With this year’s Susan G. Komen 3-Day® season fast approaching, it’s important to start training now. No matter if you plan to walk 20, 40 or 60 miles, preparing your body and mind is key to a successful experience.
Why Training Matters
Think of training as the foundation of your 3-Day journey. It strengthens you physically and mentally and ensures you’re ready for the up to 60-mile challenge to end breast cancer. The 3-Day events take participants through Denver, Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Diego; each with unique routes, terrain and weather. While each route is carefully designed to accommodate all fitness levels, training beforehand is critical.
Start Here
One of the best ways to train is by joining one of the 3-Day training walks. Led by volunteers who are experienced participants, the training walks are a great way to build your endurance, boost your motivation and meet fellow 3-Day walkers. Burt L., a longtime training walk leader from New York, urges everyone who is registered for the 3-Day to train as much as possible.
“People have said to me, ‘I don’t need to train for the 3-Day. I do marathons, I’m in great shape,’” Burt recalled. “My response to them is that the 3-Day is different. You get up and do it again, and then you get up the next day and do it again. Training is critical because you need the miles on your legs, and you need the miles on your feet.”
Burt and his training walk group strive to meet monthly, walk 10 to 20 miles together and always end their walks with pizza. “The people in this group each walk at different 3-Day events, but we train and prepare together, and it’s a great way to look forward to the 3-Day,” he said.
Training Tips
Training looks different for everyone, so find what works best for you. Here are a few important training tips:
- A great place to start your training is by checking out the 3-Day training schedules.
- Schedule back-to-back training walks (it’s Day 2 and 3 that are hardest on-event).
- Your feet will swell, so invest in a good pair of shoes that are a full size bigger than your usual size.
- Increase your walking mileage by setting new weekly goals.
- Find a training buddy. It’s easy to type in your zip code on our Training Walk Calendar and find other participants in your area.
- Don’t forget to train in the shoes you plan to wear at the 3-Day!
Visit the 3-Day to connect with the 3-Day community and learn more about training.
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 Komen 3-Day or any athletic event, you should first consult a physician and have physical examination.
