Weekend Gold Rush : Balancing Work, Play, and Victory!

The last weekend overflowed with enthusiasm, energy, and victory as our district celebrated our Sports Meet Competition. Hundreds of athletes from different schools came together to seize opportunities to rise and unleash the champion within them. As I was watching the young athletes whose eyes were gleaming with excitement to finally show their athletic skills and win reminded me of my athletic days too. But now, things are different because I've traded in my athlete shoes for a coach's hat guiding and supporting my athletes.😉😍

With the festive and sporty environment, I couldn't help but feel great. I felt awesome. I felt excited too and couldn't resist imagining our wins! No, Not imagining. Rather. Manifesting our victory.

The sports fest was a blast with so many events! From Individual sports such as athletics and board games, Team sports such as volleyball, takraw, basketball and badminton to hardcore action, the intense sparring events which are Taekwondo and Arnis. The event I participated in as a coach? The jumping Event.

On a personal note, I soooo look forward to this weekend rolling around. It's like a perfect ice breaker of having a long week crammed with tasks and activities. Students are eagerly counting down the days too, ready to take a much-needed break from their academic hustle.

The event kicked off with a lively parade of the DLC (Drum and Lyre Corps), the athletes, and the coaches. It was extremely hot but no one seemed to mind the sun’s beating heat. Instead, the atmosphere was even hyped up with everyone geared up and ready to play on the field!

After the short opening program, we all dispersed to our designated sports events. It had been a while since we last had our sports meet, so this one made me super excited (through the roof!) because not only that I was coaching the Jumping Event (covering Running Long Jump, Triple Jump, and Standing Long Jump) but I also had the additional thrill of being one of the Officer in officiating the event. Double fun and excitement! - It was a sports weekend like no other!

The Jumping Event Venue.

Among all the Sports events of our district, Jumping is my favorite as this is always held in the seashore, for this year it is held in Tagasa Public Beach. I've always yearned to integrate a bit of travel or soak in some natural view while at work. Being a classroom teacher, this isn't something I get every day. So, having this opportunity once in a while gives me that amazing Cloud9 feeling.

We were the earliest birds when we reached the venue. The peaceful view of the beach was what welcomed us. The humble beach was serene and relaxing but believe me, I could almost hear the nervous heartbeats of my athletes. Haha!

I advised my athletes to make the most of our early arrival by practicing and getting familiar with the jumping pit before the crowd got in. Meanwhile, I took advantage of my spare time by strolling along the beach. It was a bit of preparation mixed with a dash of beachside tranquility!

It’s been a while since I last visited a beach. The past few weeks had been very busy and draining. In between work, I often myself daydreaming about heading to the beach for some much-needed break. And here I am now! finally getting that beach time I've been craving! Yeaayy!

While my athletes were taking their time perfecting their jumps. I found myself more immersed on the beach with every step I took on the sand. The colorful fishing boats of the locals seem to give me energy and the calm blue beach soothes my mind. I could feel the instant therapy. Oh, How I love to swim! I’ll definitely go to the beach this coming weekend! Grrr! Can't wait!

Jump for Gold!!

The sun at this time was blazing hot yet the athletes appeared unfazed by the scorching heat of the sun. The jumping event was participated by 10 of the respective schools in our municipality, each of them sending 2 athletes. The sun may have been hot, but the enthusiasm of the athletes was even hotter!

I was in charge of tallying the score and the other officers handled the crucial task of measuring and closely monitoring where each athlete landed.

The athletes were given their warm-up and trial jumps before the real competition commenced. I told my athletes to just enjoy and be consistent with their jumps and their landing positions. One wrong move could lead to a deduction. To boost their confidence, I assured them that they have potential compared to the other athletes whom we saw were practicing earlier. Hehe. Truthfully, all of the athletes were top-notch because they were all winners from their school. Silently, I prayed that my student would give their highest jump and their very best shot!

I was all eyes on every athlete who took their jumps! We had the triple long jump first, followed by the running long jump and the standing long jump. The competition was hot and so with the weather!

The athletes were truly giving their best and performed the highest and longest jump of their lives! I was nervous and happy looking at my athletes as they were just enjoying the competition while doing their best. They even make friends with the other athletes and I am proud to watch them as a coach.

It was a tight competition! The athletes’ jumps were incredibly close to each other. But in the end, there emerged only one winner in each category. And guess what! We clinched victory! Kyle won the two categories (Standing and Running Long jump) while Johlean secured the spot! Overall our school won two Gold medals for jumping events, and 2 silver medals!

I found myself jumping during the announcement. I was beyond happy and proud of my boys! Winning meant more than just medals; it meant the opportunity to represent our district at the Provincial Level in Argao! And you know what that means—another place to travel! Grrr! The anticipation is already building, and I can't wait for the next adventure! Yeaaayy!

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That's it for our Goldy weekend! A weekend of work and play! Thank you so so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed it! I wish you all safe and well always.

Don't forget to smile often!😍😘🤗