3-Day Breast Cancer 60 Mile Walk

[MeLinda]

I found out tonight they will be announcing the 2009 schedule next week. As soon as I have the cities and dates I will post.

Once they are posted, we can decide on what city Navy Moms want to walk.


Joyce ask me to start a discussion about the 3-Day. Here goes

The 3-Day is held in 14 cities this year. Anyone the that signs up to walk commits to raising $2200. They will walk 60 miles over 3 days and camp each night. This will be my 4th year to participate in the DFW event. I walked the 1st year and I have been on the crew since. The crew supports the walkers. As crew we do not have to raise money, but most do as we are want end breast cancer. We basically run the camp, medical and the pit stops on route along with 3-Day staff. This year in Dallas we have approximately 2000 + walker and 400 crew members.

The funds raised support the Susan G. Koman and National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. 85% of the proceeds goes to Koman and 15% to NPT for breast cancer research.

I have a team 'Boobs With Attitude' in memory of mom and in honor of my aunt. I participate because I did not have a choice in losing my mom and I don't want my daughter and son walking in memory of me. Besides I am a new grandma and want to be around to see her grow up. My children missed not having their grandmother around.

You can visit my website for more information

http://08.the3day.org/goto/thoes3day

Regards
MeLinda
Mom to Joshua (Navy)
Mom to Chrisanna (Teacher)
Grandma to Zoe

[Joyce Tucson Mom]

Thank MeLinda:)! So, here's some of my questions . . . . forgive me if the answers are on your website - I haven't had a chance to look yet . . .
- What 14 cities are scheduled for this year and are they all the same weekend?
- Do you walk a big loop and end up where you started, or is it a begin here and end there?
- Or do you walk a 20 mile loop and camp the same place each night?
Just remember that I'm still quite a ways from something this big . . . I'm trying to gear up for a 5.5 mile walk in September - LOL:)!

[MeLinda]

There are opening ceremonies at one location - you walk to the camp site. The 2nd day you will loop and come back to the same camp. Day 3 - goes to closing ceremonies which is a different location from opening. Day 1 and 2 are approximately 20-22 miles with day 3 approximately 18-20 miles.

This is something you train for. There are training walks going on all over the country. Some people walk several events each year or a combination of walking and crewing. Usually about 2 weeks out, there will be back to back training walks of 20 miles (Sat and Sun)

If you get a chance to participate either as a walker or crew, it is one of the most moving events you will ever participate in. You will laugh, cry, need support, support others. You make friends for life. There will be people that are in the middle of chemo, just finished, others are pregnant. You will men walking for the sisters, mothers, wifes, as the same as everyone else.

Here are the cities for this year:

AZ - Nov 14-16
Atlanta GA - Oct 24-26
Boston - Aug 15-17
Chicago - Aug 8-10
Cleveland - Aug 22-24
DFW - Nov 7-9
Michigan - Sept 26-28
Philadelphia - Oct 17-19
San Diego - Nov 21-23
San Fransisco - Sept 5-7
Settle - Sept 12-14
Tampa - Oct 31 - Nov 2
Twin Cities - Sept 19-21
Washington DC - Oct 3 -5

[Joyce Tucson Mom]

Okay . . . next set of questions (LOL - I'm full of them . . . or full of something anyway!)
- Do you know when the dates/locations for next year will be decided?
- Do you need to have a team or can you be 'attached' to one as an individual?
- How many would make up a team?

If the cities would be similar, I'm thinking that Chicago or San Diego would be extremely cool because you could plan it for the walk plus a week with/near sailors and NFM Moms . . . and make a real trip of it:)! Please forgive me if there's other 'sailor' cities I've left out - I'm here in the middle of the desert . . . there are no ships that dock here so I'm geographically challenged:)!

[MeLinda]

Ok for the next round of questions:

No we do not know the dates for 2009. They won't be announce until late Oct / early Nov. The cities this year were the same as last year, except they San Francisco and Washington DC

No you do not have to be on a team, 2 makes a team.

You have until the event to raise your money. At the time of check in if you have not raise all the money, you can make a self donation for the balance or if you still have a bunch to raise, you can make payments for 3 or 4 months. Any donations that come in would be applied to the balance.

As far as training goes, they will post a 24 week and a 16 week training schedule to follow. You train in all kinds of weather as the event goes on rain, snow or shine. They do have back up camp plans in case of bad weather. Personally I have never had to relocate.

During training you will go through several pairs of shoes. On event you will bring two pairs of shoes with you and you change out socks during the day. You never wear new shoes on event, you break them in a least a month before the walk.

If you are not able to walk, there are shag vans that can pick you and take you to the next pit stop, grab-n-go, lunch or camp depending on the time of day. Some walkers may even be medically stop from walking and after to be cleared before they can walk the next day.

I wanted to San Diego this year, but I was not for sure when my son would return from deployment so I did not sign up this year. I would love to put a team together for next year in San Diego. This event closes early for both walkers and crew. I don't know if I would walk, but would definitely crew.

Chicago can be nice, but can be hot, you never know. Almost like Dallas, it can be 100 or 0 degrees.

As far as camp goes, they provide the tents. You bring your sleeping bag, air mattress, change of clothes, rain gear, fanny packs, water bottles, changes of socks, band aids, and all the other fun stuff. Max weight is 35 lbs.

They will have great medical crews (all volunteer) that help with blisters, cramps, aches and anything else.

Showers are provided. They hot showers and do not run out of hot water. The showers are in 18-wheelers.

They have nightly entertainment, with recaps from the day, what to expect the next day and if you have to pack up everything including your tents on day 2.

As crew members you are not required to raise money, but most crew try to raise at least $300 to cover the cost of providing services. Besides the money is going to a great cause.

If there are any more questions, please let me know. I will post some of the pictures from the last couple of years on my page

[Kimberly Rad Bryan's Mom!]

Ok Joyce...
I am in! You decide where and I will do what I can! No worries...if I collapse, just step over me!!!! I will catch up!

Melinda...how long do they give us to raise the money and how long do we have to train for an event like this? Thanks for the info!

[Joyce Tucson Mom]

LOL Kimberly . . . not to mention, how many pairs of shoes will I wear out during the walk? And I'll need at LEAST a YEAR to train:)!

[Jackie]

MeLinda, I two lost my mother to breast cancer and had a scare myself last year.This cause is very important to my family. My question is do you have to walk the entire 60 miles? I don't think I could make it that far.

[Kimberly Rad Bryan's Mom!]

Ok Joyce....are you in for this one? If we do this in San Diego, that is close to me. Does it sound like something you want to do down here? I am up for Chicago too. Actually the DC and Frisco sound good also. We can follow along with Melinda and walk it. I know we can't do it this year, but we could be prepared for next year. Let me know what you think!

[Joyce Tucson Mom]

Yes, I'm in for NEXT year! San Diego or San Fran (my family is in the Bay Area) are my top two choices:)!

[Kimberly Rad Bryan's Mom!]

Mine too! Chicago would be my third, NYC is also in my top five! To be honest, just getting away is a good thing for me! For a good cause too!

[Kathy - Mom to 2 Sailors]

Did I miss this? How many people on a team?

[Joyce Tucson Mom]

As few as two can make a 'team' . . . it already looks like we'll have more than that:)! LOL Kathy, I can hardly believe what's grown out of my little, bitty, resolve to be healthier:)!