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I get angry whenever my uncle brings up the discussion of how I performed during my primary school days. I had the worst bow legs when I was small which was so obvious to people, thank God everything became perfectly shaped as I grow up. During those days when we were called out for PE (physical education) training, I was always placed in the running group because they believed with my condition, I can run at a speed rate than a normal being who has no bow leg.
My uncle would explain how he would sit and watch me while laughing hysterically when I started to run because, to him, my legs were like a car tyre running at full speed when in motion. Even though it turned into a laughing mood, I still would get mad at him trying to mock my situation then. He said once the whistle was blown, I don't look back again until I reached the last lane which was a great one. Well, I always carry the first or second position, all thanks to my bow legs that don't stop in motion.
I guess I was always in my lane and wouldn't try getting onto another and this I would say helped me till today. You cannot see or find me putting my mouth in what doesn't concern me unless I am asked to. I try my best to stay in my lane and not cross the boundary because I know the disaster it would bring at the end which is like an embarrassment and shame.
I became so fond of running in school and it made me popular, while people wonder if my legs don't pain or hurt. Once I was asked how I felt while running, I would say "fine" because I don't feel any pain. I think it was a natural thing and how I was given birth to. It was always a surprise to people when they see my legs twisting inside the other but it doesn't make me fall. Perhaps if you had watched me then, that alone would entertain you 😉
I got to junior secondary school and changed my interest in the marching group. I love how those students would match accordingly while pushing their hands forward with their right and left legs. I became so interested and ran away from the running club. I attended a government school in Lagos state and we would always be out every Wednesday in preparation for inter-house sports. That moment was always entertaining because we don't need to sit for hours listening to our teachers or having to write or copy many notes from the chalkboard; it was always a free lecture day for all students.
My friends made PE fun as we decided to stay in the same Blue colour house. The blue house was always topping in every inter-house sport we held in my school and it was as if that house has been marked to always carry the first position.
PE taught me that work without play is unhealthy. At least a little work and a little play to settle our brains instead of tasking everyone without resting and taking a break. PE is a time when we put our body into the best place as we exercise to make us healthy. We feel rejuvenated when we are taken out to run, jog, skip, march, play games and so on.
Another memorable moment for me was when I taught in a private primary school. Sincerely, I had forgotten about those activities and how I enjoyed them until I and other teachers would call the pupils out. While they are been made to warm up by walking around in a queue while we instruct them on how to go, I flashback to how ours was done. Physical Education is a good and beneficial activity that helps a child's brain to function well and also to boost and improve mental health too. It was one of the best moments I enjoyed in high school and knowing how I did those activities was amazing to me because I was a student who never stayed behind without having anything to share about it. As an introvert, I never allowed that to limit me from not participating in these activities in school.