3-Day Packing, pt. 2

Have you started to thinking about packing and what you are going to wear for the Atlanta 3-Day yet?  (Be sure to check the complete pack list) The one challenge that the Atlanta walk has is that October weather can be very unpredictable. We have trained all spring and summer in shorts and tanks, and now it looks like we will be trading them in for tights and under armor! Keep an eye on the forecast this week, so we can all be better prepared and avoid last minute frantic shopping trips!

A few tips on what and how to pack your bag!

Even though, we are not camping outdoors, I still plan to use the traditional 3-Day ziplock method! Ziplock method is simply putting everything in ziplock bags to protect your shoes, clothing, sleeping bag, etc. from getting wet from camping. Hopefully, we won't be worrying about gear getting wet, but using the ziplocks are a quick and easy way to find exactly what you need! I pack my clothes by day and label each bag.  Right now in each bag, I have tights, shorts, under armour, t-shirt, 3 pairs of socks (1 to put on and 2 new pairs for the pack) gloves, hot hands and an optional jacket and hat in another bag! My second pair of shoes go in a bag, so I can swap out my shoes and put the old ones in the bag after the switch. This helps, because if they are dirty or wet they won't harm the rest of my gear.

I also have found this method is useful in helping to make your trip to the shower truck easier! On Friday when you arrive at camp, you will pick up your bag, put your tent together, and then you will be ready for a shower. Grab you PJ bag, toiletry bag and shower shoes, throw them in your shower back pack, head to towel pick up and the shower truck! Then dirty clothes into the PJ bag and back to your tent!

One type of item that you should avoid packing is a hair dryer/flat iron/curlers! We may be camping "indoors", but this doesn't mean unlimited outlets! You also don't want to be that person blow drying your hair while others need to brush their teeth so they can get to bed. I know this sounds gross, but I don't wash my hair during the event. I have long thick hair, that takes 20+ minutes with a hair dryer, and I'm not one to air dry my hair. My hair goes in a bun and I wear a hat or the seamless wrap. After all, we're not walking to show off our hair styles!

Be sure you are prepared with a couple under armour shirts. Layers are key! Typically, I will wear a tank, under armor, t-shirt, shorts and gloves with a hot hand. If its really cold (45 degrees or below) you'll see me in tights with a jacket too! As the day goes on and temperatures climb I will take the under armor and/or tights off and throw it in my pack and tie my jacket to my pack. I've also been known to hand off layers to the husband or my parents if I see them at a cheering station to keep my pack light! Hopefully, we won't need this many layers and this won't be an issue! Previous years, we have walked past tons of shops we could make a quick stop and buy whatever we needed. With the new route, we might not have this option.



Even though, we are camping indoors, I'm still bringing my air mattress, sleeping bag and head lamp.  Don't forget to work on your tent decorations too! Erin wrote a great post about camp details!

 

3-Day Packing, pt. 1

Meet my 3-Day bag. This is an old piece of luggage that I've had for at least 10 years. I won't care if it gets damaged, wet, the zipper breaks, or if the wheels finally fall off.

 You can use a nice piece of luggage, but I warn you, accidents and damage may happen, such as, a broken zipper or the fabric splitting. Did I mention that  the pink bag below was a borrowed piece of luggage? Imagine giving that back to your friend!

You may not be able to see it too well, but the bag ripped at its seams before we even left the hotel and had our luggage loaded. We ended up duct taping the bag so nothing would fall out.

Like I said before, when packing for the 3-Day, the number one thing you want is a bag on wheels. The duffel bags on wheels seem to work the best. You have extra pockets to stay organized and can fit more than you could with a regular suit case. You will want the mobility of the wheels. Your bag may seem light when you drop it off, but I can promise you that after walking 20 miles, it won't be so light!

Next thing, make sure your bag is identified with your name, contact information and walker id. Luggage tags are a great way to do this and will help you identify your bag as well. These are our team luggage tags from last year. We printed them on regular paper and laminated them at one of the office supply stores. The heavy duty laminate is almost indestructible and it worked perfectly! 

Another tip, take a picture of your luggage tag as one of your first photos on your camera. If you lose your camera during the route, this provides an easy way for the 3-Day crew to find you. I have heard many stories of walkers being reunited with their camera during and after the walk!

When you first arrive at Stone Mountain, you will see several trucks lined up for you to drop your luggage off. You will know which truck, since it's printed on your credentials, which is normally based on tent location. It may look like mass early morning chaos, but it's really not! The crew are pros and you will be surprised at how easy you will find your bag after you complete day 1!

Next up, what you put in the bag!

All in the Details

If you've never participated in the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure you don't really know what to expect when it comes to the 3 Day camp. For me, it was the sea of pink tents and shower trucks (well stocked with HOT water) that surprised me the most.

One detail that I hadn't really thought about much before my first event (Atlanta 2008) was tent decorations. I had so much to think about like planning for poor weather and traveling from Arkansas for the walk that I didn't really think much about decorating until the last minute.

Why Decorate?
There are a few reasons to consider decorating your tent. One, there is a prize for the best decorations. Second, its a fun way to represent your team at camp. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, it will help you find your tent in a sea of identical tents. If you uniquely decorate your tent it will greatly lessen your chance of returning to the wrong tent after a 2 am bathroom break. Your startled tent neighbors will thank you.

How to Decorate
When it comes to decorate your tent, the sky really is the limit. Something as little and as simple as attaching a glow stick or as big and complex as an over-sized stuffed bra will do the job. Start thinking now and be creative! maybe you'll win something. Just remember, you have to pack your supplies into your gear bag taking care to stay under your weight limit.

Examples
In 2008, I asked my mom to help us with decorations. My request was for it to have something reflective on it (to make it easier to be seen with our flashlight) and to use Florida State colors because Crystal is a big fan. This is what she made us!





(a far away shot...and yes I know I look grumpy, this was after 40 miles and I was in a bit of pain). Here is an up close shot.





She used her hands as tracers and wrote on them "the journey is always shorter with friends by your side". I can't agree more!




Fast forward two years. For the 2010 3 Day I decided to make the decorations myself. We had 4 people on our team so I needed to make decorations for two tents. I decided to elaborate on our team name "My Racky Freedom". I found some camouflage fabric and added some pink and reflective touches to it. There was no mistaking who the occupants of these tents were!

The last example I have for you comes from the 2010 Twin Cities 3 Day. My Little Rock walking buddy traveled to that walk to participate with her mom and a family friend. She's very crafty and was able to create this awesome decoration. I think it speaks for itself. Erin is a military spouse and is now living in Germany and I miss them very much! Love you guys!

Some things to remember about decorating: have fun with it! Pack light and don't stress too much about it. And remember that duct tape and clothes pins are your friend (although that rule definitely applies to more at the 3 Day than just decorating).

Have any decorating questions? Comment below, I'd be happy to help!
I hope you are having a great summer!

Moving Indoors?!?

Maybe its just me, but when I received the email from Komen yesterday saying they were moving us indoors, I was a tad shocked and a little sad.

As a past participant in the Susan G. Komen Atlanta 3-Day for the Cure, you may have braved some chilly or wet weather while walking towards our goal of a future without breast cancer.

In order to help ensure you have a great experience no matter the weather, we’ll be setting up the Atlanta 3-Day for the Cure campsite indoors. It will have all of the features of an outdoor camp, including the tents and that indomitable 3-Day spirit, but will help you rest warmly during your 3-Day journey.

Thank you for your commitment to the fight to end breast cancer. We’re looking forward to an incredible journey!

Sincerely,

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Coaches

Maybe I am in the minority here, but I love 3-Day camping. Yes, its a lot of work and a lot of packing for the what-ifs, but to me its part of the 3-Day experience. I may not have been so cheerful waking up to 40 degree weather, but again all part of the 3-Day experience. I mean I have bragged to our first timers how much fun it is to camp for the 3-day. I have raved about the pink tents, shower trucks, the post office, massage station, you name it. I even have a comprehensive list of everything you need to pack and why. On a positive note I guess I won't be needing those extra tarps or clothes pins anymore! The morning dew won't be a factor either!

Komen has never let me down before and I feel confident that they will stay true to their word and we will have all the features of outdoor camp this October! Just makes me wonder where we will be "camping" this year and what kind of changes to the route we have to look forward to! 

Bottom line, we may all be out of our comfort level for 2 nights, but we can do anything for 2 nights, whats important is we are all together to fight Cancer!

(I will miss this)

PS. Any of you who have always wanted to participate in the 3-Day before and the camping is what has held you back, you have no excuse now!