Training, Walking, Cheering, and Crewing

So yesterday on Facebook I brought up the idea of people crewing the Dallas 3 Day if they couldn't walk it. I had a few people show some interest so I thought in todays post I would go over a couple different elements of the 3 Day.

First training, you have to do it. I have never met a person who walked a 3 Day and didn't train. When I say train I mean train. It takes time out of your day, but is SO worth it. Training doesn't include just walking. When I trained for the 2010 walk I cut a lot of things out of my life that weren't good for me. I went on a calorie restricted diet and stopped drinking for 4 months before the race. I also took several exercise classes (Zumba, AB Blast, Kettlebell, and a few others). I swam daily and walked on average 6 to 8 miles a day. On weekends (once you build up to it) you should really try walking back to back 20 mile days. It is HARD, but needed if you want to give this your all.

Second thing  is walking. Rule number one know your body if something doesn't feel right stop. Rule number two HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE with both water and a sports drink. The 3 Day community has a saying "Drink and Pee than no IV", and it works. At every pit stop there is something to drink, by the time you get there (they are between 2.5 and 3 miles apart) you should need to pee and refill your water bottle. Rule number three there is no shame is being swept or having to take the bus back to camp. Sometimes by not doing that you run a risk of being red carded which means you can't walk the next day. A key thing to remember is this isn't a race. Go at your own pace and soak it all in. If your feet hurt stop for a bit. If your leg muscles are tight take the time to stretch. Your body will thank you I promise.

Third thing is my FAVORITE cheering. For the people who cheer we couldn't do it without you. There is no better feeling than coming around a corner and having hundreds of people cheering for you. Many give you high fives, hugs, cold drinks, and just encouragement. I will never forget seeing the signs from the little kids. They were so thought out and it really touched you. Some people decorated their yards with catchy little things. Some cried as we walked by, perhaps remembering those they had lost. Some people laughed with us and told us to keep going. The most important thing was they showed up, and they may not have known us (me), but they sure did touch my heart. Cheering is simple to do, you show up. You make some signs, buy some candy (or mini water bottles...those were great), and wait. The 3 Day tells you were to go and when to be there. Once you get there and have the chance to cheer do it as loud as you can. I didn't go through one cheer station where I DIDN'T cry. To see all those people is just amazing. So if you can't do anything else think about cheering for it is them that make the walkers want to keep going.

Fourth and final is crewing. It takes hundreds of people to make the 3 Day happen. The majority of them are the crew. First let me say things couldn't happen with out them. To crew you have to pay a registration fee ($55 before Nov 23rd, and $90 after that), but that is where any money commitment stops. So you are not required to raise the $2,300. So what does the crew do? Better question what don't they do :). There are the obvious like luggage help, meal prep, serving food, safety, pit stop, and medical. However they also can drive sweeper vans(which are way cool), hand out towels, check you in and out of camp, and get you motivated in the morning and after returning to camp. I can not thank the Chicago crew enough. Even when I didn't want them in my face, they kept me moving. They made sure I was well fed and safe at all times. They answered any questions this newbie had and for that I will always be thankful.

So no matter how you decide to help all the things listed above made my first 3 Day experience amazing. I was proud to walk it, but someday do plan to crew ( I want to give back). If a location was in my town I would certainly cheer. So please do whatever you can to keep this program being the success it is!!!!