Tag Archives: komen

3-Day Camping Hacks

Last week, we shared some walking hacks for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, and if you thought those were good, wait until you see what tricks are up our sleeves for making your Komen 3-Day camp experience easier and better than you imagined it could be.

1. Everyone’s bags tend to look alike when you go to claim them at camp. Make yours stand out by tying on a colorful scarf or marking it with vibrant duct tape.

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk blog camping hacks scarf on bag
We might suggest a color other than pink; not that we don’t love pink, but if everyone uses the same color, it kind of defeats the purpose.

2. Pack each day’s clothes (including socks and underwear) in a separate 2 gallon Ziploc bag.

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk blog camping hacks ziploc bags clothes This makes it easy to find the day’s clothes in the morning darkness of your tent, and gives you a bag to put your dirty clothes in, keeping them separated from everything else in your bag. Pack your lounge wear for camp, PJs and extra undies in bags too, and bring a couple extras.

3. Instead of taking up space in your luggage with a pillow, just bring a pillow case filled with clean clothes you’re going to wear.

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk blog camping hacks clothes in pillow case

4. A yoga mat makes a great sleeping pad.

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk blog camping hacks yoga mat sleeping pad It also takes up less room (in your luggage and in your tent) than an air mattress.susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk blog camping hacks yoga mat luggage

5. Bring single servings of toiletries in straws. This hack takes a bit of work (see the how-to here), but every little bit of luggage space and weight counts!

6. Worried about travel-size shampoos and lotions leaking in your bag? Put some plastic wrap over the opening then screw the cap back on.

7. If you use the 3-Day towel service, instead of pitching your towels into the bin immediately after you use them, take them back to your tent and use one as a doormat.

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk blog camping hacks towel doormat Save the other to put on the floor of the shower stall tomorrow for a makeshift bath mat. Then put it in the bin.

8. If your feet/legs hurt at the end of your day of walking, you can use your duffle bag as a foot rest to keep your tootsies elevated during the night.

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk blog camping hacks bag as foot rest (This method works well if you’re sleeping on a flat camp roll or yoga mat…not so well on an air mattress.)

9. 1-inch binder clips are the perfect size to clip around the cross-poles of your tent.

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk blog camping hacks binder clips for tent Use them to secure the rain flaps open, to fasten a tarp or plastic sheeting over the top, or to attach tent decorations.

10. If you dread the thought of disrobing from your PJs in the cold morning air, get dressed in the next day’s clothes before you go to sleep. You’ll wake up toasty warm, and may even snag 5 extra minutes of shut-eye because you’re already dressed!

 

Got any good 3-Day camping hacks? Let us know in the comments

(Thank you to first time San Diego walker Kenzie D. for modeling these hacks! Oh, and here’s what happens when you leave your camera unattended with your teenage model… )Komen_3day_camping hacks_teenage silliness

 

Introducing the ABC’s of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® Crew

Every year, the Komen 3-Day Crew puts up tents, picks up trash, hangs route signage, sets up pit stops, cheers on tired walkers, soothes stinging blisters, serves hot meals and much, much more. Being a part of the 3-Day® Crew means giving up your time in selfless service to help end breast cancer. Whether you’re a ten-time crew member, brand new to the Crew or an interested participant, we wanted to share the ABC’s of the 3-Day Crew – 26 Crew-related people, places and things you’ll encounter on the 3-Day. We invite you to share ideas for each letter here or on Facebook, and to share these images with your family and friends. (To see the 3-Day walker version of the ABC’s, click here!)

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk crew blog ABCs all crew kick-offOn the Thursday before every 3-Day event, all crew members get together to prepare for an amazing 3 days. The All-Crew Kick-Off is a chance to reunite with crew friends from past events and meet the newest members of our crew community. There’s music, games and other activities to build camaraderie and the 3-Day spirit. Crew members also learn how to set up event tents and canopies, use a walkie-talkie and maybe even drive a big truck. Attendance at the All-Crew Kick-Off is required for all crew members.

See Also: (Route Marking) Arrows

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk crew blog ABCs bus liaisonSometimes walkers have to call it quits for the day and be transported back to camp, and often, this decision is an emotional one. Thank goodness for the sensitive and supportive Bus Liaison crew team. These folks are there to lift walkers’ spirits and keep them company while in transit.

See also: Blisters

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk crew blog ABCs The 3-Day simply would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of the all-volunteer Crew. Crew members and volunteers work throughout the entire 3-Day experience, serving as the backbone of the event, bringing it to life and becoming the support system for the walkers every step of the way. You can read descriptions of the different types of crew members here (or in playful poetic form here).

See also: Cheering Stations, Camp Logistics, Camp Services

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk crew blog ABCs dancingBeing part of the 3-Day Crew is a lot of work, but that doesn’t mean there’s no play! What’s a great way to encourage and motivate tired walkers to keep going? Dancing! You’ll see many of our spirited crew members groovin’ and movin’ along the route, at stops and at camp, with tunes or without. Join them and put an extra spring in your step!

See also: Driver

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk crew blog ABCs event supportEvent Support is a special team of crew members with three or more years of experience on the 3-Day Crew who are ready to step in wherever needed. They are essentially jacks-of-all-trades, lending pit stop support, assisting with Ceremonies, helping to manage bus transport, assisting with a relocation and serving as extra route safety.

See also: Experience of a lifetime (Walker, Crew, or Volunteer: you’ll have it on the 3-Day!)

 

What other Crew terms can you think of for letters A,B,C,D and E? How about for letters F,G,H,I and J? Stay tuned for Part 2 of the ABC’s of the 3-Day Crew next week!

3-Day Guest Post – A Mother’s Day Training Walk

Liz P. is a blogger on the lifestyle blog “Prior Fat Girl”. She is also a mom and a Susan G. Komen 3-Day® walker, and she joins us today for a guest post.

I’ve been training for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® for a few months now, although training has been somewhat limited since I lead a busy life (but really, who doesn’t?). So last week, when we hit the 16-week mark I bumped my training walks up. I am still not perfectly following the plan but I am making an effort each day.

According to the 16-week suggested training schedule, Mother’s Day called for a 5-mile walk and to be honest, I was not in the mood. After all it was Mother’s Day, and I wanted to relax. I also felt guilty for spending time away from my family on such a family-focused day.

I had to work that morning and then we headed to my in-laws’ house for the rest of the day. But I planned ahead and I brought my walking gear along so I would be prepared to go for a walk. (My Mother’s Day gift was even a hydration belt for my training!) After lunch and a nap with my baby, I knew that it was time to head off for a walk. In fact, I had cut it a bit too close to do a full 5 miles, but I did not let that stop me from doing something.

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk liz paul prior fat girl training

Though rain was in the forecast it was a beautiful spring day in MN. There was a brisk wind that was both warm and cool at the same time. Flowers were blooming and lots of people were out enjoying the precious sunshine. Leaving my kids in their grandparents care, I headed out.

As I walked on Mother’s Day I thought about my Grandma – Ruth Ann Mercer. She died when I was a teenager after 8 years of breast cancer and then other types as it metastasized. My Grandma was an amazing woman. She went to college in her 50s because she’d always regretted not being able to go when she was young. She majored in philosophy!

She did not let anything stop her when she set her mind to something, which is part of the reason I believe she lived for 8 years with breast cancer. In the end it was her decision to stop treatment and I remember gathering with her for our last goodbyes. In many ways I was too young to really understand her choice at the time, and had no real insight to ask to hear her stories and knowledge. I wish I could know that now. I miss her.

susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walk liz paul prior fat girl grandmother

With each step on Sunday, I thought about my Grandma. I thought about the chocolate chips she kept in the pots and pans drawer in her house, in case of an emergency chocolate fix. I thought about how she could sew anything out of anything. I thought about learning to play Gin Rummy with her.

And I thought about how I am not able to introduce her to my new daughter or how I cannot take a 4-generation picture of the strong women in my family because of breast cancer. But perhaps my daughter will see breast cancer eradicated in her lifetime, or perhaps I’ll see it myself. I walk because I want people to know their grandmas.

I didn’t quite manage the full 5 miles. I made it 3 miles before rain and the promise of Mother’s Day dinner at the in-laws beckoned. I didn’t manage every step, but I did get out there and I trained. Training is hard as a mother of two young children. Training is hard when holding a full-time job. Training is hard because it is hard. But it is not as hard as cancer.

So I walk on Mother’s Day to train for 60 miles. I walk for my Grandma. I walk for my daughter’s future.