Stress Protest 2022 - Countdown to Colorado - Email #1
"If you surrender to the air, you could ride it.”
- Toni Morrison
Dear Family,
On behalf of the entire GirlTrek team, I am excited to officially start the countdown to our annual #StressProtest in Colorado!
In just over one month we will gather under the blue skies and beautiful mountains of Rocky Mountain National Park. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. Something that we know most Black women can only dream about. Three days to experience rest and pleasure, to try your hand at new adventures, and connect with yourself, your source, and this community.
We know that you need it now more than ever. It’s been two years since we last gathered and many of us have experienced profound loss, grief, and stress.
During our time together is where you can let it all go, where you can dream of new possibilities, and where you can find and connect with a deep source of joy.
It’s our greatest pleasure that we get to help facilitate this for you.
For many of you, this will be a very new experience and we are sure that you have questions about what to expect, what to bring, and how to prepare.
To help get you ready and to ensure that our experience together is safe, fun, and meaningful, each Friday leading up to Labor Day weekend we will share a weekly email with the news you can use.
To kick us off, that includes:
MOVEMENT 411! New to GirlTrek? Take a minute to watch this TED Talk to orient you to the movement and the mission behind this event.
TRAVEL REMINDERS: All attendees must plan to arrive at the Denver International Airport on Friday 9/5 by 2 PM CT. The last shuttle will depart the Denver airport for Estes Park at 3 PM CT. You can plan to leave anytime on Monday 9/5. The earliest shuttle will leave Estes Park at 2 AM CT to accommodate those with 6 AM flight times. If you have questions or concerns with transportation, please email us at stressprotest@girltrek.org.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS: All attendees are required to get tested for COVID-19 24 hours before the trip and to show negative test results at check-in. You will also be asked to take a rapid COVID-19 test upon arrival for extra precaution. Masks will be optional throughout the weekend.
PHYSICAL PREPAREDNESS: To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience it’s essential that you start physical preparation now. Altitude changes and the high elevation in Estes Park will be an adjustment and for anyone planning to participate in a guided hike, physical prep is REQUIRED. Please review and commit to the below physical prep training pledge. If you do not agree to or cannot commit to this pledge, please email us.
In the coming weeks, we will be back with a detailed packing list and a survey for roommate assignments.
In the meantime, start now by setting your intentions for your experience.
What do you want to call in? What do you want to leave behind?
That’s your assignment for this week.
Take a few minutes to write it down for yourself so that you can be clear. The clearer you are with yourself, the easier it is for the universe to deliver to you exactly what you need.
Ready for the transformation? We know we are.
Talk to you soon.
In anticipation,
Vanessa, Morgan & The #StressProtest Team
PHYSICAL PREPAREDNESS PLEDGE | #Stress Protest
As an attendee at #StressProtest, I pledge to follow the below training plan as preparation for my time in the mountains. I understand that failure to do so may impede my ability to enjoy my experience fully and could put me at risk.
Physical Preparedness: Conditions in the Rocky Mountains can be challenging. Estes Park sits at 7,500 feet. High elevation can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, headaches, and dehydration – all symptoms of altitude sickness. If you have a medical condition of concern, please check in with a medical doctor before traveling. If you are on regular medication for a diagnosed condition, please continue to take your medication as prescribed, bring your medication with you, and make sure it is easily located.
Altitude Sickness Prevention: Start ONE week before
Avoid alcoholic beverages
Drink plenty of fluids
Consume a high carbohydrate diet, easy-to-digest foods - Ease into physical activity during the first 24 hours
4-WEEK TRAINING PLAN: Start Immediately!
Some of the activities offered will require a high level of cardiovascular fitness, others will require a moderate level of fitness. In all cases, for your comfort and safety, we are asking all participants to follow our 4-week training plan.
Baseline Fitness: Walk every day in August with a goal of getting 60 miles before you come, for an average of 2 miles a day.
Breathing: Practice yoga or pursed lip breathing techniques for 2 minutes every day for the next 30 days. It’s tough to catch your breath at high altitudes. To help, learn to control and conserve your breath. Yoga and pursed lip breathing expand your lung capacity while out on the mountain. Watch the following video and practice this technique for two minutes every day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4mf4kG_Evk
Hydration: High altitudes can cause dehydration so drink up prior to arrival! As a rule of thumb aim for 10 cups of water a day or 2.3 liters, each day for the next 30 days.
I commit to this pledge to protect my own health and safety and to be fully prepared for #StressProtest.
Any objections or issues will be emailed to stressprotest@girltrek.org.