The whole Epic Weekend experience was one of the most amazing times of my life. From the amazing friendships and bonds that grew to finding a new passion in me that I never knew existed. It was an experience I will never forget.
The last morning started with our 5K run. The coaches had stayed up late and work up very early to get everything set up for us. (Honestly, I am not sure if they even slept that night!) As we loaded up the bus, it was an exciting feeling, but also a feeling of sadness as I knew this was the last day to see my teammates for quite a while.
We lined up and stretched and then it was time to start our run. I was nervous as I had been preparing for this for months, but honestly was not sure I was ready. We took our places at the starting line and then we were off! I started at a decent pace and I was pleased that I ran for a good ten minutes straight. The coaches were stationed along the route and cheering us on as we went by. I made sure that I was running each time I saw them! HA! HA!
We rounded for the first lap and I was feeling pretty good. My friend and coach Susan ran with me for a bit, which was great as she was the one who really helped me get started on running. The majority of the 5K, however, I was plugged into my music and and focused on finishing strong.
What Bruce failed to tell us was that the course was actually closer to 6.4K instead of a 5K. HA! HA! By the time I finished, I was exhausted and not sure I could make it in running…then I saw them. Chris, Heidi, Bruce, Susan the other coaches, and teammates that had finished were running with people to the finish line. Susan ran out to me so we could run in together. Bruce also came out to run in with me.
I don’t know what came over me, but I just started sprinting!!! I was so excited that I had finished and wanted to just run in as fast as I could! It was such a rush to have them all cheering me on as I crossed the finish line. I had never run like that before. It was an amazing feeling to finish. What I didn’t know, was that feeling paled in comparison to the feelings that would come next.
After catching my breath and grabbing some water, I saw more and more of my team starting to come in for the finish line. I was so excited for them, I would run up to meet them and run with them to the finish line! It was just an amazing feeling and even after running for 4 miles, I could not wait to run across the finish line with my teammates. I did it over and over again. I wanted them to know that I was there for them as they ran in. That I was there cheering them on and that they could finish strong! I have no idea how much more I ran that morning, but I didn’t care. The adrenaline was keeping me going to help them finish strong.
The feeling of cheering them on and watching them accomplish something they didn’t think they could do was amazing. It kept pushing up this new passion that deep down I didn’t realize I had. It first hit me when I was coaching my friend through seven minutes of burpees and here it was again with me helping my teammates cross the finish line. To help others reach their goals. To coach and help people come to their full potential.
This is something that I know I am not ready to pursue yet. I have a long way to go in my own journey. It was just surprising to me that I felt this way, considering if you would have ask me a year ago if becoming a fitness transformation coach was one of my long-term goals I would have laughed in your face. Now, it is something I pray about and think if this is something I could really do.
When everyone was finished, the feeling of accomplishment is shown on all of our faces. It was such a proud moment and a fantastic way to finish off Epic Weekend.
As we finished the run and loaded the bus, you could feel the mood begin to change. We knew that the good-byes would be starting and no one wanted to leave. I was staying until the next morning, so it was tough each time someone walked out the door to go to the airport. One more friend that I was not going to see for who knows how long. It was a tough afternoon.
Even though I have tried to put into words that weekend, there is nothing that can really fully describe it in words. The bonus is that we had a team of videographers following us the entire weekend and the video is now published on the Transform Coaching website. Check out the link below and click on the top video to see more of what the coaching program and Epic Weekend was all about!
https://transformhq.com/champ-within-coaching/
Here are just a few more pictures from the weekend plus my professional photos taken during the photoshoot:
Transforming D. 