Event-Specific Information can be found
here.
Bra Heaven
If this is your first Breast Cancer 3-Day, we know you have a ton of questions. If you have questions that are not addressed here, please send them to D’Lyn (dlynbiggs (at) yahoo (dot) com).
Q: What if I don’t raise the $2300?
A: By October, this seems to be the top-of-mind question for many walkers. When you complete Phase 2 of registration, you make a commitment that the Breast Cancer 3-Day can count on your raising $2300. If you have not yet met that minimum, you can elect to self-donate.
To self-donate, you will supply the 3-Day with a credit card number. They will immediately charge $2 to the card to make sure it works.
Your card will not be charged the remainder of your balance until four weeks after the walk. That means you have until four weeks after to complete your fundraising. At that point, you will only be charged the amount you are short.
You can wait until as late as the first week in November to make this commitment; however, at that point there is no guarantee you’ll be able to tent with Team Tiara.
Crazy things happen on the 3-Day. If you are still short when you start walking, we recommend you wear a sign that states just how much you need. You will be amazed at who will give you “extra” funds. You can adjust the number downward accordingly throughout the walk.
We are doing everything we can to ensure that everyone is “paid up” before the walk. Many of our team members have surpassed the amount required and are still working to raise funds. Many of those funds are being funneled to the accounts of fellow team members. Your participation in the 3-Day started by stepping out in faith, and that’s how you will finish as well. Hang in there.
One note: We’ve been told the delayed self-donation will not be a factor in 2012. As you plan for next year’s walk, please plan to complete your fundraising before the walk.
Strut Your Stuff
Q: What do I need to wear?
A: Planning your 3-Day wardrobe can be a daunting task. The weather in North Texas can vary from very cold to hot the first weekend in November. It’s best to check the weather forecast, and be prepared!
In the mornings you’ll want to bundle up in easy layers. Lightweight gloves, ear muffs, leggings, polar fleece…. It’s really cold at 5:00 a.m. You will be able to shed these layers as you walk, and will hand them off to one of our Walker-Stalkers for delivery back to camp.
To help us find each other in the crowd, we’ve learned that it’s easiest to have some type of “uniform.” This year we’re wearing turquoise sparkle skirts from
www.team-sparkle.com. Some of us have also purchased the Turquoise and Purple race legs. With your Sparkle Skirt, you can accessorize to your heart’s content. Choose your favorite pink moisture-wicking top and go for it!!! Moisture-wicking bike shorts or capris in your choice of length / fit will work great.
We will have Tiara Bling on hand at the La Quinta in Dallas for you to decorate your shirts with. Or your pants. Or whatever you want to bling. We have a “Suite” (for what that’s worth) reserved at the La Quinta for us to hang out in and bling to our hearts’ content. If you’re in Houston, please join us for Bling Night at D’Lyn’s House on Thursday, October 27. Come any time after 7:00 and bring a snack if you want!
Many of us are wearing Sock Monkey hats with turquoise and pink pompoms on top. You can do a search for “adult sock monkey hat” on
www.etsy.com and order from several different vendors.
Whether it’s in the form of a hat, a shirt or shorts, wearing our team color (Turquoise) all three days will help you find the rest of our team at pit stops and lunch.
Sharon & Tracye 2008
You’ll want to make sure that your walking attire is made of moisture-wicking fabric. That will cut down on skin irritation and will make the walk a much more pleasant experience.
In the evenings you’ll want to shower and then change into something warm and comfy. A pair of crocs or other easy-to-wear shoes will be a welcome change from your walking shoes. A sweatshirt or other warm pullover is a great idea.
On the 3-Day, it’s all about the Bling. You’ll want to accent your walking attire with beads, boas, crazy hats, etc. One caveat: Beware of anything itchy, heavy or cumbersome. When you’re on mile 56, the last thing you want is to deal with an itchy accessory!
Q: Where are we staying?
Dude, Where's my Tent?
On the Walk, we sleep in tents. Cute, pink tents — an entire sea of them. It’s very important to plan a way to distinguish your tent from the 1500 others that match it. We’ll have tent signs with your name on them — sticking with the sock monkey theme. Beyond that, feel free to decorate your tent however you want!
Carla Venette, 2008
Q: Where do we eat?
A: A better question would be, “Where don’t we eat?” The 3-Day is a 60-mile buffet. You eat breakfast and dinner in the main dining tent, and lunch in a park. You eat candy and chocolate and popsicles all along the way, especially at cheering stations. We’ll have a Pit Stop every three miles or so, and there you can get potato chips, peanuts, cheese sticks, fruit and a myriad of other treats. You will not go hungry on the 3-Day.
Dining Tent -- Food & Entertainment
Lunch!
Most meals are high in carbohydrates, protein and salt. Three things you need if you plan to walk 60 miles. If you prefer vegetarian meals, you can request those through your participant center.
Really, there is no need to bring your own food. I do recommend, however, that you bring an insulated travel coffee mug. It will be great for keeping your cocoa or coffee warm in the morning — and you’ll have the added benefit of helping the environment!
And don’t forget to bring your favorite water bottle or hydration device! You will not be supplied a water bottle on the walk.
Q: Just what does a Pit Stop consist of?
A: You’ll find two different types of Pit Stops on the 3-Day. A Grab & Go is set up for a quick Gatorade / water refill and a visit to the Porta Potties. A full-fledged Pit Stop has food, Gatorade / water, Porta Potties and a Medical tent. At the Medical tent you’ll find doctors, ice, blister care and wraps. If you have any kind of an issue, whether it be knees or blister, please take care of it immediately. Those issues will only get worse the farther you walk.
Bra Heaven Pit Stop
Q: What kind of shoes do I need?
A: Finding shoes can be a daunting task. Just as each walker is different, so are their feet. A lightweight running shoe with great support and cushioning is worth its weight in gold. You want your shoes a bit roomy, to allow for any swelling of your feet. They should be wide in the toe box to allow for wiggle-room. Stores like Luke’s Locker and Run On are great — they give you many options to choose from, and have a staff that will help you find the right shoe for you.
We’re getting late in the season for you to be shoe shopping, but if you’re determined to have a cute pair of new kicks, please make sure you walk at least 20 miles between now and the Walk. It takes at least 20-25 miles to break them in — minimally.
Q: Will good shoes be enough to prevent blisters?
A: Everyone seems to have a different formula for preventing blisters. That’s one reason why training is so important — it gives you time to sort all that out.
The formula that works best for me (D’Lyn)… I use Body Glide and apply that all over my feet. (I apply it anywhere else there is friction, as well.) I wear moisture-wicking socks. When I’m walking, as soon as I sense a hot spot (pre-blister) coming on, I stop and apply a small square of moleskin to that area. At lunch, I rest, air out my feet, and repeat the Body Glide process. At the Medical Tent, you will find a table set up for self-care of blisters. They have this GREAT spray-on adhesive that works wonderfully with moleskin. One note: Moleskin cannot be applied over fresh Body Glide. It needs to go on first, or it won’t stick.
Amanda, Carla & Alicia 2008
One more note: Staying hydrated will do wonders for your feet. Dehydration is almost always accompanied by blisters!
Q: What does Michelle Olson, 3-Day Packing Queen, recommend I pack?
A: Walking Stuff:
Pack Day-1/2/3 outfits in 2-3 gallon ziplock bags
-
Top
-
Bottoms
-
Socks
-
Underwear
-
Bra
Depending on temps: Jacket/Long pants/Pink Camo sweatshirt
Hat/visor/headband
Sunglasses
Waist Pack
- Water bottle (wide opening to fit ice). The 3-Day does not supply water bottles.
- ChapStick
- Sunscreen
- Mittens
- Small notepad/pen
- Body Glide
- Bandages
- Camera
- Phone
- Hand sanitizer
- Poncho (if rain is forcasted)
- Any prescription medication you require
Credential/Lanyard
- Driver’s License
- Cash
- Debit card
- Insurance card
Shower Stuff: toiletries and shower shoes/flip flops.
Put on comfy sleepwear! Long underwear set, long pants, long sleeve shirt, socks, crocs. It was COLD last year. Be prepared!
Extra Stuff:
2 plastic shower curtains (buy at $ store) 1-tent floor,1-on top of tent, 1-cover duffle bag at night if left outside tent
Clothespins (to attach plastic on tent and decorate tent)
Hefty bag (I put one in my bag, with everything inside it)
Flashlight (for middle-o-night potty breaks)
Sleeping bag/pad/pillow
Watch w/alarm
Ear plugs
Plastic bags (for wet/dirty clothing)
Extra socks
3 Ponchos
Allergy meds./Motrin
Safety pins
Light fleece blanket
Waterproof mascara
Nail clippers
Sunscreen
Decorations for tent and YOU!
Two Michelles 2008
Q: What if I can’t walk 60 miles?
A: No worries! Listen to your body. You’ve already accomplished the hard part — the most important part. You’ve raised the funds. The people who sponsored you didn’t do so to see you limp around town for the next two months. They sponsored you because they believe in a cure for breast cancer.
Shuttle Van
As you walk, you’ll notice a constant stream of decorated vans driving by. These kind volunteers are there to help you. They’ll pick you up and give you a quick ride to the next Pit Stop. Sometimes you just need to make it to lunch a bit early to get wrapped to to get ice — and then you can jump back in with your friends afterwards.
Please do not hesitate to hitch a ride in a shuttle van, SWAG bus or with one of our Walker-Stalkers. It can mean the difference in preventing further injury that could slow you down for a couple of weeks.
Q: If my sleeping bag won’t fit in my suitcase, can I just tie it on top?
A: Ummm…. No. Your sleeping bag and all your goodies really need to go in your duffle. With Wheels. It’s simply the best way to protect yourself from potential heartache. Your duffle must not weigh more than 35 lbs. If that means leaving your mascara at home, you’ll manage — just don’t forget your lipstick!
The weight limit is very important. Volunteers make the 3-Day, and no one wants a dear, sweet volunteer to get hurt lifting a big, ol’ suitcase. To help protect your belongings in case of rain, you can line your bag with a large trash bag, and then put everything in that.
Luggage at our Tent City
Do you see the white building on the far side of the field in this picture? In 2008, our tents were on Row 2 — right by that white building. This photo was taken early in the day on Friday — right by the entrance to camp. By Friday evening, that open space was a sea of tents. After walking 20 miles, the last thing you want to do is carry a huge suitcase across that big field. So please, please, please stick to the weight limit and use a bag with wheels.
Q: Can I get a last-minute pedicure?
A: Yes! Who doesn’t love cute toenails?? And really, can you imagine how much more pleasant your visit to the Med Tent will be with cute feet?? HOWEVER, one big, fat, hairy caveat: Don’t let them get rid of your calluses! You need all those rough calluses you’ve spent your summer building up. They’ll protect your feet. You can have soft feet AFTER the walk.
Q: Do I need an air mattress??
A: You know, I’ve tried it all. The first year, I used a camp mat thingy — like an eggshell. It was okay. Years 2-4, I used swimming pool air mattresses. That worked well, too. The only hard part was blowing it up at the end of the day. And I kind of had a bit of an issue actually staying on it. Then, last year, a friend loaned us a big air mattress. HEAVEN. That is totally the route I’m taking from now on. One note: If you’re going with that route, it’ll need to have a battery-powered air pump. And you can’t let it send your luggage over the 35 lb. mark!
One suggestion: You can carry the air mattress in your luggage and have your tentmate pack some of your things to even out the weight distribution. You can get pumps and air mattresses at Academy. The tents are 6-feet square.
HUGE SUGGESTION: Buy two tarps. I buy the painter’s tarps that are cheap at Wal-Mart. Use one to line the inside of your tent, so moisture doesn’t creep up. Use the other to wrap up your luggage on the OUTSIDE of then tent so it stays dry overnight without causing crowding in your tent. If you put the clothes you’re going to wear the next day in your sleeping bag with you, they’ll be somewhat warm in the morning.
Q: Are we doing Goodie Bags this year??
Because the Goodie Bags got to be soooooo crazy with soooooo many walkers on our team, we’re doing things a bit differently this year. We now have “Tiara Treats” rather than Goodie Bags.
If you’d like to write a note for other walkers and include a little treat, that would be GREAT. In the past, we’ve had everything from face tattoos to Rice Krispie Treats. You can either deliver your treats to the 3-Day Post Office in camp, or you can mail them to:
3-Day for the Cure
ATTN: INSERT NAME OF PARTICIPANT
P.O. Box 2939
McKinney, TX 75070You can mail individual envelopes or save postage by mailing all of them together in a FLAT package marked clearly on the outside with: Team Tiara — Mail for Multiple Walkers Inside (or something like that.)
Q: When is the Boobie Mobile scheduled to leave?
The Boobie Mobile will be leaving my house at 9:15 or 9:30 Thursday, November 3. We’ll be stopping at the Buc-ee’s in Madisonville at about 10:45 or 11:00 if anyone wants to meet up with us there. Or you can follow us from here. Or come up whenever you can! BTW. We will not, under any circumstances, be picking up stray dogs on the Interstate. Especially Pit Bulls.
Q: How can I be a Walker-Stalker?
We are so glad you’re going to be a part of this weekend!!!! Walker-stalkers are a HOOT, and we can’t wait to see what you’ve got up your sleeves!
You will want to bring an ice chest if possible. We will stock it with caffeine and a few other necessities. You don’t have to stick to the official cheering stations — feel free to pull over anywhere it’s SAFE and start spreading the spirit!!
You might want to bring: Sidewalk chalk, costumes, boas, noise makers, etc. Anything fun!
Anthony Patton will be your main contact on the walk:
anthony.patton@tx.rr.com Please contact him to let him know you’re coming.
Q: Where do we get our credentials?
You’ll get an email from the 3-Day when your credentials are ready to print out. This is your ID during the walk, and you’ll HAVE to have them. They’re your ticket to towel service, and to all your meals. AND they’re your ticket on the Walk! If you have a credential holder from last year, bring it. If not, you’ll get one at Opening Ceremonies. It’s always a great idea to have a cool lanyard to hang your credentials on.
Q: Can we charge cell phones on the walk?
Don’t forget to bring batteries / chargers for your phone, camera and other other “stuff” you use. You’ll be able to use the phone chargers in our support vehicles. There will also be a charging station sponsored by Energizer in camp. Please note: Any chargers used in our cars will need to be labeled clearly with your name. Please don’t overload any one car. I know the Rouths had some car issues after the Walk last year….
Q: When can I register for next year???
Registration is already open for 2012. You can register at
www.the3day.org/goto/teamtiara2012. Use the discount code CURE2012 to save $35 off your registration through November. If you’re walking this year and register by the time we leave camp on Sunday, you’ll get a “3-Peat” Legacy Pin!!!You don’t have to walk! You can always CREW!!! CREW Members ROCK — and don’t have to raise the $2300!!!! However, CREW fills up really quickly — so register soon if that’s what you want to do! Especially if you dream of driving a sweep van.
Next year you will not be able to do the delayed self donation. That means if you haven’t raised your $2300 by the time the walk starts, you’ll have to pay the difference. The REALLY cool thing is that they’ve completely updated the website for 2012. It’s cool!!!
Q: This is all well and good, but I’m one of those people who likes LOTS of information. Can you tell me about any more sources??
