First of all, the expo was from 2 - 5 pm. We got there around 2:30 (notoriously late!!!) and couldn't figure out where to park. As it was, we parked in the front of the conference center since there was a lot of open parking... and now I know why. That was the opposite end of the campus of where the expo was. Oops! So we had to walk a lengthy walk... in the INSANE HEAT... just to get to the room where the expo was.
When we walked in, there was a "check-in" table. It was a bit congested in that area but we eventually got checked in and started to roam the event.
When we walked into the main room, we about died. It was SO hot! Like, not just to me... almost everyone was sweating and fanning themselves off. Luckily, there were a couple counters full of plastic cups and pitchers of ice water. I was pretty happy about that.
So we walked around for a bit and the first "goodie" we got was a reusable plastic bag with wet wipes and tampons. Woo-hoo for tampons and wet wipes!!! :-)
Right in the middle of the main room was a few tables occupied by veteran walkers offering advice. It was pretty cool... our sister team, TaTa YaYas, team captain (Chrystine) was at one of the tables so we stopped and chatted with her a bit. Such a sweetheart! Still trying to cool off and and quench my active child's thirst for "something fun" at the same time, we just kept walking.
One of the displays they had up was for fundraising ideas. You could write an idea on a post-it and put it on the board. I didn't get a good pic (sorry) nor did I get to read them all... it was a popular place.
While I was looking through all the clothes they had for sale, I ran into fellow blogger Cat Holland from Fat Girl Walkin'. This girl rocks! In fact, she is this year's "keep going blogger" or as I like to call her, Arizona's Official 3-Day Blogger.
Outside of the main room were some of the crew members and outfitters. The crew set up displays of creative ways to pack your gear and ideas for decorating your tent. Here's a few tent decorating samples they had out.
A few steps further was an actual decorated tent... Hawaiian style! Super cute!
The outfitters and other's "smarties" were there to teach about blister care, show the right way to walk (heel toe, heel toe) and give other important training tips. Very informative.
After all that walking and the extreme heat in there, my team (me incuded) was tired. We waited for Brian to take a quick potty break and decided it was time to go.
My little Monkey had rosey cheeks and was "soooo hungry" so that was it. Expo over. Time to go grab some grub.
All in all it was a good expo. Disappointing how HOT it was but considering it's Arizona, I guess we should've expected it. Great information. Awesome running into other 3-day teams and their families. And lots of fun stuff there!
Can you believe it? 13 1/2 weeks to go till the Arizona 3-Day.... WOO-HOO!!!
~*~ Beckie ~*~
You're doing awesome, and you'll do great during the 3-day!
ReplyDeleteGreat recap, Beckie! And I'm so glad we got to meet face to face! :) Did you try setting up a tent? (BTW, thanks for the shout-out.)
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