ASH ESTREMADURA.

• summary
• Excerpts
• podcasts

Ashtar Estremadura often goes by the nickname "Ash". She is a 21-year-old Veterinary Medicine student. Ash was initially studying in UP Manila, and had taken circuit training there. This had developed her love for the exercise, and she now regularly works our following multiple circuit training regimens. She also goes on semi-regular 20km hikes up the Makiling trail.

" Everything you lose is a step you take."

My Short-term Goals
1. To regularly work out 4 times a week.
2. To hike on the Makiling Trail every week.
3. To add cardio to my work out regimen.My Long-term Goals
1. To not lose breath/struggle less with 40km hikes.
2. To run or jog continuously when hiking 20km.
3. To develop arm strength enough to life more than twice my weight.

• summary.
• biography.
• podcasts.

Excerpt 1: Overcoming Obstacles War has an interesting way of affecting lives thousands of miles away from battlefields. As if held in an eternal simmer, conflict bubbles right underneath the surface of seemingly peaceful lives. This is how I feel about the oft-ignored and forcibly silenced genocide of Palestinians. A conflict that has been raging on longer than I have lived, a conflict that I hadn’t enough consciousness to be aware of for most of my life. It bothers me often, How I could ever have been blind to this; until I realized how this had been raging on while I was growing up. It starts a rage at that point, a fuel that keeps me running until I reach something, anything that can prove there is an answer. It drives me that I am not the only one: beside me there are hundreds and thousands of people who haven’t given up, who have fought, have been fighting: who are only now ready to fight.

In the short while I have been fighting, I have heard of many who were forcibly taken, whose glory was cut short by those who choose every day to usurp, ravage, and steal. One of the heroes the world refuses to acknowledge is Rachel Corrie. Not that different from myself or other students, Rachel was a college student who believed that the bloodshed done by Israel was selfish and needless. She did what those in power were afraid to do, what they refused to do in conflict of interest. She fought for those who were belittled and treated like animals. She defended those who were thrown out of their homes in the name of a supposed theological claim to a land they weren’t born.For this, they took her away. Underfoot a combat “defensive” bulldozer, by militants who claim they never saw her. By crooks who were left unpunished by every judicial system for their crime. It is this blatant abuse of power that both enrages and devastates me, but in the moments when I feel there is nothing we can do, I do look to Rachel Corrie. Despite the criminals’ lack of judgment, every single person who hears of Rachel’s case sees her; they hear her, and they see the injustice. They see a bit more of the truth behind all the propaganda.

There is a word I find apt: posterity. Simply put, it is a word for “all future generations”, and in this case, I feel this is exactly who Rachel Corrie has managed to impact. Despite our struggles seeming futile in the face of dismissive court systems and corrupt state leaders, Rachel has managed to overcome their barriers and reach for future generations. Her story has radicalized and opened the eyes of so many: something that they can never shut down as easily as they wish. Her bravery, her beliefs, and her fight; everything has been recorded for posterity. And so shall our fight and our struggle. It will never be useless for the simple reason that we are never fighting alone; we are bridges that eternally connect heroes until this conflict is over. I find it heartbreaking that Rachel died the same year I was born, and the fact that what she was struggling for then is something that millions remain to struggle for today, is devastating. But from Rachel Corrie to hundreds of other girls her story reached before me, and the thousands it will reach after: we will continue to fight for what is right. Eventually, all barriers will be overcome. It is only a matter of time.If you are interested in learning more about Rachel Corrie, read here:

• Rachel Corrie

Excerpt 2: The Scavenger Hunt While it is not exactly the moment pictured above, I am very proud to report that our quaint little group have hosted a scavenger hunt (or put simply, a game of "Bring Me")! It was hosted over Zoom and seemed enjoyable to our classmates.If the event had continued to be face-to-face as planned, our group would have been ready to host a very game-like round of circuit training! The first game of which was to be Tunnel Crawl! Members of the participating group would form a human tunnel by doing a forward bend (arms stretched out with palms on the ground level while on tiptoe). One member will crawl through the human tunnel and get out as quickly as possible, and the last person forming the tunnel would then take their turn crawling. It would have been a great exercise for speed and muscular strength.The second game was to be Blob Tag! It proceeds at the start much like any other game of tag, but there is a twist: each tagged contestant will hold onto the tagger, creating a “blob” of tagged players. As a collective, they will continue to tag the remaining players until all players have been tagged and are part of the blob! An exciting test of speed and cardiovascular endurance.The last game would have been a centipede race! The players form a line by sitting down, placing both of their feet between the thighs of the person in front of them. This creates a "human centipede" formation where everyone is connected. To win, players must use their agility and coordination to move forward as a unit! A great way to sharpen agility and coordination! All of these games are ones that I'd like to do one day!

Excerpt 3: Cramps and the Importance of Proper Physical Exercise! Cramps are things I am sure most of the world's population have experienced. The pain level from cramps can range from minor inconveniences to debilitating pain: as I can certainly confirm!They are sudden, involuntary, and often painful contraction of a muscle. They are often felt in the legs, feet, abdomen, and arms; characterized by a tightening sensation accompanied by sharp pain that can significantly restrict movement. Cramps typically resolve on their own within seconds or minutes, but the discomfort can definitely be debilitating at the moment.I am not sure exactly what triggers these cramps, as it seems anything from stretching too long or not strathcing at all can cause them! It seems overexertion, straining, dehydration, or even holding a position for too long can all lead to cramps. As such, we must take care of to avoid them however we can! A few simple ways include remaining well hydrated, maintaining a healthy diet, propercrly warming up before strenous exercises, and cooling down your muscles after! This involves gradually increasing the duration and intensity of your physical activity so as to not overwhelm the muscles! Other things to avoid include prolonged sitting or standing, improper footwear, High-stress levels, wxtreme hot temperatures and alcohol and drug use!