The Hike: We got this.

Based on the title you can see that I am going to be sharing how my fitness hike went during my first week of training camp. The fitness hike is a 2.2 mile hike through mountainous terrain, with our packs that weigh up to 45 lbs. While also completing this task in under 38 minutes. 

First thought of these requirements were “oh I got this” but also “how am I going to do this.” I was definitely not expecting God to teach me so much through this challenging hike. 

The morning of the fitness hike, I was getting all my gear together in my pack and I started to have slight nervousness. Lifting my pack and struggling a little to put it on my back because it was so heavy. I kept telling myself “it’ll be okay, I got this” but I really was starting to doubt myself, questioning if I would be able to finish the hike in time. Skipping a few minutes forward, we getting our packs on to start the hike, I’m honestly really in the middle of doubt between being able to finish this fitness hike before I’ve even started it.

9 o’clock hits and we’re off, we took off trying to semi jog uphill with our packs, even though we didn’t need to be jogging this portion of the trail. We realized after a minute that we were so full of excitement and anticipation that we were running.

So we’re continuing the trail, on this trail they encourage you to run/jog the flats to make up time for when you go up hill. (It was definitely awkward running with a 45 lb. pack) Anyways, I realized I was practically the slowest one on my team, which was very discouraging at the time but I kept going. Making our way to the uphill portion of the hike I was not feeling too great, I kept reminding myself that the Lord is right with me through it. He was for sure. After going through the woods area I was feeling better about myself. Till I realized I hadn’t yet walked the “Jesus Hill”, the major incline portion of the fitness hike. 

This was the moment I realized I couldn’t finish it on my own, my body physically was done. I found myself repeating “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” over and over, wishing to be at the top of this hill, but I wasn’t. I started crying out of frustration, asking the Lord for strength, cause I felt defeated in every aspect. I finally make it to the top with a breath of relief, knowing that the rest of the loop would be a breeze. I also remembered that I would have to go back up that Jesus Hill one more time before being able to complete the fitness hike. Coming around the loop once more to the Jesus Hill, I start going up and yet again I was struck with defeat and frustration, tears fill my eyes as I pray to God asking him for strength, struggling to even make it up this hill. I remember I was looking at the gravel as I continued to push up this hill that seemed endless and the Lord said to me “why are you afraid to look up?” And I answered that I was afraid to see how far I had left of the hill, I just wanted it to end. He reminded me to keep my eyes upon him. I felt Him repeat multiple times “keep your head up”, I started repeating it to myself. I made it to the top for the last time, and I exhaled the thoughts of doubt and inhaled His words of peace and encouragement. 

I’m on the last stretch of the hike when my teammate grabs my hand as we both jog the last portion to cross the finish line. We encourage and tell each other “we got this” because we really did, we crossed that finish line.

Here is a picture of my beautiful team 🙂

 Thank you for following me on this amazing journey I’m taking!

Always keep a smile:)

-Kayci S.