Was...And Always Will Be...

Last night, I was reminiscing about my swimming days. I've been a swimmer for the last five years and I have to say, I have been through a lot.

I could still remember in third grade that I would never dare go in the swimming pool if the water was above my waist. I had hydrophobia as a child (and mind you, I still do). I usually ended up sitting on the steps of pools. Mom sent me to Swim Tech (a swimming camp in school) in a plea to do away with my hydrophobia. It didn't go, but I wasn't that afraid of water after.

My brother then got in an exclusive team (which I would later be a part of), and I watched his practices and pretty soon fell in love with the sport. In a few months time, I was swimming right beside him.

My first competition was crap. I was very slow, but my coaches were amazing. They trained me well. Come the NOPPSCEA (a very important sporting event), I was good enough and reached the Provincial Meet (an event against other provinces). In the next year, I reached Regionals.

As I look back now, I wonder how I was able to pull it off. My training ran from four in the afternoon until eight in the evening on Mondays until Saturdays, plus a 6 am until 9 am practice on Saturday mornings. I was even at the top class of the batch and even managed to get accelerated (skip 7th grade).

I'm currently on the verge of hanging up my goggles and walking away from the competitions. I'm in my third year of high school and I need to focus on my studies to be able to go to a nice college.

Of course, swimming will not be completely out of my routine. It's hard to throw it all away after a memorable five year experience. It was a HUGE part of me and I think it always will be.