Tag Archives: Walking

20 Reasons To Be a 20-Mile Walker

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With our final two 3-Days coming up quickly in Dallas/Fort Worth and San Diego, the time is NOW to sign up for the 3-Day! If you’re new to our community, can’t walk the whole 60 miles or raise the whole $2300, or just want to dip your toe in the water…you can be a 20-Mile Walker. This one-day option of the 3-Day allows walkers to join us on Sunday and finish out the final 20 miles of the weekend with the rest of the 3-Day community, including our exciting Closing Ceremony.

It requires less training, less fundraising, but all the fun that you would experience on the full 3-Day journey. If you haven’t signed up yet, you still can at The3Day.org/20Mile

And if you need more convincing, here are 20 reasons why you should be a 20-Mile Walker…

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  1. It’s a welcome to the 3-Day family: If you haven’t participated in the 3-Day previously, walking a 20-Mile Walker is a great way to get a taste of the community. You will meet breast cancer survivors, those who have lost someone to breast cancer, and many people who have been directly aided by the work that Susan G. Komen does. It will be inspiring to say the least!
  2. It’s only one day: That’s not much of a commitment when you think of all the fun you’ll have and the difference you will make in the fight against breast cancer.
  3. You don’t even have to take the day off: 20-Mile Walkers join the event on Sunday, so even those traveling in from other cities can be back home by Sunday night in most cases. We know not everyone can take a day or two off to join us, so participating as a 20-Mile Walker is a great alternative to that.
  4. It’s a great way to get moving: If hitting the gym is getting boring, or you’re looking for a new way to stay active…walking 20 miles with us is a perfect idea! People of all fitness levels participate!
  5. Do something with your friends: This lower commitment option for participating in the 3-Day is a great way to gather friends or family together for a day of bonding.
  6. No need to camp: If sleeping outside isn’t your style, you don’t have to camp (but you can if you want to!). We have great hotel partners, so you can get a cozy night sleep before you take on those 20 miles.
  7. It’s an excuse to wear a tutu: There will be tutus abound on the 3-Day!
  8. Or really any crazy outfit: We have everything from Santa to unicorns to dinosaurs walking on the 3-Day path!
  9. You get unlimited snack access: If you love string cheese, grapes, PB&J, rice krispie treats and all manner of snacks, there is no better excuse to eat your fill than to walk 20 miles.
  10. New friends will find you: No one is ever alone on the 3-Day so even if you sign up by yourself, you will make tons of new friends as you walk.
  11. And you might just keep them forever: Our 3-Day community stays close all year long via social media, local meet-ups and even snail mail. A friend made on the 3-Day is a friend for life.
  12. People cheer when you cross the street: Between our amazing Crew and local support, you will be supported and cheered on throughout your day-long walk. Many of our 3-Dayers say they even get sad on Monday when they cross the street and don’t hear those cheers.
  13. You will smile every step of the way: Yes, this is a 20-mile journey, but we promise it will be a fun one! ?
  14. It’s a great way to see a new city: Lots of people travel in to participate in the 3-Day, so even if you don’t have a 3-Day in your hometown, you can still join up.
  15. Or learn more about your hometown: Even if the 3-Day is in your home city, chances are you haven’t seen every inch of the area. Walking the 3-Day will show you areas of your home you might never have seen otherwise! It will also give you an excuse to re-visit some of the famous landmarks around town.
  16. There’s a pink carpet finish line: Who doesn’t love a good glamour walk across a pink carpet?!
  17. And you’ll accomplish something few people do: Who else do you know that can say they walked 20 miles with their Sunday?
  18. You’ll attend the Closing Ceremony: This is the celebration of the 3-Day, and a truly inspiring and emotional experience that many people deem the highlight of their weekend.
  19. You’ll be making a difference: Komen has set a Bold Goal to decrease breast cancer deaths in the US by 50% by the year 2026. Every step you take is a step towards making that goal a reality.
  20. …and you’ll probably be back next year ? Or at least we hope so! Once you’ve tried the 3-Day or walked the 3-Day in a new city, it will be tough to say “no” in 2019.

Come join us this year! You can still register at The3Day.org/20Mile.

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

Make the Most of Indoor Training

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As winter really picks up steam, and snow covers many parts of the country, it’s indoor training time for a lot of our 3-Dayers. After a few of you reached out on social media, asking for tips and inspiration to keep up with your training, even in colder temperatures. We are here to deliver! If you’re having trouble keeping up with your training goals indoors, we have some simple tricks to keep you on target.

Stay Motivated

We’ve talked to our coaches about their New Year’s Resolutions, but what are yours? We all know goal setting is important to organize your scheduled and keep up with your training plan, but they can also help you stay motivated! Give yourself weekly and monthly training goals, and pre-determine a reward for yourself.  If you need a little spa time, book a massage when you hit your goal of miles for the week. If you love shopping, buy yourself something nice when you get to the gym! Whatever it is, do something nice for yourself to help you stay motivated.

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Find What Gets You Going

Do you need to create a pump-up playlist? Let your favorite tunes motivate you. Do you like to get engrossed in a good story? Download a podcast. Have a TV show you want to binge watch? Bring your tablet or iPad to the gym and watch on the treadmill. Need a little time with your friends? Schedule a group work out with all your favorite people. Find what gets you moving and grooving, and use that to motivate your work outs.

Divide and Conquer

Tackle your mileage goal for the day in a few spurts. It will make the steps go quicker and let you conquer the other parts of your day with ease. Plus, if you’re walking long distances on a treadmill, it can get monotonous! So, instead of trying to walk 15 miles in a row, break it up throughout the day. Do an early morning gym visit and walk half of your goal, then head to the gym after work. You’ll get the same number of steps, but in a more manageable fashion.

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Spice It Up

We love our training walks, and getting to spend time with all of you as a 3-Day family. However, if the weather isn’t warm enough in your hometown, you might not be able to swing a long walk outside. How about walking laps around the local mall instead? Or, mix it up and get your cardio some other way! From spin class to group cardio and barre work outs, there are plenty of ways to get your heart pumping inside this season.

How do you get your steps in during the winter? What’s your favorite indoor work out? Tell us in the comments! It might just inspire your fellow walkers…

Every Question You’ve Had About Multi-Day Walks… Answered! (At least we hope so!)

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Committing to walk for a whole weekend, even for a good cause, can be a daunting idea. You can do it, though! Since 2003, we have had more than 500,000 participants in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®, and we have spent countless weekends together, walking 60 miles to find a cure for breast cancer. If you’re nervous about doing a multi-day walk, don’t be! You will have your 3-Day family walking alongside you, and supporting you every step of the way.

If you haven’t signed up yet, now is the time to do it! We are offering $20 off your registration fee through February 5th, a fee of only $50 to start your 3-Day journey!

If you have any questions before you sign up, we have everything you need to know…

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How far do we walk on the 3-Day?

The 3-Day route covers approximately 15-22 miles each day for three days in a row, totaling approximately 60 miles. It’s the greatest distance you can go in the fight against breast cancer® .

If you are unable to keep walking at any point while you’re out on the route, we have support vehicles to transport you to the next pit stop, or ahead to camp, where you can rest and get medical attention if you need it. Your safety is always our first concern!

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Once I’ve signed up, how do I join or form a team?

If you haven’t registered as a participant for the 3-Day yet, you can register online (now for only $50!) and select “Start a Team” or “Join a Team”.

To start a team, create your team name and fundraising goal and you’ll be designated as the captain. To join a team, search for the name of the team you want to join and select it. Or call 800-996-3DAY to register and indicate that you would like to join a team. Let us know the team name, and your coach will be happy to get you started.

Or, register as an individual! Even if you’re not officially part of a team, no one is alone on the 3-Day. We have meeting points for Solo Walkers to join together, or you can join a team along the way!

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How will the 3-Day help me fundraise for the event?

Each 3-Day walker needs to raise $2,300 to participate in the event, with proceeds going towards breast cancer research, funding, support, and more.

We will support you in your fundraising process in many ways:

  • You will be assigned a personal 3-Day coach to advise you through your fundraising and training
  • Our Fundraising Handbook with our tried-and-true “3-Day Way” of fundraising
  • Info meetings and workshops, plus online webinars
  • An online Participant Center to track your efforts, send emails, and get all the info you need
  • The 3-Day Fundraise app for your iOS or Android smartphone
  • Posters, business cards, infographics and much more!

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How does Susan G. Komen utilize the contributions?

75% of the net proceeds raised by the 3-Day help Komen support the global research program and other mission objectives, while the remaining 25% helps Affiliates support local programs including medical assistance, patient navigation and provider education.

All monetary donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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Where do we spend the night on event?

Once you start your 3-Day journey, we take care of you for the whole weekend. After a long day’s journey, you’ll spend the night at the 3-Day camp with your fellow walkers and crew members. We provide you a two-person sleeping tent to share with another participant.* If you don’t wish to sleep at camp, we have information on hotels which include shuttles to and from camp.

Camp has different areas, including the dining tent, where you will eat dinner and breakfast, and shower trucks for washing up. There will be a “3-Day Lounge” for relaxation and socialization, a stage for nightly announcements and entertainment, and much more!

*This year, we have a new experience for Philadelphia! The Philadelphia 3-Day camp will take place entirely in hotels. Our host hotel for camp will still include meals, main street and participant lodging. This format will allow participants the same ceremony, community and camaraderie as usual on the 3-Day, or as our veterans call it, “The 3-Day Pink Bubble!”

Do I have to carry all my gear while I am walking?

Don’t worry, the 3-Day Crew will transport your gear for you to camp. You’ll just need to pick it up from the gear truck when you arrive at camp after walking. After your 60-mile journey, the crew will transport your gear to the Closing Ceremony location for you while you’re walking on Sunday. Easy peasy!

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If I can’t walk, how else can I be involved?

You can join the 3-Day crew! A crew member is a registered 3-Day participant who attends the event in a service capacity. Crew members do not walk the 60-mile route, but are onsite during the entire event performing a specific job. The crew is the backbone of the Komen 3-Day! Crew members are not required to fundraise, though we do encourage it and will support you in your fundraising efforts! We couldn’t make the 3-Day happen without the crew.

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If I can’t Crew, can I still volunteer?

Yes! Volunteers are needed to help with single-day commitments. It’s a way to stay flexible and still contribute your time, expertise and ideas to help make the 3-Day a success. From outreach and recruitment, to on-event roles and responsibilities, there is a volunteer opportunity to fit your schedule, skills and passions.

Click here to search for volunteer opportunities in your area.

We also welcome groups of volunteers for our street teams, local events and ceremonies. Please contact a 3-Day Crew & Volunteer Coordinator to learn more.

Where can I find information about the financial results of the 3-Day?

Visit Komen.org/AboutUs/FinancialInformation.html for Susan G. Komen’s financial reports. These shareable infographics will educate your donors, teammates, family and friends about how 3-Day funds are transformed into life-saving work.

Have any more questions about the 3-Day? Check out our FAQ’s page on the 3-Day website! Or reach out to us on social media. We’re here to help and answer all your questions!