June 29, 2008--- the first leg of the 2008 Annual Regatta and the last time that I row.
Why did I stop rowing? I'm not totally abandoning my sport.I just needed a break, not because I get tired of it but because I know I'm not fit to row right now.
Saturday, a day before the race I attended the training. That was my first training after so many months of being idle. I needed to train for I fear that I might not be able to follow the program for the race and will only be a liability for the whole team. So even though I haven't had a sleep that day (I came from work, my work schedule that time was 4pm-1am) I forced myself to train. The end result--- I got cramps while rowing and I almost collapsed.
That made me decide to stop rowing for a while, park my oar and walk away from Manila Bay. I needed to rest and regain my strength.
So I did stop rowing and I focused on my job plus other extra-curricular activities. But because I need not have to worry on waking up early during weekends it gave me more time for gimmicks. Instead of resting and getting my strength back I spent weekdays working and weekends drinking, smoking and partying.
Two weeks ago I got sick due to lack of sleep (my work schedule now is 9pm-6am), overworked and stressed out plus the fact that I'm not living a healthy life. My body can't take it anymore so I had a fever for 4 days. Before, I always tell myself gagawin ko ang isang bagay na gusto ko kahit na ikamatay ko pa. Atleast namatay akong masaya'. But now I'm getting sick over something I don't really enjoy doing and I stayed away from the one thing that makes me feel alive. If I'm going to die I'd rather die rowing than working my butt off.
Fast forward to October 12, 2008---Like the prodigal son I came back to my team, asking once more to welcome me with open arms. I fear that they will reject me but instead they did more than welcome me with open arms, they hugged me so tight and still acknowledged me as one of them. And it made me feel great!
But like a machine that's not been used and oiled for a long time it seems that I still need some tuning-up. I felt like a first-timer and I cannot caught up with my teammates even with the new one's. Well, that's what I get for being too lazy to even do some stretching at home.
It's nice being back. I miss Manila Bay, I miss my team and I miss the challenge. That was my first training in more than three months. My body ached, I lost my breat, my heart pounded so loudly as I row to the beat of the drum. I felt the splashing of the muddy water on my face, tasting its saltiness once more. It made me feel that I'm alive and I don't care if die because I know I will die with a smile on my face.
