The Toughest Sport in the World

I visit my blog after months of not posting anything. Last post I think was August and after that, I have not written anything since.

My life has changed since my last post as I have indulged in a new and very challenging sport: Triathlon.

This all started when I was allegedly over training and getting slower because of my strength training so I had to drop everything and switch to swimming for my upper body. Since I have already been running for over a year, swimming was the only discipline I had to learn to be able to try out this sport, a sport that I have been dreaming to do for many years.

Fortunately, I found out that one of my friends was also getting into it. We never trained together but through constant text messages to each other about training and race schedules, we finally joined our first event in August...and the rest is history.

I didn't think I would get to like it as the demands of training was taking a toll on my body needless to say my social life. In fact, I tried to squeeze in a party that almost put all my training in the trash bin.

So to cut a long story short, I ended up at a fun tri or try a tri at UPLB. I had so much fun, I wanted to up it a bit and join a sprint tri and loved every moment of it. I was using a mountain bike then, so to improve my time, I purchased a road bike and fitted it with aerobars and a tri seat, thanks to a good friend who supplied me with them.

Train was all I did, and I felt great. I also felt that anything that got in the way of my training was a hassle that set me back major. All my problems became a blur and everything in life just passed like nothing happened. I can say it was working for me and I was like an evangelist telling everyone I knew to take up the sport.

It infected all of them like a virus to the point that a team was formed with a captain, training coaches and an event that would launch the team. Well, that event that was held a few weeks ago would become one of the memorable events for all of us. The team won 8 medals in different age group categories and third overall. Not bad for a launch.

Lately, I have been finding myself wanting to train more. As I write this blog, I deprive myself of much needed sleep as I type and wait 30 minutes more to call a stupid customer service rep who messed up one of my orders. Situations like these saden me as I value my much needed zzzz's but that's life and I have been there and done that so enough of feeling sad. What needs to be done should be done as I try to keep my customer happy for a delivery that I promised to be completed before Christmas day.

It's tough loving this sport and trying to balance your day to day with training and family life. Funny thing is you get to work everything out when you need to and everything falls in place.

In a few more days, I will be spending 2 days alone with my wife and kids. No training, just bonding and I am so anxious because I want the 2 days to be perfect in the sense that I will not receive a work related call. It will be my first vacation in a long time and just thinking about it makes me smile.

So back to work again for me at 2:41am, there is a problem and it needs to be solved at once. I have a strong feeling it will as I forget about it at the beach sipping my cold drink in the company of my loved ones. Life can't be any better than that can't it?

Marked for Life

My son came home last night with a tattoo on his forearm. I had mixed reactions but to tell you the truth, I did'nt mind at all.

I was more worried about thequality of workmanship and the effect it might have when he tries to find a job.

I admire him for being brave enough to be himself. Unlike me, I made sure my tattoos could not be seen when I wore business clothes to play safe just in case.

It shows that he wants to be himself and I wish all the best for him in the future.

The fruit definitely does not fall far from the tree.

I'll post a picture of it soon.

Bring it On!

I has been a while since I've posted anything here. The last post according to blogger was April 14 where I wasn't in a good mood.

The feeling was described in one word "numb". Well things have not changed much but my attitude towards problems has changed a lot. Although I have not forgotten what had happened in the past, I have done what I could and things are starting to shape up.

I did what I could focusing more on what can be done rather than cry over spilled milk so to speak.

Now I am excercising more with the goal of finishing a beginner's triathlon 15 days from now, and a sprint triahtlon a month from now.

It is a joy to be able to swim well for almost an hour and be able to bike simoultaneously. This morning I biked and ran, and the other day I did 2 becnhmark work outs one long swim, and a long run.

While I am at it, I have this big smile on my face especially when I am in the last 2 or 3 laps in my swim, or my last kilometer in my run. For biking, there is always a big smile on my face as biking is and has always been an exhilirating experience particlularly when you are riding in a group.

Well, there is no turning back and I hope all the tips I have gathered will pay off come race day. I am excited and anxious about all this. I am tired of the daily training routine leaving me 2 days of rest a week, and I am wondering why by belly has grown bigger the past 2 weeks that I have been at the peak of my training plan.

The bottom line is I am living a dream and my wife and kids are behind me in all this.

Life is short so I have decided to just go for it.

I definitely will tell you about it soon. Meantime, I rest tomorrow and hit the trails again with my buddies.

The coming weeks will be harder in terms of intensity, distance, and time.

Numb

These trying times have made me stronger physically, mentally but very numb emotionally. I have this automatic switch that makes me feel ready for a big problem to come and I have learned to become more patient in dealing with tight situations.

It is tiring to get mad, and it is a waste of time and energy. Better to focus instead of what lies ahead and the tought that really keeps me going is that this will be over soon.

Best to stay away from people with negative vibes most especially the ones that are related to you. If they won't do you any good, reserve that time instead with your family and swap funny stories over dinner.

I like seeing my kids smile when we trade stories. It makes my day complete and I learn a lot from them. Last night I got carried away when they asked me who Don Corleone was. Well they listened and enjoyed my short tale.

Being numb is good. Amidst the crisis that I and my family face, it doesn't seem like there is a crisis at all.

It is mid-April and I long to have that long awaited vacation at the beach with my wife and kids.

When it rains it pours

I have been going through a streak of major setbacks for the past 2 months now. Added to the year long betrayal problem is the annual tuition fee, mortgage payments, and bills that don't stop coming in the mail.

A friend said through a YM message that everyone goes through this and we are given problems that we can solve. Well that's a fact and his advice was very encouraging.

This morning I received one of those "faith" emails with a dumb story about a professor and his famous piece of chalk. I could'nt stop myself from replying so I had to give him a piece of my mind regarding his lesson on faith.

This afternoon I had a wonderful lunch alone at this cheap Korean fastfood outlet. Having the need to carboload for tonight's run, I had chicken barbeque, rice and ramyun. I guess that was the only highlight of the day aside from hearing about other bad news on how I was supposed to get paid by my brother's swindler friend and partner, and how the appraisal of my house went as people there stood by to the computation of the bank's appraiser with no objections at all!!!!

I am still happy, in good health and as strong as ever. I write to say that I will just put this all behind and run tonight to the tune of Tom Petty and the Hearbreakers, Steely Dan, and Manfred Man's Earth Band.

The reward is a runner's high, and hopefully good sleep tonight with the thought of being at the trails again in a day. It just makes me smile. It just keeps me going.

It is the best thing to do because stress can make you sick, burn you out, or even kill you.

These things will be over soon. I say this to myself again as I look forward to seeing the beach soon with my family...even just for two days...please.

Broken Promises

I am on my nth week of being worried about the outcome of a year old problem. Last week, words were exchanged between my brother's wife and I.
In trying to solve the problem, my brother made up a story using me as the main character. Instead of solving the problem, it made it even worse. It created a chain reaction from his wife, the most beautiful member of our family when she called my client, and even my in-laws.
Going with the saying that the truth will set you free, I think it did in a way for me. But for the problem, it didn't.
I just woke up this morning mad as hell again having to follow up with those who are supposed to be doing the task of cleaning up this mess.
I am caught in between, I am treated unfairly, I am not getting any support from the ones who are close to me.
I echo my father's words over the weekend, that "whatever has been said and done is over. Past is past and we should be helping each other solve this once and for all". Very well said, if only the concerned people can hear.
They promised me, but did not deliver.
Who is on my side? No one.
Meantime the best way to escape is to run away from the problem. Literally run. I did that this morning and tonight, I might just do it again.
Just to be able to sleep well.
I hope they read this. I am innocent but treated as if I did wrong.
Where is justice in this life?
What happened to honesty?
To family?
I just keep telling myself that this will be over soon and I will be able to rest.
I no longer have faith, and I am condemed by those who are supposed to support me.
I don't care, I'll just keep trying everyday for as long as I can....

Alone?

There are days in your life when you feel great. And there are days that suck. Yesterday topped them all.

In my efforts to solve a year long problem caused by my brother, I ended up making a wrong turn. I consider the move a made a wrong turn in the eyes of those who were affected but to me I thought of it more as teamwork where together everyone is supposed to achieve more.

Based on the response I got, I believe nothing will be achieved so I tried seeking advice from close friends only to get unanswered calls that I hope will be returned soon.

So there I was all alone with no one to extend a helping hand or a kind word of advice.

Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I called my wife and told her that I was on my way home to talk to her about the problem.

I got home early yesterday only to see her on her way out. While waiting, I put on my running gear and did 5 fast laps out of 10 and decided to call it a day. It cleared my mind, and while I was at it, it gave me the thought of not quitting and finding a solution for peace of mind's sake.

I woke up this morning only to hear more bad news. But I was determined to pursue my own plan today with the help of my wife.

Sometimes I keep telling my self that this will be over soon. Good or bad, it will end and I will be able to get my much needed rest hopefully in the company of my wife and kids.

Sometimes we feel alone because we look for happiness elsewhere forgetting the fact that the people you love are just there waiting for you to tell them about your bad day.

Last night my son lent me his iPod so I could listen to his newly downloaded tunes and it helped me relax a bit. While my youngest son was watching me savor the music, my wife's arms were wrapped around me.

I was not alone, and I think I never will be.

The Beginning of Greater Rides

I am posting for the first time this year. After reading my last post, I want everyone who reads this to know that great rides have not ended but have lead to the beginning of even greater rides.

My love for the sport exceeds my hate for past events. I can't say wounds have healed, but I can say I easily forget and mountain biking is the best solution for you to forget your problems, whatever they are.

In restrospect, last year was a good year for me, my family and my friends. For business, it was a lot better than the previous year. For my home, we just had a new room done, and 4 new members added to my family of 7. So we're now 12 in all.

I also bought a new Vespa and there are a lot of opportunities that lie ahead.

There is a problem though, a big one that I still have to solve, with a deadline to boot coming in a few days.

Since my new year's resolution is to think positive. Life is shortso enjoy the ride, I say I just have to deal with it.

One of my main goals for this year is to REST. I need a break, a break from all of this. Work, money, exercise, and a host of other things one can't do without.

I have also made a vow to spend more time alone : go to the spa, window shop, listen to my favorite tunes while sipping coffee, or talking long walks around the city.

Last but not the least is to spend more time with the kids. I've actually done that during the Christmas break but there are better ways of spending time with them. Doing something simple, quiet, intimate like the time we went to the beach last summer snorkling the whole day, feeding the fish.

Hope I will be able to take a step back soon. Re-energize and take on whatever comes my way this year.