Wednesday Walk: From Strolls to Strides

Hello guys, it's @milesinverse once again.

I had been planning to do some physical activities to improve my health for a while. It's such a shame that I never had a companion near my home, so jogging or going to the gym was continually postponed. Meanwhile, I had a friend residing in Liloan who had made it her routine to jog, so I decided to go with her, and she agreed!

Last Wednesday, I took a break from my usual daily routine of lying in bed at home. My friend and I met at 7-Eleven Yati, Liloan, for our jog. It was agreed that I should arrive at precisely 4 pm, but as usual, I was late. I came at least 20 minutes late. It's a good thing that she was used to my late arrivals. And so, for our warm-up, we began our journey at 7-Eleven. It was a perfect time for a walk without the sun's burning heat and with the calm wind caressing our skins.

As we started walking, we passed by numerous people since we were in a busy area. There was a department store and public stall markets. Afterward, we were greeted with the familiar sights of residential houses, gasoline stations, and business establishments, with the occasional sound of vehicles zipping by.

Walking to Liloan Memorial Park took us about 20 minutes. Along the way, we chatted about random topics, mainly gossiping and shared laughter. We were mindful of our surroundings so we wouldn't stumble past the sidewalks and go to the road. We wouldn't want accidents to happen, would we?

When we arrived, I admired myself since I was committed to my sedentary lifestyle. Walking that long without losing my breath felt like an achievement. As we went inside, we briefly admired the scenery we stumbled upon. Manila Memorial Park is a cemetery, but it's often one of the jogging sites for numerous people because it's spacious and the landscaping is just beautiful. There are multiple trees, and it's not difficult to find shade at all. Various plants and bushes are found in the place, adding a vibrant shade of green. I also liked the atmosphere; it was peaceful and quiet. The well-maintained paths allowed us to stretch our legs a little more, so we finally decided to jog.

When I jogged, I felt that my mood began to lighten. My mind was always in a mess, with random thoughts circling around, which stressed me out. At that time, my mind was calming down as I allowed myself to take in the surroundings. I was listening to the sound of my heartbeat, the rhythmic footsteps, the rustling leaves and the chirping birds in the background.

Jogging around the park felt invigorating. The open space and fresh air were rejuvenating. When we had jogged for 7 kilometers, we slowed down to catch our breaths, and I was bewildered when I suddenly shouted. I was embarrassed, but then I remembered that I knew of many people who shouted while having their runs, so it's natural, right?

This was truly a day well-spent. I hope we get our free time soon for another jog!