30 Days of Biking, Chilly Days

Day 13, Rainy day ride to Riverhead Beach

We had another week of cold, wet weather interspersed with a few sunny (but still cold) days. I'm continuing to get out early on the sunny days to encounter the fewest people, and sleep in a little later on the wet weather days. (I very seldom come across another cyclist, runner, or pedestrian on rainy days.) My routes are all familiar ones, inside what Chip calls my "bubble", as I stay within a 5-6 mile radius from home. Our emergency order is still in place in Massachusetts -- Covid-19 hasn't yet abated.

Day 14, Social distancing in Salem

Day 15, One Boston Day, honoring the region's resiliency
and strength following the marathon bombings 7 years ago.

“This jersey that we wear today, it doesn’t say Red Sox. It says Boston. We want to thank you, Mayor Menino, Governor Patrick, the whole police department for the great job that they did this past week. This is our f**king city. And nobody going to dictate our freedom. Stay strong.” -- David Ortiz, April 20, 2013

Day 16, snowflakes in the morning, but Spring has spring

Day 17, another chilly day, temps in mid 30s at the start
(Pic 1)

Day 17, familiar routes through Salem  as I ride within
my bubble. (Pic 2)

Day 15, 30 Days of Biking: Boston Strong

A short three mile loop on the neck, after catching the morning sunrise, wasn't meant to be my only ride of the day... but as the day wore on and got away from me, my morning jaunt turned out to be my only ride. Some days are better than others.

It was a day of reflection today, April 15th, marking the two-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings. It's hard to believe two years have passed.

#30daysofbiking

Day 20: 30 Days of Biking, Team Achilles Freedom

Riding along the Charles River in Boston
Kevin takes the lead, followed by Mike and Tim.

Today I had my best ride of the thirty day challenge. My friend Tim is in town to ride the Boston Marathon with other wounded veterans from Team Achilles Freedom. Today, we went for a pre-marathon warmup ride along the Charles River together. I got directions from Cyclopath marathoner, (and Charlestown resident), Mike Kelleher on how to get from the USS Constitution in Charlestown, (near Tim's hotel), to the biking paths along the Charles. I wasn't confident heading out -- (I was fairly certain I'd get us all lost) -- but Mike gave me perfect directions. Thanks, MK!

We had a chilly morning along the river, but the guys didn't seem to mind. We flew along on a southerly tailwind, with Tim leading the way, skirting past hundreds of runners who were also out getting in a pre-race shakeout. Of course those tailwinds came with a price on the trip back, and the brisk headwind dropped our pace for the return -- only 10 miles roundtrip, but enough miles to make sure the bikes are ready for tomorrow's marathon.

Good luck guys!!

#30daysofbiking

Day 15: 30 Days of Biking, Local Miles

Still feeling beat up from yesterday, I went for an easy ride today in light drizzle and high winds for Day 15 of 30 Days of Biking. We're halfway there! I poked through town and headed down to Ocean House Surf for coffee, which is my favorite place in The Swamp to get a latte. They tracked 60 mph wind gusts at the shop yesterday. Killer winds. One of the guys pulled up an app on the iPad and we looked at the current wind track and plotted a route that would give me a little relief from the headwinds on my ride. (Best advice? Avoid the causeway today!) It was a really cool app, which probably comes in handy for surfing! (Nice guys at Ocean House Surf.)

It's a crappy day for weather -- and I only managed 14 easy miles -- but it was good to get out for a ride and reflection. Tough day in New England. Run, bike, be strong today.

#30daysofbiking

Signs of Spring

Looking outside at the snow still in my front yard, it's hard to believe it's officially Spring, with more cold weather expected next week. Todays' temps in the high 40's also brought breaks of sun here and there, illuminating the Boston Marathon banners along Boylston Street this morning. Ahhh...the promise of Spring!

Hitting the Reset Button

I love Sundays. It feels like we press the reset button at the end of the week and everything is reenergized. Last week was a tiring week after the emotional drain of the marathon bombing the week before. On Friday, one of my second graders didn't seem like himself, so I asked him if he was okay. He looked right at me and said, "It's been a long day, Mrs. Cronin. I think I need a drink." I was momentarily stunned, until he continued on to ask, "Can I get some water from the bubbler?" Honestly, those kids just make me smile.

I'm following Shayne's training plan this week and just got back from an early ride. As I headed out the door, the Fed Ex truck pulled up with new cycling tights I ordered from Pactimo at a super sale price -- (that place rocks) -- and of course I put them right on. My legs were super cozy on my ride around the neck... I think it's going to be a good week.

Keeping Faith and Staying Strong

We had a hard week, Boston peeps. I don't really need to put it all into words -- we shared this tragedy together -- and others have written about it more eloquently than I can. My emotions were up and down all week, and when I texted a friend to say I couldn't stop crying because some cranky older man went nutty outside our vets' office and kicked Rigby, she knew I wasn't crying about the dog. (Yes, Rigby was fine. He's such a big dope.)

I know we'll pull through this. We grow tenacity and resilience here in New England. We don't cower in a crisis, but stay strong and courageous, with care, compassion, and pride. That strength was tested this week, but not broken. I know this because on Thursday, before any suspects had been identified, my son expressed his unwavering faith that those guilty would be caught and punished. (Actually, he said they would be caught and "taken care of". His idea of justice may differ from mine.) He told me he wanted to go to the marathon next year and show whoever did this that we're still standing. ("Boston Strong, Mom.")

I managed to get in my ride workouts Friday and over the weekend for a 78 mile week. Sometimes, the best way to clear your head is to just ride.

EOD Dispatched to Boston

Boston Police Bomb Squad
Alex Trautwig/Getty Images

A sad coincidence to the events that happened on Monday, (and then I'll stop writing about this, because it doesn't help emotionally.) I started letting people know last week that I planned to take on the ride for the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation. I met with my new training coach, (more on that here), and let friends know what my ride plans were -- and most responded, "What's EOD?"

Yesterday, a friend texted me noting the repeated references to EOD in the news. Units were dispatched around the city Monday to deal with possible bomb threats -- and a Navy EOD team arrived in Boston yesterday to help with the investigation. She wrote, "I didn't know what EOD was until you told me about the ride... and I never thought something like this would hit so close to home."

Honestly, neither did I.

With Love to the Kelleher Family

Mike and his dad at the PMC Finish.

It's not comforting to know how close Michael K. was to the bomb blast. (Bomb blasts kill at least three, leave scores injured, Washington Post). Michael was closing in on the finish line and was less than 50 yards from the first explosion, and closer on the second. (He's quoted in the article.) I wish I didn't know this, MK.

We're truly thankful our beloved friends are safe -- and our thoughts and prayers continue for those suffering.

In the Aftermath

Yesterday was a tough day -- And today is no better, as the reality of yesterday's bombing at the Boston Marathon sinks in. My heart is just so heavy today.

As a point person for the North Shore Cyclopaths, I immediately tried to figure out the status of our gang at the marathon, and relied on social media. I was relieved to hear Donna, Kathy and Meg were evacuated from the finish line where they were handing out medals, celebrating amazing athletic achievements. Mike K's runmeter stopped at 24.3 miles and I couldn't tell what was going on... or where he was at... which heightened the tension. I could only pray that his two little boys weren't in front of the BPL waiting for their dad to come down Boylston Street where the blasts occurred. I learned through Facebook the status of MK and other friends, and got the word out to the group, relieved but still numb. These things don't happen here. Not in Boston.

My boys gave me a hug to comfort me when I broke down in tears. I worry about the affect a tragedy like this has on them -- how it might change them -- but the awful reality is this is how life is. They are growing up post-9/11 -- their cousins have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in the war on terror -- and there have been just too many horrific events in recent years. Passing through security measures to get into school, or learning of a bombing just three blocks from my old office, doesn't really hit them like it does me -- or maybe they're stronger than me.

I love this town. I try not to drop my r's, or say 'wicked awesome' too much, but I'm proud to be a Bostonian. Deeply saddened, too.

Incomprehensible

My heart and prayers are with the athletes, spectators and families at today's Boston Marathon. I'm grateful to know that several of my Cyclopath teammates at today's marathon were fine -- Mike K. ran a great race and made it home safe; and Donna, Meg, and Queen Kathy, all working at the marathon finish and checking in runners, were evacuated and out of harm's way. Patti P. also reports that she made it home safe.

My heart is breaking for those who didn't. A very, very sad day for all Bostonians.

"the free and fiercely independent spirit"

"Today is a holiday in Massachusetts -- Patriots' Day. It's a day that celebrates the free and fiercely independent spirit that this great American city of Boston has reflected from the earliest days of our nation. And it's a day that draws the world to Boston's streets in a spirit of friendly competition. Boston is a tough and resilient town. So are it's people. I'm supremely confident that Bostonians will pull together, take care of each other, and move forward as one proud city."

-- Barack Obama, April 15, 2013