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Family

My Top 10 Tips for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure

These tips for the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure come from my experience on the walk. Walking 20 miles a day for 3 days is a memorable feat and this advice will help make it all a bit easier.

Energizer selected me as their Keep Going Blogger for Cleveland and provided my participation fee.

I wrote a series of posts sharing my experience which you can find here:

  • Susan G. Komen 3 Day For The Cure Preview Expo
  • Susan G. Komen 3 Day For The Cure Day 1
  • 3 Day For The Cure Day 2
  • 3 Day For the Cure Day 3
  • 3 Day For the Cure Keep Going Award

3 Day For The CurePrior to participating in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, I was full of questions. Even though there were lots of tips of online, I still wasn’t sure what advice to take – especially when it was conflicting. So to ease the nerves of others I’ve compiled a list of what I feel are important things to know about the 3-Day for the Cure®.

10 Tips for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure

#10 Hidden Mickeys

3 Day for the Cure PicturesOkay, I know that aside from being out in the hot sun all day the 3-Day for the Cure is nothing like Disney World. However, just like that famous theme park be sure to keep an eye out for “Hidden Mickeys” on your walk.

No, they are not actually silhouettes of Mickey Mouse, but instead they’re messages of support from local community members. It may be a sidewalk chalk drawing, a dixie cup of lemonade, a handful of frozen grapes, a crayon-colored sign tacked to a 3-Day for the Cure arrow, a pink ribbon tied to a mailbox, or even a car blowing it’s horn as it drives by.

No matter what it is, these “Hidden Mickeys” will help keep you going. If your feet are hurting or the heat of the day is catching up to you, keep your eyes peeled and more than likely within the next 500 feet you will be inspired by something someone has done to show how much your walking means to them.

#9 Befriend Solo Walkers

Susan G Komen For The CureAs a solo walker this past weekend, I met a lot of other wonderful people. Everyone was extremely friendly and nice. I know that as a solo walker I was a little nervous about meeting others and walking alone, but really had nothing to worry about. There almost always seemed to be someone to talk to.

While this was the case for me, I just wanted to put out there to all of you walking with partners or on teams, take a minute to befriend that solo walker nearby. We don’t want anyone to feel alone on this incredible journey and it will mean so much to them. You never know you just may form a new friendship.

 

#8 COOL OFF

3 Day For the Cure ClevelandI may have stumbled across the ultimate must-have for those 3-Day for the Cure walks that take place in the hot summer months – COOL OFF Wipes. They are incredible! They resemble baby or hand wipes and come in small packages that are easy to toss into your backpack or fanny pack.

You open the package, take out the wipe, shake it, and the coolness is instantly activated. It was such a breath of fresh air to have these wipes along when the afternoon sun was hitting it’s peek. They stayed cool for 20 minutes or so and were so luxurious to rub on the back of my neck, place against my forehead, or to simply hold in my hands.

At one point, on Saturday after I returned to camp, I grabbed a bite to eat, showered and came back to my tent. The sun was even stronger at this point and my tent quickly became a greenhouse. I started to get a little woozy and grabbed a COOL OFF Wipe. Almost instantly as I held it to my face and put it on my neck, I started to feel better. I then guzzled a lot of Gatorade and the dizzy feeling passed.

If you will be on a 3-Day for the Cure walk and the weather is expected to be warm, pick-up a couple of COOL OFF Wipes or maybe bring along a pack of baby wipes. You’ll be thrilled you did.

#7 Take Your Time On The Last Day

The 3 DayOn Sunday, I got up early to pack and fold-up my tent so I could leave when the route opened. I didn’t hurry while walking and even stopped at every Pit Stop, Grab n’ Go, and Lunch and still got into the Holding area (where you hang out before Closing Ceremonies) with more than 3 hours to spare.

When I arrived I was greeted by an enthusiastic group of 10 or so people, which I thought was great, and I loved them for it.

However, if I had waited another hour or two I would have been able to walk through lines of hundreds of people all high-fiving and congratulating me – which would have been an amazing memory. Also, there wasn’t a lot to do for those 3 hours. Some music was played, there were slushies to eat, and a slide show to watch, but that could have all been done with an hour to spare

#6 Comfortable Clothing

3 Day For the Cure T-Shirt

While this tip may seem like common sense, this weekend I saw walkers adorned in all sorts of outfits. What may be comfortable to you, may not be for me, so to each their own on this one. However, be sure to wear something that fits appropriately and breathes properly as it will be essential in helping you not overheat.

TheBreastCancerSite.com has recently opened up a new Store and they are offering a selection of wonderful products where each item purchased generates funds for free mammograms for women in need.

#5 Backpack versus Fanny Pack

3 Day For the CureThe debate rages on. This one is completely a matter of personal preference. You have to use what is most comfortable for you.

I chose to go with a drawstring backpack and loved it. It distributed any weight I had in it well and was easy to carry. I know others prefer fanny packs because their back sweats and this makes wearing a backpack uncomfortable for them.

I have two suggestions, however, for backpack carriers. The first is to find one with a zipper pouch on the outside or at the top to keep items you may need to reach frequently. The second is to attach a small bag or drawstring pouch to a strap on your backpack because you will be passing a lot of neighborhood residents who want to give you candy – if you want to be polite and take some, but don’t want to eat it right away you can slip it into the small bag dangling from your backpack strap.

I didn’t do this and for every peppermint, Starburst, or piece of licorice that I didn’t want to eat just then, I had to take off my backpack to put it away. It doesn’t sound like much, but after all that mileage extra motions and movement aren’t very welcome!

 

#4 Bring a Small Camera

3 Day for the Cure

I was amazed at the number of walkers I saw and spoke with that didn’t bring a camera. They felt it was too awkward to carry and didn’t want to worry about leaving it somewhere. But you just can’t miss moments like the one above.

One walker showed me her perfect solution – attach your camera to a lanyard around your neck. Obviously this would only work if your camera is small enough, but it was such a great idea. The camera dangled from her neck and she could just grab it and shoot on the spur of the moment. She also never had to take it off when using a port-a-potty so there was no worry about forgetting it or of it falling in -yikes!

#3 Wear the Right Shoes

The 3 Day

You may have read this advice multiple times in multiple places, but it’s extremely important. The right shoes are essential on a event like this. I walked in my New Balance 760s and got away with only one small blister. I loved them throughout training. And during the walk they were not only very comfortable, but I also had no issues with my feet perspiring.

I heard stories of others who really struggled with their shoes on the event. One woman even lost her big toenail due to an ill-fitting shoe. And I saw one walker shuffling along on Day 2 in flip-flops because her feet were so badly blistered she couldn’t get her shoes back on. I still cringe just thinking about it.

I like to think I’m pretty resourceful and even frugal, but shoes are definitely an area I would spend money on if you are walking 60 miles in 3 days. The New Balance 760s are the official shoes for the 3-Day for the Cure and I think they are worth every penny.

#2 Don’t Set Your Alarm

The 3 Day Tents

On Saturday and Sunday morning, please don’t set your alarm to wake you up. You are sleeping within inches of one another and it will only aggravate those around you.

One of my tent neighbor’s alarms went off at 4:30 am, another neighbor’s at 4:45 am, and yet another at 4:50 am – at that point I was wide awake and annoyed. Not how I wanted to start the morning of such an amazing experience.

There is enough movement around camp from 4 am on, that you will wake up with plenty of time to make the opening of the route. On Sunday everyone in camp is up around 5 am packing and folding up their tents,  so there is never a worry that you will oversleep.

#1! Sweet Dreams

3-Day For The Cure Camp

There is a lot of advice out there about what to sleep on. Air mattresses, cots, pool floats, etc. I opted for the pool float which I thought would be easiest to pack and no problem to blow-up.

Problem #1 was that I couldn’t find a cheap pool float anywhere. I ended up at a pool supply store where I paid $6 for my float.

Problem #2 was blowing-up the pool float. I didn’t realize that after it sat in my bag on the hot gear truck and then that same bag sat in an open field in the hot sun, the plastic pool float would melt together!

I had to peel it apart and blow it up in 1-inch increments. It was awful and it took me 45 minutes. After walking 20 miles, you are not going to want to spend 45 minutes inside your toasty tent blowing up a pool float. Unless you have an alternative method for blowing it up, spend the extra couple of dollars on an air mattress and compressor – I’ve heard once the mattress and compressor are out of the box they don’t take up much room in your bag.

Those are my top 10 tips. I hope they helped a little. If you have any questions at all about the 3-Day for the Cure please feel free to contact me and I will be more than happy help!


About Tesa Nicolanti

I’m Tesa, the mom behind 2 Wired 2 Tired, a blog named after our two kids born a year apart, who my husband and I always said were too wired, leaving us too tired. :) Since 2009, I’ve shared tips on family, travel, and tech, with coffee always in hand. Now, as the kids head to college, 2 Wired 2 Tired continues as a place for family travel ideas, helpful gadgets, and insights on keeping family life fun and easy.

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Comments

  1. Kelly says

    May 31, 2013 at 5:05 pm

    Hi Te’sa! Loved your blog about the 3 day. I am training for my first one and I’m so excited. We are a team of 2 and looking forward to the experience. We have run the Women’s half marathon a few times but are new to walking. Your info was very helpful!
    Thank you!

  2. fancygrlnancy says

    July 31, 2011 at 4:16 pm

    This is awesome!! I love the tips and what a great cause to walk for.

    I wanted to let you know that I have given you an award on my blog. Thank you for being awesome!
    http://t.co/9vVmuac

  3. Brandy says

    July 1, 2011 at 9:40 pm

    Awesome tips! Thanks for this write up, I love it!

  4. Nichol says

    June 30, 2011 at 9:35 pm

    Great tips Tesa! I wanted to head to Philly this year but can’t make it…hopefully next year!

  5. Crystal Reagan says

    June 30, 2011 at 1:16 pm

    Great tips! I would love to participate in one of these walks.

  6. Jennifer @ Mom Spotted says

    June 30, 2011 at 10:18 am

    These are awesome tips! I can almost picture you hating that pool float!

  7. won says

    June 17, 2011 at 7:52 pm

    Can I add one?

    Acknowledge yourself every single moment for what you are doing. It’s a very honorable undertaking.

    Cancer sucks.

  8. Tamara B. says

    June 16, 2011 at 6:50 pm

    Great tips and I always follow your tip Befriend Solo Walkers. It is s chance to meet fun you poeple and makes the walk more memorable

  9. Unknown Mami says

    June 2, 2011 at 10:12 pm

    It must have been such an amazing experience.

  10. judy says

    May 18, 2011 at 10:45 am

    What a wonderful post! Everyone who is walking should read it.

  11. Kathleen says

    May 17, 2011 at 11:25 pm

    Awesome tips, but by far my favorite is the Hidden Mickeys! Love it!

  12. Marty Chebahtah says

    February 28, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    pdf search engine

  13. Frantic Holly says

    August 6, 2010 at 8:56 am

    Great tips Tesa! I love the cool wipes.

  14. JulieD says

    August 6, 2010 at 8:11 am

    Awesome tips, Tesa! I’m going to try Cool Wipes and I’m bringing a battery powered air mattress.

  15. Shawn Ann @ Shawn Ann's World says

    August 5, 2010 at 9:54 am

    Great tips Tesa!

  16. Tammy Klueger says

    August 5, 2010 at 9:52 am

    Love the idea of Cool Off wipes! Must find those for these summer walks.

  17. Paula says

    August 4, 2010 at 10:01 pm

    Great tips!! I’ll be using them this weekend on my walk!

Trackbacks

  1. 36 Blogs to Help Women Train to be a 3-Day Walker says:
    February 9, 2013 at 11:08 pm

    […] My Top 10 Tips for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure […]

Hey there! I’m Tesa, the mom behind 2 Wired 2 Tired. The blog got its name because we have two kids born a year apart and my husband, Dave, and I always joked that "the kids were too wired and we were too tired!" :)

Fast forward a bit—now the kids are off to college (how did that happened so fast!) and since 2009, I’ve been blogging through the chaos, coffee in hand, finding the best in family, travel, and tech—because honestly, who has time for bad gadgets and boring trips?

So, whether you're searching for family travel inspiration, tech gadgets, or tips to enhance family life, you're in the right place because the fun (and the coffee) is always brewing around here!

If you'd like to contact me, please fill out the contact form under the About Me section of the site.

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