Tips for 3-Day First Timers from 3-Day Past Participants

Whether it’s your first 3-Day or your thirtieth, there’s a bunch of small ways that you can greatly enhance experience on the 3-Day. We polled our Facebook community to find out their top tips before our Philadelphia 3-Day this weekend, and we think new 3-Dayers will find these especially helpful. Let’s hear what they have to say!

“Change socks at lunch every day! Enjoy the walk and meet new people while listening to their inspiring stories.” – Laura Miehls

“Walk at the same pace you train. If you are on the route all day – awesome! And if you are back to camp by 1:00, awesome! You do you!” – Melissa Polma Loder (*Note below*)

“Take the leap and meet three people every day. The stories will be humbling and some friendships life-long.” – Chris Lynn Reed

“Moleskin is your friend! And don’t be afraid to visit the Medical Tent. There are amazing people working there!” – Micki Mathiesen

“It’s not a race, it’s a walk… enjoy the time with your fellow walkers, everyone has a story. Remember, even if you are a solo walker, you are never alone in the pink bubble.” -Tiffany Thomas

“Have a blast! Journal. It will be fun to look back. Be ready for amazing memories to be made and your heart to grow!” -Tara Anne Hart

“Listen to your body and do what’s best for you. There is no right or wrong (well, within reason and as long as you are observing the three Rs); so don’t hesitate to make the event everything you’d like it to be.” -Anne Moss

“Your Route Safety crew loves to dance while we wait with you for traffic lights to change! Oh and we love hugs and high-fives too!

“But, listen to them as well. We know where the bad intersections are and are there to keep you safe. We step out into the streets before you do. Help us keep safe as well.

“And above all have a good time. Laugh, cry, hug, dance, reflect, remember.” – Kristian Kauker

“Talk to strangers and take candy from strangers. Do what your mother told you NOT to do!” -Joanne Gregory

“Don’t be in rush. Go slow and enjoy all the love and support.” – Pam Ater

NOW – if you’re a 3-Day veteran what would you add? 3-Day first timers; any questions for us? We can’t wait to see you in Dallas/Fort Worth or San Diego this year, or next year!

Note: All pit stops have designated opening and closing hours, timed to keep you moving along the route at a safe pace and to ensure that you complete your walking while it is still light out. If you reach a pit stop before it opens, you will be asked to stop and wait. If you reach a pit stop after it closes, you will be transported to the lunch stop (or camp, if you have already passed the lunch stop). A “caboose” will be following the last walker on the route. If you are falling behind schedule, you will be given the option to take a sweep van to the next pit stop if you cannot increase your pace. Read more about cabooses, sweeps and route hours on our blog.

2018 Susan G. Komen Twin Cities 3-Day Recap

On Friday morning, a crowd of people adorned in pink gathered at the Southdale Center in Edina, ready to kick off the Twin Cities 3-Day.

After an inspiring opening ceremony, the parade of pink headed out on the route.

Our first pit stop was at mile 3.1 at Utley Park, where walkers rehydrated and grabbed some snacks for the remaining miles of the day. The weather was balmy with a light breeze, and the sun was shining. We headed onwards around the beautiful Lake Harriet, enjoying public cheer stations where spectators passed out treats, and posed for pictures by the scenic bandshell. From there we walked on towards the fiesta (also known as lunch) at mile 11.8 in Loring Park, first passing by the famous Minnesota Sculpture Garden with the iconic cherry on the spoon.

As we enjoyed “Cactus Water” (just water with a cute name), our festive crew donned sombreros and rattled maracas. There was no shortage of photo opportunities as we ate our salads and sandwiches, enjoying the downtown feel before we headed onwards.

We were treated to a stunning view of downtown Minneapolis, and again, we pulled out the camera as we walked through Father Hennepin Bluffs Park and cheering stations at B.F. Nelson Park.

From there we strolled into more Pit Stops, enjoying the Crew’s clever themes and encouraging smiles. Pit Stop 3 was at Chute Square, near the historic 1848 Godfrey house, the oldest frame house still standing in Minneapolis.

With just a few miles left in the day, we walked into mile 19.2, where busses were waiting to whisk us back to 3-Day camp, where Bank of America massage chairs, dinner, and cozy pink tents awaited us. We awarded top fundraisers , got to know some of our fellow participants, and then laid our heads down for sweet dreams of Day 2.

Day two started with a brilliant pink and orange sunrise. We fueled up on delicious danishes, blintzes, bacon, and eggs, and then began our first steps heading out into White Bear Lake. We walked through beautiful shaded neighborhoods, and then into Pit Stop 1 at White Bear Arena. Pit Stop 2 was set at Lions Park against a beautiful lake where our Camp Minnetata was set up, complete with the pink SS Minnetata boat, water skiing, and knee boarding for walkers to pose with.

After Pit Stop 2, we were treated to the adorable downtown and harbor views of White Bear Lake, where local businesses came out to support us, including free strawberry ice cream for all walkers.

The ice cream helped us put a spring in our step as we charged on toward Railroad and Podvin Parks, and then into lunch at the Calvary Church parking lot, where we were treated to an awesome drum performance by the Women’s Drum Center.

After lunch we worked our way through Vadnais Heights and Little Canada, finally, winding up in Maplewood where we walked home to camp.

We heard from inspiring survivor Catherine, got to meet the Youth Corps, and then finished off the day with a 3-Day Dance Party before saying “Nighty Night” to 3-Day Camp.

Before we knew it, Day 3 was fast upon us and we were grateful it was the shortest day, because the sun was shining extra strong for we triumphant 3-Dayers. We started in North St Paul at Casey Lake Park and then through Northwood Park before ending up at Pit Stop 2 at the Maplewood Middle School. Then, it was onwards toward Beaver Lake Park, and then lunch at the Conway Recreation Center, where walkers decided to shake off some soreness with extra stretching and playground fun.

Three miles out of lunch we ended up in the fan-favorite part of the Twin Cities 3-Day, Indian Mounds Park. As we walked through the beautiful green park and admired the historic mounds, we posed for pictures against the striking skyline.

The humidity joined us the whole day, but when we walked under the pink arch at Harriet Island, the feeling of victory and pride took over.

As we danced and welcomed our last walker home into the Closing Ceremony area, we lined up, marched into the Closing Ceremony, and held our shoes up high in solidarity for our incredible survivors. Megan from Komen Minnesota shared with us how the $1m dollars raised are making a difference in our community, and then, we watched as the tribute flag was passed onwards to be carried to Seattle.

Thank you to everyone who was a part of this unforgettable weekend in Twin Cities — from the determined walkers, to the hard-working crew, to the donors, the volunteers, and the spectators. Thanks to you, we’re now 3 days and 60 miles closer to the end of breast cancer forever.

Want to see photos from the weekend? Click here now! (Note: You do not need a Facebook account to view and download the photos.)

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A beautiful 3 days: 2018 Michigan 3-Day Recap

Friday morning, as the sun rose into a dusty blue and orange sky, hundreds of walkers, crew, and volunteers gathered at Walled Lake Western High School to kick off a 3-Day celebration in the fight against breast cancer.

We heard from people living with metastatic breast cancer, survivors, and watched our 3-Day family carry flags of our four pillars of strength upwards onto the stage. We shared the names of our loved ones lost in remembrance.

As the music swelled, we embarked on our first several steps. Our first pit stop was with the BooBees on the shores of Walled Lake.

As our crew friends in yellow buzzed around making sure we were hydrated and fed, we posed for pictures against the beautiful lake. We walked on, enjoying the beautiful greenery and flowers of Michigan’s flora, and ended up at Pit Stop 2, a crowd favorite for the weekend. Senior citizens from a retirement home came out to cheer on our walkers and drum, and many of us posed for snapshots with wonderful elders who reminded us at every turn how proud they were of us.

Our community came out in full support and cheered us on at the Novi Ten Shopping Center, and then we stopped for lunch at Meadowbrook Congregational Church at mile 10.3. Knowing we had 8.1 more miles to go, we charged onwards, stopping at two more churches for pit stops at miles 13.8 and 15.5, and then we rounded out our last few miles with another amazing cheering station at the Briar Pointe Shopping Center.

Finally, we walked into Camp at Novi Middle School, finishing out a joyful 18.4 miles, posing for pictures, enjoying spa waters in the lounge, the Bank of America massage chairs, and celebrating our top fundraisers and award winners. Then, we curled up in our cozy pink tents, ready to build up our energy for an amazing Day 2.

The temperature was rising, but we began Day 2 heading towards Thornton Creek Elementary for our first Pit Stop at mile 3.3. The popular Cass Benton Park was the site of our Pit Stop 2, and walkers took in the beautiful rolling green hills, enjoying the scenery but maybe not the elevation.

Birds flew overhead and butterflies fluttered around all through the park, accompanying us as we walked toward the Plymouth Cultural Center, where we took a well deserved break for lunch at 10.9 miles in. The highlight of the day was the popular fountain at Kellogg Park, dyed pink just for us. We all posed for photos at the fountain and took in the sights and sounds of the farmer’s market also going on at the same time.

We charged through the vibrant business district to Northville Downs, the site of our Grab and Go B at 16.2 miles, and by now, the heat was feeling sweltering.

Making sure we were all hydrated and stretching, it was onwards, to Pit Stop 4 at mile 19 at Thornton Creek Elementary, and then finally, to mile 22.3 back into camp, where again, we cheered in our last walker.

The Camp Show kicked off another ’bout of inspiration and hope for us walkers and crew; especially in hearing from Tony, a male breast cancer survivor living with metastatic breast cancer (joined by his daughter Amanda, a first time walker!). His positive and poised speech reminded us all of why we fundraise, why we train, and why we walk: to one day live in a world free of breast cancer. We headed to our pink tents one last time, ready to emerge from them inspired and determined for Day 3.

Day 3 arrived quickly, bringing some extra heat and humidity just so that our walkers and crew could prove they were even more awesome than they already knew.

We took a bus for a quick ride to Kennedy Elementary School in Livonia, then headed out, enjoying miles of cheering stations to our first pit stop of the day at mile 3.3 at Franklin High School. From there, it was onwards to Pit Stop 2 at Wallaceville Field, where we enjoyed the shady parts of the path and admired the tall, green trees.

We also oohed and aahed over the Rosedale Gardens Historic District, packed with beautiful pre-historic World War 2 brick colonial and English cottages.Then, we walked through the always-beautiful N. York Street, where residents adorned the sidewalks with bra garlands and decorations, misting us with cool water, handing out popsicles, sharing THEIR stories of survivorhood and loved ones lost, reminding us again – at every step – why we walk.

From lunch at York Park where the crew was delightfully themed Under the Sea, we rested in the shade, and gathered our remaining strength for the final five miles of the day.

The last few miles took us through the city of Dearborn, the home of Henry Ford, and marched us towards the Ford World Headquarters, where our family and friends waited to celebrate our joyous victory.

As our crew lined up and walked into the Closing Ceremony, walkers followed, with our survivors marching in right behind us. As the music swelled, tears filled our eyes as we passed the Memorial Flag on to seven-city walker Heidi, ready to be carried victoriously in to Twin Cities in just a week and a half.