Tag Archives: training app

Top Ways to Make the Most of Your Next 3-Day Training Walk

The weather is getting warmer. The days are getting longer. It’s training walk season! It’s an exciting time, but training walks are also an important part of your 3-Day experience. They ensure you’re as ready as possible for your 60-mile journey, giving you time to bond with teammates and keeping you moving during these gorgeous spring and summer months. Here are some simple tips to make the most of your next training walk.

  • Make sure you’re prepared: Our blog is chock full of posts on the best ways to plan your training walk, including this highly informative one from Coach Liz. She recommends using the 3-Day training app, Google Maps and more tools to make sure your walk goes smoothly.
  • Do your research: Going for a walk may not seem like a scientific endeavor, but with a little research, you can find ways to optimize your walk. Thanks to our ongoing “Healthy Living” blog series with Amgen and American Bone Health, we have learned about the intricacies of getting your feet and legs ready in the right From improving your stance to increasing your flexibility, little changes can make a big difference.

  • Check the weather: Is it going to rain? How hot is it going to be? Different weather conditions can drastically change how your walk is going to go. Check in advance!
  • Look at the calendar: There are tons of training walks already planned by your coaches and local training walk leaders, so take advantage of those! Join one of the walks that are already happening, to meet people and get tips for your next walk. Check both our training walk calendar at The3Day.org/TrainingWalks and our local gatherings calendar at The3Day.org/Calendar.
  • Get some good tunes going: Nothing fuels a walk like some fun music! And we have the perfect playlist for you. Our Music Monday playlist on Spotify is made from songs that you suggested to get you moving when you need inspiration.
  • Make it themed for extra fun: Who doesn’t love an excuse to dress up and be silly? We have some easy theme ideas to add some flair to your training.
  • Set up a schedule: This is super easy with the 3-Day Training App, but you can also use your own system. Scheduling training in advance will help you stay on track leading up to your 3-Day and makes it more difficult to skip a day.
  • Add teambuilding into your walk: Grow your team while you train! Ask every team member to bring someone who’s not yet signed up for the 3-Day to the training walk and use it as a chance to show people the 3-Day spirit. You can also incorporate a teambuilding activity at the start or end of the walk to really get people excited to walk to together…and maybe add some new members to your 3-Day family!

  • Post about it on social media: Don’t forget to share photos! Use #The3Day and #Commit3Days on all social media so we can see your smiling faces ? Also make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get more training tips, alerts about training walks and more cool 3-Day info.
  • Always stay safe: You don’t have the awesome Safety Crew with you on your training walks, so it never hurts to add an extra safety reminder!

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.

Planning the Perfect 3-Day Training Walk

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Summer is a great time to kick your training into high gear, and with our 2018 3-Day season just around the corner, your training walks are likely getting longer and longer. Whether you’re walking on your own, using our 3-Day training apps, or joining an official training walk leader to train, now is the time!

To help you make the most of your next training walk, we asked Coach Liz – an experienced  training walk leader – to give us her tips and tricks for planning the best training walk possible. Honed from years of experience, here’s how she gets it done…

When planning a route, I always have two web browser windows open: the Miler Meter pedometer to map our the miles and Google Maps to look for shade and places to stop and take a break.

I usually find a place to start on Google Maps that is open early and has sufficient parking, which you can see on Google. For example, Safeway at McQueen and Ray Road (Point A on the map below). Then I look for a grocery store, fast food restaurant, convenience store or coffee shop that is somewhere close for an end spot (Point B).

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Then I start mapping on pedometer to plan about 3-4 miles through the city streets and housing areas to get from point A to point B. This route is an out and back (3 miles out and turn around and reverse back to start). I make sure the route has some shade and sidewalks. And, whenever I can I try not to have us facing the sun as the day or route gets later and longer. That’s a pro tip for you!

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I put it all together with turn by turn directions that I hand out, so everyone knows the route. We don’t want anyone getting lost!

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As the training walks get longer, I plan longer walks with stops every 3-4 miles. I will also plan some walks with loops so if someone needs to bow out or needs to stop they can.

We always make sure to take time to stretch before and at our “pit stops” on the training walks!

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When we get to the longer walks, particularly on the 15+ miles back to back, we get our local crew or our families to come out and provide “mock pit stops.” It really helps the new first time walkers start to get a feel for the 3-Day, and it makes the walks so much more fun! Plus, it helps our families and communities get more involved in the 3-Day.

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Also, on any walk that is more than 13 miles we also build in a lunch stop. I remind all our walkers to be sure to bring a change of socks and money for lunch.

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And of course, we train on all terrains, to make sure the walkers are prepared for the whole route. In the photo below, we added some hill training by walking to the top of Hayden Butte (it is only a 0.7 mile walk but the elevation gain is 278 feet!)

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We hope these tips help you and your fellow 3-Day participants plan some amazing training walks! See you all soon!

Making the Most of the 3-Day Training Apps

Day 1 of the Susan G. Komen 3day walk in Novi, Michigan on August 4, 2017.

Walking 60 miles is no small feat, and it certainly takes training! Everyone prepares in different ways, but one easy way to start and track your training is with our 3-Day training apps. With training plans for both 24 and 16 weeks out from each of our 2018 3-Days, the apps make it simple to get 60-mile ready!

The features of the 3-Day App include:

  • Weekly training tips
  • Daily mileage goals
  • Track your distance and pace with each workout, with built-in GPS*
  • See your walk on a map
  • Select your own music and skip tracks without leaving the app
  • And more!

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If you haven’t started using it yet, now is the time! All you have to do is open the Apple App Store to buy and download apps. Search for “Susan G. Komen 3-Day” and choose the 24-week or 16-week version of the app. Follow on-screen instructions, and for just $2.99 the app will be all yours to explore and use!

Have any more questions? We have answers!

How do I see my mileage goal for the day?

Tap the “Walk” icon, then scroll left or right to select the day (i.e., Week 22, Day 5) to view the mileage goal for the day.

To mark your walk complete, all you have to do is tap the “Walk” icon again, then scroll left or right to select the day (i.e., Week 22, Day 5). Double tap the day to mark the mileage goal for the day as complete. Great job!

How do I see my weekly training tips?

Tap the “Walk” icon, then scroll left or right to select the day (EX: Week 22, Day 5) and tap the “Tips” button to see the walking tip for that day. They’re a great way to stay motivated and excited as your training kicks into high gear!

Day 1 of the Susan G. Komen 3day walk in Novi, Michigan on August 4, 2017.

How do I track the distance and pace of my walk?

Tap the “Walk” icon, then scroll left or right to select the day (EX: Week 22, Day 5). Once you’ve selected the day and mileage you’d like to walk, tap “GO!” A countdown will begin. If you’ve selected a specific playlist, music will also start playing then to get you in the walking mood. As you walk, your distance and pace will be calculated. This will help you make sure you’re not pushing yourself too hard, and to see how your pace changes throughout your walk.

How do I share my workouts on social media?

To share workout information on Facebook and/or Twitter, tap the “Settings” icon from the main page, then tap “Sharing.” You’ll get to choose options for what platform you want to share on! If you’re part of our 3-Day Social Stars community, don’t forget to use #3daysocialstars and #sponsored when you share to earn points for the month!

How do I select which music to play while I’m walking with the app?

Great tunes help a walk go by quicker and easier! Just tap the “Settings” icon, then “Music.” You can choose from playlists, shuffle songs and other options to be the soundtrack to your training. Then, tap “Music” on the main screen, and choose which playlist you’d like to hear during your walk.

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What do I do if I start using the app after the training program has already begun for my 3-Day?

Don’t worry! You can advance to the current weekly training schedule by tapping “Choose Event” from the home screen and then “Walk.” A question will pop up, asking you if you want to catch up. Just choose that, and get walking!

How do I see stretching tips?

Yes, we even have these on the app too! From the Home screen, tap “Walk.” Next to the “Go” button, tap “Stretch.” You should know that the stretching program is a supplementary program available in the app store for a $1.99 additional fee. But, it’s worth it to keep your muscles fresh and loose!

Download the app in the Apple App Store now! Then, share your progress with us on social media. Good luck!

Note: Please keep in mind that the app is only available in the Apple App Store, not available for Android phones. If you don’t have an iPhone, or don’t want to purchase the app, you can find your 24-week or 16-week suggested training program at The3Day.org/Training.