Meet Your New Coach for the New England 3-Day, Coach Sharyn

It all started on a big birthday. In 2006, Sharyn was turning 60, and her daughter-in-law invited her to join her 3-Day team. And Sharyn thought, “Why not?”

Now, more than a decade later, she has walked in Boston and other 3-Day cities and joined the 3-Day team as your New England Coach for 2019! As soon she heard that the 3-Day would be returning to Boston, she knew she had to get more involved.

“Boston is my home walk and when it came back this year, I reached out to the powers to be and applied to be a coach. The 3-Day really needed ‘boots on the ground’ and I was contacted to see if I was interested in the coaching position…. Yes, I am! And here we are. ?”

She is so excited to be returning to her 3-Day family in a new way. Though she has walked in many cities over the years, she is ready to welcome 3-Dayers back to Boston.

“Some of my favorite memories are reconnecting with 3-Day friends you’ve met along the way; strangers who became friends and who’ve truly touched your heart. I’ve walked in many cities and crewed in others and it always excites me to see the beautiful faces and reconnect. I know that’s going to be a huge event in Boston!”

Aside from all the welcome friendship and love, Sharyn wants to get the rest of the walkers and crew excited about some other aspects of the weekend:

We will be staying in hotels and that’s become a huge attraction for a lot of walkers…especially some of the more seasoned veterans.
I also think the route, this year, will have our walkers and crew very excited…especially people who’ve never visited our city before.

With both of those in mind, it’s time to start getting ready and pumped for the New England 3-Day. As a veteran herself, Sharyn has tried and true advice for your training plans.

“I always tell people who start their training to start where they are most comfortable. It’s sort of like that old saying, ‘How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!’ ? Start small, start now and build your distance each week. I think if you can easily do a 10-mile walk with no issues, you’ll be just fine. Do a few long walks each week and be sure to train on different inclines. Not every city is flat, so you need to be prepared for hills. Building your way up on a variety of terrains will have you more than ready!”

But always feel free to reach out for help! Sharyn is already helping walkers and crew out on her New England 3-Day Coaches Facebook Page, and encourages everyone to reach out with anything “from complicated issues to silly ones. Pick up the phone and call or drop us an email or Facebook message. Nothing is too small…especially if it concerns you.”

She understands all your concerns because she’s been there! She’s walked 25 events, crewed 6 times and raised approximately $85,000 over her time with the 3-Day. And she’s just getting started!

“Committing three days is a lot to ask when it involves walking 60 miles and raising $2,300…but it’s so much easier than a breast cancer diagnosis. The commitment is the easy part when it’s important to you. Make the commitment. And I’ll see you in New England in September!”

For tips about healthy living, click here for advice and support to keep you on track for the 3-Day and beyond. http://the3day.co/amgen2019. Thanks to the support of Amgen and in partnership with American Bone Health, the Healthy Living series was designed to prepare your mind, body and bones for the 3-Day.

3-Day Coaches Salute Each Other on International Women’s Day

Coaches Jen, Tisho and Steph

Today is International Working Women’s Day, and we are so proud to have so many amazing women working for all of you on the 3-Day. Some of those women are your 3-Day coaches, who work as a team all year long to make sure you are supported and loved every step of the way, from the moment you register to the moment you finish those 60 miles – and beyond.

Now, they are also supporting and loving on each other! We asked some of our 3-Day coaches to share what they love about their fellow teammates, and their group of working women as a whole. Here’s what they had to say…

“Something I love about working with the other coaches is that no matter how many miles or time zones separate us, we are a team, and we support each other. To quote my buddy Coach Heather, ‘Teamwork makes the dream work!’”

Coach Carol

“They are all the most passionate, dedicated and determined group of people you could ever hope to work alongside.”

Coach Staci

Coaches Gayla and Liz

“I love my fellow coaches because they are all so passionate about the cause and we also really look out for each other. Each person on the team has something unique to offer and we all work together sharing ideas. Special shout out to my buddy Gayla in Dallas (above left) for supporting me these last few months as I have gotten back up to speed!”

Coach Aubrey

“I want to give special love to Coach Jen, who is super sweet, so calming and can always be counted on to put a positive spin on everything!

Every one of my co-coaches are always the most supportive, upbeat and helpful of people in every way.”

Coach Liz

“This is my first year working with the Susan G. Komen 3-Day and Coach Aubrey in Seattle has made it an amazing experience! She’s been so helpful every step of the way and has shown me what an impact the 3-Day can make in the community.”

Coach Alex

Coaches Kiki, Tisho and Steph

“I feel so lucky to be working alongside our Twin Cities Lead Coach, Stephanie (above right). Her motivation, support, and drive are always paired with a smile, and I just can’t get enough of her positive energy!”

Coach Marsha

“I love the never-ending energy and compassion of my bosses, co-workers and all the 3-Day participants. It’s a #DreamJob ?”

Coach Gayla

Coaches Tisho and Heather

“I must give a shout out to my Local Lead Coach, Carol! We were 3-Day friends before we became working partners. Both of us are now new to our roles as coach. It feels as if we are holding hands and leveling up in the 3-Day world at the same time. She has been an amazing guide and I couldn’t be more grateful for her presence.

In general, what I love most about working with all the other 3-Day coaches is the fact that we share the same passion, we play on the same team, we work together and pour our hearts and souls into making the 3-Day the best event that it can be.”

Coach Christine

What do you love most about your 3-Day coaches? Do you have a special memory of when they helped you or supported you most? Tell us in the comments!

Meet Your Philadelphia 3-Day Coach

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In 2004, one of Carol’s family friends passed away from inflammatory breast cancer, only 6 months after she was diagnosed. That was a moment that changed Carol’s life, because it prompted her to sign up for the 3-Day the minute she saw a commercial for the walk. Though she wasn’t able to participate until a few years later due to pregnancy (and the awesome kids that followed), she has had the 3-Day in her life ever since that year.

Over the years she has formed lasting friendships with 3-Day participants and continued to be exposed to more people in her own life who were directly affected by breast cancer. She’s learned the importance of the event, and the work that Susan G. Komen does year-round, which led her to want to be more involved in the 3-Day. And this year, she achieved that goal when she became our new Philadelphia 3-Day coach! She is already jazzed for the fall, and to engage with all our participants in a new way.

If you haven’t met her on the 3-Day yet, get to know her now, before she helps you tackle those 60 miles in Philly.

Carol 5

What are some of your favorite 3-Day memories?

Favorite memories are so hard to choose from 12 years of events, but here goes!

First, the Closing Ceremony when I received a gift of earrings from a walker I did not even know. The song “Suddenly I See” became my inspiration after that, thanks to that happy memory.
An interaction with a very dear woman who taught me the importance of being your own best advocate. Her family continues to remind me of the goodness that exists in the world, when you shut out all the other noise.
Strangers becoming friends and pulling together to support one another in difficult times.

How did you find your way to the coaching job this past fall?

I found my way to the coaching job through not only my passion for the event, but my outgoing personality and can-do attitude. I was blessed with the opportunity. I have walked, I have crewed, I have volunteered, I have made myself available to the 3-Day as I will make myself available to its participants.

Carol 6

What are you most excited for the 2019 event?

The thing that I am looking forward to the most is to the opportunity to share my passion with others. I also look forward to making new connections and hearing new stories and helping others make new lasting connections.

What do you love most about the 3-Day Crew?

They give selflessly of themselves day after day, and whether it is their first event or their 20^th event, they continue to give of themselves without asking for anything in return.

What are you top training tips for walkers?

Training is KEY and it’s also important to find the correct shoe/sock combination. Be sure to train in all types of weather and elevation if you can.
It is a walk not a race, so take your time and do not forget to stretch at every opportunity.
Hydration is SO important. Drink a lot and encourage others to do the same.

If someone is nervous about doing the 3-Day for the first time, what would you say to them?

I would share with them that not only are they not alone in that emotion, but that they will never be alone on the event. On the 3-Day we are one community that unites together for a common goal. No one walks alone and no one gets left behind. You will always be supported. Do not ever be afraid to ask for help because there will always be someone there for you.

In 2019, we are asking people to #COMMIT3DAYS …What does commitment mean to you?

To commit 3 days means that you are committing to the cause. I am committing myself to do what I can so that others are successful in their goals. We can all do this together!

What are some things your 3-Dayers should know about you?

I never shy away from a challenge! And I put my all into everything I do. ? Plus, I hear I look great in pink! ?

Carol 2