The Insider’s Guide to the 3-Day – The Start of Something Beautiful

Welcome to the beginning of the Insider’s Guide to the 3-Day! When you’re finished with this post, read the next posts in the series by clicking below.

Pointing, Pacing, and… Motorcycles Wearing Lingerie
Pit Stops and Cheering and Sweeps, Oh My!
3-Day Camp: Just Like a Sleepover, Only More Pink
3-Day Camp: I love the Night Life
3-Day Camp: Happy Glamping on Main Street
Over But Not Ending

I have walked or crewed in 23 (!) Susan G. Komen 3-Day events, was a 3-Day coach for four years, and have spent the last 2 years blogging, social media-ing (it’s a word) and working on-event for the 3-Day. So, it’s safe to say I’ve learned a thing or two about the 3-Day along the way. Over the next several weeks, I’ll be sharing my “Insider’s Guide,” giving you my own perspective on some of the most incredible and memorable aspects of the 3-Day.

These posts will focus on the experience of the event itself, a weekend like no other, that will change your life. And yes, even after dozens of 3-Day events, I still walk away from every one of them a changed person. I might be walking away stiff and sore, but the change is always for the better.

The Start of Something Beautiful

You’ve waited, you’ve trained, you’ve raised a ton of money, and you felt like that circled date on your calendar would never come. But at last, here you are, at the week of your event. It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-timer or an old pro, the week before the 3-Day buzzes with excitement.

One of the most thrilling “this is really happening” steps is getting packed. The 3-Day is your home away from home for a few days, so bring along the things you need to make it comfortable. Unless you need a curling iron to be comfortable. You should leave that at home, and possibly reexamine your priorities.

Packed and ready (with the help of my little pink super pal)

You pick out your clothes – for me, it’s funny/inspirational shirts and capri leggings, good socks (2 pairs for each day!), and my favorite visor – and pack them in large Ziploc bags, sorted by day. Having each day’s clothes bundled and separated will make it easier to find them in your duffle bag when you have to wake up and get dressed before the sun comes up. You stow your toiletries, sleeping bag, maybe a comfy pillow. Your tentmate is bringing an air mattress to share, so it’s one less thing for you to think about.

Now you pack the important stuff. I’m not talking about your blister ointment, or your moleskin or your matching team tutus, though those things are important, too. This is the picture of your friend’s mom who passed away, and whose beautiful smiling face lives on a button you’ll wear on your pack. It’s the string of pearls you’ll wear to remind you of another friend, a fighter who was taken far too young by breast cancer. It’s the necklace of kukui nuts with little pink turtles painted on them, which your teammate—a 7-year survivor—brought you from her Hawaiian vacation, as a way to thank you for walking for her and with her. These are the things that you’ll turn to throughout the weekend to remind you (as if you could forget) of why you’re here and why you’ll keep going, even when reason, pain and fatigue may tell you to stop.

Then you go to bed. I know you’re excited, but try and get some sleep, because tomorrow is Day 1, and remember that thing I said about getting up before the sun? That’s now less than 8 hours away.

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Morning.

Or is it? The moon and stars are still out, but you pop out of bed with the enthusiasm of a kid on Christmas. Even before you get to the Opening Ceremony location, you know you’re close, because the way is lit by the taillights of hundreds of cars. Husbands, friends, parents and roommates who love you enough to wake up at zero-dark-thirty to drive you are sitting in a line of traffic coming into the parking lot. You see signs saying, “Walker Drop-off This Way” and you think, “That’s me!”

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You exit the car carefully, pull your bag out of the back, and a friendly crew member directs you toward the Gear Trucks. They’re regular moving trucks, but they’re covered in pink streamers and signs, and the people who greet you as you approach are literally dressed as superheroes. One of them gives you a high-five, and as he lifts your bag into the truck, he thanks YOU for being there.

A quick team photo at the start of Day 1!

As you approach the crowd of waiting walkers, the anticipation in the air is tangible. All around you, people are decked out in costumes, memorial t-shirts, goofy pink hats and wigs, and every size and shape of training-worn walking shoes. You and your teammates have all found each other, and you stop to take one of many pictures. Everyone puts one foot into the circle, and you snap a shot of the shoes. Your companions for the journey.

Susan G. Komen walkers gear up and take on Day 2 for breast cancer awareness.

Let’s do this, shoes!

Before you know it, the Opening Ceremony is beginning. Music is playing, and everyone leans this way and that way in a big group stretch.

Then the ceremony hosts come out to inspire everyone with words of encouragement and motivation. We hear from people that breast cancer has touched, be they co-survivors, survivors, family, or friends. 2016_3day_sd_gf_-114

Soon, they are joined on stage by a group of courageous breast cancer survivors. The survivors share their moving stories, and join hands together as they walk to a platform in the middle of the audience, lifting their arms high, forming a united circle of hope and inspiration.

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I’ve seen some version of this ceremony dozens of times before, and it still gets me. Every. Single. Time. The music swells, we’re pumped up by one more “You can do this!” and we’re off!

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Stay tuned for the next installment in my “Insider’s Guide,” where I’ll talk about walking. Lots and lots of walking.

I know that I’m just one person in this big, beautiful 3-Day family, and that every person’s “inside” view is unique. Is your experience with the 3-Day similar? Totally different? Are you waiting to have that first experience? Share your stories in the comments!

Walkers, it’s cold outside!

A couple of weeks ago, most of us had never heard of a “polar vortex,” but this week, the better part of America found itself smack dab in the middle of one. I think “Brrrrr!” is an understatement for the kind of weather we’re experiencing right now (unless you’re one of the lucky ones in California!).

January may still be a little bit early in the year to start your official 3-Day training, but since I know you all are still firmly committed to your 3-Day-related New Year’s Resolutions (right?), you’re working on increasing your walking a little bit at a time. But you may be wondering, “How can I get my 3-Day training walks in when it’s minus freezing degrees outside?”

So here are some tips for walking in a winter wonderland:

Dress for the occasion – Before stepping outside, you’ll probably be inclined to bundle up in your down parka, but if you’re taking a walk, it may be better to dress in lighter, thinner layers, and shed as you go if you need to. Moisture-wicking fabric is best for the layer closest to your skin. You may be cold, but if you’re moving, you’re sweating, and the only thing worse than being really cold is being really cold and wet. Also, don’t forget hats and gloves, and whenever possible, wear brightly colors and/or reflective materials so you stand out against your white-grey environment.

Warm your digits – One 3-Day coach loves those chemical-activated hand and foot warmers (available in the camping section of any sporting goods store). They are a quick, inexpensive way to keep your fingers and toes toasty. They fit snugly inside your gloves and your shoes and will ease the shock of the freezing temps on your extremities.

Take care of your skin – Cold air and wind can really do a number on exposed skin, so don’t forget to put on moisturizer before heading out. And sunscreen too!

Hydrate – Drinking water when it’s hot out is a no brainer. You crave the cool water to quench the heat. It can be harder to remember to hydrate in the cold, but it’s no less essential when you’re exercising. If you normally carry your water in a fanny pack while you walk, think about holding it in your hand while walking in the cold, as an ever present reminder to sip as you step.

Choose your route carefully – Be certain that you’re walking someplace familiar, and be ready to pay close attention to the terrain with every step. If the sidewalks have not been cleared of ice and snow, walk in the street. Always tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back. If you get lost in a snow drift, they’ll want to know where to start digging! J

Stay indoors – Wait, you’re not off the hook for training! But if it’s just too nasty outside, find someplace indoors to get moving. While we don’t recommend that you do all of your 3-Day training on a treadmill, it’s a perfectly good alternative to outdoor walking if you need it. No treadmill? Throw on your shoes and walk on an indoor track, through a shopping mall, or up and down the stairs in your office building. One of our coaches also suggested college campuses as places that often have large and/or interconnected bulidings, and lovely grounds you can walk through.

Trust your gut – Don’t push yourself too hard. If your instincts (or your local weather advisories) tell you that it’s not safe or healthy to be exercising outside, or if you get started on a walk and something doesn’t feel right, take a break. Having you healthy and whole for the 3-Day is more important than getting that mile or two in during a cold snap.

Here’s hoping for warmer days ahead! And if you have any great cold weather training tips that we missed, please share them in comments!

“The story of the commercial is my story.” – Meet the star of the 2014 Susan G. Komen 3-Day TV commercial

Last week, we shared an exclusive sneak peek at the 2014 Susan G. Komen 3-Day® television commercial. I’ve been thrilled to see so much great feedback about it on social media, and one of the comments I’ve seen repeatedly is, “That’s how I felt!” So many of our walkers feel personally connected to the story that was told in only 60 seconds.

https://vimeo.com/82419347

If the commercial’s story feels authentic, that’s because it is. The star of the 2014 Komen 3-Day commercial is Becky G., a real 3-Day walker who participated for the first time last summer in Boston. I had the pleasure of talking with Becky recently and learning more about how she became the face of the 3-Day commercial.

Becky and her favorite co-star

Erin: How did you first get involved with the 3-Day?

Becky: I lost my mom to breast cancer 12 years ago. I never did any sort of breast cancer events or fundraisers, for fear of having to deal with her death. Then in 2012, my friend Adrienne [who is also in the commercial] did the 3-Day and told me, “You need to do this next year.” I told her I wasn’t sure I was ready to deal with the emotion of it, but she really inspired me.

Erin: The 3-Day can be scary in a lot of ways, including dealing with those strong and sometimes painful emotions. But one thing I’ve always loved about it is that it’s such a safe place to experience that range of feelings.

Becky: Yes, exactly. Aside from having my daughter, the 3-Day was one of the best times of my life. Completely life changing. And what I love about the commercial is that it really shows that it’s hard work, it’s a commitment that you’re making. When I walked in Boston, on Day 2 I remember thinking, I don’t know if my body can take another step. We were just about to go through a cheering station, I was hobbling through. And the thought in my head was, “This is so hard, but at least I can see the end of this pain.” For my mom, her end was the end. That kept me going. The pain I was having in my knee was nothing compared to what she went through for years, especially right before her death. That was inspiring to me. And to then go into a cheering station and feel all of that support was so amazing.

Erin: What was the audition process like?

Becky: I did my audition over Skype. It was a total disaster! [Laughs] My computer completely crashed right at my interview time, then something happened with the computer on their end too. We only had 10 minutes for the audition, and we used 5 just trying to get online! When we finally connected, they asked me, why do you walk? What would you tell people? I figured the commercial was just going to show different people talking to the camera about their own experiences.

Erin: So you thought it would be you and some other people, each sharing a few seconds of your personal experiences. Similar to some of our other 3-Day videos.

Becky: Yes, that’s what I assumed. But then they asked me to read a line of script, and I thought, I’m not an actor! The line was, “This is where I want to quit.” It was so hard for me to read the words because I would never quit. Reading that line out of context from the whole commercial was hard. But now I understand it, and it was exactly what I had felt. And then that was it! I didn’t hear anything for a while, but then I got an email saying I’d gotten the lead.

Erin: At what point did you get the whole script for the commercial?

Becky: After they booked my ticket to Atlanta! They knew I had a daughter, and they asked if she could be in the commercial too, so I had some idea [of what I would be doing], but not the extent that they had storyboarded. If I had known that I would really be starring, that it would be so much me, I never would’ve sent my application in the first place. I would’ve been too afraid.

Erin: Sounds like the 3-Day! You sign up, not really knowing what you’re in for.

Becky: Yes! Knowing what I know now, I would’ve been so sad for myself if I didn’t jump at the opportunity. When I saw [what the commercial was going to be], the fear went away. The story of the commercial is my story. I was terrified to do the 3-Day, and that fear held me back. But when I pushed past the fear, that’s what woke me up. I think of all the amazing people who are now a huge part of my life, who I wouldn’t have met. If I had let that fear rule my life, I would’ve missed it.

Erin: Did you have any hesitations about being on a national TV commercial?

Becky: Once they cast me, I was committed to it and I was all in. The big fear for me was [recording the voiceovers in] the recording studio. I am not an actor! They wanted me to read these lines, and I thought, “What if I can’t do it?” But it was with the most amazing team of people. They held me so tight and walked me through the process step by step. They knew when they could push me and when they couldn’t. They were so sensitive. It’s never been like me to feel that confident with what the world was throwing at me. But with this, I felt so confident.

Erin: Describe the experience of shooting the commercial.

Becky: It was all so great! I had no idea what to expect. When you turn on your TV, you just see the finished product, so smooth and glamorous, and that wasn’t the case [laughs]. One morning, we were up at 5 or 5:30 and it was freezing cold. They were getting a shot of me tying my shoe 100 times.

Erin: The opening shot of the commercial!

Becky: Yeah, and it was so cold, and after so many takes, I forgot how to tie my shoe! But then I remembered that there were women and men at that very moment who were getting up to walk, doing the same thing.

Erin: Wow, yeah. The Atlanta walkers would’ve just been starting Day 2, right?

Becky: Right. But it was all so great. I was surrounded by real people, and they took such good care of me. There were a few times that I felt like they were treating me too well almost! Everyone working on the shoot just knew that there was something big happening.

Erin: Was the experience what you expected?

Becky: No, not at all. [Shooting the commercial] doesn’t top the 3-Day, though I kind of lump it all in together. I don’t think anything could top the 3-Day. My best life moments have been my daughter’s birth, the 3-Day, and this. Discovering more about myself, and continuing on this path of service—it’s been amazing.

Erin: What are you hoping people take away most from the ads?

Becky: I hope that a million people sign up to walk! I really do believe that the more walkers we have, the more funds are going to come in, and the better chance there is that I’m not going to leave my daughter without a mother. I want walkers, because it means funds. But it also means of those millions of people, they’re going to experience a life changing event, and what that might bring to them personally, but also as a whole, making the world a better place. Looking at the big picture, what can we do to help? Since I did the 3-Day, my life has changed. I’m focusing on what’s important.

Adrienne, Saralyn, and Becky are the three of the real walkers who brought the 3-Day commercial to life

Thank you, Becky, for sharing your story, and for so perfectly representing the personal journey that so many walkers experience over those 60 miles. I think it’s difficult to capture what it’s like to do the 3-Day, but this commercial comes pretty close. You can see the full 2-minute version of the TV commercial on the 3-Day website (The3Day.org/videos). Becky is registered to walk again in Philadelphia, and you can walk with her there, or in one of our other 3-Day locations in 2014.