By Marty Basch

Donna Cormier discovered the joys of cycling 11 years ago.

"I was working at Downeast Bicycle and bought an old Fuji bike for five dollars from a couple in Fryeburg," she said. "I was out riding one afternoon and rode with a group from Maine riding up Evans Notch. My bike wasn't shifting but from that day on I was hooked."

Since then the Center Conway licensed massage therapist has twice ridden Tin Mountain's Mount Washington Century Ridge, competed in the 24 Hours of Great Glen and pedaled Bike for Books several times.

She's both a Mount Washington Velo Club member and White Mountain Miler.

The salt-and-pepper haired Cormier, 57, is a seasoned marathon runner (and skier too), taking up that pursuit some 20 years ago after quitting smoking and wanting to stay in shape.

"I love the endurance aspect of it," said the Bay State native and valley resident since 1975.

With a best time of around 3 hours, 40 minutes, Cormier has run 25 marathons including 10 in Boston and others in places like New York City and Washington, D.C. Cormier's twice run the Mt. Washington Road Race.

She runs about four times a week, with 4-mile stints during the week and a 7-8 mile run on weekends while also bicycling twice a week now with an eye to riding more as the weather improves.

The grandmother of two with three daughters who support her active lifestyle is also involved in Dana-Farber Cancer Institute events like the Pan-Mass Challenge, a 200-mile ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown. Her mother and two sisters are cancer survivors.

"About six years ago I signed up to ride the Pan-Mass Challenge and about three weeks before it had a bicycle crash," she said.

She broke her pelvis, ribs and collar bone in the East Conway accident.

Through her recovery, she discovered alternative healing and medicines and decided to become a licensed massage therapist.

She was on her bike four months after the mishap and the next year, rode the Pan-Mass Challenge.

"The ride was amazing," she said. "There were two long 100-mile days. The people were incredible. It was very emotional."

She trained with long rides around the valley, using the notches.

"They tell us it's a hilly course, but compared to around here it isn't," she said.

Cormier continues to make the trip to the Cape for the Challenge, but instead of riding, volunteers her massage services at the mid-way mark in Bourne.

"I know what it feels like," she says. "I've been there. I feel like I have an insight into what they are feeling because I've experienced it."

Cormier last competed in a marathon four years ago and would like to try bicycle touring.

Late last month she tried adventure racing for the first time at Mount Snow in West Dover, Vt., joining a Memorial Hospital team including her EMT sister M.J. Britton.

During the Tough Mudder, she crawled under barbed wire, scaled 12-foot walls and tackled cargo nets.

"There was a lot of mud," she laughed. "I had no idea what I was getting into. I think not knowing is what made it more fun. And passing people who were younger than me."

Cormier's contemplating returning to marathon competitions and also toying with the idea of trying her first triathlon.

"You never know," she said. "This could be the year."