17 Reasons Why It’s Great to be a Guy on the 3-Day

It’s true that the majority of Susan G. Komen 3-Day® participants are women, but the Komen 3-Day is no “girls only” club. In fact, some of the most dedicated 3-Day® participants are men, and being a dude in our pink world has its advantages.

You never have an issue fitting 3 days worth of stuff into a 35-pound bag.
It’s perfectly acceptable to talk about boobs without getting slapped.
If you offer a free foot rub, you’ll have a line of women begging you for one.
There is nothing you could possibly do that would make you seem “unmanly.” Even this.
Where else can you spend two nights sleeping next to hundreds of women and not get in trouble with your wife?
You never have to wait in line for the shower.
You are the only ones who know what that “special sink” in the porta-potties is for.
You can try out great new pick-up lines like, “Come to this pit stop often?” and “Know any good groin stretches?”
This.
Everyone wants to dance with you on Saturday night.
Hours of conversation with women gives you priceless (and sometimes scary) insight into the female mind.
You’ve always wondered what it felt like to wear a bra, and the 3-Day is a safe place for you to explore.
Dr. Sheri looks up to you. Literally.
You can finally feel safe talking about your favorite Real Housewife without your buddies finding out.
A photo of you on the 3-Day will look great on your online dating profile.
Chicks dig guys in pink.
Breast cancer is a men’s issue too, and when a cure is found, you’ll know you were part of it.

For help with this list, we got some very entertaining input and ideas from a few gentlemen who have seen it all on the 3-Day. Each of these fellas has walked the entire 3-Day series in a single year:

George N. (12 events in 2007)

Jim H. (14 events in 2011)

Glen D. (14 events in 2012)

John S. (14 events in 2013)

Additional input came courtesy of 2012 walker Chris K.

Thanks for the ideas, guys!

Did we forget anything? Let us know in Comments!

Dr. Sheri’s Warm Weather Training Tips for the 3-Day

The 3-Day blog is excited to welcome back Dr. Sheri Prentiss, the National Spokesperson for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day^®.Dr. Sheri is a physician, as well as a breast cancer survivor and a 3-Day walker herself. She joins us today to share some warm weather training tips to keep you in tip-top shape along your training route as you prepare for an amazing 60 miles.

As I continue my training efforts for the upcoming Komen 3-Day season, I personally am reconnecting with nature, body and mind. I’m invigorated by the sights, sounds and scents of summer and am grateful for life, health and a chance to win what I feel may be the biggest fight ever fought – the fight to end breast cancer.

Training for your 3-Day event means you, too, will be spending more time outdoors! Now is a great time to review a few tips to help keep you safe as you train and soak up this summertime weather.

Protect your skin. Wear a high SPF sunscreen and don’t forget the back of your neck, the tip of your ears and your hands. It’s always a good idea to wear a hat to protect your scalp from the sun, too. Also, look for a route that offers both sunlight and shade. Keep as cool as you can during your training walks by always choosing to walk on the shady side of the street where you have a choice. But use caution, as going from shade into sun you may not see road hazards as well.
Wear light-colored and lightweight clothing that is made from moisture-wicking fabric; this keeps moisture away from the skin and dries quickly. This also includes moisture-wicking socks to help prevent blisters.
Prior to going outdoors to begin your fitness regimen, pay attention to the weather forecast and heat alerts. Take extra precaution and check the weather conditions so you can be best prepared for rain, heat or humidity
Up your intake of water. If you’re walking, you need more than the standard eight ounces of water eight times a day. Take a reusable water bottle with you on your walk. Alternate drinking salt-replenishing sports drinks and water. Also be sure to bring along salty snacks for those longer training walks.
Once you are started and you can feel the temperature rising, pay attention to your heart rate. Your heart rate will naturally rise one beat per minute for each degree above 77F, so while you may not be going faster, your body is already working harder and producing more internal heat so it will have trouble dispersing. Hot weather is no time to set a pace record. Slow down to a pace that doesn’t leave you purple in the face!
Don’t keep walking once you are nauseated, dizzy, feeling faint, experiencing gray-outs, headache and/or muscle cramps. Seek shade, sports drink, and call for help.

Always be sure to put your well-being first when training, especially in the heat of the summer months!

The ABC’s of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day – Part 3

It’s time for Part 3 of the ABC’s of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day^®. This special alphabet is made up of 26 people, places or things you’ll encounter on the Komen 3-Day. Check out Part 1 (Letters A – D) here, Part 2 (Letters E – H) here, and don’t forget to share your ideas for each letter here on the 3-Day blog or with us on Facebook. You can also help us spread the word about the 3-Day^® by pinning these images on Pinterest. The more people who learn about the 3-Day, the more we can make a difference in the fight to end breast cancer forever.

Inspiration Susan G Komen 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk Rainbow

On the 3-Day, inspiration is all around you. Every mile is filled with stories, laughter, hope and crazy costumes. From the community cheering stations to the colorful pit stops, from a child on the side of the road holding up a “thank you” sign to the woman walking next to you in a pink “Survivor” shirt – there are so many reasons to keep walking.