WOW! I can’t believe I’m leaving for training camp in less than 24 hours, this is getting so real!! I began slowly setting out everything I will be taking (which is also what I’ll be taking on the race) a few weeks ago. When trying to stuff everything you possibly need to live, including a place to sleep, into a 65 L pack you have to be very strategic about what goes in first and which way it will face. The first time I packed up my bag I decided just to shove it as full as I could get it with no strategy, it ended up only fitting about 20 pounds worth of stuff..so about half my equipment. Thank God youtube exists and previous racers post packing tips, it’s a HUGE lifesaver!! I managed to fit all my necessities into my pack, and little miscellaneous items into my smaller daypack after only 2 tries!
“Jesus said “it is finished””…. lol
As I was pondering on how I will ever get all my stuff into a hiking backpack, I’ve still been questioning how I will ever hike 3 miles, with 40 pounds on my back, in just 50 minutes…sounds easy right? Yeah, that’s what I thought too until I tried it for the first time. Hiking a trail with weight on your back is a completely different story than hiking without weight. It’s definitely a workout and if you aren’t used to it your back WILL start hurting 5 minutes into the walk. I’m so thankful Arturo came with me as a hiking buddy and moral support, he pushed me to the limit!
On our first hike we went to Shawnee Mission Park and decided to take a pretty tough trail with lots of hills and rocky patches. We made it about 1.75 miles in 50 minutes, because a few rests along the way were MUCH needed. I’ll be the first to admit I got a little agitated and hit a few stumps in the road (literally.) I ran straight into a tree branch and came across a snake in the walkway.
After taking the pack off you feel as light as a feather and your sweaty back can finally breathe again! The next day we decided to try again now that we knew what to except. This time we did an easy, flat trail…and guess what?! We did great on time, and our backs didn’t hurt as bad!! You have to keep a fast steady pace, but I believe at training camp I’ll have a lot of adrenaline pumping and 50 of my squamates to walk the battle with!
God is preparing me for a life changing year and I’m continuing to learn about patience and trust each day that I prepare. I am so so so excited to go and experience training camp for 10 days, I’ve heard that training alone is already life changing. I can’t wait to meet the girls I will get to serve and live alongside of for this next year.
I’ll keep posted on my blog to tell you all about the crazy camp stories and how they “steal” our luggage! Thank you for all the support!!
