Adrian Tobias Villamil
AEROSPACE QUALITY ENGINEER
Running is essential for my weight loss. I never thought that I would learn so much about it as I always thought that running was one of the worst ways used as punishment. As I struggled with my depression and anxiety I was watching marathon and triathlon on tv and I asked myself, “Why not I give it a go?” So I did and I started loving it. Then the group of Triathlon Philippines saw me and Coach Chris Paragas opened my eyes to running as a meditation, a therapy for my precious time. It improved my running skills and I have realized my personal best.
As my progress went on, Coach Chris introduced me to the best sport of endurance which is triathlon. Then the pure joy started to appear, a way for myself to see my own strengths which I didn’t think I had. It taught me to explore the beautiful surroundings wherever I go. It has given me the focus that I lacked and the passion that I didn’t know existed. It made me realize that there are 2 choices in life, which is avoidance or acceptance. Then I became fully aware, as a matter of fact that I was avoiding what I was feeling for so long. That by avoiding my uncomfortable moments it is not going to help me grow and that it is not going to help me progress as a person. I thought this endurance sport will help me run away from my anxiety and depression but it actually made me face them, head on, without shortcut.
As my coach was pushing me to the limit, he knows that I have always wanted to become better, having the determination and the true grit to have the best result that I want. It is not an easy sport; I have ups and downs. Many times I thought of quitting but it seems that giving up on something I love so much is harder than the setbacks that I face and I will continue to face. That is when my emotions took over and the rest is history, and I never looked back.
The sense of this community and the friendships that they give me is so amazing. They organize the training sessions, encouraging everybody, even when there is a newbie. When you know why you are doing the training, you will have the freedom to fit your sessions into the group. More importantly, you will be in a better emotional and mental place, which will lead to an even greater performance, allowing you to become the best version of yourself.
