Hey everyone,
Let's start by saying to all you new racers looking at this blog. You DON"T need to know these things and it might be best to go in to training camp not knowing what might happen because the unexpected is what will happen on the world race.
Okay let's talk about my last weeks sleeping arrangements.
1. On the second night we had about 2/3rds of our packs taken away simulating an airline losing some of our packs. I adopted 2 other girls into my tent and into my personal space. Talk about learning to open up to strangers. Nothing will bond people more then a freezing night in a tent with inadequate clothing and blankets for 3 girls. At one point we sat in the tent freezing and staring at each other wallowing in the misery of the moment. It was amazingly bonding. But absolutely no sleep.
2. The following night we had a camp out without our tents. We set up camp and it was so much fun. We had a cook out and even got to enjoy S'mores! Then we found out we had rain coming and we had to find a way to setup tarps over us so we would not get wet. It was frustrating and great all at the same time. We ended up sideways with about 50 people under these 2- 10 x 20 tarps. But we got about 3-4 hours of sleep that night! That felt good.
3. The final crazy sleeping arrangement was when we were told we had to fit all 57 of us in this normal sized school bus. The kind that really only seats about 45 adults yet alone sleeps 57. It was a strong night of bonding and absolutely no sleep. I was sleeping under neath some seats and I can not tell you how incredibly suffocating that experience was. It was hard to stay calm when you get stuck every time you move.
I learned a lot about the people on my squad over the past week and wouldn't trade a minute of the trip for anything!
Side Note: I learned who my team (Or rather my family/community) is that will be joining me through the next year, sharing in these missions are.
1. Zack Vanderwall (Team Leader)
2. Andrew Chambers
3. Clay Holst
4. Elizabeth Shouse
5. Mikkia Gentry
6. Heather Lawton
7. Me!
I will post a picture of my lovely team when I get home. Or you can visit my facebook to see my team!
Love you all
