The first Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure of the year is less than two weeks away, so I thought I would use this week and next week to talk about packing things. This week, I’m going to write about what to pack for the actual route of the 3-Day for the Cure. This would be stuff that you keep in your camelback, fanny pack or anything else. Next week, I’ll write about what I packed in my duffel bag for the event. I’ll actually be writing it as I pack or I would put it out sooner. Sorry Boston walkers, I know that it makes it a little late for you guys. Without further delays without apologies let’s get to what I carry in my Camelback when I’m walking on the route.

First Aid is the First on My List

I have a first aid kit that I carry around at it is probably bigger than it needs to be. I bought a cheap camera carrying case for a small camera and filled it with everything that I need. It has sunscreen, band-aids, ibuprofen, chap stick, and Nexcare padded adhesive first aid tape. The Nexcare tape is what I use to take care of my blisters. I realize that the first aid tents have blister treatment items, however I recommend bringing your own. I have mentioned several times over the course of this blog that you train with what you walk with. This is not at all different with your blister care. You don’t know what the first aid tents will have for blister care and if it will work for how you like to treat your blisters. You should take what you usually use so that you can prevent and treat in the way that you are accustomed.

Socks! Socks! Socks!

There should really only be one socks up there, I don’t actually carry three pairs of socks with me, but that doesn’t make this point any less important. You will need to change your socks at least once during the day so you need to ensure that these socks are with you in your pack. During my first 3-Day walk, I didn’t really know why I should change socks. I figured that by lunch time, my feet would have adjusted well to my socks and that the last thing that I would want to do would be to take them off. I still changed them at the urging of many people and I was thankful for it. It was great to have a fresh pair of non-sweaty socks on my feet for the second half of the day.

Pancho, Not Villa

It does rain on the 3-Day. You keep walking in the rain unless it is dangerous, so if you don’t like getting wet, then you should bring a pancho with you. I think the one that I have I got at Wal-Mart and it was packaged up nice and small so it doesn’t take up much space. Don’t open it unless you are going to use it, I speak from experience that you will never get it packaged up that small again if you do.

Phone

You’re not supposed to use your phone on the route. Everyone, repeat after me: I will not use my phone on the route. Even though you will not use your phone on the route, I find it handy to have for a number of things. I’ll stop (or do it at pit stops) and take pictures with mine and upload them to Twitter or Facebook. I use it to let family and friends know how far I am from cheering stations so that they know when to look for me. I also use it to help locate my teammates if we happen to get separated. Please keep in mind that when I do any of these things I will step off the route, do what I need to do and then step back on. Technology is useful but be smart about it.

Flip It

I have a Flip video camera that I carry with me. I use it to take video several places along the walk. Maybe there’s an awesome group of school kids that are cheering everyone on during Friday, maybe a pit stop is really cool or maybe I want to video how my team is doing at lunch. I also film opening and closing ceremonies. I keep my Flip with me for all of these reasons.

Zip It

The last couple of things I have mentioned are technology related items and don’t really like to get wet. With that in mind, you need to bring plenty of ziploc bags. That way, if it starts to rain, you can bag anything that will be sensitive to the wetness. I also recommend putting your socks in a bag and anything that would be water sensitive in your first aid kit in them (the packaging on band aids gets kind of soggy).

So that’s, for the most part what I carry in my pack. You could also say stuff like water and Gatorade, but I figured that was probably self explanatory. Please comment with anything else that you carry in your pack!