Not All Pains Are Created Equal

When I was about 12 or 13, my Taekwondo coach always shouted, NO PAIN, NO GAIN! IF IT DOESN'T HURT, IT DOESN'T COUNT!

So the me, who thought that 50 curl ups were enough, had to aim 50 more after the muscles started to hurt.

The me, who thought that 1km run was enough, had to run more lapses after my muscles started to hurt

The me, who thought I was doing a good job because my muscles wasn't sore the day after training, actually was being lazy because I wasn't training enough to make my body hurt like hell.

That's the time I learned to chase pain, and trust it.
And this mentality got me into a series of visits to the hospital later in life.

After graduating college, I got into hiking. I wanted to cross off as many mountains as I can, as soon as weekends permitted. I jogged regularly after work, and wouldn't stop until I feel pain - from my legs, my knees, etc.

Until one day, the pain wasn't disappearing.
And it got worse to the point that it was so painful just doing normal tasks like walking or standing.

And so happened my first visit to a hospital, the doctor told me I abused my knees. My running form (heel hits ground first) was incorrect so my knees were absorbing too much impact regularly.

"Quit hiking, try swimming instead. It's a low impact sport," the doctor said.

I was so shocked. I regained myself after a brief pause and asked, "No hiking? like 1 week, 2 weeks? 1 month?" This was at a time when I was seriously considering joining UP Mountaineers. I was heartbroken!

I went back to the doctor, and told him I'll do whatever he says except quit hiking forever. His only parting word was, "stop when there is pain." I was then put on knee rehab for 2 months. 

Immediately after my rehab, I went for a major hike 😅

My first hike after undergoing therapy

It was successful! This was the first time I became conscious of my body, of how much stress it can take, and how much is enough. I stopped treating mountains like a checklist to finish, and instead treated it as a place to marvel, appreciate, learn, and take care of.

Unfortunately, my knee pains returned with revenge 😂 so I had to take a hiatus from hiking. And until now I normally avoid full packs and major hikes too to avoid aggravating my knee pains. because I've become such a tita

While taking a break from hiking, I tried freediving! Freediving is diving under water in one breathe hold.

I was initially terrified because my first time diving in open water was during the habagat season - the current was strong, visibility was poor, and I was freezing! I was hospitalized after the first time I tried it because I got a flu. I ended up coughing blood for some time :(

It took me almost 6 months to have the guts to try again! So much help and thanks to my dive buddies - Larrel, Angelica, Jack, Anne, Jhon. Huhuhu <3.

Unfortunately on my last dive, I made the same mistake of not heeding to the pain, which resulted to a sinus squeeze on my warm up dive 😢 It was my first ever nose bleed, and it was damn crazy! SO. MUCH. BLOOD. FLOWING. OUT. OF. MY. NOSE.

Good thing Wei and Mikey were there to explain what was going on. They were so professional and caring at the same time. I was telling myself I handled it calmly until my dive buddies pointed that I cussed OMIGOSH MILLION TIMES while in the water 😂

Mikey reminded me that I shouldn't feel any pain at all when diving.

No. Pain. At. All.

If there is pain, I must be doing something wrong, or maybe something in my body is not at its optimal level, and so I should go back up to the surface and try to check what might have caused it. But I shouldn't push through and let the pain be.

This principle is just so different from the no pain no gain mentality that my coach back in High School taught me.

It seems that,

Not all pains are created equal,
Some pains are meant to be endured, for us to grow stronger.
Some pains are meant as warning, for us to listen and heed to. 
And some pains are not worth it (Hala, ano yun? HAHAHA)

In short, wag tayong manhid mga besh 😂

Epilogue

I visited the hospital today because it's almost 2 months since my last dive, and I wanted assurance that I can dive again. Unfortunately, the doctor told me I can't dive yet, and take some meds first because there is mucus in both my middle ear, and that my sinuses are still very swollen - even if I do not feel pain anymore, and even if I can equalize properly now.

Guys, even when there is no pain, still have yourself checked after any unwanted episodes - just to be very sure!

Guess, I'll stick to biking for now :)

May the universe take care of us, and may we take care of it in return.

See you on the road, peak, or reef!
Tita Arlet