I had such a wonderful experience with conditioning and preparing for the goals I have worked for!
Since the first day that we started to train together, I enjoyed it. My day felt in order, I had energy throughout the whole day, and I really just physically felt much better! I originally planned to do the entire sprint distance, but had been asked to be in a team with Zandelee and Elrika where I would be committed to do the cycling part of the race. I can’t remember how I ended up doing Race to the sun with my teammate Kaenan, but that also happened 🙂
I knew that Race to the Sun was going to be a tough one for me (physically and mentally); I hadn’t intended to do the race, so I didn’t prepare the way I should’ve from the beginning. I remember the furthest distance I had ridden before doing Race to the sun was only 38km, so I had to fight this one due to the fact that I had never been on a bike for more than two hours.
Something that I will never forget is when Simon had a conversation with me about the race. He said that I was fit, and that my body would be able to do the race with ease, but I have to be aware that I need to overcome my mind. He said that I needed to fight my thoughts in order to finish, because cycling is a mind game. I experienced so much support when he and Tarryn said that I should rather go out for the experience, even if they have to wait for me to finish. I encountered so much love from people that I hadn’t even known for a long time, but their caring hearts made me feel at peace.
Ester and I had a conversation the evening before the race, and we both agreed that we will stick together throughout the whole experience. We DID NOT want to do this alone.
We did the whole race together, and that really blessed me so much. I knew Ester had been a lot fitter than me, and that she really could’ve been at the finish line hours before me, but she just never, ever wanted to do it by herself. And that is what I cherish in my heart when I think back on it. Doing things on your own, in your own company will never give you the “satisfaction” and memories that you could’ve gotten if you were experiencing it with someone else.
I do even think about that as a way that you grow with God. Yes, you do have precious moments with Him alone, and very personal things that you experience with Him. But when you talk about His goodness with one another, I find that I am so encouraged again to press into Him. I am so motivated to be with Him again. And I really Praise God for Him revealing that to me!
At a stage in the race we met with the 160km Slipstream riders at a water point, and they encouraged me and Ester to ride with them to the finish line. That was REALLY tough. I felt so overwhelmed and uncomfortable when I had to push hard to keep up with the rest of the group. I honestly thought that was the end of me enjoying cycling.
I sometimes reflect back on that moment and think about my spiritual walk with God in that sense. Sometimes when God tells me to do something, it may not feel good at that specific time. Shew, it can be very hard on my flesh, but when I am obedient, I find that the “finish line” is just getting closer and closer, and at the end of the trail I am rewarded (with a beautiful t- shirt) for going with Him, being with Him and sticking with Him.
God has been so good to me on this journey, and I am excited for what is coming next!