For International Women’s Day: Meet the Incredible Women of Your 3-Day Coaching Team

This weekend marks International Women’s Day, and we are so proud to have many amazing women working hard for all of you on the 3-Day. They work together as a team all year long to make sure you are supported and loved through every step of your 3-Day journey, from the moment you register to the moment you finish those 60 miles — and beyond.

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

Coach Staci

I am incredibly lucky to work with a group of highly engaged, passionate women who are smart, strategic and most importantly, have an awesome sense of humor! We work hard, we work smart and we work with love in our hearts.

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Coach Amy

I have so much love for my sweet Crew and Volunteer Operations girls (Robin & Kiki) and my local San Diego team (Staci & Meredith)! This quote makes me think of them:

“In life, you will realize there is a role for everyone you meet. Some will test you; some will use you; some will love you; some will teach you. But the ones who are truly important are the ones who bring out the best in you. They are the rare and amazing people who remind you why it’s worth it.”

SO true of my sweet little team. They make me better.

Coach Molly

Each woman who works on the 3-Day is committed to always doing their best and giving their all. It has been such an incredible honor to lead and work alongside this incredible group of women who work tirelessly to give our participants the very best of themselves and the very best event experience each year. The day in and day out of this job is made so much better because of who I get to do it with!

Coach Tisho

They all just rock! Heather’s energy is limitless, Gayla’s passion is unmatched, Liz’s knowledge is astounding, Staci’s patience is incredible, and Molly’s ability to keep us all organized and motivated is phenomenal. It’s truly a Dream Team!

Coach Gayla

Working with the women of the 3-Day is the best thing ever! I especially like our Wednesday team calls when Molly asks the “SFQs” — Super Fun Questions – at the beginning of the meeting. It’s a great intro and always makes me laugh…A LOT! It’s also a great way to get to know each other a little better, even though we’ve worked together for many years.

Examples of funny SFQs are:

Do you sleep with a top sheet or no?
Would you rather always say everything on your mind or never speak again?

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Coach Liz

The 3-Day coaches, Gayla, Heather, Molly, Tisho, and Staci are the best! We all support, encourage and take care of each other every day. We know we have each other to lean on.

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!

What You Can Do with an Extra 24 Hours This Month?

Life is busy, and it’s easy to wish for a few extra hours in the day. We all could probably use extra time to get work done, or sleep a little longer, or spend some quality time with the people we love. Guess what? This weekend, you get that extra time! In fact, you get a whole extra DAY!

2020 is a Leap Year, meaning that Saturday is an additional day to make moves and make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. February 29 only comes around every four years, so let’s make the most of this time. There’s so much fun you can have in 24 hours! Here are just a few of our ideas…

Take a leap! We really want to take advantage of Leap Day! On February 29, we will be getting our 3-Day family together to launch the start of the 3-Day season nationwide. We know our community is spread all across the country, so we will be hosting gatherings in 12 different spots, and on social media.

Join us at one of our “Leaping into the 3-Day 2020” celebrations! Spend some quality time with your 3-Day family. We’ll also have fun activities, broadcast on Facebook and Instagram Live, and much more! Don’t miss this celebration. You can find the locations and more details HERE. If you can’t attend one of yours, host your own using this Host Guide.

Rest up: You might feel some pressure to get an extra few things done while we have this Leap Day on the calendar. But, don’t start your day off stressed! You have a whole 24 hours to do something special so start the day by getting a few more ZZZ’s than usual. Wake up well-rested and ready to Leap Into the 3-Day with us!

Get outside: Schedule a training walk or other work out with your friends and teammates. That will get you moving and grooving through the day right off the bat!

Make 3-Day strides: You can also use the afternoon to work on fundraising and teambuilding. We have some unique ideas for ways to take both your fundraising and teambuilding to really make the most of the weekend weather (hopefully filled with sunshine!) on the blog:

Connect with your coaches: They’d love to hear from you! Many of the coaches will be hosting our “Leaping into the 3-Day 2020” celebrations across the country, so touch base with them and see if you could have the opportunity to meet them in person. You can also always reach out to them on social media as well. They’re here to be your resource and help you make the most of your 3-Day journey. Connect with them on Facebook and follow along for updates:

Relax and Unwind: After having a productive Saturday, that means you can take it slow on Sunday! It’s time to put those feet up and give yourself a rest. Prepare for the week and the new month ahead by acknowledging all that you have done with your Leap Day and in 2020 so far. All of your work and dedication to the 3-Day is already making a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Monday will be a new day, and you’re going to be prepared to take it by storm!

How are you taking advantage of Leap Day? Tell us in the comments to share your ideas! Plus, don’t forget to tag us or use #The3Day if you post photos from one of our “Leaping into the 3-Day 2020” celebrations across the country! Let’s make the most of today, together. ?

The A to Z’s of 3-Day Teambuilding

No one ever walks alone on the 3-Day. Even walkers who start off solo end up being welcomed into new groups and paired with other solo walkers, so they are supported and loved every step of their 60-mile journey. The other, larger reason for that is we have so many amazing 3-Day teams on all our walks. Big or small, teams keep each other moving and motivated all weekend long.

So, if one of your goals for the year is to grow your team, or you’re having trouble getting some long-time walkers to come join you once again, we want to help! Here are our A to Z Tips for building your team, recruiting new team members, and making sure you’re surrounded by all your favorite people on the 3-Day this year.

ASK: We are starting off with the obvious one here because it truly can be something people struggle with. You won’t know if someone is interested in joining your team unless you ask them! Don’t be afraid! The worst thing that could happen would be that they say “no.” And then you’re no worse off than when you started.
Be a teammate as well as a team leader. Every team needs a captain, but never forget that you’re part of the team too! Take time to focus on your own 3-Day journey so that you can fully enjoy this process.

Co-Captains (Lean on them!): Coach Sharyn says that as a Team Captain of her team, “A String of Pearls,” she makes a point of making sure everyone knows who their teammates are. She also introduces her co-captains and leans on them when she is most busy. When everyone knows each other, everyone always has a good source of information and a support system.
Delegate: You can’t be expected to do all the teambuilding all on your own! Work with your other teammates, or even ask your local coaches to help find people who might need a team.
Encourage bonding between your existing teammates. This will create friendships that are sure to last long past the 3-Day weekend. This will also increase the reach your teambuilding efforts have.
Family and friends: They’re the most likely to want to join you on a 60-mile walk so if you haven’t asked them yet, now is the time! Also, remember that just because you’ve asked them in the past, it doesn’t mean their answer is final. It might not have been a good year for them, or they might have been previously unavailable. 2019 could be their year!
Go slow: Don’t feel the need to recruit 10 new team members in a single week! It will only leave you frustrated. Take it slow and grow your team as you can.
Have a plan: Give yourself small deadlines and tasks that you can easily work into your existing schedule. Making a long-term plan will make it easier to hit your teambuilding deadlines.

Include Crew and 20-Mile walkers in your teambuilding efforts, too! Coach Tisho loves recruiting ALL members of the 3-Day family to her teams, so she wants to remind other teambuilders not to forget the Crew and 20-Milers.
Just keep at it! It’s all about the follow-up and the reminders. In a busy world, staying in touch with potential teammates will keep the 3-Day top of mind for them.
Know the details about the event so you can share with your potential teammates. Talk to your coaches and find out where the ceremonies and camp are as well as any details that are available. It might just spark more interest to get someone registered!
Leverage every contact that you have. You never know who might want to join the 3-Day! Your tax accountant could be a breast cancer survivor or maybe your kid’s swim team coach loves long distance walks. Everyone could benefit from a little 3-Day love in their lives ??

Make teams within a team! If your team gets larger, break your people up so they can focus on what they do best. Have the super fundraisers on call to help other teammates or tap those with big social circles to recruit new team members.
Never stop sharing your passion about the 3-Day. It might just be the inspiration someone needs to join you. Coach Gayla swears by passion and enthusiasm to help you achieve all your 3-Day goals ?
Organize happy hours and social events with friends, then talk to them about ways they can be part of the 3-Day. As a 3-Day walker, crew member, 20-mile walker, volunteer, private cheer station, or even as your walker stalker. Even if you don’t add any new team members, you’ll have a fun night out with your pals.

Personal connections are great, but you can also take recommendations from other people! Your best friend’s mom might want to walk, or your neighbor’s sister. Expand your reach!
Questions are a great way to start a teambuilding meeting! Coach Gina says that for a “welcome meeting” she asks people to give one word that describes their leadership or one word that describes what the 3-Day means to everyone at the meeting.
Rock on ? Coach Gayla recommends painting rocks with words like #Commit3Days and The3Day.org and leaving them along trails and sidewalks as you do your next training walk. Add your team name or Facebook group so other walkers can find you! People will see them as they pass by and you might get a new team member you never even knew.

Social media is a simple way to stay connected, especially if you have team members in other cities. Create a team Facebook Page (Coach Liz loves this idea) and keep in touch all year long.
Training walks are key for making lasting connections. Coach Gayla says that for every training walk you host; you should ask your teammates to bring someone who hasn’t walked the 3-Day before.
Understand that “not right now” doesn’t mean “no.” Keep people on your radar for future years or other opportunities to support the 3-Day in the future.
Vacations are fun, so make it about that! Reach out to your out-of-town friends and family and invite them to spend a long weekend with you on the 3-Day.

“Why” is important! Coach Gina encourages her team captains to find out the reasons why their team joined the 3-Day. What is your “why” for being part of the 3-Day?
X-plain your mission and the difference the event has made in your lives and the lives of others. Showing the impact that the 3-Day has not only had on your community, but your own life, will encourage people to join your mission.
Yearly Events help make a big difference in your team’s fundraising efforts and are also a rallying cry for new members to join. Coach Sharyn’s team throws a big fundraiser on the four days of the Memorial Day Weekend every year and invites her whole team (now up to 26 people!) to participate if they’re able.
Zero to 10 Questions. Coach Liz asks every knew team member to provide a question or two that they want to know about their fellow teammates. Then she starts a chain email so everyone can get to know each other and find common bonds. It’s all about making new friends and expanding your 3-Day family ?

What are the best ways you’ve found to recruit new team members? Tell us in the comments!