The past 11 days in Georgia could not have been more challenging, fruitful, and overwhelmingly blessed as my squad came together to prepare for our adventure to 11 countries in 11 months! Rather than attempting to explain training camp and all that it entails to you, I thought I would offer a few words of advice to future racers.
Let me be clear, Training camp is INTENSE (literally and figuratively)! Based on personal experience, here are the things you should NOT do at World Race Training Camp:
1. Do not forget your tent (check it a few days before you leave to make sure its in good shape and you know how to put it up and take it down quickly)
2. Do not forget your sleeping pad (the ground doesn’t get more comfortable)
3. Do not forget your sleeping bag (this should be obvious)
4. Do not trust your night vision and get a headlight (you might fall and hurt yourself, have to run in the dark, or use a porta-potty based on muscle memory)
5. Do not bring anything you don’t want to get soaking wet (spontaneous downpours happen)
6. Do not forget to bring extra layers (gloves are nice when you’re packing at 6am and your things are covered in frost)
7. Do not plan on running water (there isn’t any)
8. Do not forget to bring a towel (I recommend something extra absorbant and lightweight)
9. Do not forget to stake down your rainfly (your tent will flood and you will float away in the middle of the night)
10. Do not plan on any basic hygiene (because bucket showers and porta-potties)
11. Do not forget to pack prunes (regular people are happy people)
12. Do not get lost on the hike (you will have to make up for lost time)
13. Do not plan on charging your phone (the outlets are covered)
14. Do not forget hand sanitizer/baby wipes (you will often be eating with your hands)
15. Do not arrive early and sleep in the airport (the violin man will play in your face at 3am)
16. Do not pay to check your pack (they will usually stow big carry-ons for free)
17. Do not expect caffeine (bring instant coffee just in case)
18. Do not forget to weigh your pack and practice running uphill with it (it really slows you down)
19. Do not put everything you need in your big pack (put overnight stuff in your daypack)
20. Do not only look at the temperature highs in Georgia (the lows are very relevant when you sleep outside)
21. Do not come in with any expectations (there are surprises around every corner)
22. Do not think you will be able to hide any emotions (you will cry, I promise)
23. Do not over-pack (but also don’t under-pack)
24. Do not take the dress code lightly (modest is hottest)
25. Do not over do it when you return to reality (your body will need time to re-adjust to real food)
26. Do not underestimate the competitiveness of squad wars (E squad CHAMPIONS)
27. Do not hesitate to ask for help (let your squad and leaders love on you)
28. Do not hold back (you will sing, dance, pray, run, think, work, and live with these people for the next year, so get comfortable and be yourself from the get go)
29. Do not go home without a support system (this will be a challenging time between camp and launch and you will need a community to lift you up)
30. Do not worry about your squad (they will become your family and you will fall in love with them very quickly)
Meet my new family!
All in all, even if you do almost every single one of these things, I promise you will survive training camp! You will not leave the same person you were when you arrived and no one can prepare you for the experience. Despite my own personal series of unfortunate events, I was filled with more joy, love, humility, and gratitude in 11 days than I have experienced in a long time! Pressing into the experience and letting God work in you and your squad will make every challenge and adventure so much greater than you could imagine!
