Tag Archives: Komen 3-Day®

Meet Your 2019 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Coaches

The Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day is this week…can you believe it?! We are so excited to head to the Lone Star State, the home of Susan G. Komen, for an amazing weekend.

No one is more excited than your Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day team! Your coaches Gayla and Liz, plus your amazing Crew Coordinators Gina and Kiki, as well as Event Planner Eileen have all been counting down the days to this weekend for a whole year. They’re ready to welcome you with open arms!

But, before we officially kick off the weekend, they are here to get you pumped for your 60-mile journey with their favorite spots along the route and why they look forward to this weekend all year. They are truly a team full of love for each other, and for each of their 3-Day participants. That’s because they are all one big family…

“The 3-Day to me is a family, a family bound together by their passion, enthusiasm and drive to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer,” says Coach Gina.

And that includes this coaching team. They have so much love for each other!

Gina says that “Liz and Gayla are not only the faces of the DFW 3-Day, but the heart as well! Their love and passion for this event are incredible. I am constantly in awe of them. Everyone should be sure to give them both a high-five and a hug!”

They love Coach Gina as well, with Coach Liz calling her “the sweetest kindest person I know,” and Gayla saying that Gina “really appreciates the work all of the crew members put forth all season long. I am so honored to have her as a co-worker and friend. It makes my job that much more meaningful.”

The whole team also raves about Coach Kiki, who Liz calls “hilarious and oh so productive,” and Eileen, who has created an amazing 3-Days of route that everyone will be sure to love.

What are some highlights that the coaches especially love?

  • The Sculpture Garden right after Opening Ceremony
  • The Cattle Drive bronze statures
  • Walking through the Roughrider Stadium in Frisco and seeing everyone’s pictures on the big screen in centerfield
  • The energy and emotion at the Honor Ceremony at camp Saturday night
  • The brand spankin’ new route on Day 3
  • Experiencing the new Finish Line Festival at Tostitos Championship Plaza at The Star

Aside from the route itself, there are so many wonderful places in the Dallas/Fort Worth area that you can take advantage of if you arrive early or take a few days to stay after you complete your journey. Gayla and Liz recommend…

The Lone Star State has so much to offer, and our coaches know it’s going to be an amazing few days together.

“Savor the moments, every step, each interaction, all the 3-Day love you feel,” says Gina. “Because as the saying goes, ‘It’s the little moments that make life big.’”

But don’t forget to stop and give your coaches a hug ?. They can’t wait to see you all!

 

A Note About Saturday:

Due to the recent tornadoes in the North Dallas area, we are making changes to the second half of Saturday’s route and do not have the route cards to share with you just yet. We will give you a route card at the Opening Ceremony with the latest route information and the map of your journey will be updated as soon as possible. Please be flexible with staff, crew and city jurisdictions and understand these changes are being made for the safety of our participants as well as out of respect for the communities where homes, businesses and property have been destroyed.

Why I Walk: First-Time Walker Emmie J. Spent Her 21st Birthday on the New England 3-Day

To Emmie Jeffcoat, commitment means “doing everything I am capable of to help find a cure.” It also meant spending her 21st birthday as part of “the most heartwarming weekend ever” on the New England 3-Day!

Emmie had heard a lot about the 3-Day from her aunt (Coach Gayla from Dallas/Fort Worth!), but she still didn’t fully know what to expect. She didn’t anticipate being moved in the way she was over her three days in the New England 3-Day Pink Bubble. She decided to walk in 2019 because she hoped to inspire more young people to walk as well, but she’ll be back in 2020 because of the friends (of all ages) that she made during her 60-mile journey.

What began as a birthday celebration turned into a life-changing experience. Emmie is sharing with us just how much the 3-Day affected her, and why she will continue to commit 3 days.

How did you prepare for your 3-Day journey?

I didn’t follow the training guide as well as I should have. However, I did find that just getting used to being on my feet helped me a lot. I also walk 5-10 miles every day on campus just going to class, so I think that helped me, too! Fortunately for me, my campus is full of hills, so I was prepared for the hills on the walk.

Do you have any fundraising advice for first timers?

My best advice with fundraising would be exactly what my aunt told me: ask anyone and everyone! You never know who is going to have a connection to breast cancer or want to donate, so tell everyone about the walk and what it’s about. More than half of the people who donated to my fundraiser were people I had either never met or hadn’t seen in years. Social media played a HUGE part in my fundraising as well. Putting information on social media platforms helped me get my story out to more people.

Tell us about your overall 3-Day experience!

I have so many fond memories of my three-day experience!

  1. I think I laughed harder with my Aunt than I ever have in my entire life. There’s not one specific memory of that, but just 3 days FULL of laughing until I could barely breathe.
  2. I had the honor of meeting a survivor who was walking her 19th 3-day! Just talking to her and hearing her story made me realize the amount of strength these survivors have. I felt honored to be able to walk for them and be a small part of something so amazing. I know I had technically only been around her for three days, but she quickly became a huge role model for me. She was one of the coolest people I have ever met.
  3. GEORGE! He was such a wonderful example of what true love looks like. He is the sweetest/toughest man, and I loved seeing him every day. I wish everyone in the world could meet George.
  4. The Crew! The 3-Day crew was beyond awesome. I honestly don’t know how they manage. They had food, medical, pit stops, etc. Thank you, 3-Day Crew, for showing me how extraordinary the 3-Day is.
  5. The most amazing ceremony Saturday night. I won’t give anything away, but I will say that night is one I will never forget. It opened my eyes to what the walk is really about.
  6. Hearing “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond was also the best. It’s a song that everyone knows, so when it starts playing it’s so much fun to get a big group singing together!

The 3-Day is a big commitment in a variety of ways. What did this commitment mean to you?

I think the word “commitment” holds a whole new meaning now since I completed the walk. Commitment is making the choice to see something all the way through no matter what. Concerning breast cancer, I think commitment is making the decision to fight as hard as you possibly can. I think for families it means fighting with your loved one(s) throughout the entire process and sharing the strength it takes to get through something like that.

What are your plans for next year?

When I signed up for my first walk, I thought it was going to be a one-time thing I got to cross off my bucket list. However, after participating I realized that it is impossible to do just one! I haven’t decided which city yet, but you will definitely see me at another 3-Day in 2020! My goal is to do one 3-Day walk per year. You will also be able to catch me at some cheer stations dressed up and ready to make some walkers smile!

10 Ways to Update Your 3-Day Training as the Weather Cools

Last month was the official start of Fall, and now October is here! Where has the time gone? But we still have three more 3-Day walks ahead for the year, and we know that many of you are kicking your training into high gear for these final weeks. As the days get shorter and the weather gets cooler, your training plans need to change with the season. There are a few simple steps you can take to make your fall training safer and more productive.

Tip 1 — Plan ahead: Temperature isn’t the only thing you should be monitoring as fall and winter arrive. You should also look out for rain and/or fog in the forecast. Plan your route for places you know well, and that have areas to step off the route for a rest or to seek shelter if rain begins.

Tip 2 — Increase stretching: Stretch inside before you begin your walk, then do another quick stretch outside right before you start. Finally, don’t forget to stretch when you’re back home and the walk is done! You need to keep your muscles limber and as warm as much as possible.

Tip 3 — Stay in the sunshine while you can: Many parts of the country will have warmer weather for a bit longer, so take advantage while you can! Also, no matter where you live, check the weather for the day to make sure there isn’t rain or snow coming up, and to schedule your walk for when the sun is highest, and the weather is warmest.

Tip 4 — Layer up but keep your layers thin: Avoid bulk that will get annoying as you walk! Instead, dress in multiple layers that you can easily remove if you get warmer. Pack items like a hat or scarf in your pack in case the wind shifts or it gets cooler.

Tip 5 — Don’t forget your fingers and skin: They need to be kept warm, too! People often remember a warmer hat, but don’t forget your gloves. Pack lotion and lip balm for longer walks because your skin will need extra hydration and protection in cooler temps. And don’t forget sunscreen! Even when it’s cold, you still need to protect your skin from the sun’s rays.

Tip 6 — Space out your steps: Instead of aiming for much longer walks only once or twice a week, plan your schedule to include more frequent walks with less miles in each one. This will keep you from being outside for longer than necessary.

Tip 7 — Go with your gut: Don’t insist on walking for a set number of times or hours. If you feel too chilly, weather pops up, or you just need to turn back, listen to your body! If need be, you can even pop into the next shop or café you see and order a cab to take you back to your starting point. Don’t push yourself unnecessarily!

Tip 8 — Stay alert: Keeping eyes on the ground and on your surroundings will keep you safe! Many people walk with headphones in, and this is an extra important tip for all of you. From icy patches to big puddles, to cars or snowplows and more… there is a lot to keep an eye out for.

Tip 9 — Hydration is still key: You might not feel thirsty, but you still need to drink and pee! We always remind you of this on the 3-Day but on your training walks, please remember to hydrate even more than you think you do.

Tip 10 — Grab a buddy! Laughter might not technically warm your body, but having a walking partner will warm your heart ? They can also track your hydration, help you keep an eye out for traffic or looming rain clouds, and keep you motivated on your walk.

What are your training goals for Fall 2019? Tell us in the comments, and share your tips for making the most of those walks…

For tips about healthy living, click here for advice and support to keep you on track for the 3-Day and beyond. 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.