Next Saturday I am leaving for Fitness North, a two-week live-in boot camp experience. I signed up without thinking twice and have felt good about the decision ever since. But now, in all honesty, I have to say I am feeling some of my anxiety grow. I am not doubting IF I should be going. I believe it is right for me in this season of my life, but I am wondering what the two weeks will hold.
I am bringing my suitcase up today and starting to pack. I have hiking shoes and tennis shoes, i have a walking stick and head bands to catch the sweat that will drip from my brow, i have anti wicking shirts to layer and replace my all time favorite cotton t-shirts, i have workout socks, water proof layers, bathing suit, anti blister hiking socks and I have a brand new state of the art sports bra. I have a two-week stock of sugar-free bubble yum and I have rolls of quarters to wash anything I need to at the end of a sweaty day!
I keep wondering if I have all I will need. I am looking forward to spending all day everyday in workout clothes and at some level am looking forward to learning about my stamina and fitness level during the days I will live in my workout clothes. I am thinking the week before is the week you wish it was just time to go…enough thinking about it, let’s just do it!
But I need to take time to think this week about a few other things to take along. I need to remind myself that I will need to fill up on my courage to try new things, my patience that I undoubtedly will need for myself and others. I want to always ensure I have an abundance of grace and understanding so that I can go at it again and again and be an encourager to those I journey with. I can pretty much guarantee that I will need to face some difficult lies I have believed about myself…and I want to obliterate those and come home embracing what is true.
I want to work hard, sweat more than I have ever known, sleep deeply and feel every muscle I work during the day. But more importantly, I want to understand and love myself more. I want to uncover my beauty and feel the beat of my heart when I am pushed to my limits and when I am resting in the quiet of my room. I want to see and experience God in the struggle of the ache of my body and in the beauty that will surround me as I hike on the shores of Lake Superior. I want to do more than endure and survive. I want to live a life that has meaning and purpose and live it fully!
And so, with that I am off to pack, picking up and folding what I can and reflecting on what I will need to take within my heart. I covet your thoughts and prayers. One thing I know without a doubt, I will come back a changed woman. In what ways, now that is yet to be determined!
Praying with you, Trish.
As you pack, be sure to zip up the suitcase so Dutchess doesn’t unpack everything for you ;o)
She’s surely on to you by now!
You go girl! Sounds like a great adventure! Can’t wait to hear about it when you return!
Penny 🙂
Hi Trish, be sure to pack a personl first aide kit. And one thing to pack in it is called 2ND Skin Pads. It’s a thin sheet of jelly like pad that will help those blisters. I back packed in Isle Royal National Park and 2ND Skin Pads did a good job of protecting my blisters. I envy where you are going just not how much hiking you are going to have to do. The walking will be a lot different than walking our sidewalks. Also take those head phones off long enough to hear the peace of the forest you can listen to music any time.
Trish, I am so proud of you! I can’t wait to hear all about this experience!