by Ayumi Mizuno
I am not a fan of exercise or sports. If you know me, this probably does not come as a surprise. I do enjoy walking and stretching using an exercise ball, but the only sport I have ever willingly tried is bouldering - and that is about it. Throughout my life, I have done my best to avoid anything involving physical activity - gym class, sports festivals, and any other sports-related events.
But after coming to Edmonton, I ran into something I could not escape: cross-country skiing.
Before moving here, I spent six years in Hokkaido, Japan - a place famous for its heavy powder snow, where people from all over the country and abroad come to ski. And yet, I never once tried skiing. Not even once. Even when invited, I always found a way to politely say no.
So, when Losia first invited me to go cross-country skiing, I seriously regretted never giving it a shot back then. Even trying it once would have helped.
My first time? Honestly, I spent the whole time thinking, Why am I doing this? And afterward, I thought, once is more than enough. Then, the second time came. I was told we were going for a “walk in the snow,” but when I showed up - surprise! - it was cross-country skiing again. And somehow, we ended up on an advanced trail. I wanted to cry.
But the third time... it finally felt fun. The endless snowy fields stretching out before me, the quiet, the fresh air - it was actually peaceful. For the first time, I did not fall even once. I owe a lot to Losia, who patiently and kindly taught me, even when I struggled!
Now, I think I might actually enjoy cross-country skiing. Part of me even thinks I might actually choose to go again next time.
I am not a fan of exercise or sports. If you know me, this probably does not come as a surprise. I do enjoy walking and stretching using an exercise ball, but the only sport I have ever willingly tried is bouldering - and that is about it. Throughout my life, I have done my best to avoid anything involving physical activity - gym class, sports festivals, and any other sports-related events.
But after coming to Edmonton, I ran into something I could not escape: cross-country skiing.
Before moving here, I spent six years in Hokkaido, Japan - a place famous for its heavy powder snow, where people from all over the country and abroad come to ski. And yet, I never once tried skiing. Not even once. Even when invited, I always found a way to politely say no.
So, when Losia first invited me to go cross-country skiing, I seriously regretted never giving it a shot back then. Even trying it once would have helped.
My first time? Honestly, I spent the whole time thinking, Why am I doing this? And afterward, I thought, once is more than enough. Then, the second time came. I was told we were going for a “walk in the snow,” but when I showed up - surprise! - it was cross-country skiing again. And somehow, we ended up on an advanced trail. I wanted to cry.
But the third time... it finally felt fun. The endless snowy fields stretching out before me, the quiet, the fresh air - it was actually peaceful. For the first time, I did not fall even once. I owe a lot to Losia, who patiently and kindly taught me, even when I struggled!
Now, I think I might actually enjoy cross-country skiing. Part of me even thinks I might actually choose to go again next time.
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