Happy Thanksgiving from the 3-Day Coaches!

3Day_2017_Social_Holiday_Thanksgiving_2

Happy Thanksgiving 3-Dayers! We hope you are all celebrating with friends and family and lots of good food! There is so much to be grateful for this year; from all our amazing participants to our beautiful host cities to the phenomenal amount of money we raised towards Komen’s Bold Goal in 2017.

Though many of us are spending the day relaxing, we wanted to make sure to throw some thanks and love your way! Our coaches, from Michigan to San Diego, are thankful for each and every one of you. But they’re also thankful for chocolate, puppies, their families, and more! Here are a few of our coaches’ favorite things this Thanksgiving…

20375991_10214136372949070_5235115661180180155_n

Coach Gina from Michigan: I am grateful, beyond measure, for this “village” I am part of. After my own diagnosis, I quickly learned you need to rely on those around you and I am blessed to have family and friends who know how to shower love and support. This has enabled me to cherish each moment and be thankful for each day!

Coach Emily from Philadelphia: I am thankful for my pup, Cooper’s, face when I come home from an event and the snuggles that follow all night long!

22154445_1254753748003790_3193171006900802174_n

Coach Marianne from San Diego: I’m thankful for all of the community support we received on our event last weekend in San Diego! I was so happy to see places like Brick & Bell (who also have amazing scones that I’m thankful for) come out to cheer our walkers on!

Coach Tisho from Philadelphia: My family, my health and dark chocolate

Coach Liz from Dallas/Fort Worth: It’s so corny and simple, but I am thankful for my husband, his love and support. (They have been married for 35+ years!)

tc5

Coach Stephanie from Twin Cities: I am forever grateful to all my friends, family, co-workers and amazing 3-Day volunteers who jumped in to lend me a hand after I was seriously injured in a bike accident just three weeks before the Twin Cities 3-Day. It was difficult for me to accept all the help, being someone who likes to “do it all.” But, of course everything got done and we had another amazing event. I feel incredibly blessed to have all of them in my life!

Coach Heather from Michigan: I’m thankful for friends. I am so fortunate to have my circle of friends from childhood that have been such a source of love and support for three decades! I always thought I had “enough” friends… and then I came to the 3-Day. So many of my teammates I now consider friends. I am rich 🙂

Coach Gayla from Dallas/Fort Worth: I’m thankful for a job that brings me so much joy and surrounds me with human beings who inspire me daily — from my co-workers to all our participants! I’m also thankful for my family and our four-legged fur babies who love me unconditionally.

Coach Staci from San Diego: I am thankful for good health and the fact that you have to work for it. And for my new puppy that’s coming home very soon! She’s a Vizsla and we haven’t named her yet but my whole family is so excited!

3Day_2017_Social_Holiday_Thanksgiving_1

What are you thankful for this year? Tell us in the comments!

2017 San Diego 3-Day Round-Up

The 3-Day headed south for our final event of the year, and was welcomed to California and the West Coast with open arms! We started our Friday morning with a little liquid sunshine, followed by an amazing double rainbow, as the Opening Ceremony began. Our 2,200 walkers and 325 crew started their journey with an inspiring and emotional Opening Ceremony led by local participants.

The walkers filed out of the iconic Del Mar Fairgrounds and into the community, where they were greeted by tons of local cheering stations and support. By Mile 3, they also passed the famous “Toast Lady,” one of our favorite walker stalkers, who toasted all the walkers as they passed.

Then they conquered the Torrey Pines Hill, our biggest hill of the weekend! They were greeted at the bottom by more cheers, and an amazing view of the California coastline. By the time they reached Pit Two at the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, walkers had already conquered 5.1 miles.

Walkers made their way through the University of Southern California, San Diego campus in the afternoon and lunched at Kellogg Park along the beach.

There were more cheering stations and smiles throughout the end of Day One, before walkers headed home to camp at Crown Point Shores Park.

Day Two started with a walk along the water just outside of camp, and another hill in downtown San Diego. Walkers reached the top with smiles on their faces though, because they had already clocked 4 miles on the day.

Before lunch, they stopped at Pit 3 at Dog Beach South, and our walkers loved seeing all the four-legged 3-Day fans. Then, they took a break at lunch on our comfy pink Mohawk Mats and kept loose by dancing with the San Diego Police Department.

We also met our amazing Youth Corps at lunch, and walkers were greeted with hundreds of pink blooms as they left lunch.

From there, they traveled through Bonita Cove and South Mission Beach Park before coming back home to camp. It was Friends & Family night at camp, complete with an evening dance party! Many of our walkers also visited our Remembrance Tents to honor loved ones lost.

Day Three started with a quick 4.4 miles before arriving at Pit Stop 1 at De Anza Cove Park. From there, walkers wound their way through the picturesque San Diego neighborhoods and climbed the infamous San Juan Street Hill for amazing city views.

The second half of the day passed quickly, with stops at Balboa Park before coming to a close at Waterfront Park along the bay. Walkers celebrated with hugs, smiles and dancing as they completed their 60-mile journey.

After all of our walkers crossed our beautiful pink finish line, we celebrated together at Closing Ceremony. As the sun set on our 3-Day season, there was much to be proud of, given that our amazing 2,200 walkers and 325 crew members raised $6.5 million this weekend!

Our journey is never truly done, though, as was evidenced throughout our closing ceremony. We are all still working, and walking, towards Susan G. Komen’s Bold Goal to reduce the nation’s 40,000 breast cancer deaths by 50 percent by 2026.

As we hugged and celebrated and danced together, one message rang loud and clear; that though our feet may ache, our spirit and dedication will live forever; through aches, and pain, and blisters. We are shouting loudly and proudly that in this fight, where we seek to live in a world free of breast cancer, WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP. Thank you, San Diego. We are so very proud of each and every one of you.

If you’re ready to be a part of this incredible journey again in 2018, sign up now at The3Day.org/Register.

Congratulations to the 2017 San Diego 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner

For the 2017 Susan G. Komen 3-Day® season, we’re honored to be featuring the Local Impact Award. This award is being given to participants who have been instrumental in strengthening the 3-Day® community throughout the year. Local Impact Award honorees have gone above and beyond in their efforts leading training walks, attending 3-Day community events. They have also supported the 3-Day staff year-round at meet-ups and workshops, and in general, been making a difference by building lasting relationships and showing commitment to the 3-Day in all they do.

Rainy 3-day

Please join us in congratulating the 2017 San Diego 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner, Rainy Reinbold.

Her fellow Crew members have loved having her as a part of their team for 13 events!

“Rainy has a magical way to make everyone around her feel special, appreciated and empowered to make a difference. She has been a Crew Captain since 2005, sharing her love and leadership with both our camp crews and route crews. In 2005 she took over the role of Gear & Tent Crew Captain, supporting over 50 crew members to make sure our Gear & Tent team was successful managing over 5,000 pieces of participant gear!

After a few years as the Gear & Tent Captain, Rainy became our Senior Captain of Camp. She then spread her wings out to our route and has been our Senior Captain of Route for the past couple of years. Rainy has raised more than $5,000, and been a crew captain in 3 other cities. Whenever there is a need for a volunteer at a local event, Rainy is there with her smiling face. Rainy is truly a special ingredient that makes the San Diego 3-Day community so unique. If you have the opportunity to meet Rainy, you will be inspired in unimaginable ways.”

race_3020_photo_49091476

Her friends had plenty of high praise to share about Rainy, saying,

“I find her to be so REAL & GENUINE. She is so straight forward, she has a heart made of gold and although she may try to hide it, she is really sentimental. I can honestly say that if I ever need anything, I know she would be there for me and anyone else that is family, day or night, with no questions asked.

Her dedication to the 3-Day has been proven over many events and she does it with such quiet and effective leadership (you actually don’t even realize she is leading you into the promised land of 3-Day). She does all of this and maintains such a great sense of humor. I love how she laughs at me, but also is very good laughing at herself which just proves her fabulous sense of self.”

race_3020_photo_49091773 (1)

Her humor was evident even when we asked her for her own take on the 3-Day. When we asked these questions, she didn’t know she would soon be our winner!

What was your inspiration to do your first 3-Day?

My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 34. I wanted to challenge myself to walk the 60 miles and to help the cause. My sister just celebrated her 20th cancer-free anniversary.

What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?

I came for the cause and stayed for the family I found.

What is the secret to your 3-Day fundraising success?

Just ask people face to face. Emails are easy to delete, but face to face conversations capture emotion. Explain to potential donors why you are participating in the event. Why does it mean so much to you and how can their support make a difference.

What is your best advice to anyone walking the 3-Day?

Slow down and enjoy the journey. There are no medals on the 3-day. Also, laugh until you cry and cry until you laugh. If you want to avoid blisters coat your feet in a thick layer of Vaseline (you are going to throw those shoes and socks away anyway after the walk).

race_3020_photo_49091619 (2)

What’s a fun fact about you?

I am a HUGE baseball fan (especially the Padres), I’ve been to all 30 major league baseball stadiums. My husband and I are writing a book called 59 by 59 (one couple’s journey to visit all the national parks before they turn 59). I can recite the Greek Alphabet and all 50 states in alphabetical order. I have been to 49/50 states (Idaho is all I am missing). I speak sarcasm fluently.

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on the 3-Day?

Everyone is participating in the 3-Day for a different reason. Don’t assume everyone’s idea of the 3-day is the same as yours. Listen to the stories. Blisters will fade, but the stories you share will be an amazing memory.

race_3020_photo_49091482