I don't want to spoil anything... but I am so excited about this design I am using for a little 3-Day project! I did watermark this copy, but I am happy to share. Leave me a comment with your e-mail address if you are interested!
I think I am a pretty organized person, but I need help. I have to have a calendar in front of me at all times, or I am lost. Literally, walking the streets not knowing where I should be, lost. Normally, I settle for the cheapo planner that my office purchases for each employee. Except this year, budget cuts and no planner. It was a sad day. I tried using google and my iphone but it just doesn't work for me. I had seen all of the buzz about Erin Condren Life Planners, particularly the Awareness Planner. I was sold at Pink Ribbon and we donate 50% to a charity of your choice. I made an investment, and I'm in love! Not only do I have an amazing planner, and there is a nice little donation to kick start 2012 fundraising.
Check out their video too!
**Erin Condren has no idea who I am other than I ordered a planner and follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Just wanted to show support to a product that I love!**
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!
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 isalways 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!
