Tag Archives: coaches favorite moments

Philadelphia Coaches’ Favorite 3-Day Memories

happy jwalkers

We are just days away from the 2017 Philadelphia 3-Day, and the excitement is building in the City of Brotherly Love! That excitement is especially pouring out of our coaches; Tisho, Joanne and Emily can’t wait to host all this year’s walkers. They are sharing that enthusiasm with us by remembering 3-Days past, revealing their favorite spots along the route and in their city.

2013 Philly Pit One Pajama Party

What are your favorite memories of the Philadelphia 3-Days past?

Coach Tisho: In 2011, it was the first year I walked Philly and my husband’s first year on the Route Safety Crew Team. We didn’t know a soul there and I hadn’t joined a team yet so we went to dinner on Thursday night with a bunch of the Route Safety crew members he’d met at his crew kick-off meeting. They were the most welcoming bunch. The entire walk I would see them at intersections and they would say “Hey it’s Stu’s Wife!” Total embodiment of City of Brotherly Love. We’re still friends with almost all those crew members.

And then also, cheering the walkers in at the Participant Finish Area last year (my first year as a Philly Coach). Such fun to see people I had been working with all season complete their walk!

Coach Emily: I loved the 150th event celebration last year, and I love seeing familiar faces out on the route!

2016 coaches (2)

What are your favorite spots on the route this year?

Tisho: I love all the cute towns we walk through – Ardmore and Chestnut Hill are the first two that come to mind. Great little villages that really welcome our walkers.

Emily: I love walking through Chestnut Hill and walking along the Schuylkill River.

Coach Joanne: You can’t help but love boathouse row and the Rocky steps. But I do love going past Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. It just evokes images of days gone by.

What can 20-mile walkers look forward to especially?

Joanne: I think joining the 3-Day as a 20-mile walker is an awesome stepping stone to a full 3-Day experience. Being able to come to camp Saturday night and then walk into the Closing Ceremony should and hopefully will inspire the walkers to sign up right there and then for the whole shebang!

2012 DC with Liz

Tell us a great Crew memory!

Tisho: The first year that I crewed in Philly (2013) I was the captain for Pit Stop 1. All but one member of our crew was completely new and we had no idea what we were doing but we had such a fun time! And I’m proud to say were highly successful in putting on one heck of a Pit One Pajama Party!

In 2012 I crewed my first 3-Day in DC. My cousin Liz, who was 12 (and just 7 when we lost her mom, my Aunt Barbara, to breast cancer) was on the Youth Corps. She loved every minute of it and we had the most magical bonding experience that weekend. I was asked to carry the Aunt flag at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and at Closing we could bring one person on stage to join us and Liz came out with me. I’ve shed a lot of tears at the 3-Day but never as many as I did on that stage. Seeing my brave girl in front of all those people, honoring the memory of her mother. It fills me with pride just thinking about it.

Joanne: I was the co-captain in 2008 of Pit Stop 3. Boy was that an eye opener! When you’re a walker, you just take for granted that the western shelters magically appear and that the water and Gatorade fill themselves up in the containers! But the best part of that day was getting some Mummers to come out and do some photo ops with us. I will never forget it.

jwalker shirts

What are you looking forward to most for this year’s walk?

Tisho: The new route! There are so many exciting changes and new venues! And I really love that we are bringing our awareness message to a whole new set of communities. Awareness is such a critical part of this event.

Joanne: This year we have three brand new routes and I’m most curious for the feedback! I think Melanie (on our production staff) did a bang-up job creating a wonderful experience for our walkers and crew and I hope they’re as excited about it as I am!

race_3019_photo_47669878

What are your favorite spots in Philly to eat, visit and play?

Joanne: If you get a chance, go to Villa di Roma on 9th Street. Awesome Italian restaurant (obviously). Also, if you love chocolate, don’t miss Max Brenner’s. That’s in Center City not far from City Hall!

Tisho: I love all kinds of food so Reading Terminal Market is like heaven to me!

What are your favorite memories from Philadelphia 3-Days past? What are you looking forward to most for this year? Tell us in the comments!

 

 

Meet Your Philadelphia 3-Day Coaches

The Philadelphia 3-Day is only one week away, and our coaches can’t wait to welcome all the walkers to their hometown! That means it’s the perfect time to get to know your coaches better! We asked all of them to tell us more about themselves, and to talk about each other, and boy, did they have a lot to say! The 3-Day team love was flowing, so come on and meet your 2017 Philadelphia 3-Day coaches…

2016 San Diego Walk number 6 is in the books

Many walkers already know Tisho Jessop, who has been a much-loved fixture on the 3-Day route. But do you really know everything about her? Did you know, for example, that she doesn’t like olives, raisins, veal or lamb…but she’ll eat everything else?

Or that she’ll be celebrating her 20th wedding anniversary this year, ideally with a trip to Africa, Australia or Italy? Well, now you do!

The other thing to know about Tisho is that she will certainly make you laugh!

Fellow coach Joanne Taylor says, “The first thing that I think of when I think of Tisho is her sense of humor. She just makes me laugh. And she is my ‘go to’ girl when I have a tough problem. She is a wealth of instant knowledge. She loves talking with participants, especially newbies. She has a calming and welcoming voice which makes her great at her job.”

2016 San Diego with family

But the love goes both ways. Tisho thinks Joanne is hilarious, too!

“She’s one of those people that you’re talking to and suddenly she slides in the funniest comment and you both just start cracking up. Last year she made me laugh on event more than anyone else.”

Joanne surprise staff photo.jpg

This applies to the whole team, including coach Emily Clay. Tisho says Emily has fit right into the 3-Day team, and that they all work well together.

“We each have our own area of responsibility, but we work together to make sure our participants are properly supported. We all feel comfortable asking for help because we know we have each other’s backs. I know if I call one of them and ask a question they will give me the answer or will find out and get back to me.”

14729143_10207545651107124_7617213209179621375_n

If you haven’t met Emily yet, you should know that she loves chocolate cupcakes, wants to travel to Greece, and that the song “I Got a Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas puts her in the 3-Day mood! That makes sense, considering she started walking in the 3-Day when she was just 16, and has walked (and crewed) four times since then!

Joanne raves, “Emily is a young, spry 25-year-old who has taken Philadelphia by storm! She is absolutely open to any and all things and is a great listener. Because she’s young, she has such endless energy and has a wonderful sense of humor. I know she’s enjoying her new role and wish her all the best for this year’s event!”

12038261_10205095596377287_3954216424669353192_n

Things the coaches are looking forward to for this year’s event? The new route of course!

Tisho says, “There are so many exciting changes and new venues! And I really love that we are bringing our awareness message to a whole new set of communities. Awareness is such a critical part of this event overall.”

too twisted food crew and me

If you still have some training to do before you hit the new route next week, the coaches have you covered there, too. Aside from Emily’s choice of the Black Eyed Peas, Tisho recommends Paralyzer (Finger Eleven), Good Feeling (Flo Rida), California Gurls (Katy Perry), Girl on Fire (Alicia Keys), California Love (2Pac) and Giant (Melissa Etheridge) for your walking playlist.

Stay tuned for more fun memories and exciting plans from the coaches next week on the blog, and be sure to follow along with them on Facebook too!

2014 San Diego Team Girlapalooza

Twin Cities Coaches’ Memories and Favorite Spots

race_3022_photo_41104302

For those who are Minnesota-bound for this weekend’s Twin Cities 3-Day, there is plenty to be excited about! You’ve already met your Twin Cities 3-Day coaches, and all of them are so excited to welcome this year’s group of walkers, crew, Youth Corps, volunteers and supporters to the route.

To keep your mood high and your feet stepping, we asked the team for some of their favorite memories of the Twin Cities 3-Day. Their answers are sure to have you smiling, and will make you more than ready for 60 miles this weekend.

race_3022_photo_41104397.jpg

What are your favorite memories of the Twin Cities 3-Days past?

Coach Kiki Setterlund: I always enjoy the weather-related memories. Crazy, right? Having to relocate or cut off a part of the route due to excessive heat or torrential downpours can bring out the worst in people, but they also bring out the best. It’s where we truly shine as one big pink community. We come together, put a plan in place and get it done. It warms my heart to see people taking care of each other!

Coach Stephanie Mayer: Happy memories for me are always the Opening and Closing Ceremonies- I love the energy and emotion and being in that moment with our participants and crew members.

Tell us a great Crew memory!

Kiki: As a Crew & Volunteer Coordinator, you meet with your captains each day on-event. You rehash how the day went. What was great? What didn’t work so well? How do we make tomorrow better than today (not just for the walkers but for the crew as well)? During one meeting at camp a few years ago, I poured each captain a mocktail, put an umbrella in their drink and before chatting, we sat on top of the hill and looked down at our campsite. It was bustling with activity and for a moment (a very quick moment) we could witness all that we created together. In silence. And it was awesome.

race_3022_photo_41104360 (1).jpg

And what about the Youth Corps?

Coach Dana Dalpra: Every time I see the Youth Corps volunteers, I get goose bumps. I just love these kids. I’m so proud of them and their families for supporting them to learn about what it means to be hands on for such an important cause. I can only imagine how big of an impact this experience is making in their lives and they probably don’t even know it yet. I could squeeze each and every one of them. Their smiles are contagious and their hard work is truly appreciated. I’m just so proud of them.

Stephanie: My daughter Ava was part of the Youth Corps last year for the first time. She was the Top Youth Corps fundraiser, raising $1325. She was awarded a special cape to wear all weekend. She participated in honor of my mom, her nana. I LOVED having her on the event and seeing her out on the route with all the other kids. She is hooked big time on the 3-Day and this cause. She hopes to be a walker herself someday.

race_3022_photo_41104414.jpg

What are you looking forward to most for this year’s walk?

Dana: It has been such a blessing to connect with the 3-Day again and now coach for the Twin Cities. It feels great to be back with the 3-Day family again. I missed them!

Kiki: Seeing the whole team back in action. The walkers, crew members, day volunteers and staff. It’s so fun to see everyone greet each other at the beginning of a new season.

For out-of-towners, what are your favorite spots in the Twin Cities to eat and play when you’re not on the 3-Day route?

Kiki: Sea Change is near the route, and located within the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. It’s near the Stone Arch Bridge and Gold Medal Park. If you want the epitome of Minneapolis, this is your area. Gorgeous views, parks, food and entertainment. You can’t go wrong!

Spoon & Stable is also near the route.  Amazing! Food, drinks, ambiance and the service. If you want to see Minnesota at its best, grab dinner here!

I also love lots of spots along the Day 1 and Day 3 routes that get into the heart of Minneapolis and St. Paul. There are so many amazing places to grab food and drinks so keep an eye out!

race_3022_photo_41104233.jpg

Stephanie: My all-time favorite place in the summer is W.A. Frost located in St. Paul. We love their patio! Each year it gets voted best patio in the Twin Cities because it’s so pretty. I also got married here so that’s another reason why I love it so much.

A trendier spot is The Commodore, a historical St. Paul building that was recently renovated. It’s beautiful. Pezzaluna, The St. Paul Grill and Kincaids are fun as well. All of these that I’ve mentioned are either walking distance or a short cab ride from our camp hotel so be sure to try one of them when you’re here!

 

Note: Coach Stephanie and Coach Dana won’t be present throughout the entire event at the 3-Day this year due to personal circumstances, but they will both be making an appearance to cheer on all of the Twin Cities walkers.