom's house to ride the horses, to hear him name the Yankee's players. And I will always be GRATEFUL to him for the blessings he has brought into my life, whether in the form of amazing friends, a stronger bond with my daughter, or the courage and inspiration to pedal almost 200-freaking-miles and the ability to FIGHT pediatric brain tumors. I'm not angry anymore (well, maybe just a little). I am hopeful. Hopeful that with your support, I can make a difference. That in years to come, a diagnosis of Medulloblastoma is equivalent to appendicitis. I am hopeful.
To date I am almost to 40% of my fundraising goal. For those who have already donated, THANK YOU is not enough. For anyone who read through my previous updates (congrats for reading the entire email --my husband swore no one would make it!), you may recall I set my target a wee-bit high this year. Longer ride = higher fundraising commitment. My final pre-PMC update last year ended with a fact - I was $106 away from my goal. Several people then donated $106. Imagine that?
This year I am $2,052 away from the minimum I need to raise. Any takers? It can't hurt to ask.
Wish me luck August 6th and 7th and know that while Luca is with me every mile, each and every one of you are as well.
With love,
- Jena
In just a few days Kat and I will be in Sturbridge! From there, we will pedal to Provincetown. From Sturbridge. No, seriously. We will.
The mental aspect of any challenge, physical or otherwise, is a fascinating thing. There comes a point on some rides where I am convinced I can't make it another mile. I have truly contemplated hollering up to Katina to go ahead without me. But, I see Luca's face on her jersey and am reminded that if cycling down Atlantic Ave in Cohasset is too tough for me, I'm certainly not worthy enough to be a member of his team. So, I keep pedaling. And once again he proves me wrong. He knew I could do it all along.
Someone else knew it too - my close friend and Team Luca partner, Kat, has never doubted my ability. She tests this by trying to chat while struggling through Marshfield Hills. She says "I prefer a tough uphill to a steep downhill" - and sporting a high ponytail through her helmet all the while. Can anyone believe I am a soul sister to this person?! For anyone lucky enough to receive Kat's updates as well, forgive the lovefest. I simply can't write about/think about/actually pedal 200 miles with someone unless there is a close bond. A REALLY close bond. Trust me, a 60-mile training ride that spans almost five hours includes conversation that covers LOTS of topics. I'd say I know all there is to know about her, but somehow I think 200 miles will introduce some fresh material (from both of us). And, according to Tracy, veteran PMC rider, there is a community shower at Mass Maritime to deal with. Bring it.
Lyric asked me recently if I was nervous about the PMC. Um, yes. I am nervous. I'd feel silly if I weren't. Team Luca riders from past years have shared things like, "When I was on the Bourne Bridge on Sunday morning, I thought I'd actually die." So, there's that. I know the first 50 miles on Day 1 are described as "hilly." That should be fun. The entire ride is just about 195 miles but I have already told Kat I plan on circling around a few water stops to make it an even 200. She agreed with the plan. See? Soul sisters.
The B-I-G news since my last update is my surviving a monumental wipeout. I happened to be in the lead when we crossed railroad tracks that had the helpful sign displayed below. We were on a flat stretch and were moving about 15 mph (the speed increases each time I tell the story). It wasn't pretty. I have a scar. And I may have saved an email from Kat which states "I can't believe you did 20 miles after the fall. I am in awe of your cycling prowess." I mean, really, when is someone going to use the word 'prowess' in a note to me again?
This PMC will be much different than my last, and not just in terms of miles. Last year I pedaled purely from anger, an anger I felt after meeting Meg and learning of Luca's story, an anger I didn't know I had in me. For this PMC, I have had one entire additional year with Meg, Jeff, and Olivia. I have heard a year's worth of stories about Luca. I have met (and come to adore) his grandparents. I learned I have an AMAZING and generous group of supporters.
I will always wish I'd had the chance to meet Luca, to bring him to my Mom's house to ride the horses, to hear him name the Yankee's players. And I will always be GRATEFUL to him for the blessings he has brought into my life, whether in the form of amazing friends, a stronger bond with my daughter, or the courage and inspiration to pedal almost 200-freaking-miles and the ability to FIGHT pediatric brain tumors. I'm not angry anymore (well, maybe just a little). I am hopeful. Hopeful that with your support, I can make a difference. That in years to come, a diagnosis of Medulloblastoma is equivalent to appendicitis. I am hopeful.
To date I am almost to 40% of my fundraising goal. For those who have already donated, THANK YOU is not enough. For anyone who read through my previous updates (congrats for reading the entire email --my husband swore no one would make it!), you may recall I set my target a wee-bit high this year. Longer ride = higher fundraising commitment. My final pre-PMC update last year ended with a fact - I was $106 away from my goal. Several people then donated $106. Imagine that?
This year I am $2,052 away from the minimum I need to raise. Any takers? It can't hurt to ask.
Wish me luck August 6th and 7th and know that while Luca is with me every mile, each and every one of you are as well.
With love,
- Jena
Jena's PMC Total
$0
Goal
$6,000
My Progress
My Rides
| 2011 | $4,412.5 | Sturbridge to Family Finish at Ptown (2-Day) |
| 2010 | $4,607 | Wellesley to Bourne (1-Day, Sat) |