A New Sport Unlocked
I haven't gone to the gym in three months since I injured my lower back from trying to beat my personal record with a deadlift, and since then, the only sport I've done was basketball, it's rather a comfort sport for me, and ever since I always have a love for a different type of sports available, about a month ago in one of our basketball games I've met with a friend I notice how huge his body has been since I've last seen him and ask him if he's been hitting the gym or something, which he then told me "No". This got me curious I asked further what he does, and he said he's been doing water sports for a while and dropped all his vices and just enjoyed the game when I asked him what it was.
"dragon boat racing..."
In my head, I went back to the time I first saw a dragon boat team in Singapore training in Marina Bay, and I thought to myself "Damn these guys are totally in sync. I wonder how can one join something like that. I wonder how much training you should one do to be able to be a part of a team like that". As blazing desire got into me, I instantaneously ask my friend if I can join them if there was any fee to join them in training, where do they train, and what do I need to do to join them? and he casually just responded, "Are you sure? Yes, you can join us, it's free, but if you want to be a part of the team, that's the only time you'll be paying for a membership, but yes you can join our training".
That was the first time I asked him but I wasn't able to follow through, after a week I saw him again, and again, asked him, at this point, I can see him doubting what I'm saying, not just being a Man of my words but this time I'm serious that I'm actually joining him on his next training. It was July 16th when I told him I'll be joining him the next Sunday and coming July 23rd, I woke up at 2 in the morning and met with him at 3:00 AM, and went to Manila Bay for the training.
That was the first time I asked him but I wasn't able to follow through, after a week I saw him again, and again, asked him, at this point, I can see him doubting what I'm saying, not just being a Man of my words but this time I'm serious that I'm actually joining him on his next training. It was July 16th when I told him I'll be joining him the next Sunday and coming July 23rd, I woke up at 2 in the morning and met with him at 3:00 AM, and went to Manila Bay for the training.
Understanding the Challenges Presented
On our way to the location as a newbie in this sport, which I really didn't do my due diligence, I literally have zero ideas how it was going to be and was expecting the worst case possible but as always, I am hopeful for the best outcome. All I have in mind, is I'm gonna do it anyway. No excuses.
"What monkey sees, monkey do."
I don't know how anybody would respond to something like this, but for me, I just accept this kind of challenge as excitement stirs more than fear. For me, it's a test of my own resilience physically and mentally, pushing myself beyond my limits. As we reached our destination, one by one I met with the members of the team, it was still dark and all I can see is a dark silhouette figure of men and women who seem very experienced and confident with what we were about to do. Showing intimidation at this point would be stupidity so as with arrogance of pretending I know shit about this, and so I just humbly stayed quiet and just follow and do what they would do.
We started off with some warm-up exercises after 30 minutes we set foot on the dirty waters of Manila Bay (which you can see in the photo above). We picked up some Lifevest and Oarwood Paddle and one by one we sat on a rocking boat. My friend, who promised to teach me the "how's" well, all he said was "Yes, just follow their lead and do the paddling just how they do it. To everyone, that is some tough-love gangsta teaching right there. 🤣 but I'm not about to bitch out and complain, good thing one of my best skills, ADAPTABILITY, for some reason I am used to be able to do things the way I see it, it's like a Sharingan technique(that is a reference from an Anime series).
Anyway, so I did. The first time a was able to stroke, I was on the Right side of the boat, which I shouldn't be since I'm a lefty, but doing it on the left felt really weird, so I just stayed on the right side. I easily gas out and feel my arms easily getting numb, which definitely indicates that I'm a weak-ass bitch compared to them! 🤣 Which is fine it was my first time, and first day, so who gives a shit? We stayed in the water for an hour practicing our strokes pair by pair, group by group until we did it with full force as a whole unit and so that ends my Day 1, the following day my arms, core, and back was sore as fuck and it felt like a bus just hit me really hard. My friend called asking if I wanted to join the Tuesday training, I said, I have to sit this one out, and needed to recover, and days after that a storm hit the Philippines and the training schedules sadly were halted, we had to wait until it passes out.
Recollection Sunday
After the storm passed out, we reunited again, and we have more paddlers than the first time I trained with them, new faces, and new friends, we were all glad we were able to train already. On this day, I seated on the left side of the boat, trying to work on the strokes the right way (since I'm a lefty), it really felt awkward at first but slowly tried to get the hang of it, and aside from that I know to myself I need to work on my breathing and part of having this sports as part of my current routine, I have stopped smoking cigarettes and actually sleeping earlier than usual, which is one of the best things I got out of this experience.
Stepping out of the comfort zone
For everyone to understand this statement, If I rode the boat with them, bitch out and complain, then I am just an excess baggage, instead of an asset, I'm just an excess weight if I do not help me, then I don't help them at all.
It is a mutual understanding, that if I want to grow, then I must learn to grow as they have, I must learn to endure the pain and struggles of the training itself and that's just as plain as that. No excuses, whatsoever. I chose to join them, then I must. I just have to trust them as much as they trust me. progress isn't overnight and that's just factual and I must trust the process.
Striving for greatness
LETS'S FUCKING GO!!!
You see in this game, a lot doesn't matter. It doesn't matter what your age is, your gender, or where you're from. The only thing matters is you need to stroke, not by yourself, you need to be in sync with your team, you need to trust your Captain, and most of all you need to trust yourself that you can actually do it.
I have only been doing the training 5 times, and I can already see the development with my self, the discipline of waking up as early as 2 in the morning for training, eating the right way, increasing my protein, losing my vices, and the mindset of winning. I've learned that there is an upcoming competition for September and October, so we're all training for that. Well, to be honest, I'm not really sure if I can get to join them, due to my experience, and the only thing that can determine that is if I continue to push myself further and be stronger not just for myself but for my teammates. Hopefully, I can be an asset to them. So far, I have still adapted further so I can truly be one with them. Nothing else to do but to keep on working for it.
A Journey for Personal Growth
I have always believed that the only way to be better is to keep walking the road of life, reality will present itself as it wants it to be, and for now, this is my reality, a collective consciousness, and beings that have been brought to me to teach me the path and opportunity that I can be. Some, probably think they can't do this kind of thing, or they don't need it, or say they do not have time for this kind of thing. I would say, at least try, try it out, doesn't matter if it's dragon boating, running, basketball, wall climbing, swimming, and so on. Any form of sport or physical activity can give you as much clarity as you need in daily waking life. If all you think is work, if all you think is money, tell me how is your life any better? Are you truly enjoying it? Or do you have more complaints than ever?
I really hope everyone sees the most important things about why we are here, I hope everyone sees the goodness in life, the people around us exist for a reason, and life is just a game, and I'm sure you'll gladly disagree with me, but I could care less, I live mine to the fullest, I just hope you do too, Your money ain't worth shit if you don't get to enjoy it fool. 😉
PEACE!
Disclaimer: All photos and videos used on this post are property of sensiblecast and Onslaught Racing Dragon and I am authorized to use for presentation purposes.
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