Day.3

With Day Three came a scenic walk through the park and lots of community support with honks, waves and decorated cars passing by along the route. The “pop-girls” provided motivation and sodas at just the right times and the Motivation Medics were at it again! The pirates at lunch were willing to share their booty and fed you before the final stretch of your journey. The long walk into Holding at the Henry Ford was lined with supporters, including WOO HOO from Cleveland, who came up to cheer on the Michigan walkers. There was great media support at Holding/Closing, including 105.1 who had a team walking in the event! Closing Ceremonies was an emotional and inspiring conclusion to your journey, made even more special as you were joined by some Cleveland 3-Day walkers and crew members.

Day.2

Day Two brought amazing neighborhood support, including a subdivision that had wrapped their trees in pink tulle! Community supporters provided a resting bench for walkers to take a load off and the route was lined with tons of homemade signs. Crossing the street was always an adventure with our fabulous safety team – nothing makes you feel safer than a Harley rider in a pink bra. The cheerleaders at the New Balance pit stop kept walkers motivated and the cowboy theme at lunch kept spirits high. And who could forget the Michigan Dancing Lady, who was out and about along the route keeping you smiling! Back at camp, walkers created a beautiful pink ribbon out of flowers. Meanwhile, at dinner, the Romeo football team was spotted carrying trays and helping out! The night ended with a visit from Tom Jones (a.k.a. walker Jon) who got everyone moving and kicked off a great dance party.

Day.1

The 2007 Michigan 3-Day kicked off with cool temperatures on Friday morning at Oakland Community College – Orchard Ridge. You got off to a festive start as drummers from Ford gave you a beat to march to. You saw innovation at work, as a kindly past walker (who couldn’t walk this year due to a broken foot) provided a “clothes check” where you could leave your outer layers and pick them up at camp. There were many great pit stop themes along the route, including the “holiday” stop, where you celebrated a calendar full of festivities. A popular favorite was Labor Day – with crew members showing off pregnant bellies. In between pit stops, the Superior Ambulance “Motivation Medics” kept everyone cheerful along the route.
While you were out on the route, the Romeo football team was busy setting up your tents and delivering your gear, making your arrival at camp even more welcoming. Friday night’s camp show included an inspirational message from Nancy Brinker, and the evening was rounded out with some of the best karaoke around!

Here.We.Go!

Leaving in about 2 hours from now and i *think* i'm all set! I packed everything on my packing list (and probably a few extra things too!) and have packed a bag for the hotel tonight! Only thing left to do is meet up with the parents, eat dinner & drive to Farmington Hills to get a good night's sleep before Opening Ceremonies tomorrow!! I am scheduled to arrive at 6am to drop of my gear, then opening ceremonies starts at 6:45 with stretching!

Say some prayers for health & strength and good weather!

Where.Does.The.Money.Go?

Click Here to Donate

Well the thermometer here shows that MI 3.Day Walkers have raised almost $6 million! The final tally isn't in though and donations are counted until 2 months after the walk! So far team WICKED has raised over $26,700 - and that is only 8 women! If you are wondering, my official total right now is just over $3,900 with at least 2 more donations coming in. I have sort of lost track but I believe that the total for all the 3.Day events that have been held so far is well over $20 Million! Can you believe that?!?

So with $6 million raised in just one event - remember there are 12 3.Day events each year - where does the money go and what is it used for? The funds raised for the 3.Day events go to two organizations: Susan G. Komen for the Cure & the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure will receive 85% of the net proceeds. This organization is celebrating it's 25th anniversary this year with a new look and a new name! Komen is a leader in this area and $0.84 of every dollar spent by this organization goes directly to research, education, screening, and treatment.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure has a Grand Rapids affiliate that sponsors the Race for the Cure at Rivertown Mall every year. This year's RFC is this Saturday so unfortunately, I am unable to participate and organize a team as I have in the past. I was involved this year, however, as Lindsay and I spent the last 2 Saturday mornings volunteering at their registration events. So sad to miss it this year!

The National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund is a special field of interest fund for breast cancer initiatives, including research, treatment, prevention, and education. NPT Breast Cancer Fund provides long term support for breast cancer initiatives.

Total.Panic

In 48 hours I will *hopefully* be sitting in my hotel room (well my parent's hotel room) and will be trying to sleep because I need to be at Opening Ceremonies at 6am on Friday! I still haven't finished packing and am totally stressed about soooo many things! I started packing last night after writing and re-writing a packing list for weeks! What i found is that after i put in the sleeping bag, I didn't have room for just about everything else! Ahhh! I needed a bigger duffle!! So panic attack starts and i wish i hadn't had 3 cups of coffee and 2 diet pepsi's earlier in the day... I call my mom and ask her if she knew someplace I could buy a HuGe duffle for cheap - oh yeah, did i mention i am broke until Friday too? - and she informs me that Kohl's has all luggage 50-60% off until Tuesday! Not sure i really need luggage...but the 50-60% off sold me! Then she mentions the duffle i got at my senior all nighter - i totally forgot about it because that was 10 years ago and has been stored in my parent's basement! She seemed to remember that it was HuGe and i said can you measure it and call me back? My dad did and it was bigger so now i am going to try to unpack and repack (PWS anyone?) once again! Ahhh! Friday can not come soon enough at this point! Oh yeah, and for those of you wondering how hard can it be? You must know that we will be CaMpInG for 2 nights in 40 degree weather with No ElEcTrIcItY so you have to be fully prepared! This girl is not a camper! :)

Care Package Contents from Kristen, Lindsay & Rachel:


Packing the 3.Day Way! (Weather.proofing!):


The too small duffle:


Everything that doesn't fit in the duffle:

Pinkerbell

Who...or What...is Pinkerbell?? Pinkerbell is a stuffed monkey known as the 3.Day Rally Monkey! She comes from the Cancer Angel Network and she travels to all 12 3.Day events across the country. At each location, she is hosted by a team or participant. Team WICKED is the host for Pinkerbell's Michigan '07 journey! Pinkerbell comes with a little something extra from each stop and is complete with her own backpack and tent! We will be adding a few things so she fits in with team WICKED - a witch hat and flying monkey wings seem to be in the works!

More pictures are sure to come but for now... Meet Pinkerbell!!

Cheerleaders.Wanted!

Opening Ceremonies: Friday, September 28

Schedule:
4:30 am – Crew members arrive
6:00 am to 6:45 am – Walkers arrive
6:45 am – Opening Ceremonies begin with community stretching

Location:
Oakland Community College – Orchard Ridge
27055 Orchard Lake Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48334

Cheering Stations: Available all three days
Cheering Stations are a great way to show your support along the route to encourage participants 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. Note: The "Last Chance Cheering Station" (on Day 3) is your last chance to see your walkers before you are reunited with them at Closing Ceremonies.

Day One - Friday, September 28

Mile Marker 3.5
8:00 am - 9:45 am
Farmington Family YMCA
28100 Farmington Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48334

Mile Marker 14.6
11:45 am - 5:00 pm
North Ridge Commons Shopping Plaza
8 Mile Road between Farmington Road and Gill Road
Livonia, MI 48152

Day Two - Saturday, September 29

Mile Marker 6.8
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Wilcox Lake Park (along Hines Drive)Just east of Hines Drive and Northville Road
Plymouth, MI 48170

Mile Marker 17.6
11:45 am - 6:00 pm
Ford Athletic Field
33771 Lyndon Street
Livonia, MI 48154(please use Stark Rd side of park)

Day Three - Sunday, September 30

Mile Marker 7.8
9:15 am - 12:30 pm
Nolar Bend Park (along Hines Drive)Just east of Hines Drive and Inkster Road
Dearborn Heights, MI 48127

Mile Marker 10.4
10:00 am - 2:15 pm
Helms Haven Park (along Hines Drive)Just west of Outer Drive and Hines Drive
Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
(LAST CHANCE CHEERING STATION!)

Closing Ceremonies: Sunday, September 30 at 5:00 pm
After three days and 60 miles, participants will take a final and incredibly emotional victory walk into the Closing Ceremonies. Friends, family and supporters should arrive at the Closing Ceremonies site at least one hour early to get the best view of the program. Please allow extra travel time due to expected congestion at the site.All walkers and crew members are encouraged to remain in the Participant Holding Area where they will receive a victory shirt, cheer on fellow walkers and crew members and celebrate one last time together before their dramatic victory walk into Closing Ceremonies.The Participant Holding area is CLOSED to spectators. If you wish to meet with your walker before the Ceremonies begin, please have them meet you at the Spectator Café (near the stage). Just remember that they need to return to the Holding Area no later than 4:00 pm in order to join the victory walk.

Schedule:
12:00 pm – 4:30 pm: Walkers arrive at Holding Area
4:00 pm: Crew and walkers begin lining up in the Holding Area and receive instructions for final victory walk to the stage and Closing Ceremonies
4:00 pm: Spectators arrive and should head directly to the stage and the Spectator Café
5:00 pm: Closing Ceremonies begin

Location:
The Henry Ford Museum
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
Dearborn, MI 48124

Also, check out the Supporter Page @ www.the3day.org for the live 3-Day Webcam and tons of other goodies! Hope to see you there!

I'm.Suffering.From.PWS

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) announced today an unusual outbreak of Pre-Walk Syndrome (PWS) in the State of Michigan. Although residents have been cautioned, PWS is communicable, it is not terminal, though it certainly constitutes a nuisance, not only to its victims, but to the families who care for PWS sufferers.

Symptoms of PWS are as follows: anxiety, nervousness, obsessive packing, unpacking and repacking of duffle bags and suitcases, repeated inflating and deflating of various mattresses, excessive chatter on message boards, a tendency to worry and obsess over small things and excessive fluid intake (only Gatorade will do).

Sufferers of PWS often eat large quantities of ice cream, pasta and meat products, have strange dreams, usually involving various brands of athletic shoes, socks and electrolyte replacements.PWS sufferers also "lurk" in running stores, examining various water bottles, fanny packs, camel packs, socks and other sports paraphernalia, and are often heard to mutter "Did I get the right brand? Is this right? Should I try this now? No. No. Too late to switch."

Dr. Wal King, of the CDC, states the only known cure for PWS is physical activity. He advises PWS sufferers to take a long walk, preferably 60 miles or more in length.