The past five months have been full of vaccinations, researching and buying camping gear, strength conditioning, doctors appointments, fundraising, and corresponding with my teammates.
Which brings me to this moment. Ahh!!! This is it! The week of training camp! And to celebrate the start of this crazy journey I have put together a video of my conditioning and prep for the World Race thus far.
During camp we will be tested to hike 3 miles in under 50 minutes, with our packs on. This has been one of my biggest concerns, since my pack is almost as tall as I am. But over time, I have been able to work up to carrying 45 pounds as far as 8 miles without stopping. So, three miles? Piece of cake.
This process has been exhausting, challenging and even hilarious at times. I’ve stumbled into fire ant beds, fought off horseflies, fallen over with my pack on, had a run-in with an alligator, and scared a poor group of hikers as I came sprinting through the trees singing at the top of my lungs! Yah…don’t ask.
BUT HEY! What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, ehh?? And this has strengthened me in body, mind and spirit. So please, sit back and enjoy the show! As you are about to see, hiking in central Florida can get pretty…well..interesting.
(WARNING: This is an overwhelming and miscellaneous montage, I hope it reflects what I’ve been feeling in preparation for this journey!)
Special thanks to my teammate Eric Atchison for putting together this training schedule, I would not have known where to begin!
I’m impressed! That pack is bigger than you! YOU ARE FOCUSED. Bless you. Will show Papa this video. Enjoy your training as you are ready.
You have poured your all into these months of training! Good for you! May you feel God beside you as you experience the next phase of training. I’m sure you may have some times of doubting, but with God in your corner and we who are praying, you will come out of this stronger in your faith and belief that you can achieve whatever you undertake. Godspeed!
Love you both, thank you!!
You have always been so encouraging to me! Thank you for you support and all your prayers, I can definitely feel God’s arms around me during this time!!
Wow, thank you so much! I must admit I had the same thoughts and your transparency means everything to me!! I really appreciate all of the kindness and support you have given me. Keep a look out for Mr. Jack and his two pets while I’m gone, haha!!
Thank you so much Pastor Aaron!! I’m incredibly thankful for my time at South, wouldn’t have made it here without that first interview! 😀
Eric!! It was so seriously amazing, thank you! I’m so excited to see everyone! BAHAHA, hey I had to improvise!!! That way I knew for sure how much weight I was carrying. 😀
Go get it Emily! Great job training.
Jade has been updating us but I just went online to see if you had posted. Dug and I watched the video together and you did such a great job. We are excited and terrified but trust that God will keep you healthy, safe and driven as he directs your path. Jade keeps saying “she can do this mom”. We will all be praying for you.
Thank you so much Mama Wise!! Jade has been an incredible friend to me, I am so thankful for your family!
Thank you!! 😀
So proud of you!
I am amazed at how much you have taught me this past year Emily! Watching you and reading your most inner thoughts and feelings has touched me more than you can know. When you first told us of your future journey I was a bit worried and thought “no way can she do this!” That’s when you taught me-your commitment to the Lord and your open heart to hear his call is beautiful and strong. I will still worry unfortunately, but I will remember your words and that you will be protected by His love. Be safe sweet girl and enjoy your next leg of this adventure….camp!
Ahhhhh….I will look after Mr Jack and be here for him any time! He’s going to have a big adjustment to go through too! As for his two pets….their faith is strong too and they will be fine-lonely and worried a bit-but fine. And what a day it will be when you come back to them!
That was an awesome video! Nice work.
We’ll be praying for you through this journey. Can’t wait to hear how God uses you Emily! Proud of you!
Emily!! This is awesome, great work!!! I honestly didn’t think anyone would actually follow that plan to get ready for training camp, so it was real encouraging to see that you used it…hopefully it helped you out! TWO MORE DAYS!!! =D
P.S. I may or may not have died laughing when I saw the putting-dumbbells-into-the-pink-backpack part of your video =D =P