SWIM.BIKE.RUN

Growing up, I never thought of getting into any form of physical activity. I was content to play "patintero" after school. Ran around the school playground. Played hide and seek and "luksong tinik". And that's about it. Back then, the word "sports" was foreign to me.

SWIM
Learning to swim has never occurred to me, considering the fact that my family just lived across a beach. I could have just cross the road and swim to my heart's content. Unfortunately, it did not pan out that way. My Granny always stop us ( me and my younger siblings ) from going into the water lest we'd drown or something.

Anyway, a few weeks ago, I muster enough courage to try to learn how to swim, when the opportunity presented itself. I found out that it was cool. I had no qualms while I stepped into the pool, clad in a swimsuit ( which, frankly, was my first time ) Being in the pool is just amazing. Sherry, the swimming instructor was wonderful and made me comfortable while I try to get my bearings around. She was very helpful. I think so much about nailing my kick, that I end up stressed and stiff as a board, so she told me to imagine something I love doing ( which is running ) and just go from there. It worked. I had a great time.

I find that, learning to swim  ( or swimming for that matter), entails a lot of hard work. Especially on my part since I'm just starting out. I expected not get tired easily, because I run, but I was wrong. After only a few minutes during my first lesson, I was already out of breath.

Still, it maybe a lot of work but it is loads of fun. I wish I can do it everyday.:-)

BIKE
I first rode a bike when I was about 9 or 10 years old or older. I'm pretty sure, I was still in elementary school at that time. There wasn't enough space in my Aunt's front yard so I just went around in circles. When my Granny heard about it, she forbid me to do it again. I could fall and hurt myself. There goes my first "taste" of a bike ride. I haven't ride the thing ( besides I did not have one ) ever since.

Then I moved to Canada and months later, I found out that I still know how to get on a bike and go for a ride ( though just around my aunt's neighborhood and not out on the streets) It felt like I lost something and found it again. I did struggle at first, to keep my balance, but after I get the hang of it, off I go. It was an exhilarating experience. I love the rush of the wind, against my face, when I pedaled fast. And the prospect of hitting into something give me a thrill. Now, that's weird. This was when I still live in Nanaimo.

Now, I live in Mill Bay, in a quiet neighborhood. And two weeks ago, I had another chance to go for a ride again. A friend let me borrow her bike. So, one day, I felt very brave and decided to go into the road, leading to the nearby school's parking lot. I figured I have ample space to work around there. In my excitement while going down the road, I went out too fast. I was overwhelmed at the speed I was going that I forgot to grab hold of the brakes. With legs straight out and flailing to the side, I was desperate to stop the bike but I was unsuccessful. I fell off it and crashed on the pavement. I bruised my left knee. So much for speed, eh? What surprises me was, I kind of like it. I mean, not the falling off the bike part but "going out fast" It was awesome. In fact I was more worried about the bike being wrecked and if someone saw me ( I wasn't sure if anyone was around at that time ) It was only later that I felt the pain and noticed the purple mark on my left knee.

It has been two weeks since that incident and I haven't been on the bike again. Not because I am traumatized. I'm just taking my time. Besides, I don't want the risk of hurting my knees again.

RUN
Now this is the best part. I don't need to ask permission from Granny to go out for a run. At least, not now anyway. Besides, she's not around anymore.

My first 21K race ( Scotiabank Vancouver Half-marathon 2011 )

I discover running when I was already in my mid-thirties. It came at a time when I needed something that I can do all by myself and does not need the company of others. I started running to hopefully, get in shape ( primarily to lose weight because I could not stand anymore the struggle I had when I pick out clothes and go for the largest size possible) But I was doing it wrong so I end up gaining more weight and hurting my legs.

After awhile, when I changed my attitude about my "running", I was transformed ( of course, not into a robot ) I began to enjoy my outdoor excursions and look forward to it. I even love it to a point. ( I have a blog solely for it.) Surprisingly, I lose weight ( without me stressing about it ) along the way and sparing myself from "stupid" diets.

Anyway, there's no question about running being number one on my list. But then, there's no reason I can't do the other two. I find that I enjoy doing them too, so I'm all for it.

 I'll continue to learn how to swim and work on my biking "skills" ( going out into the streets without falling from it, hopefully) In the meantime, I'll keep running, for as long as I can.

And no, I'm not thinking about a  triathlon.