Training Break and Spiritual Restoration
Last week I had the amazing opportunity to relive my counselor
days. For those of you that don’t know, I was a summer camp counselor/cook/program
coordinator while I was in college. It was at the same camp I had gone to as a
kid (Luther Heights Bible Camp look them up if you’re interested! I cannot sing
their praises enough! 😊 Shameless plug there is a young adults
retreat coming up, and I am attending and would love to see you all there too!) For more info on my experiences at camp, check out this post. If you are interested in attending camp or sending your kids to a camp, definitely check out LHBC! There is a program for everyone :) I was honored to be asked back, and excited to relive some of my favorite
memories. Before I left, I planned to continue my training whilst in the
mountains. I was going to run on Sunday (4 miles) and then again on Monday
during my time off (3 miles) and then take Wednesday off and be ready to go
again on Thursday when I got back into town. When we pulled up to camp, and I
stepped out into that 7,096’ elevation air, I knew my training hopes were
dashed. As we dragged out bags to the cabins we were staying in, my lungs fought
to pull in enough oxygen just to carry my bags.
As I was introduced to my cabin, a gaggle of eight young
girls. The energy that I had before the week soon faded. I had forgotten how
much energy kids can have. They ran me all over the place, and I loved every
second of it. Every time we pretended to be pirates, searching for buried
treasure out on the lake, or sang our favorite hippo song at the top of our
lungs, I was reminded at how not in shape I was for counseling, even if I can
run 8 miles down a few thousand feet 😉. However, as the week continued, and I chose
to sit and read during my break instead of lacing up my shoes and going for a
run, my body and mind was slowly restored. The log pole pines swayed with us
during out campfire worships. Despite my exhaustion, those kids helped fill me
with energy and excitement. Their zeal and vest for life was contagious. I love
how their eyes widen, when they see something new. I love watching their joy,
as they sing camp songs, play camp games, make friends and learn about Jesus. They
are amazing; refreshing and restoring. While I didn’t sleep very much all week;
I came home with more energy and zeal than I have had.
I did almost regret taking that time off, when I hit my run
on Thursday. It was a five mile run, and by the time we headed out it was already
about seventy degrees outside. (I know that isn’t comparatively super warm, but
I am an absolute BABY about the heat) However, my feet just kept hitting the pavement,
and propelled me forward. I was inundating my running partners ears with
stories from the week, and the five miles went by so quickly. I wasn’t tired,
worn out; I was energized. The next day, I woke up with a clogged nose and
head, and ended up sleeping in. Apparently, I had caught something from one of
the littles. But as I look towards this week, I am excited. I am ready to
tackle my training and continue moving towards the half marathon.
After my first 8 mile run in this training routine, I have
beat myself up. I have not pushed my training as hard, because honestly, I was
afraid that the 9 miler would be just as terrible. And that each run would
continue to get worse as my training plan continued. I was focused solely on the physical aspects of my training. I never considered that my spiritual health was being neglected. It took me driving up into the mountains, sitting around a campfire singing Psalm 121 to realize that I had been missing a major part of my health. I needed that break, but
more importantly, I needed that change of scenery and company. After I was able to refill that aspect of my life, I sit here
excited for the next week, and excited to plunge myself into a spiritual stupor,
as my feet pound on the pavement and I continue towards my goal.
My tips for you:
1.
If you are feeling burnt out, take a break. Switch
up your scenery. Spend a weekend in the mountains and reconnect with nature and
your creator.
2.
Switch up your routine. If your long runs are
always on Fridays, move it around so that you aren’t as focused on the day of
the week correlating with the run.
3.
Mix up your running playlist. I did this on a
whim when I got back from camp, and man it really helped me on my last run.
4.
Don’t give up! I am over halfway to my training
goal. I know I cannot stop now, when I’m so close to the finish line! 😊
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