WHAT? You haven't registered yet for 2011?

OMG!  What do you mean you still haven't registered for 2011 yet?  The time is now!

Register before tomorrow and save $25!  That's right!  Save $25 by entering the code SAVE25.  You can add the $25 to your donations!  ;)

Register NOW!

Happy 2011!

Yikes... am I late?  January has flown by and time to rock the 3-Day world. 

We are having a Getting Started Meeting here in Orlando next Thursday (2/17).  Go to http://www.the3day.org/ and click the Get Involved tab and then Get Started Meeting.  You can RSVP there and get directions.

Can't wait to see you all then!  :)

Fabulous Cyber Shopping Opportunity!!!

I have just found the BEST shopping deal of the season!

Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure has extended their discounted registration for 2011 until December 6th. What a great present to give that special someone in your life.... the opportunity to share the 3-Day experience.

Go to www.the3day.org and use the code CURE2011.

Happy shopping and happy holidays! ;)

LAST DAY FOR THE DISCOUNT!!

Ok... time to commit... for less! Sign up today and save $35 off registration! www.the3day.org

ps.... Happy Thanksgiving!

Now's the time to think of the FUTURE...

As the 2010 Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure seasons rides off in the sunset of San Diego, it's time to think about the future. Yes, the Future! Yes, 2011 is just mire days away... ok, more than a few BUT the discount code for the 2011 Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure ends on November 23.

So walk, don't run, to www.the3day.org and register for next year now. The discount code is CURE2011.

I will see you in 2011! ;)

Hey Tampa.... 2 DAYS!!

OK... it's here!... well, almost. Time to double check your bags. Don't forget the extra socks and sunscreen... a very nice weekend is in the forecast! Make sure you have your credentials printed... no colored paper... I tried that! ;) Water bottles - check, fanny pack - check, sneakers - check... you getting to Sand Key!

Remember that the event is actually the icing on the cake of your journey! You have done the hard part: raising money, training all those miles, raising awareness and helping find a cure! Enjoy the ride... it goes way too fast!

I'll see you on Friday morning bright and early! Look for the big pink hair! ;)

HUGS

Amy :)

Only 14 days....

2 little tiny weeks and the Tampa Bay 3-Day will kick off! WOW! Where has the time gone?

Now's the time to get your bag (which weighs under 35 pounds!) packed, your opening ceremonies clothes ready and get those final words of encouragement in the mail!

Remember, time flies when you're having fun! ;)

Only 17 days! What to Pack for the 3-Day

Wow... time flies when you are having fun... or training and fundraising!

Since I am unable to have an actual "What to Pack" session this year, here is a blog version! ;)


First of all, soft sided duffle bags work best. Leave the suitcase for your next vacation. Be creative with your bag. You will see lots of pink bags and finding yours in a sea of pink is not fun! Also black is another popular color. Buy a cheap bag and decorate it! Make sure your name, participant number and tent address are on your bag as well!

Once you have the bag, get another….garbage bag that is! Line the inside of your duffle bag with a garbage bag. Trucks get unloaded even in the rain, so be prepared. There’s nothing worse than rain while you walk but then add wet clothes to change in to…yucky!

I suggest packing all your stuff into 2.5 gallon Hefty zipper bags. Why you ask? 1. You can keep each day’s clothes together so there is no digging in the bottom of your bag for stuff. 2. Dryness …again! 3. They work great to put the stinky walking clothes back into after your shower. You have no idea what used walking clothes that have been fermenting for two days smell like! Why risk it before putting them in the washing machine on Monday?

As far as sleeping accommodations, pool floats work great. This time of year they are usually on clearance so keep your eyes peeled. Plus a hand pump works fine to inflate them. But a battery powered pump would be easier. Just remember…it adds weight to your bag and stress to our Gear and Tent Crew. Please be kind…35 pounds per bag. A couple pounds over is fine….double the weight limit…nope!!

Also remember, everything must be in your duffle bag. You can not attach anything to your bag…ie sleeping bags, etc. This has happened before where folks have attached their sleeping bags to their duffles with bungee cords. Please avoid doing this. The hard working crew handles every piece of luggage and 9 times out of 10 the bungee cord comes undone and hurts someone.

The other great debate is sleeping bag vs. sheet and blanket. You need to talk to the weather man on this one. If it's looking like warmer weather, I would go for the sheet and blanket. However, if you are seeing lower temperatures on the forecast map, consider a sleeping bag. Just make sure the either choice is able to fit INSIDE your gear bag!!

Other things to think about - flash light for those late night bathroom visits (headlamps seem to work best - hands free and no risk of falling in the portapotty!), bug spray for early mornings, flip flops for the showers and maybe, just maybe a sweatshirt... so when the cooler weather arrives you will be ready! ;)

Also the $12 towel service is a MUST! You could take 4 showers a day and always have a clean, dry towel! :)

Use the check list on the 3-Day event info page for reference. They have a really great list.

Remember, the 3-Day is not a beauty pageant. Leave the blowdry at home - besides, there are no electrical outlets. Also remember, no using cell phones or ipod while walking on the route. We are looking out for your safety!

Also make sure that you print your credentials before you arrive at Opening Ceremonies. You can get a lanyard and holder when you arrive!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask! :)

Walk Smart, Walk Safe, Walk Strong. :)

Wanna walk this weekend?

Why that's a silly question! OF COURSE you want to walk!!! ;)

I am out of town but the Hot Pink Olives are walking this weekend!

Here's their schedule:

Saturday, September 18
Mileage: 13 miles
Start Time: 6:30am
Location: Panera Bread Lake Eola - 227 N. Eola Drive, Orlando, FL 32806
Bring money for lunch (location TBD)

Sunday, September 19
Mileage: 17 miles
Start Time: 6:30am
Location: White Wolf Cafe - 829 North Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804
Bring money for lunch at Panera at mile 12.

Remember to bring hydration and sunscreen!
Happy and Safe Walking! ;)

OMG... When did it become September?

Ok... apparently I have lost track of time or have fallen into Marty McFly's Time Machine! When did it become September? YIKES!

We are less than 7 weeks away from the Tampa Bay 3-Day! SEVEN!

Time to buckle down on training, get those bags pack and finalize that fundraising!
Check back for the training schedule and let me know if you have walks planned for this week. I will be your publicist! :)

Let's lace the sneakers and walk!

Drink.... for PINK!

Oh my... I almost forgot.... tomorrow, yes, tomorrow is Drink for Pink. A fundraiser in the Dr. Phillips area at Urban Flats.... Click this link for more details! ;)

Training Schedule - Week of July 12

Hellooo walkers...

Did you think I fell off the face of the earth! No worries... I am found! Lost from vacation and buried with work and other 3-Day fun! ;)

Here is the training schedule for this week.... Boston is only 2 weeks away! Keep going with those last few training walks... it's worth! ;)

I cried today...

I don't do this often but I just heard news that caused me to weep! :(

A 3-Day friend was diagnosed last Friday with BC!

I am saddened by this horrible news and to know another woman must endure the battle. I am shocked to hear this 36 year young woman must put on the pink gloves. I am enraged that we haven't found the cure yet! I am pissed... plain and simple!

This news has reignited a fire within me. Today, we plan. Tomorrow, we fight. And then we conquer! Let's fight the fight!

Training Schedule - Week of June 14

Happy Monday and happy walking! Here is the training schedule for the week.

Don't forget to have at least 2 water bottles for every walk you are doing this week, especially with this crazy heat! PLUS... gatorade is your friend!! Drink! :)

Belly up to the Bar and DRINK up!!!

No, I am not talking about your local tavern, pub or bar... I am talking about the hydration tent at any pit stop, grab n' go, lunch or camp!

Yes, you need to drink! I think they covered that pretty well at the Getting Started Meetings or any Training Walk you may have attended. But let’s break this down. You walk, you sweat (yes, women sweat!), you lose fluids, you need to replace them. Plain and simple.

Water and Gatorade are a must for every 3-Day walker and crew member! You should be drinking a bottle of water and a bottle of Gatorade every two to three miles when walking or for every hour of cardiovascular activity. The water keeps your muscles from cramping and the Gatorade helps keep your electrolytes in balance. With this balance, your 3-Day will be a great experience.

I have heard lots of comments about Gatorade… I don’t like the flavor, it tastes funny, too many calories. Let me address these. 1. Flavor – there are several BASIC flavors on the 3-Day. Nothing fancy…red, orange, yellow, blue. Like I said basic! 2. Taste – same thing. Basics here too! 3. Calories – listen, yes, it has calories BUT you are burning TONS of calories on this event. Your body needs sodium, potassium and chloride that are essential for hydration and muscle function.

I have also been experimenting with Gatorade's new G-series. The G-series is a 3 part system - G1 is PRIME, it's a Carb and B Vitamin boost - G2 is the Gatorade we know and love, and G3 is RECOVER. The G1 is like a sugar burst... It gotta me ready to walk, but I used it before I left so it was about 45 minutes before we actually walked. About 1/2 walk through the 4 mile walk, my boost was gone! The G2 - I still love... Gatorade has saved my butt on event several times... look back in my blog to 2006 San Diego! ;) But the best part is G3 - RECOVER! I have used other recovery drinks in the past but to have one that is part of the Gatorade family is great! These drink is consumed after exercise and helps replenish your body with protein and electrolytes. It really helps to replace all the vitamins and minerals you lose especially after a LONG day of training or event walking! I have used these before and swear by them. Now would be a good time to try them and see if they work for you. On Event is not the time to be experimenting with your nutrition and hydration!

So start drinking up! A hydrated body is a happy body. As fabulous as the medical team is, you don’t want to have to meet them on event, unless it’s as you cross the finish line and they are cheering you on! Remember, Drink + Pee = No IV.

Walk and talk with you soon.
Amy :)

Training Schedule - Week of June 7

Happy Monday! You have gotta love REST day! ;)

Thanks for all the comments regarding the FANNY post.... I am working a "sausage finger" post into the mix!

Here is the training schedule for the week!

Happy walking! :)

Let's talk about fannys....

FANNY PACKS that is! ;)

Ok… the feet are happy with those shoes and socks. Now let’s move on to other walk essentials.

Let’s accessorize! Yes, accessorize! What are shoes without a great purse? Yes, a purse for your hips! You will need a fanny pack! They are things you need to have with you… just in case! Fanny packs, like purses, come in lots of different shapes, sizes, colors and prices. (disclaimer time… remember, this is just my advice! Not gospel!) You need something big enough for 2 water bottles, sunscreen, lip protection, blister pack, extra socks, small wallet, cell phone (in the off position), rain poncho and camera. No, I know you are not a pack mule but there are things you need to be prepared for. There are certain essentials that you will need for an event like this. The 3-Day is not just a walk around the park. There will be varied terrain and weather and you need to be prepared.

Back to the fanny… pack! You do NOT need to spend a lot of money on this item.
This is my old fanny pack (Anthony is now the proud owner… minus the frog! He’s mine!). You’ll notice… it’s not flashy, but very practical. It has TWO water bottle holders… a must! It helps balance your stride as you walk… I know, sounds silly but very true! Plus a center section for other necessities. Walmart and Target have great options in their sporting goods sections. Try them on! MUST DO!!! It needs to be comfortable since you will be spending lots of time wearing it! Walmart’s is about $11 and Target’s is about $21. I have had them both. The Walmart one wore a little too quickly and Anthony is now using my Target one! Enough said! My advice--- try them both! Other sources to consider are bike shops, Bass Pro Shop or Dick’s Sporting Goods.

First, let’s start with the TWO water bottle holders...You need TWO!

One for water, one for Gatorade. (if you don’t like Gatorade, tough! The stuff will save your butt during training and on event! Water it down but DRINK IT!) Speaking of water
bottles, most of the bottles that come with fanny packs have very narrow openings and are made of hard plastic. You will want to replace these with soft sided sports bottles. These bottles should have a wide opening so it’s easy to add ice and liquid to. On event, water and Gatorade are in gallon jugs and pouring them into narrow openings is messy. Plus ice does not fit easily!

There is another option, if the fanny purse is not your “thing.” You can use a Camelbak hydration system. It’s like a backpack with a watertight bladder to fill with water. They come in several sizes. Just remember, you will need somewhere to put your other walk essentials plus you will need a water bottle for Gatorade. I have used both fanny packs and camelbaks…they both work well. It’s just a matter of finding what works for you. Now is the time to try them out!

Before we get into the details of the contents, let’s talk Ziplock! You need Ziplock bags! Why? 1. Keeps everything organized. Nothing like tearing your entire fanny pack apart just to find your lip balm. 2. It’s rains! Even on the 3-Day! 3. Smelly socks are just that… SMELLY!!

Ok, center section of that fanny pack! What’s in it? All your stuff! ;) ICE – No, not ice, ICE… In Case of Emergency contact info. You need to have a small wallet with ID, insurance card, debit card, small amount of cash (Twisty Treat ice cream is a great treat 15 miles into the day!). You will also want to have a 3x5 card with your emergency contact info, any allergies and other helpful info. Keep all of this in the same Ziplock bag.

CELL PHONE – ok, cell phone is handy BUT in the off position while you are on the route! If you just have to make that call that just can’t wait until Pit 3, step off the route, stop walking and place the call or TEXT! Cell phones are for emergencies only on event. Plus they make great alarm clocks while in tent city! But seriously, please NO cell phones used on the route. Crew members will remind (yell at) you to turn them off… and we don’t like to yell… but we do because we care and safety is job ONE! Plus walking and texting is dangerous! I have seen plenty of signs just jump out in front of people as they have been texting on the route! Keep your cell phone in the same ziplock as your wallet.

SUNSCREEN – there is no sense getting skin cancer in the fight against breast cancer. You will want a sunscreen that will not run when you sweat. Stinging eyes hurt! Coppertone Sport is great… especially the spray can and it also comes in a stick for your face. It doesn’t run and burn your eyes. Bullfrog is also pretty good. Make sure it’s a high enough SPF to keep those harmful rays away…. 30 or higher! Try a couple to find one that works for you. Also remember to reapply several times throughout the day. PLUS don’t forget your lips! Rehydrating causes lip protection to disappear. Keep your lip protection handy at all times… try one that comes with a clip to hang on your lanyard. I have seen lots of puffy lips from sun poisoning… don’t become Angelina or Anthony! Keep all your sunscreen together in a gallon ziplock.

EXTRA SOCKS – You’re thinking, I will have socks on, why do I need extras? Well, short answer – feet sweat, sweaty feet = blisters! Enough said! By changing your socks during lunch, your feet stay dry and happy. Yeah! Keep your socks in their own ziplock and then put the smelly ones right back in the bag!

RAIN PONCHO – Ok, it’s Florida. It rains! Mother Nature is not guaranteeing a “perfect” 3-Day weather weekend, so invest the 99 cents in a disposable rain poncho… personally, I would get 3… one for each day! They also make great ground covers during lunch.

BLISTER PACK – I know, you’re thinking, “I’m not get to get blisters” or “They have medical at all the pits so I don’t need to pack my own stuff”, well… guess again! You WILL get at least one blister between training and the event! It’s just the way it is! YOU need to be prepared to take care of your feet. (Emphasis on YOU!... even though there are medical personnel on event, you are responsible for you! Learn how to protect your feet and leave the hard cases for the doctors!) Blister packs are very easy to make and you probably have everything you need already in your medicine cabinet.

1. Bandaids – The fabric ones are the best. Make sure they have the good adhesive!

2. Neosporin – The “secret” healer of 3-Day blisters.

3. Moleskin – you may not have this in your medicine cabinet but it’s worth the stroll down the footcare aisle at Walgreens or CVS. Buy the thinner kind.

4. Baby powder – the travel size is perfect. Dry feet = happy feet!

Here are a few other options you may find helpful.

1. Travel size first aid kit – They are 99 cents at Target. The plastic case is worth the price of admission. It can hold everything you need. Plus it comes with some bandaids and antiseptic wipes.

2. Manicure or sewing kit scissors – these are perfect for cutting moleskins as needed.

3. Toe sleeves – Another little wonder that has saved several toes… including mine! Another find in the footcare aisle.

4. Blister bandaids – these are a bit more specialized and are available at pit stops or Walgreens again. Use the Travel First Aid Kit to hold the bandaids, toe sleeves, antiseptic wipes, moleskin and scissors… yes, they will fit. Everything for the Blister Pack will fit nicely in a Quart sized Ziplock bag.

Use the FREEZER type… they are thicker. Now, that you have all the stuff for the Blister Pack, let me share the “3-Day Way to Protect Blisters.”

1. Never POP, lance or drain a blister! NEVER! Why? This is the body’s way of protecting the problem area.

2. Gently clean the top of the blister.

3. Apply Neosporin to the top and cover with a bandaid.

4. If the spot still rubs once you put your shoe back on, add mole skin over the top of the bandaid. If you use moleskin just be aware that you need to leave it on until it’s ready to come off. You may pull skin off… ouch!

5. If you have a large blister or one under your toenail, go to medical. They will lance it and bandage it. Ok… the last “must have” is a fabulous miracle product…

BODY GLIDE – I think this literally saved a few butts on event… mine included.
This type of distance walking causes skin to rub. Rubbing is BAD! Body glide comes in a deodorant type stick container so no messy hands or gooey feeling like with Vaseline. It’s great for feet, toes, heels, upper arms, thighs, knees …and even a few other areas! Wink, wink! I would highly recommend getting your own because you will not want to share… especially if you know where other people may be putting it! ;) This is available at Sports Authority or at a bike shop. Just beware of the Body Glide with the RED cap. This is the Ben Gay version. Great for after the walk but may cause some issues on the walk itself. It can heat up really fast!!!
If you need Ben Gay, try Bio-Freeze. This comes in a roll on and it great for tired muscles and minor aches and pains. The Medical Staff uses this. It is not available in stores, but is online. Great stuff! There is a new kind of Ben Gay with a massage cap...helps massage those sore muscles without smelly hands!

So, these are the basics that I would recommend. Yes, it will all fit in a fanny pack…. HONEST!
As you continue your training, you will find other things that work for you. My miscellaneous things include a yoga strap for stretching at stops, Destin baby ointment for road rash (it helps with the sting and make the burning go away!) and a dri-wick towel to help me keep my hands and face dry plus it keeps my hands busy to help keep “sausage” fingers under control. A golf towel will also work.

I can do a Fanny Pack workshop, if it would help. Just let me know.You can do it! Get out and walk!

Walk and Talk to you soon.

Amy :)

Training Schedule - Week of May 31

Here's the training schedule for the week.... walk on! :)

Training Schedule - Week of May 24

Ok... sorry for the delay but here is the training schedule for the week. :)

Top Ten Walking FAQs...

Ok... I am "borrowing" this from Prevention magazine... only because it is dead on!!

FAQs

Pay attention to numbers 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10!