This past week and a half I spent meeting and training with my squad and fellow World Racers in hot, beautiful Gainesville Georgia, and I wrote down a few Training Camp confessions for you!
Here they are:
1) Americans are AWESOME! I have fallen in love with all 40+ of the Americans I met including my teammates, trainers and mentors.
They might be converting me…..
2) Mother Nature doesn’t care if you want to sleep in until 7AM. Your wake up call are the birds chirping in the trees above your tent at 5AM, ready or not (and they’re to cute to be angry at, soooo there’s that. (Ear plugs help*)).
3) Bucket Showers. Literally cold water from a hose, a 5 gallon bucket and a large measuring cup for dumping the water on yourself.
Plus side! If your a chicken like me and you hate cold showers? Take heart! It’s surprisingly refreshing! And people don’t judge you when you squeal a bit after each rinse 😉
4) Workouts! Ain’t nobody got time for a grumpy pants first thing in the morning, so smile and start running!
#Teamworkmakesthedreamwork
5) You’ll get to know your teammates really fast! And I’m talking about more than their favourite colours! (Think embarrassing stories. Nothings off limits – Your a family now!)
6) Supper. Apparently this word isn’t used in America. “Were you trying to say ‘Dinner?'”
Same dif.
On that note – Chick Fil A! American jaws will drop when they find out you’ve NEVER eaten it before.
Chick Fil A is the equivalent to getting your American citizenship. Welcome to the fam.
7) Pack, Unpack – Repeat X infinity. This means everything. You’ll quickly discover what’s ‘essential’ and what’s not.
Also – prepare to re-wear your clothes at least twice.
8) Sweat! Get comfortable, cuz it’s not going away. Neither is the dirt or the smell on your body.
That tan you thought you earned in the hot Georgia heat? 70% of it could be dirt just stuck on your skin. Wear it with pride.
9) Baby Wipes!!! These will be your best friend!
Whether your cleaning your hands after eating, wiping up icky bug guts, or your taking a ‘lazy shower‘, you will not want to leave home without these. Period.
10) Vulnerability. This is your time to be real with your team. Weakness is ok. Tears are gonna come whether you want them to or not, and that’s alright.
You will feel all kinds of tired; mental, emotional and physical – in a GOOD way! Your in a safe place with safe people. Let them catch you.
*Bonus!* best Canadian stereotype question I received at Training Camp: “Are all Canadians actually afraid of the dark?”
I’ll let you answer that one.
