Tag Archives: San Diego 3-Day

2019 San Diego 3-Day Route Preview

Our final 3-Day of the year is coming up this weekend, and we are so excited to be kicking off the 2019 San Diego 3-Day. As Friday fast approaches, we are giving you a sneak peek at our 60-mile route, which will immerse everyone in the stunning sights of San Diego and celebrate the final walk of the year.

Event Manager, Meredith Parker walked her first 3-Day in San Diego years ago, so she (along with all your San Diego coaches) is very happy to welcome all of our participants next weekend. She has big plans for a great weekend ahead!

That starts with our Opening Ceremony, which will once again begin at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. This spot has become a favorite for participants and supporters alike, and we’re excited to once again kick off our journey here.

Day One is very similar to last year, which means that participants need to lace up their shoes for the infamous Torrey Pines hill at the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve!

“Anybody who has ever spent time in San Diego or Torrey Pines knows it’s the most serene piece of coastline. When people I know are visiting the city, I always recommend Torrey Pines. It’s just breathtaking,” Meredith enthuses.

We will also be making our way through Del Mar, which is always so welcoming to our walkers! After lunch at the picturesque Kellogg Park, we will enter La Jolla and spend Friday afternoon walking through the area, including passing Pacific Beach.

Meredith loves that part of the day, saying, “I love walking through La Jolla and going past La Jolla Cove and the tide pools. It’s another spectacular piece of coastline.”

We will finish the day at our outdoor camp site at Crown Point Shores, which has been a wonderful location for the last several years.

“Where else can you camp and get a water view?” Meredith smiles. “It’s the cheapest and greatest waterfront view you can get in San Diego. It’s just so beautiful and a wonderful environment for us all to be together.”

It will make for a cozy spot to spend the night after our first 20 miles. ?

Walkers can then expect some changes on Day Two. After listening to participant feedback from last year, we have worked very closely with the amazing San Diego Police Department to make some updates to Saturday afternoon that we think people will really enjoy.

Because of these updates, our lunch location is now in Bonita Cove! We are very excited about this spot, but Meredith wants to make sure that walkers know that lunch will now be a little later in the day on Saturday. So, be sure to fuel up at breakfast and at the Pit Stops throughout the morning on Day Two.

After lunch, walkers will start seeing those changes as they go along Ocean Front Walk, which will take them through South Mission Beach. In years past, we have stayed along Ocean Front Walk for much of the afternoon, but instead, we will be finishing up Saturday with a walk on Sail Bay. This provides new views and more excitement throughout the afternoon before we come back to camp.

Meredith is most excited for our final Honor Ceremony of the year when we all return to camp on Saturday night. This impactful experience is a new part of the 3-Day this year, and everyone from coaches to participants to family and friends have really appreciated the addition.

“It brings us back to the heart of why we all participate in the 3-Day together,” Meredith explains.

Sunday morning will dawn bright and sunny, bringing walkers to the Northern section of Ocean Front Walk as they make their way through Mission Beach. The boardwalk will be a fun and exciting way to kick off Day Three!

Other highlights include the Juan Street hill, which always leaves walkers with a great feeling of accomplishment — and some serious selfie views — when you reach the top!

In addition, walkers will have the option of crossing the Quince Street Bridge before entering Balboa Park. If you’re scared of heights, we will have shuttles on hand to drive you around, but we really encourage everyone to take advantage of this new portion of our walk!

Our Finish Line and Closing Ceremony will bring our 60-mile journey to a close, once again at Waterfront Park.

We will still be on the West side of the park, which gives us beautiful views of North San Diego Bay. Meredith loves the updates we have made to this final celebration for 2019.

“We have been making changes to make sure this is as an immersive and engaging and intimate Closing Ceremony as possible. We want to close out the year as one big 3-Day family!”

We are so excited to celebrate with San Diego all weekend long and end our 2019 3-Day season making committed strides together towards a cure for breast cancer. Let’s go!

A Salute to the 3-Day Medical Crew

Today is National Nurse’s Day, and we are honored to have many accomplished nurses as part of our 3-Day Medical Crew. Along with doctors, physician’s assistants and other medical professionals, these nurses keep all our 3-Day participants safe and healthy during the 3-Day weekend.

To celebrate them, and nurses across the country, we had a few of our 3-Day Medical Crew Captains share their 3-Day stories.

Barb Diamond Johnson, Medical Captain at the Seattle and Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Days

My commitment to the 3-Day and our local Komen affiliate is thanks to the care my mom received when her insurance fell short. Her care was funded by Susan G. Komen. I initially did the 3-Day in 2007 as a way to pay that back. My intention was to be one and done. But I’m still here…haha! My husband, two daughters, and son-in-law all now participate, too. I even met my current three best friends through the 3-Day.

I have so many amazing memories from my time on the 3-Day…

Years ago, my grandmother lived in Oregon. She used to help take care of the “neighbor girl.” I was in college at this point. I don’t ever remember hearing the neighbor girl’s name. My 1st year in Seattle, (Medical Lead) Jason Page assigned a social worker to my crew. I felt very drawn to her and would continue to have dinner with her when I would come to Seattle to visit my oldest daughter. Later while visiting with her, someone asked where she grew up. She mentioned the town where my grandparents lived. Lo and behold, she is that same neighbor girl! I had quite an ugly cry at that moment. We both now have bracelets that say “Gramma Glady’s Girls.”

Then, another year, we had a participant with Stage IV breast cancer whose family had been pushing her through the event. She would nap at lunch on our cots. Dr. Jim Lummus pushed her from Pit Stop 4 into the Participant Finish Area. We all were affected and inspired by her courage.

I have so many funny memories, and even a few moments of intense emotion, all from the 3-Day.

Robin Knapmiller, Medical Team Captain at the Twin Cities and San Diego 3-Days

It’s hard to express in words the love and appreciation I have for my Medical Team, but I’d like to take a moment to recognize them and thank them for all they do. They have shown over and over the ability to work with complete strangers in a new environment, and to do so with love and compassion, what a gift! I truly believe the personal connection makes a difference in the lives of the walkers. I have seen over and over how they not only treat the blisters and illnesses…but really get to know the walkers by name, share in their stories, meet their families and cry both happy and sad tears together! Sending love and thanks to ALL the3Day Medical Crew. You truly are THE BEST!

I am so honored to be among you, and to have my family at my side too! My daughter Jenni grew up watching me work the event, but since there was not a Youth Corps then, she had to wait until she was older to help. In 2013, Jenni got her Nursing Degree and we could finally work the events together. We haven’t missed a year since!  

Do you have a member of the medical crew who you would like to salute? Are you a medical crew member with a memory from the 3-Day to share? Tell us in the comments! We are honored to have so many talented medical professionals keeping us safe all weekend long.

For more stories about our 3-Day Medical Crew, you can check out these blog posts:

20 Reasons to Join the 3-Day in 2019

The reasons to join the 3-Day are endless. Truly! Everyone gains something different on this amazing journey, and everyone comes back year after year for their own reasons. If you need a bit more motivation to join our 3-Day family in 2019, we have a few all-encompassing reasons to #Commit3Days and join the 3-Day NOW!

(Hint: Make sure to read to the end for a special discount code ?)

  1. Meeting new people: One of the best parts of the 3-Day is the “Pink Bubble” made up of every member of our 3-Day family. Even if you’re walking on your own, you will finish the weekend with scores of new friends.
  2. Outdoor camp: Glamping in pink tents. Sleeping under the stars. Being super close to to all your teammates. There is also so much to love about our outdoor camps in Seattle, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Diego! There’s really no wrong choice (except not joining at all).
  3. Hotel camp: Air conditioning. Charging plugs galore. Real beds and pillows and showers. There is so much to love about our new hotel camps in Michigan, Twin Cities, New England and Philadelphia! (New England 3-Day registration is closed, but you can still register as a 20-Mile walker!)
  4. Seeing all the sights: 60 miles is quite the distance. So, even if you’re walking in your own home city, chances are you’ll get to see some new and unique parts of your hometown on the 3-Day weekend.
  5. Tons of treats: You will be active and moving all 3-Day weekend-long, which makes it very important that we keep you hydrated and fueled. Pit stops, water stations, lunches and dinners are all full of delicious bites like Grahamwiches and the famous 3-Day Mac n’ Cheese.
  6. The 3-Day coaches: We must give a shout out to the people who make it happen. Your 3-Day coaches are here to encourage, advise, support and be there for you every step of your 3-Day journey. From the moment you sign up until you cross that finish line, they will be your champions.
  7. An excuse for shopping: You’re going to need some new gear to display on all those training walks, and especially on the 3-Day weekend! People go all out with their 3-Day outfits, rocking everything from feathered wings to our very own 3-Day T-Rex. You better start shopping now!
  8. Get moving: Many people have the goal to get more steps in, move more in their everyday lives or get in better shape. While we have walkers of all shapes, sizes, and ages, you can use the 3-Day to help fuel your next fitness goal.
  9. Finding new tunes: While you’re out moving and grooving away, you’re going to need some music to fuel your journey. The 3-Day has its own Spotify account to get you started on musical inspiration, but you can also make your own! You’ll be surprised how much good music will improve your mood. Just remember to keep it safe and don’t wear earphones on the 3-Day or our official training walks.
  10. Getting some quality time: If music isn’t your jam, don’t worry. The 3-Day is also a great chance to get quality time with the friends and family who are walking with you…or with yourself. Make sure to take some time on your walk to reflect. Check in with yourself and acknowledge what an amazing thing you’re doing.
  11. Testing your limits: It’s important to remember the whole journey, not just the final destination. This walk will test you emotionally and physically, but also give you such a feeling of accomplishment at the end.
  12. It’s tutu-friendly: And not just tutus! We also love wigs and bedazzled bras and team t-shirts and more! You will be smiling all weekend long thanks to all of the extra special flair. ?
  13. For the gram: It seems that more and more people are doing things “for the gram” these days, and while getting a good photo shouldn’t be your sole motivation for joining the 3-Day, we can promise some epic photos for your social media feeds.
  14. To spice up your Bucket List: If the 3-Day isn’t on your bucket list yet, it should be! Not many people can say they’ve walked 60 miles in one weekend, after all.
  15. Re-connecting with nature: The 3-Day route will take you through all sorts of cool sights, including some amazing parks, trails and watersides. Don’t miss them! Our host cities are all unique and wonderful in their own special ways, so take in everything they have to offer.
  16. That feeling of accomplishment: There truly is no feeling like crossing that 60-mile finish line and knowing that your commitment has made a HUGE impact in the fight to end breast cancer. You have trained, fundraised, volunteered time and energy, and it all comes to a peak in that moment. There is nothing like it.
  17. Be inspired: As we said before, there is nothing like this experience. Hearing from our breast cancer survivor speakers, meeting those who have lost loved ones or been saved by Susan G. Komen-funded research; all these experiences will leave you feeling motivated and inspired.
  18. Make a difference: Since its founding in 1982, Susan G. Komen has funded more than $988M in research and more than $2.2 billion in education, screening and treatment. The net proceeds raised by the 3?Day help Susan G. Komen build a world free of breast cancer through research, community, care and action.
  19. Join the family: Being a part of the 3-Day makes you a part of our family, and an integral part of the fight against breast cancer. You will become part of something that is larger than yourself and make a true difference in the world around you.
  20. You can do this! More than 500,000 participants have supported the breast cancer community, including those living with metastatic breast cancer, since the 3-Day began. You can be a part of all that! Yes, walking 60 miles is hard, but it’s not as hard as breast cancer. Come walk with us. You can do it.