Monthly Archives: February 2023

Winter Training Tips

Training for a 3-Day can be tough, especially during these winter months. But have no fear, we’ve got the best tips for training in cold weather so you can successfully get miles under your belt in preparation for the 2023 3-Day series!  

  1. Wear a Small backpack 

Wearing a small backpack on your training walks won’t add much weight, and it can store useful items you may need, such as water, electrolytes, snacks and extra layers of clothing. 

  1. Pack Layers 

Resist the urge to grab your heaviest winter coat before you head out and layer up instead! Start your walk with as many layers on as you wish and then take advantage of that lightweight backpack mentioned above to shed them off as needed throughout your walk. 

  1. Walk Inside 

If the weather in your area is not ideal for walking outside, check out a local gym or mall! Treadmills are a fine substitute to still get those miles in when it’s raining or snowing outside. Also, malls have plenty of pathways to walk down, and some even have mile markers! 

  1. Plan in Advance 

The weather app on your phone or computer can be your best friend during these winter months. Planning ahead can help you stay on track with your training goals to find the best time to get outside before weather gets in the way. 

  1. Don’t Forget About Your Hands! 

Jackets, beanies and scarves may seem obvious, but gloves are a necessity for training in the cold to keep your fingers warm. Bonus points for gloves that work on your phone’s touch screen! 

  1. Hydrate 

Hydrating isn’t just for warm weather, it’s a necessity year-round. Staying hydrated helps your blood flow! Hydrating goes beyond fluids; lotion and lip balm can also help keep your skin hydrated, especially in colder temperatures. 

  1. Space Out Your Mileage 

Going on a training walk doesn’t mean you have to go a long distance. If the weather in your area is extremely cold, try going on more frequent training walks but with shorter distances. This way, you can still get your mileage in without having to be out in the cold for extended periods of time. 

  1. Stay Alert 

Watching out for traffic is always necessary, but staying aware of your surroundings can be extra helpful if you live in an area where you can get black ice and slippery sidewalks. 

  1. The Right Pair of Socks 

Whether they’re of the wool or compression variety, a quality pair of socks that will keep your feet warm and your blood flowing is a necessity for winter training walks. 

  1. A Great Playlist! 

Some music makes you want to dance, some music makes you want to go on a training walk and some music makes you want to do both! Having the right playlist filled with positive, up-beat and heart-warming songs can get you through the weather and on your way to being prepared for your 2023 3-Day. 

What are your best winter training tips? Let us know in the comments! 

*Health, safety and training tips in this blog should not be considered medical advice. Consult with your physician for any medical needs you may have.* 

A Breast Cancer Survivor and Her Pink Jeep

What started as a creative idea at a car show has now turned into a full-blown breast cancer-themed Jeep. It’s owner? Denise B., a breast cancer survivor who travels to different cities for the 3-Day as either a walker or a mobile cheering station (with her Jeep in tow, of course). 

How did you first hear about the Susan G. Komen 3-Day?  

I moved to Riverview, Florida in 2011 and heard about the 3-Day through local advertisements for the Tampa Bay event. I participated the following year, 2012, in the Tampa Bay 3-Day as a one-year breast cancer survivor. 

What is your connection to breast cancer?  

I had a friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer in the ’90s and beat it. Then, six years later, it came back in her lungs, and she ultimately passed away. In January of 2011, I was diagnosed with breast cancer from a mammogram. My cancer was caught very early; even the doctor couldn’t feel it. I had a lumpectomy and radiation. 

Why are you motivated to help put an end to this disease?  

I don’t want my daughter or anyone else to have to go through the battle of breast cancer or any other type of cancer ever again.  

We heard you have a custom Jeep, can you tell us about it? How did you come up with this idea? 

I originally had a black and pink Jeep TJ that had a breast cancer theme. That Jeep’s name was Esperanza, which means “Hope” in Spanish. I went to a car show with that Jeep in October of 2018, which was a benefit event for breast cancer. I purchased pink ribbon magnets for people to write names of survivors and stick them on my Jeep during the car show. I ended up winning that car show! A couple years later I decided to buy a Jeep Gladiator and put a wrap on it with names of survivors and in memory of others who lost their breast cancer battle. I worked with a female wrap designer to help me capture what I envisioned. The Gladiator’s name is Pink Virago, “Virago” is Latin for “female Gladiator/Warrior.” The words “Nobody Fights Alone” run along each side of the Jeep. I originally had about 140 names that I had gathered to put on the Jeep, and intended to fill the ribbon that goes down both sides with names, but over time I ran out of room. So, I expanded the space and now put names everywhere on it. Currently there are almost 400 names. Most of these names are for breast cancer, but as I meet people and they give me names, no matter what kind of cancer they have, I put it on my Jeep.   

You usually have a friend traveling with you in a unicorn costume. Is there a story behind that?  

The unicorn is actually my friend Elizabeth (she has raised over $100,000 for Susan G. Komen). She frequents Dallas/Fort Worth and other cities as the Unicorn, and in past years has shown up in a pink Gorilla or a banana costume. I met Elizabeth at my first 3-Day in Tampa. My sister worked with her and told her I was doing the 3-Day also. She walked with me on my first 3-Day and is the reason I made it all 60 miles. She was also with me in Dallas/Fort Worth this past year when I did my first mobile cheering station. She was my introduction to the Pink Bubble and represents what the Pink Bubble is all about.   

What does the Pink Bubble mean to you?  

The Pink Bubble is the culmination of diverse people from all over that come together and form a community over three days to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer. But ultimately, it’s a group of people who lift each other up, laugh together, cry together and tell their stories. Just like how a bubble forms from water and soap, the Pink Bubble forms from all the people we meet and stories we share. Then at the end of the weekend, we all go back to our normal lives, but we take a piece of the Pink Bubble with us, in the form of new stories, memories and friendships.   

A 3-Day Love Letter

We asked the Pink Bubble to play a “complete this sentence” game on our Instagram Stories for two special prompts highlighting what they love most about the 3-Day and its wonderful community. Here’s what you all had to say: 

I Love the 3-Day Because… 

“I’ve met some incredible women.” 

“I love the sense of community.” 

“It honors my mom’s memory.” 

“There is no negative mojo ever.” 

“It’s healing.” 

“I get to meet new people on the walk each year.” 

“I get to see all of my friends from all over the country and spend the entire weekend with them.” 

“I get to support a huge cause!” 

“It’s a challenge.” 

“It’s my way to prove to myself that cancer didn’t win. Plus, I get to hear and share stories with survivors.” 

“It fills my soul with hope and inspiration.” 

“It brought some fabulous people into my life.” 

“The Pink Bubble! It’s the only place you can enter alone and leave with a whole new family!” 

I Love the Pink Bubble Because… 

“We are all friends working towards the same goal.” 

“Almost everyone in the Pink Bubble has been through similar situations in regards to breast cancer, so we all get it.” 

“The Pink Bubble is a blast!” 

“It’s filled with love, fun and support.” 

“It’s an amazing community of positivity, helping others, and lots of laughter and joy.” 

“It’s the togetherness of a lot of wonderful people fighting to end breast cancer!” 

Why do you love the 3-Day and the Pink Bubble? Tell us in the comments. ?