(NOTE: To all future racers I would ask that you don’t read this blog. It contains lots of details about things that will happen at training that should remain a surprise. My only advice is be prepared for whatever… and bring some snacks!)
Picture this: It is 5:45am and 35° outside. You are somewhere in Georgia and need to wake up and pack everything you have including your tent that is covered with a layer of water (dew) that is near freezing. After you pack everything you will go on a 30 minute run, or walk or do something at around 6:45am. Now picture that is a almost daily occurrence for 10 days. Alright, now we can start talking.
You may be wondering what I’m talking about, and it is World Race Training Camp. This was among the most uncomfortable I have been over a 10 day period, but also some of the happiest. After 3 months of anticipation I have met my squad. These are the people that I will be spending the next year of my life with, and I can honestly say that I love every single one of them!
When I got to training camp the whole idea of the race could no longer live as an idea, it was given a violent shove into reality. This was pretty scary. I remember falling asleep in my tent on night one, then waking up a few hours later to pack, and both times I was laying there thinking to myself “WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU DOING HERE!?!” The blessing came when the 40 strangers that made up A-Squad (thats us!) became a family, and suddenly all the uncertainty was gone. Over the course of the next day talking to teammates, team leaders and coaches my fear became excitement. I couldn’t wait to see what God had in store for us next year.
The whole first week seemingly was designed to break us. Somewhat physically, but mostly emotionally and spiritually. From forgiveness to the Holy Spirit, it was a heavy week.
At the beginning of the second week the guys on the squad went out and we did about 19 miles of the Appalachian Trail. It was pretty epic, and it was an amazing two days getting closer to each other as a brotherhood.
Right when we got back from the backpacking trip we were told not to shower (side note: showers were a 5 gallon bucked of cold water and a measuring cup to pour it on you, just thought I would mention that) or anything and we all boarded another bus and it took us back into the woods. This time with our whole squad and we didnt have our tents and stuff. They gave us a big tarp and some string and put us in the wood with that and some food, and a few dry logs and said basically, “figure it out”, and “we’ll see yall tomorrow”.
Needless to say, we made it though the night, and the next few days became team building and they divided us into our smaller teams that we will be with every hour with for the next few months. It was during this that I saw the love the leaders had for us, and how they lived in prayer while making these crazy tough choices in making our teams. I could go on for a day about just this, but I will leave that for later.
To take a step back. A beautiful thing happened in the course of the 10 days. We met 40+ strangers who unbelievably quickly became family! I can truly say that I love every person on my squad! They broke us in the first couple days, and we had to rely on God and our squad mates to take care of each other and none of us disappointed.
If I had to put words to this week they would be something like: crazy, heartbreaking, unbelievable, miserable, tough, HUNGRY, cold, sleep deprived, beautiful, perfect, life changing, humbling, connected, amazing, (insert every word here meaning perfect)! I am sad to be away from the squad for the next two months, but I cant wait to see them again at launch and spend the next year with them!
I know that this is a pretty long blog and I apologize, but I am just barley scratching the surface! If you want to know more about it, or want to ask me a question. Please ask me! I love to talk to you at church, and if you dont go to church with me you can email me whatever you want!
(Almost done!)
A quick note to my sponsors! Thank you all SO much! It is because of you that I have made it this far and I am a third of the way to being fully funded! This past 10 days I got an idea of what the next year will look like and I am on fire to see the rest of it!!! I can’t wait! All of you who are partnering with me and making this possible and you are doing the Lords work same as me! You are this verse!
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25:35-40
For that I say, “Thank you”!
If you want to see a video about training camp, this girl made a video that is what we went though! (minus the Man hike)
Julia Robertson’s Training Camp Video
