Cathy Miller

You know the 3-Day Walk must be near if you see another post here.

But this year has a twist called the 3-Day Nation.

What’s that? I’m glad you asked. 🙂

3-Day Nation

As regular followers know, I participate every year in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, 60-Mile Walk for the Cure.

Of course, a little thing called COVID-19 caused my 60-Mile Walk to be a virtual one in 2020.

I am still walking in November in San Diego (yes, knock on COVID’s head, the Walk is still on at this point). But more about that in a bit.

What is 3-Day Nation?

Susan G. Komen planned on sponsoring 3-Day Walks in multiple cities this year (like they have in the past). However, as we just can’t seem to shake that COVID virus (and its nasty sister, Delta), Komen had to go to Plan B.

Enter 3-Day Nation. During the month of October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month), walkers from across the nation are invited to walk 60 miles over the course of two weeks.

I hadn’t planned on participating as I will be doing the 3-Day Walk in November. San Diego is the only city with an onsite Walk in 2021.

However, the 3-Day coaches contacted me and asked if I’d represent Idaho with a 30-40 second intro they are doing for each of the 50 states.

• So, here I am – Ms. Idaho. 😀
• The event has enough flexibility that I can manage Momcare duties for my 98-year-old mother.
• And throw in 60 miles over a two-week period.

San Diego 3-Day

As I mentioned, the 3-Day Walk is still on for San Diego. Thanks (per usual) to my generous supporters, I raised the minimum to participate in what will be my 18th Walk.

• 

  The Walk takes place from Friday, November 19 through Sunday, November 21.

• My sister and brother will stay with Mom (and Penny) while I’m gone.
• I’ll be masked, gloved, and swimming in sanitizer.

And, of course, I am fully vaccinated. And if the booster is available, I’ll do that, too.

Loved Ones’ Names

Every year I wear the names of loved ones we lost, cancer survivors, and those currently undergoing treatment.

After all, they are the reason why we walk 60 miles in 3 days.

• The list is not limited to those affected by breast cancer (although most are).
• Some are longtime supporters who passed.
• Or individuals affected by other forms of cancer.
• No rules here!

I will be sending a separate email to supporters, but you can review the names on this list. Please note there are two pages.

Let me know of any corrections or additions you would like to make.

• I listed the names in alphabetical order by first name to make it easier for you to find.
• In Honor of lists survivors and those undergoing treatment.
• In Memory of is a list of those we lost.
• The first two lists are my personal ones.
• Most of the remaining names come from my awesome contributors.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all my wonderful family, friends, and supporters. Stay tuned for future photos of 3-Day Nation and the San Diego 3-Day Walk.

Walk on.

A virtual walk (or run) has become the pandemic norm.

Since 2003, I have participated in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, 60-Mile Walk. However, like most events in 2020, this year’s walk was cancelled.

So, what can you do? Take it to your local streets.

Virtual Walk – Pandemic Style

This year’s Walk was number 17 for me. It was especially important as my niece is finishing up treatment for breast cancer. But, COVID-19 put a kink in the best of plans.

• Typically, my sister stays with Mom when I’m in San Diego for the Walk
• Although mostly healthy, my mom is 97 years old
• Pandemic means no traveling, so no sister here

I live with Mom and knew it takes 6 to 8 hours to do 20 miles a day. So, I decided to break it up – 60 miles in 6 days.

That way I could do shorter segments and check in on Mom. Ah, the #60in6 Virtual Walk was born.

Timing is Everything

The 2020 3-Day Walk was scheduled for November 20 – 22. No telling what Boise weather would be like then. I remember one year leaving San Diego and 84 degrees, only to land in Boise with its 12 degrees.

So, I decided October would be a better bet. I chose Sunday, October 18 through Friday, October 23.

• Better odds for decent Fall weather
• And to be done before Saturday – why?
• Notre Dame football, y’all!

Boy, was I glad I chose those dates.

• Weather was in the mid to high 40s (good walking weather) for Day 1 to Day 4
• Day 5 and 6 were 34 and 30 degrees, respectively (okay with layering)
• But, the day after rained, then it was 27 degrees – today it was 18 degrees!

Virtual Visual

Below is a summary of the total miles walked for the Virtual Walk. I also added daily miles (including walking our dog, steps around the house, etc.)

 

For those of you who are not on social media, count your blessings. You did not have to see early, early morning videos of me sans makeup. But, I did create the following video highlights. I hope you enjoy.

A big thank-you to all my supporters. I wish you all good health. Be well and safe. Let’s hope the 2021 Walk is the real deal with a proven COVID vaccine.

Walk on.

The 2019 3-Day Walk was indeed a Sweet 16 event.

Per usual, I’m late getting out my post and my thank-yous to my wonderful contributors. They’re coming – I promise!

Typically, the 3-Day Walk is very close to Thanksgiving. I go straight from 60 miles to the holiday run of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year.

3-Day Walk for Two

Although several of our Pink Tahoe Ladies teammates had conflicting commitments on the weekend of the Walk (November 15-17, 2019), we still represented. Albeit, the smallest team we’ve ever had.

The *ahem* senior members stepped up (Penny and moi) to walk in our 16th Walk (including an Avon Walk for Penny).

Penny has always held a special place in my heart because she invited me to join her, Suzanne, and Diane on that first Walk in 2003. I was walking alone on Day Two when Penny asked me to walk with them. The rest is 3-Day history.

San Diego had its usual great weather although the supporters seemed more subdued than the past. I guess we’re all getting older. 🙂 San Diego’s 1,900 walkers and 325 awesome crew members raised $5.7 million in the fight against breast cancer.

I am already  signed up for 2020. As I write this, a beloved niece is nearing the end of her chemo treatment for a diagnosis made in September. Is it any wonder I cannot walk away?

Thank you again to my family, friends, contributors, and supporters. I could not do this without you!

Walk on.

2019 3-Day Walk Photos

With it only being the two of us, Penny and I have fewer photos. I created the collage below.

• Dogs – San Diego always has the most colorful and loyal dog supporters (and even a penguin) 😉
• Beaches – The beaches are a favorite part of the Walk (Duh!)
• Benny – And I so, so love seeing my dear friend, Benny (in the lower right hand corner) who I crewed with in 2004 – Love you, Benny! See you in November!

Susan G. Komen celebrated its 15th anniversary of the 3-Day Walk.

2018 also marked the 15th anniversary of our team, the Pink Tahoe Ladies. Although we took years to become an “official” team.

We started out with the name, Fight Like A Girl, until everyone used that name. I recently found out someone actually trademarked the name.

3-Day Walk #15 Under the Feet

Our team has 16 members. Some have walked one walk, others multiple walks.

We had five team members signed up for 2018 until Suzanne (one of our breast cancer survivors) decided to fracture her ankle while on vacation. What some people won’t do to skip a Walk. 😉

Despite the bum ankle, Suzanne came to offer support. That’s our team! That left breast cancer survivors, Penny and Martina, and Martina’s daughter, Kellen and me as the 2018 team.

I put together a short video of some of the pictures from the 2018 San Diego Walk. I hope you enjoy.

Thanks to all my contributors and supporters. See you in 2019!

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Walk on.

Do you know what’s my best tradition from the 60-mile, 3-Day Walk? 

Wearing the names of those we lost to cancer, the survivors, and the fighters. It puts each step in perspective.

It’s why we walk 60 miles in 3 days.

Do you know one of the tougher tasks about the 60-mile, 3-Day Walk? Walking 60 miles? Nah.

It’s finding a way to wear those names without continuously tugging, grabbing, and adjusting the vehicle used to share those precious names.

3-Day Cape and Captain Caboose

I’ve tried multiple ways to honor those affected by cancer. Last year, I wore a customized scarf. Sounded like a good plan; however, it was too heavy. It dragged down my hat, tugged on my neck, and generally became a nuisance. As if walking 60 miles doesn’t create its own issues.

Volunteers at the 2016 Walk gave away hand-sewn I AM MORE THAN PINK capes (like the one in the picture – sans names).

• Had the 3-Day cape come to my rescue?
• Was this a lightweight answer to wearing names?
• My list has grown considerably over 14 Walks

It took me quite some time to write all the names. The great news is there are more survivors than those we lost. My final verdict?

• The cape was lightweight
• Most of the time I forgot about it
• The only downside was the rain caused some names to blur (despite using permanent (?) fabric markers)

The bonus of the cape was I felt like a super-hero. Because I am typically the last one up those San Diego hills and our team’s captain, I referred to myself as Captain Caboose. See how heroic I look in my cape!

Another 3-Day Under the Feet

My Pink Tahoe teammates and I have another 3-Day Walk under our feet. 2018 will be our 15th anniversary!

We could not do this without the generous support of family, friends, contributors, the 3-Day coaches, crew, and volunteers, and the fabulously supportive San Diego community. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Below are a few scenes from the 2017 Walk. See you next year!

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Walk on.