Daily Archives: November 16, 2009

Cheering Stations
Public cheering stations are a great way to show your support along the route to encourage walkers and let them know that you are with them every step of the way. Seeing familiar faces cheering them on can provide that extra burst of energy that gets them to take that next step or go the next mile. Create banners, hold up signs, bring some music and make some noise – anything to make them smile, get energized and keep walking.

Friday, November 20:

11:20 am – 2:20 pm
Coast Park Blvd
430 Coast Blvd. (south of Cuvier Street)
La Jolla, CA

12:30 pm – 5:15 pm
Fanuel Street Park
4000 Fanuel Street
San Diego, CA 92109

Saturday, November 21:

9:15 am – 3:30 pm
Ocean Beach Surf Spot
1900 Abbott Street
San Diego, CA 92107

10:50 am – 3:30 pm
South Mission
2600 Mission Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92109

Sunday, November 22:

6:45 am – 8:45 am
De Anza Cove
2700 North Mission Bay Drive
San Diego, CA 92109

11:15 am – 2:45 pm
Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater
2150 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101

ClOsing Ceremony
Sunday, November 22
4:30 pm

Petco Park
100 Park Blvd
San Diego, CA 92101

Ok, this was actually the second half of my “Arizona, Day 3-wrapup” post that somehow got cut off, the original post lost forever.

I learned four valuable lessons from the Arizona Walk. I’m going to go into detail on all of them.

The first one is that the walk is so much more fun to do when you have people there cheering for you. Last year, I did this great and amazing thing and no one that I knew was there cheering me on. I drove myself to the Opening Ceremony, parked my car and prayed it would still be there when i was done after the Closing Ceremony, I had to bribe my ex-wife to come get me and take me back to my car because I didn’t have anyone there to pick me up. This year, I had Mary, Diane, Colbi and Devin at all the Cheering Stations, and at both Opening and Closing Ceremonies. It was great, because although there is a huge showing by the community during the walks, it is so much better when friends and loved ones are there. It also kept me honest, there was a time or two when I probably would’ve hopped in a sweep van, but I couldn’t do that because I didn’t want to miss my cheer squad.

Along the same lines, it was much more fun this year being a celebrity. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fun anyway, and to be a man doing the 3-Day, you’re in the minority regardless, but when you’re a 60-Mile Man and got naked for the cause, you’re a friggin’ rock star. Much more fun this way.

Last year, I wore a Camelbak backpack. This year, I wore a fanny pack. This weekend, I’m going back to the Camelbak. That damn fanny pack drove me nuts, it would not stay snug, I had to readjust it constantly after the first day and I couldn’t take it. I probably would’ve ended my day an hour earlier if it wasn’t for all the times I had to readjust the damn fanny pack. Ok, that’s an exaggeration, but it definitely delayed me repeatedly. Back to the Camelbak for good. That just means I have to re-decorate it.

Ok, and finally, and most importantly, just like last year I learned the value of good socks (read: not 6 pair for $10) and had good success with the Dr. Scholl’s Blister Guard socks, I wore the same socks this year and they didn’t work as well. Why? Because I’d been wearing them all damn year. I should have bought new socks for the walk, I think I would’ve had much more success preventing blisters. So, for the San Diego Walk, I’ve bought 6 new pair of socks for the walk (it feels good to change your socks at lunch) and I’m going to put them up to use for my walks, not wearing them out throughout the year. I’m hoping I have much better luck with preventing blisters (if the ones that I have are even healed by then) this weekend.

So those were the lessons that I learned. I’m sure I’ll learn more this weekend in San Diego, when I walk with a huge team (we are recognized as both the largest team by membership, and the top fundraising team, as of yesterday we’d raised over $168,000 just from our 70-person team) for the first time.

Congratulations – you did it! You gave your heart, soul, sweat and tears for three days and created some remarkable memories along the
way.

It all began with an emotional Opening Ceremony at Freestone Park in Gilbert. Some of the highlights along the
route included the students from Gilbert Elementary and the cheering station at Living Faith Church. Southwest Ambulance was there to support us all along the way, decked out in pink. After a long day of walking, we gathered at Benedict Park, our home away from
home for the weekend, and enjoyed entertainment by the McClintock High
School String Quartet and ASU Dancing Devils.

On Saturday morning, we woke up early, ready to hit the trail again.
Along the way, we were cheered on by friends, family and members of the community at 50th Street and Ray and Kyrene de las Lomas School. The skies opened up and we experienced a brief rainstorm, but it couldn’t dampen our spirits! We enjoyed the support of Girl Scouts galore and Gatorade snow cones provided by Sun Devil Fire
Equipment. That night, we were entertained by the Sun City Poms,
Spirit of Phoenix Men’s Chorus and Cannedy Performing Arts before
we tucked in for the night.

Our final day of walking featured another visit from the bagpipe
players, Cub Scouts, some great cheering stations on Mill Avenue and
at Papago Plaza, and support from the AZ Women Lawyers Association. Our journey ended with a celebratory Closing Ceremony at Scottsdale Stadium.

The money we raised will help Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund save lives.

Please thank your donors for their support and tell them about your experience. Follow this link to download a special thank you card that you can print out and send to your
supporters.

http://www.the3day.org/site/R?i=9ubIFKyLLJYxM6k9e8kgJA.

As you recover from your hard work, don’t forget the following health tips from Breast Cancer 3-Day Medical Consultant, Dr. Michelle Look:

* Drink plenty of water over the next two days. This will help decrease headaches, speed recovery and decrease muscle soreness.
* Even though you’ve finished your 60 miles, don’t stop walking! This will keep your muscles from getting sore and
tight. To improve your cardiovascular status, do 10-15 minutes of activity a day – walking, swimming, biking – just
keep moving!
* If you are sore or stiff, you can take ibuprofen or another anti-inflammatory medication of your choice.
* If you notice any redness, pain, red streaks, or pus, see your primary care physician.

Breast Cancer 3-Day Photos
We know many of you are eager to see photos of your Breast Cancer 3-Day journey. To view some of the pictures taken by the staff, check out the Event Info page in your Participant Center. Photos will be posted in approximately one week.

http://www.the3day.org/site/R?i=Q0S5f1WDZdwNHO-WpE0dgQ

Fundraising After the Event
If you still haven’t met your fundraising minimum and made a delayed self-donation, you have until December 21 to continue to raise money to make up the difference. Please urge donors to make their donations online, since mailed donations can take up to 4 weeks to process.

Thank You
It was an honor to share the journey with you. Every day we are inspired by the spirit, inspiration and commitment you embody. Thank you and congratulations on a job well done.

Warm Regards,

The Arizona Breast Cancer 3-Day Team