" was(were)" and the present participle is used to express an action going on during a certain time in the past;
It is often used to indicate an action was going on (background) at a time when something else (foreground) happened.The new action is expressed by the simple past tense;which you should be learnt to write,eg:-
As I was participating in a (game) activity last Friday, I was involved in many things.
As I was participating in an activity last Friday, I did(=took part in) many things.
(in the activity)should not be repeated.