Rough Terrain

Mountain biking fanatic Rebecca Phillippo’s life hit a major obstacle when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 36. Thanks to Pilates, she’s back in high gear.

- Rebecca Phillippo

Growing up as the middle child of three kids in sleepy hollow, NY, my life was all about sports and being active. By the time i was five, i was obsessed with being able to ride bikes with my older brother and his friends.

I’d ride my blue Schwinn banana-seat bike over curbs, steps and my brother’s makeshift jumps, trying to imitate him. Throughout school, i played soccer, baseball and field hockey, swam competitively and took theater classes.

HEADING WEST

I started mountain biking in high school and continued in college, first in Vermont, then at Colorado state, where i transferred in 1994. i loved riding the big mountains. i stayed on in beautiful Colorado for eight years after graduation, becoming a travel agent. i then moved to San Diego for another five years, where i continued riding and doing many other outdoor sports, from hiking to snowboarding.

OFF TO THE RACES

But by 2007, i decided to move back east to be closer to my parents, brother and sister. i soon joined the Westchester Mountain Biking association, and on a group ride, another biker said to me, “You’re really fast, you should race!” it struck a chord because i’ve always been competitive. so i entered my first mountain bike race. it was fast and twisty, and i came in second! immediately, i wanted to get better and faster. over the next couple of years, i won a bunch of local races.

By February 2010, everything was wonderful. i had just turned 36, my boyfriend had moved in with me, and i was in love with life. when i felt a lump while doing a breast self-exam, i figured it was just a cyst. i had been training hard all winter for the upcoming racing season, and i didn’t have time for anything to be wrong with me!

i waited almost two months for the lump to go away. it didn’t.

A BIG BUMP IN THE ROAD