Training Camp has been over for two whole days now. It was the most life-changing week that I have ever experienced. Trying to summarize EVERYTHING that God taught me during those seven days in one one blog post would be impossible. Besides, even if I did, it would be too long to keep your interest. That is one thing I learned at Training Camp: long blog posts are no good. Ain't nobody got time fo dat.
So instead, I have decided to share what I learned over a couple of different posts. The first thing I want to tell you about didn't happen during a powerful worship service, an overnighter on a bus with 55 other Squad mates, or a team-building exercise. It happened when I least expected it during one of our 30-minute morning work out sessions. It was Thursday morning when we could decide what kind of exercise we wanted to do. Some formed groups to do strength training, some wanted to get in a circle and stretch, and others did some downward doggies with yoga. Me? I decided to join the group of runners.
There is this one thing, though. I HATE RUNNING! Like seriously, it is my least favorite form of cardio, and I'm not very good at it. However, I'm afraid that running is going to be one of my only sources of exercise during the next 11 months, so I best get used to it. We started off. Things were going really well. We were talking about Training Camp thus far, the rumored route change that we thought was happening for S Squad, and the different animal noises we'll hear in other countries. You know? Normal stuff.
On our way back to our campsite, we were running down a hill when all of a sudden, one of my experienced running companions, Brittany whom I'll call BLT from here on out, turned her head towards me, looked down at my feet, and said, "You're running wrong."
I thought to myself, "What?! Uh, I'm pretty sure I know how to run even though I don't like it. How can you do it wrong?" Immediately, I felt a check in my spirit. Swallowing my pride, I asked BLT, "Yea? How so?" She said, "I shouldn't hear your feet hit the ground. It's hard on your knees. You need to roll into your landing from your heal to the front of your foot." That's all she said. I tried it out and could tell a noticeable difference. I guess I should listen to her. After all, she is doing a fundraiser which involves running across four states. Check it out here (www.indiegogo.com/projects/run-for-the-world-race) and consider supporting her!
It does not surprise me one bit that later in the day we would have a lesson on Feedback. I believe God used that experience in the morning to help prepare me for what He was going to teach me that day. We learned that Feedback is uncomfortable but necessary. If you want others to improve in areas of their life, you have to step step out of your comfort zone and give them Constructive Feedback in love. The opposite is true. If YOU want to improve areas of your life, you have to let go of your pride and be willing to listen to Constructive Feedback from others. Both can be hard to do, but the outcome is always positive.
BLT was legitimately concerned about the way I was putting undue pressure on my body by running the way I was. She didn't point out what I was doing wrong to hurt my feelings. She did it because she cares about me. Besides, I can't step out into an area that is unfamiliar to me like running and think that I know it all. The whole purpose of me running that day was to help me become a better runner for the Race. I just didn't think it would happen like that, but I'm glad it did. God taught me to remain humble in learning situations. Thanks, BLT. You are a true sister.
More Training Camp blogs to come!
