I woke up to a light drizzle this morning; it was pitch black. No lightning or thunder means Boot Camp is still on. It’s 5:30 a.m., and about 40 of us are in Knuckle-Up’s parking lot, stretching, joking, and wondering what’s in store for us this morning.  Cindy and Brenda are celebrating their 50^th birthdays and Rev. Jay (our drill instructor) wishes them well and tells us that 50 is only a number, but it will have special meaning today.

So, we ran to the beach, then ran up one way and down the next. After that, we did 50 push-ups, then ran back up the beach and did 50 sit-ups. Thank you birthday girls – why couldn’t you be celebrating your 20^th birthdays?  

While this was going on, an obstacle course was being set up with rebar and tape – like a bunch of hurdles a horse would jump over. Our task was to partner with someone and crawl under the hurdles (they were about 18 inches off the ground), then run back through the surf, get back in line to hop over the hurdles, then run back through the surf again, to alternately crawl under and shoulder-roll over the hurdles. My partner, Joy, is a veteran Boot Camper, Squad Leader, and far surpasses my physical abilities. She was game to hang with me even though I didn’t attempt a single shoulder-roll (it’s like a somersault only more explosive and I envisioned ending up with my head in the sand and my butt in the air, legs flapping like a fish out of water.)

After running up and down the beach a few times, we lined up at the water’s edge linking arms, hands clasped in front. The surf was rolling in around our feet.

Surfside sit-ups

 Birthday Girl Cindy was to my left, cute 20-something blonde (definitely not a beginner) was to my right. I worried that I would go under and drag them down with me. We sat down for sit-ups (don’t those two cancel each other out?) and I manage one fairly well. Then the second sit-up came in unannounced with an unwelcome house guest – a good sized wave – and I was thoroughly soaked, losing my grip, and totally shaken. I was ready to bolt, but Cindy, wise, Birthday Girl Cindy, said “together we’re strong.”  And we linked arms again and braved another sit-up in the surf.

Thank you, wise Birthday Girl Cindy, for not letting me wash away to sea! Today’s bottom line: I am reminded (and humbled by) the incredible encouragement, friendship and remarkable strength of my fellow boot campers.  Thank you Jay,  Dee, Joan,  Cindy, Lorena,  Joy, Diane, Beth, Beverly, Margaret, Victoria, Elaine, Pam, Chrissy, Christine, Michelle, Jason, Tammy, Brenda, Shannon, Nora, Laura, Billy, Matt and Every One for making this a truly, profound experience!