Twas the Night Before Launch

‘Twas the night before launch weekend and all through the house, not a creature was stirring except for me. I’m awake. 

I wanted to share candidly about the last few weeks. I have been a mess. But a beautifully broken mess. There has been 7 months of build up to this point. And boy, nothing like having 7 months and waiting to try packing everything for the first time 3 days before (especially when it doesn’t fit and it makes you have a middle of the night panic attack). 

In the last week alone, I have said goodbye to my family and fiends, reached my goal of fully funded before launch, and learned how to pack the necessity’s (and yes my favorite color nail polish did make the cut). I have cried (A LOT) and laughed, I’ve been scared and anxious, but I have to be honest, I thought tonight was going to be this big deal filled with sadness, butterflies and first day jitters (there is SOME of that too) but I have the biggest sense of calm and peace. I know it’s because I’m doing the next right thing. I’m in the hand of an Almighty God who works all things (even the sleepless nights, the abundant tears, the sprained knees, the fears and panic) for our eventual good. 

I know it’s going to be hard, but the ignorance is definitely bliss right now with not knowing exactly all the details for what the next year is going to entail. But as the cake my sweet family had at my farewell party last weekend said, “But God..” He got me here and is certainly not going to just leave me here. 

I will be posting a packing blog soon, so stay tuned! My beloved Mom sat and wrote out everything as I packed it tonight, so I have an exhausted list of what is in my current backpack and daypack at this moment. We have weeded through countless blogs and videos and lists with tips and tricks and advice. I have also been lucky enough to have a few amazing contacts who are either on the race now or have been previously, who have graciously answered all my first timer questions. I am by no means an expert, but I want to share my list now and then continue to edit it on the race for future racers looking for help and for all the curious people who want to know how it’s done.

The best part of this journey full of firsts and unknowns is getting to do it along side a group of peers who are in the same boat (or tent if you will). Getting to know some of the people who I will spend the next 11 months with has given me a sense of community as I learn they have no idea what they are doing either! I can’t wait to meet everyone tomorrow and begin learning together. 

So this is where I start. But truly in reflecting how I feel tonight, I feel like tomorrow is more like an end, an end to a long season of waiting and preparation. So the sun sets tonight on this version of Amy and tomorrow my parents and I will physically be on our way to a new beginning as the sun rises! 

Here’s to new chapters and old chapters but one really awesome book I’m blessed to call my life!! See y’all next time ON the Race!