Thursday, February 24, 2011

My Dedication for the Tour

As the tour gets closer (17days!), waves of emotion ebb and flow hourly. Just last week I did a "mini tour" of Colorado driving from Denver to Breckenridge Thursday night. Breck to Beaver Creek Friday. Beaver Creek to South Fork Friday night. Wolf Creek back to Denver Saturday. One day of rest on Sunday. And finally, Denver to Vail and back to Denver on Monday. Needless to say, it was exhausting. As I was sitting on what was my final chairlift of the day on Monday, deep in thought, with my good friend Miley Cyrus singing into my ears, I thought to myself "wow I have to do this 8 days STRAIGHT in a couple of weeks!" Beyond exhaustion, excitment came across me. 8 days, in an RV with my closest friends, driving across my favorite state, doing one of my favorite past times, and dedicating my time and efforts for those who have lost their battle to breast cancer, who have won their battle, who have lost a loved one, or who are with a loved one who is in remission, nothing can get better than that.

I got a call from my aunt last week, shocked that I was taking on this daunting task (apparently I forgot to mention the tour at my cousin's wedding in January). The tour caught her eye not only because I am her niece but also because she lost her college roommate to breast cancer. The thing that made the tour so special for her was that she could donate a lap at a specific mountain for her friend. She dedicated a lap at Loveland  because she lived in Silver Plume before she lost her fight.

I lost my grandmother to breast cancer when I was only 3. Unfortunately, I was too young to have many memories of her. But from what my family has told me, she was the best woman in the entire world. Compassionate, loving, strong willed, and most of all Irish....sounds like all the qualities I possess. Because the tour falls on my favorite holiday of the year (St. Patty's Day), I dedicate not only March 17th to my Nana, but the whole tour to her.

When we first proposed the idea of the tour to the CBCC, we wanted to present them with ideas about why the Tour would be so unique. Sure 27 mountains in 8 days is unique, but the idea of the dedication lap was more important and unique for us. Over 2,800 men and women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Colorado each year. For those men and women, and loved ones we have lost, we dedicate our tour to you.

-Mackenzie

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

March 18th is Circled on My Calendar

No, it's not circled as a reminder to take ibprofen and double down on espresso following the Chicago St. Patty's celebration.  I'll be on the Ski Bumps. Fight Lumps. tour, and that's the day we're headed to Silverton Mountain.  I'm incredibly excited to expand my Colorado ski resort horizons, and without hurting any of the other resort's feelings, I think I feel the greatest excitement for Silverton.

It's not just a place where Shaun White built a private halfpipe out of avalanche blasts.  Actually, Silverton offers a very unique experience, at least unique as far as Colorado resorts go.  On an average day the mountain has about 80 riders a day, compared to the sometimes notorious crowds found at more well-known Colorado resorts.  But, it's not just the lack of crowds that makes Silverton special.  The trails are uncut, and the only grooming they do is avalanche blasting.  There is only one chairlift, and we'll be expected to work (hike) for our powder laps.  Skiers are required to have a shovel, beacon and probe, and I'm sure our guide will have lots of fun reassuring me for the 12th time that my beacon is indeed working and there's nothing to worry about.

Check out this video to catch a glimpse of the town and mountain.  

I truly hope to be challenged by this mountain, and I already find myself inspired by the thought of it.  I have a feeling it won't disappoint.  It's safe to say that this will worth missing all the of the Chicago St. Patrick's Day festivities!

- Page

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Challenges and Choices

When it comes to skiing in Colorado it is no secret that it is all about choices.  Let’s be serious, skiing is kind of our thing.  In the winter the weekend’s question is not whether to ski but where to ski.  Season passes include up to five mountains so we never get bored and never have to make turns in the same place twice.

So when the idea came about to ski every resort in Colorado to raise money for breast cancer, I knew the vast amount of choices in the state would present its challenges.  This was going to be real tough, and not just because we were sleeping in an RV for eight nights.

How many ski resorts are there in Colorado?  To be honest my original guess was fifteen. I counted eleven resorts that are less than a three hour drive from Denver and contribute to the infamous I-70 traffic jams that we love to hate. I then added those mountains tucked away from Denver’s backyard: The towns of Crested Butte, Steamboat, Telluride, and Aspen.

It turns out that fifteen is a modest guess, and to say Colorado provides riders choices is the understatement of the year: When it comes to the number of ski resorts in Colorado, the lucky number is 27.  With perfect planning, spot-on timing, and an amazing partnership with the Colorado Breast Cancer Coalition, we are officially set to tackle all 27 resorts in 8 days.

Now, six weeks away from the “Ski Bumps. Fight Lumps.” tour,  I have shifted my focus to preparing for the physical demands of the trip by staying as active as possible and starting a little something I like to call “Allie Boot Camp” to transform myself into a fit, skiing machine.  I have incorporated a variety of different types of activities to increase my fitness level from practicing my moves on the Colorado slopes, participating in a variety of Ski-Fit classes in the Denver-Metro area, and I have even resorted to pulling out a few old conditioning exercises from my tennis career at the University of Michigan (shuttles not included) to keep things fun. 

The Breast Cancer battle presents many challenges. One in every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. However, there are a variety of options and choices to help prevent and lower its risks. Check out the skibumpsfightlumps.org website for more information. 

Until next time,

Allie

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Welcome to SBFL

We are thrilled that you have taken the time to browse around our site and our cause.  A lot lies ahead for this group, and we are excited to share this incredible journey with you! 

We can't reach our goal without your help, so please follow our blog, "like" us on Facebook, donate -- anything you can do to help spread the word! 

We will frequently keep you updated on upcoming events and ways to get involved!