Last modified: Thursday, July 24, 2008 2:47 AM EDT ROSE: Runners take to their bikes BY ROB ROSE FOR THE SUN CHRONICLE It's unusual to see a group of eight-to-10 runners out together on an early, mid-week training run. Collective training in these parts is usually confined to the weekends. However, when I saw a pack of cyclists rolling through Norton, as I did early on a Tuesday morning last week, I wasn't surprised at all. After all, we are in the midst of Pan-Mass. season. It seems that when the calendar turns to June, cyclists suddenly inundate the roads. Their brightly-colored jerseys, emblazoned with names such as Saunier Duval, make them highly visible. The confluence of warm weather, extended daylight and the impending Pan-Mass. Challenge creates this seasonal aberration. The Pan-Mass. Challenge is an annual event that raises money for cancer, specifically the Jimmy Fund. Cyclists ride from either Sturbridge or Wellesley to Bourne or Provincetown, some riding one day, others two. Some ride 90 miles, others 170. Next Saturday morning, an armada of riders will pour through Norfolk, Wrentham, Plainville, North Attleboro, Attleboro, Foxboro, Mansfield, Norton and Rehoboth on their way to their Saturday destination, Bourne. Of the 5,000 riders on the move next weekend, 145 are Attleboro area residents and some of them are runners. Yes, serious runners, marathoners, will be turning the pedals in the Pan-Mass. on August 2 and 3. For most it's a once-a-year event, an interruption in the running routine and a chance to give the body a little summer break. "Preparing for the Pan-Mass. has definitely been easier than training for a marathon," said five time marathoner Nancy Parent of North Attleboro. "Cycling is a lot more forgiving on the body; no nagging injuries that you get with all the pounding with running." Norfolk's Shelly Chisholm reinforced that thought. "Training for the PMC is easier," the six-time marathoner said. "Probably because we train as a team and because when I'm riding I am more in tuned with nature than when I run and I seem to be able to appreciate nature's beauty more." She also felt that the two day ride is kinder and gentler than 26 miles on the road. "Marathon running is more taxing," she said. "During the PMC there are stops every 40 miles, so we are constantly replenishing and we get to stop as much as we need. While running a marathon there's no stopping. Also while riding there's a lot of coasting and drafting so you get lots of opportunities to rest your muscles. That doesn't happen with marathon running." Most Pan-Mass. runners cut back on their running in the summer, reaping the benefit of the cross training effect. "Running helps cycling more than cycling helps running," said Mansfield's Dave Fernandez. "I can go a week without biking, go bike for two hours and not be sore after. If I take a week off running, I feel it the next time I run. Cycling is great though because you can add a lot of volume while minimizing risk for injury." Although Pan-Mass. is an endurance athletic event, all the runners came to it, not from the physical aspect but an altruistic one. "The PMC is 'not about the bike' as Lance Armstrong says," said 14 PMC, four-marathon veteran Fernandez. "I started riding because my friends mom was being treated at Dana Farber and because one of my best friends growing up died of leukemia at age 19 after battling it for five years. It was awful." All the runner-cyclists have a connection to someone afflicted by cancer and one, Kris Porell is a survivor. "I started riding with friends after I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001," said the Norfolk resident. "This will be my sixth ride. I am on a team for the second year. Three of us are survivors and the rest have been touched by cancer in some way. I really do it for the amazing effect the money raised has on research. I personally speak to many women throughout the year to share my story and some way give inspiration." Some runners run Boston then Pan-Mass., others Pan-Mass. then a fall marathon as Kristin Weisker did a couple of years ago. She went from her cycling excursion to Chicago Marathon prep rather quickly. "I jumped off the bike that Sunday and began my training for the marathon with a three mile run Tuesday followed by a seven mile on Thursday," said the Mansfield resident. "I figured my bike riding had me at sufficient cardo to jump in on week nine schedule of training." The transition can be daunting. "It is hard to train for these two events in one year," said Porell, who has run two marathons this year. Although all runners expressed their desire to maintain their devotion to their main sport, the joy and benefits of cycling have certainly cast its spell, at least on one first time Pan-Mass. rider. "My husband Mike has ridden for the past 13 years and I always thought it was an inspiring event," said Parent. "I knew I would ride eventually and this seemed like the perfect time." Footnotes The Newman Y 5K was not held on its usual time slot this year, early April; per race director Luca Del Borgo, the Seekonk event has been moved to Nov. 27 and reconfigured to a Holiday Trimmings 5K and 10K; a new 10K; now that's something to get excited about ...Plainville's Ron Farkash completed last Saturday's Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Race, finishing 51st in 22:14:42, an improvement on his 22:53:07 last year; its very rare to have a local runner do Vermont in consecutive years, let alone improving one's time.