Tag Archives: The 3-Day

Blister Care 101

Walking the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® is an incredibly rewarding experience, from raising funds for the fight against breast cancer to pushing your limits beyond what you ever thought was possible. However, when training and walking 60 miles, it’s not uncommon to experience uncomfortable blistering. When your skin repeatedly rubs against your shoes or socks, it can cause the top layers of skin to separate, creating a space that fills with fluid. Common signs of an impending blister include redness, heat, and a burning sensation in the affected area. Proper prevention and care are essential to keep your feet in top condition so you can take each step with confidence. 

Here’s how you can protect yourself from blisters and manage them effectively if they do occur. 

PREVENTING BLISTERS: STEPS TO KEEP YOUR FEET SAFE 

CHOOSE THE RIGHT FOOTWEAR 

  • A good fit minimizes friction, so ensure your shoes are neither too tight nor too loose. When trying on new shoes, wear the same type of socks you plan to wear on the Komen 3-Day. 
  • Gradually break in your shoes by wearing them for shorter training walks and throughout your everyday life. 
  • Opt for shoes and socks with minimal seams in the areas most prone to blisters, such as the heels and toes. 

WEAR MOISTURE-WICKING SOCKS 

  • Choose socks made from synthetic materials that wick moisture away from your skin. Avoid cotton, which retains moisture and increases friction. 
  • Consider wearing two layers of socks, with the inner sock acting as a buffer to reduce friction. 

KEEP YOUR FEET DRY 

  • Apply foot powder or antiperspirant to reduce moisture and friction. 
  • If your socks get wet from sweat or rain, change them as soon as possible to prevent prolonged exposure to moisture. 

USE PROTECTIVE BARRIERS 

  • Apply blister prevention balms or petroleum jelly to areas prone to friction. This creates a slick surface that reduces rubbing. 
  • Preemptively apply Moleskin or Blister Bandages to high-risk areas such as your heels and toes before embarking on long walks. 

CARING FOR BLISTERS: TREATMENT AND RECOVERY 

Even with the best preventive measures, blisters can still occur. On the 3-Day®, our Medical Crew is happy to help you at pit stops and at camp, but knowing how to treat them is crucial for minimizing pain and preventing infection. 

DO NOT POP BLISTERS 

  • If the blister is small and not too painful, it’s best to leave it intact, since the fluid inside serves as a protective cushion and helps prevent infection. 

IF YOU MUST DRAIN A BLISTER 

  • Use a sterilized needle (you can sterilize it with alcohol or by heating it) to puncture the blister at the edge. 
  • Drain it carefully by gently pressing out the fluid while leaving the overlying skin intact to protect the underlying tissue. 
  • Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover the blister with a sterile bandage or gauze to protect it from infection. 

KEEP THE AREA CLEAN 

  • Frequently and gently clean the blistered area with mild soap and water before reapplying ointment and a fresh bandage. 
  • Watch for signs of infection, such as increased redness, warmth, swelling, or pus. If any of these occur, seek medical attention promptly. 

REST AND PROTECT 

  • When training, take a break for a few days to allow your blister(s) to heal before continuing. 
  • While on the route, consider taking a sweep van to the next location for proper care. If you choose to continue, try to adjust your stride or posture to reduce pressure on the affected area. 
  • Apply extra padding around the blister to relieve pressure and allow it to heal more quickly. 

While blisters are a common challenge for 3-Dayers, with proper preparation and care, they can be prevented or managed effectively. By choosing the right footwear, keeping your feet dry, and taking steps to reduce friction, you can enjoy your stride through the Pink Bubble in style without the discomfort of blisters. And if they do happen, knowing how to treat them properly will ensure a swift recovery, keeping you on track for your next adventure.  

PLEASE NOTE: THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND TRAINING INFORMATION PROVIDED TO YOU IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE SUSAN G. KOMEN 3-DAY®?IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE OR BE CONSTRUED AS MEDICAL ADVICE AND ANY SUCH INFORMATION IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR SEEKING MEDICAL ADVICE OR TREATMENT FROM YOUR MEDICAL PROVIDER. BEFORE STARTING ANY EXERCISE PROGRAM OR FOLLOWING ANY RECOMMENDATIONS, ADVICE OR OTHER INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING TRAINING FOR THE 3-DAY OR ANY ATHLETIC EVENT, YOU SHOULD FIRST CONSULT A PHYSICIAN AND HAVE A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION.

New England Milestone Award: Mary Anne W.

Meet Mary Anne W., our 2024 New England 3-Day Milestone Award Winner!   

Mary Anne has walked 22 times in 20 years, raising a lifetime total of more than $147,000. This year, she walks for her dental hygienist, Tracy, a three-year breast cancer survivor. 

What was your inspiration to participate in your first Susan G. Komen 3-Day®?  

A co-worker who I regularly walked with gave me the information to register. 

What has brought you back to the 3-Day® year after year?   

My first 3-Day walk was in 1998, and then [I] kept registering when Komen took over in 2003. I have walked at least one event each year since. The past two years, I have walked two 3-Day events and will do so this year, too. So, New England will be walk 23 of the Komen 3-Day, then later number 24 in Dallas/Fort Worth. 

What is the secret to your 3-Day fundraising success?   

My secret to fundraising is mailing letters that include the donation form [and] a stamped envelope to the bank starting in mid-April. I mail everyone I have ever known in my life. Yep, stamps are expensive, but my donors love getting my letters, which include a photo and story of someone I know personally who has had breast cancer. This year I am walking for Tracy, my dental hygienist. She is 51, and a 3-year survivor. My letter and a photo of Tracy are below. 

“I’m on the road again this year with my 23rd 3-Day. This time I am walking to honor Tracy, my dental hygienist and a 3-year breast cancer survivor. Here is her breast cancer story: 

‘I moved from Nebraska to Arizona in June 2021 so excited to start working right away at a Prescott, AZ dental office as a Dental Hygienist. Just one month later I was diagnosed with Stage 2B breast cancer with lymph node involvement and very high in Estrogen. A lumpectomy was performed in September and a port was placed in November of that year. A/C “Red Devil” chemotherapy started in December, every other week for 2 months, followed by a less potent chemotherapy which occurred weekly for three months. I then got to take a break for a couple months to regain some strength before the Radiation Oncologist needed 15 chest x-rays and radiation continued every morning Monday through Friday for 18 weeks. Next, it was a challenge to find the right combination of hormone blockers that didn’t make my muscles and bones ache. I now get acupuncture and massages weekly to help with the neuropathy in my feet. I just recently started to feel less fatigued, now I’m able to go on walks and I hope to start a workout routine again soon. 

I’m so lucky that I have a job that I was able to continue to work while going through cancer treatment. 

During all my treatments my husband cooked, cleaned and shopped so I could rest, I am so lucky to have him, my family, friends and patients that have kept me positive throughout my cancer journey.’  

Tracy’s journey with this disease will hopefully inspire those you know to take breast health seriously and get your annual mammograms, etc. I am hoping you will donate today to my fundraising using the enclosed donation form and envelope addressed to the lockbox in Dallas. If you prefer to donate online, go to The3Day.org, type my name and choose the donation amount. 

Thank you for continuing to care about breast cancer and finding the cures.” 

What is your best advice to anyone walking the 3-Day?    

The event is three days of walking and meeting new faces who may wind up being a very good friend. 

What’s a fun fact about you?  

I am 80 years old and played competitive tennis from age 4 to 70. I have been playing pickleball since January and, with my tennis background, have picked up the sport easily. I live in a community that has many retired people who also play the game, [so I have made] lots of new friends with this sport. I have also been an active YMCA member since age 4 [and] have been married to Tom for 60 years. I do cardio classes 5 days a week, pickleball 4 days, and walk 5 miles a day. 

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on the 3-Day?    

Start your fundraising as early as possible, train, and be kind always. 

New England Crew Impact Award Winner: Ali P. 

Meet Ali P., our 2024 New England Crew Impact Award Winner!    

Since her first Susan G. Komen 3-Day® 16 years ago as a member of the Youth Corps, Ali has participated 18 times and has raised a lifetime total of nearly $14,000. To this day, she plays an imperative role in keeping the program afloat and thriving. 

“Ali has always embodied the Komen 3-Day to me. She is an incredibly dedicated leader, teacher, and, most importantly, friend. If it weren’t for her hard work, organization, and advocacy, the Youth Corps would not look like it does. As one of the founding members of the Youth Corps when she was a young girl herself, to the repeat leader she has become, Ali has always made sure the Youth Corps mission is a success.” —Bailey M.  

What was your inspiration to do your first 3-Day®?  

My mom had walked the 3-Day for years with her sister, Rose, who was battling breast cancer. At the time, I was very young, but I got to see my mom and aunt at camp (back when camp was outside, moved each night, and was open to friends and family), and at the Closing Ceremony; I immediately knew I wanted to get involved and support the cause. A few years later, the Youth Corps started here in Boston, and I jumped at the chance to join the team. It was one of the best experiences ever, and one that I will never forget. 

What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?   

The 3-Day is an amazing event that supports an extremely important cause that is near and dear to my heart. While I initially joined the 3-Day to support my aunt Rose’s battle and triumph over breast cancer, after my first event in New England 2006, I was hooked. I made so many new friends that quickly became family to me, and I looked forward to joining forces with them each year in the fight against breast cancer.  

However, in 2012 my world was rocked, reminding me how cruel this disease is when my grandmother Rosemarie, my mom Cathy, and my Aunt Joanne were all diagnosed with breast cancer. Within a six-month span, three more women on my mom’s side of the family had breast cancer. It was then that I vowed to participate in the 3-Day until we find the cures and there is no need for the walk anymore. 

What is your favorite aspect of crewing the 3-Day?   

My favorite aspect of crewing the 3-Day is the Youth Corps. Maybe I’m biased because I was a member as a kid and have been a Youth Corps leader 12 times, but seeing the smile they bring to walkers is special. Outside of the Youth Corps, it’s being able to help and support others on event. I know firsthand that walking 60 miles is no easy feat, so being there for others in any way I can is extremely rewarding. 

What is your best advice to anyone crewing the 3-Day?    

Talk to everyone, and I mean everyone! Listen to their stories, share yours, make new friends. Smile at someone, say hi, give them a high five — even the smallest actions make a world of difference. And most importantly, enjoy every moment and have fun! Don’t get too caught up in your task that you forget why you are there. 

What’s a fun fact about you?  

I have run eight marathons, six in the United States, one in London, one in Germany, and have individually raised over $50,000 while doing so. My goal is to complete all of the world’s major marathons, and I am only one marathon away from doing so.