FROM PARIS TO PLASTER OF PARIS

Being a very active person, is how I lead my life. I wake up between 4:30 to 5:00 am feeling vibrant, ready to start a brand new day by running, and complimenting it with swimming twice a week with friends. When the time permits, I would catch the 6:00 or 6:30 am mass or attend the services in the afternoon. 

When I get home, I would go to my laptop to post my running and swimming activities at the DAILY MILE web site. It is on this site that I record my time, my activities and how I felt doing them.  Even during my travels, I would find the time to exercise and log on the site and post my activities.  This is something I look forward to doing every day.


On October 1 my friends and I headed for the trail run event that we registered for.  We regularly join running events every weekend.  But this was an event I did not expect to end in a very different way.  It was an adventure in the life of my running career.  I ended up with an injury.  I reached the finish line of the race assisted by the race marshals because I accidentally twisted my left foot, causing some pain as I tried to continue the run.  

“C’est La vie” was what I would say.  My doctor and good friend Dr. Lumapas found a minor fracture on the small bone of my ankle which required it to be in a cast. I carefully followed to the dot the instructions given to me on how to nurse the fracture on the left leg. This was one time when I gave my full attention to listen intently on what osteoporosis is and why I am prone to it especially during my golden years.


This experience made me realize the world around me.  Small things are just as important as the big things. Minor occurrences and needs are just taken for granted.  Suddenly, I have to plan my movements around the house to give my helpers instructions on the duties for the day.  I maximize the use of the house intercom which I used to ignore at times because I preferred to walk to the kitchen to talk to the helpers.  I even have to plan my trips to the toilet and have to be assisted in taking a bath.  I have to plan ahead on which gate in the mall to enter to make sure that the store I will be visiting is conveniently accessible.  I choose a restaurant that does not require a long walk.  I terribly miss my window shopping activities.  Now, I only shop when it is very necessary.  I recently gave up a trip to Paris this month as the doctor advised me against it to give the bone a chance to completely heal.  Not getting to attend social activities was also something I had to take into consideration.  But most of all, not being able to do my running , and enjoying it with my running buddies is something I truly miss at this time of my life.  I keep telling myself I will be back soon at my best.

 I accept the situation I am in.  I do not fret about it because I know this will soon be over.  I will soon be back to my normal, exciting and busy life that I lead.  This is just a minor injury and God wants to convey to me to slow down a bit.

I love what I am doing.  I do not look at it as a task, whether this is related to my personal or work activities.  But there comes a time in one’s life when things happen for a reason.  I learn from it and gain wisdom from all the humbling experiences of my exciting life. 

 My First Trail Run Experience

We joined several running events, but my friends Robert and Hope wanted to experience doing something different. The trail run was something we thought would be a great experience. Admittedly I was so clueless of the event details.  Since my running group registered, I agreed to join. 

My trainers,Christy and Kenken Tutor, were with me in Barangay Budla-an,  a remote area in Talamban.

The race started about 6:00 am. Kenken Tutor paced with me. The starting route was already challenging as it was an uphill run. Then as we went further, we had more climbing to do. I told Kenken to just pull me as we were going up. I kept reflecting on myself as I was going through the challenging trail. I recalled doing this in my younger days and wondered how I ended up doing it in my golden years. I felt tired at times but I would shout out my emotions and was still determined to finish the race.

 

Kenken and I were enjoying the run, as we went through the easy and challenging trails. The 2 kilometers long creek that we passed was a big treat to us as it cooled our bodies as we went through it. We just decided to take our time, take some photos and admired the scenery.

As we were in the last leg of our run, we passed a relatively flat terrain.  Exhaustion caught up with me and my foot tripped.  I found myself flat on my back with my head hanging over the slope.  Kenken and Robert were there to help me.  The marshals came to my rescue and with their help I slowly hopped on a motorbike which brought me to the finish line. 

I got  frustrated that I did not get to finish the run, but I consoled myself that things happen for a reason. 

My ankle got swollen, so to give me peace of mind, I decided to have it checked with my doctor Doki Lumapas. Unfortunately, the x- ray showed a small fracture of my ankle. Without further discussion he said that I will have to be in a cast for the next six weeks. I asked him again if he was joking but he was very emphatic that he had to wrap my left leg.

I could not believe his statement, I wanted to cry when it dawned on me that he was serious. 

In the end, I accepted the situation and comforted myself that six weeks is not a long time.  What’s the fuss, I’ll still continue living a normal life. 

Now that my left leg is in a cast, a lot of the things came across my mind.  I will not be able to exercise for 6 weeks and I will gain weight!  I also have a number of trips scheduled. Will I be fit to travel or not?  Should I continue attending meetings as well as social activities?   Suddenly I could not even plan my activities as this was dependent on the healing of my foot.   I did not get discouraged at all. I asked myself what the universe is trying to tell me!

God only knows and all I can say is C’EST LA VIE.

WE LOVE SINGAPORE

It was after Miki's graduation from law school that I decided to take the family to Singapore. So off I went with Chichi, Carlo, Miki and Leah and Monica. This was the perfect time to get them all together before they venture into a new phase in their lives.

We love the place we stayed in, Festive Hotel. It's a property meant for families. Leah had the time of her life sleeping with Tita Monica on the bunk bed. The room had a queen size bed, a bunk bed and a sofa that could be converted into another bed. The hotel is part of the complex, Resort's World . It is walking distance to Universal Studios and it is just a tram ride away to go to one of the biggest and newest shopping mall in the city, Vivo City. If you have been to Singapore a number of times, the Resort's World in Sentosa Island is a new place worth looking into.

I never fail to check the running trail of the area. I enjoyed doing my running activity as I admired the rising sun, giant plants , colorful flowers and trees of sentosa island. I spotted a squirrel, peacock and some colorful birds along the way. It was a breathtaking sight to run around.

Sentosa Island is a great place to explore with so many activities to do. We practically needed a whole day to go around. During our short stay, we were able to visit the Underwater World, Butterfly Park and watched the dolphin show at the Dolphin Lagoon.

Universal Studios is an exciting theme park to bring the family to. Although the weather was hot, we still enjoyed watching the shows, the kids experiencing the thrill rides and taking Leah to some friendly rides which she enjoyed as well.

I always look forward to family bonding as they are priceless moments that I will treasure forever.

Photo credits - Monica Villarica