So today is the 20th of August and I have logged ZERO training hours, miles, or laps so far this month. With only 224 days till the race I have some work to do. I need to add 1.2 miles to my swim, 9 miles to my run and 40 miles to the ride. Well At this point with 20 days off I need to add the whole race...
Has the month been a bust though? No not at all. I did a different kind of training. The first 2 weekends of the month at Teen Reach Adventure Camp (TRAC) it was more like endurance training. Physical and emotional.
TRAC is a camp that takes foster children from Ventura County camping in the mountains of Santa Barbara for 3 days. The first weekend we (a group of 30 volunteers) took a group of 23 teenage girls ages 12 to 15 to San Marcos Baptist camp. I was one of only 4 men on this trip. Crazy? maybe. I was scared to work at girls camp, and not knowing what to expect is always hard. I went into it with my normal positive attitude, and was once again transformed by God. I was not sure what I could offer 23 teen aged girls. What I discovered was all I needed to be is there. The unfair thing about camp is we are there to serve the kids and give them hope for the future and teach them Gods love and hope, however, what I get is so much more then the kids get. It is an amazing thing to be in the presence of God, to see him work.
Its an exhausting weekend, we must walk 6 miles a day, up and down the hills (so I did get some mileage in) there is a constant need for something (always on the other side of camp). We keep the kids busy with games, crafts, artwork, woodwork, leather work, hikes, swimming, and great food. I had a one plate rule this time, I did not go back for seconds, I wanted to but didnt. Up early and to bed late. Worth every second of it.
I had the pleasure of working with some of the more challenging girls during woodworking. There is something so therapeutic when you are making something with your hands, you cant have attitude or be mad at the wood, and as the bird house started looking like a bird house a transformation happens on their face in I think in their heart. A great bond is then formed when two people together complete a project that no one else was a part of. It makes conversation a bit easier the next time. I also almost lost all my hair. The girls were making PVC flutes and they were not really getting into them and most did not want to do the project. So in my great mind I came up with the challenge that if they made the flute and played Amazing Grace on it I would let them shave my head. Well lets just say they made the flutes and luckily for me did not have time to practice the song.
When the kids get off the bus they have a look of fear and an attitude about them. Watching the transformation over the 3 days is something I dont think I can put words to. I was touched by random acts of kindness, I heard Gods laughter and saw His smile on those girls. When we have to say goodbye on the final night, it is heart breaking, all I can do is trust in God to care for them and pray for them.
I came home for 2 days and went back to boys camp. Three more days and just as many miracles. We had a formal dinner at both camps. For the boys camp we taught the boys how to tie a tie and we all wore them for dinner, many of the boys had never worn a tie. The councilors taught each boy manners at the table, it was something to see. One of the best moments from camp for me was when a 15 year old boy was reaching around one of the more challenging boys back to help him with his tie. God in action.
We then took a family camping trip across the 154 from where camp was. Did some fishing, swimming and relaxing. It was one of the best family camping trips we have had. The kids were great and had a blast playing with each other. Emily and I had a great time just being there and not stressing about what was next.
What is next is back to school, soccer, softball and busy. I dont have to do a mid day school pick up so my training time during lunch is on like Donkey Kong. So even though I did not log offical training, I feel like I have done a lot.
The race by the way is sold out.
