The Bull RAN

It was The Bull Run yesterday and this bull missed it.

No whining nor complaining from me though. This 2009, the brand new bull is choosing her races wisely. And, this Bull Run, despite winning best race name in my book (heehee), was one that I knew I could skip with a smile.

You see, by now, I already know that there are only two types of races in the country:

Races you absolutely cannot miss such as Adidas King of the Road or New Balance
Typical, garden variety road races that you can pass up because they’ll have the exact type of race next weekend, only in a different name

For me, The Bull Run fell under Category 2. With news of inconvenient registration procedures, I could barely muster up the energy to pick up a pen and fill in a reg form. Besides, my knee and I decided to rest and strengthen instead in hopes that I can run an easy 15k at next week’s Happy Run.

So, while most runners were at the not-so-very-well-organized PSE Bull Run (little birdies told me), I was out in the polo field running easy on oooh-la-la soft, green grass. My knees loved it so much that they didn’t complain at all, not a whimper. It was the first time I ran completely pain-free since Singapore Half! Woohoo! Now, that’s what I call a great Bull Run!

Posted on 01.19.09 to 01 Bullish Insights. Tags: Personal. Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 16 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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16 Responses to “The Bull RAN”

Yeah, the race was poorly organized. I guess that’s what we get for a race not organized by a runner.

Heck, I don’t think I even saw a map of the 10K route. And the singlet for men ran out?!?

One of the worst races I’ve run so far. I was worried for my wife – who ran her first 10K ever – getting swiped by mindless motorists, who could weave in and out of our path.

Can’t wait for the “Happy Run”. Now this one should be well-organized…

You’re a smart woman, TBR, for foregoing this PSE Run.

leaj23 said on Jan 19 09 at 1:01 PM Reply
Hi Ms. Bull Runner!

The Bald Runner blog really gave a comprehensive feedack on how the PSE Bull Run race was organized. I joined the 10k with my brother who was a first timer. Its a good thing you did not join. It was chaos at the registration in Tektite. I unfortunately got mad with the poor staff because I came back twice and gave them a piece of my mind — Good thing for me I work in Ortigas. I pity those who have to travel a long ways.

The race DID NOT start on time – which is a big nono for me. Also, Bald Runner was right in saying that there were these huge speakers pointed towards the runners at the assembly area which made us all deaf. Very Poor Indeed!

My brother and I planned a strong finishing kick from Essensa but unfortunately at the last turn, there was a long line. My brother had a vision of himself crossing the finish line like an olympic marathon runner with hands raised. Tsk. Tsk. Shame. And like the Bald Runner, I did not get a certificate.

To the organizers of PSE Bullrun, you can do better. As corporate people, organization should be like breathing. Please focus on the run — a concert is nice to have but if you fail on the fundamentals — no good.

More power to your site po! I always check it out. Hope your knees get well. See you at Happy Run.

Best,
RC

RC Tulio said on Jan 19 09 at 2:18 PM Reply
We thought you would do the Bull Run. It is always prudent to choose your races. We also skipped The Bull Run.

Running on soft surfaces is great.

We really wish they had more urban trails or even synthetic ttrails like the one we read about in one of the parks in Kuala Lumpur.

Regards Mark & Tiffin

m8parco said on Jan 19 09 at 2:44 PM Reply
it’s great you’re back to pain-free running! still, remember to take it easy and do your leg-strengthening exercises, before going back to full speed running

loonyrunner said on Jan 19 09 at 3:16 PM Reply
Hehe the bull runner missing the bull run

I’ve heard so many things about this race (ssshhhhh), I guess in the end it was better for us to be elsewhere (we were in TNF Trails) and yes you’re right we should definitely choose our battles, I mean, our races.

dhenztm said on Jan 19 09 at 4:36 PM Reply
Hi TBR,

Like you, I skipped the PSE Bull Run. Good thing, given the news. Instead, I joined the TNF Thrill of the Trail. The weather was perfect – cold air, wind blowing, clear air for a perfect view of the range and the sea; most importantly, no rain ergo no dreaded mud. The result: a satisfying 20 minutes improvement from last year’s muddy hell version (20k):-) Weather really spelled the difference (of course the running clinic of coach Rio helped a lot too)!

Ronnie

‘Hope condition of your knees continue to improve! Indeed, rest does wonders:-)

Ronnie Celestial said on Jan 19 09 at 9:02 PM Reply
yeah TBR i agree… but i did the race pa rin, kulit nga kasi eh. glad you were able to run pain free na. regards to knee and see you at the Happy Run.

kulitrunner said on Jan 19 09 at 9:29 PM Reply
I guess you should run on softer surfaces more often to avoid injuries and build up your strength. Polo fields, cemeteries, golf courses (sans de la Paz and Pangdawahtever), and ULTRA would be your safest alfternatives now. Go run!

prometheuscometh said on Jan 19 09 at 9:43 PM Reply
I was looking for you that morning. Sayang at gusto ko pa namang magpa-last picture with you and the rest of the gang before I leave.

ibetlacbay said on Jan 19 09 at 11:19 PM Reply
So that’s why The Bull Run sucked…. The Bull Runner didn’t join…
It’s your fault bull runner!

i2runner said on Jan 20 09 at 6:38 AM Reply
whew good thing i didn’t join this race. joined last year and had a bad experience. i would have thought they would have learned from their experience after 3 years already of hosting the bull run??

topcat said on Jan 20 09 at 10:30 AM Reply
hi bullrunner i’ve been running for years but never been to a race and only recently that i seriously think of joining one. I accidentally found ur site and i love it ur an idol hehehe really. I had a hard time looking for a race event and i dunno where to start. Thanks anyway i thot special event lang e almost every week pala meron hehehe. More power to u, I should take my training run seriously

cele said on Jan 20 09 at 10:51 AM Reply
i was sooo disappointed with that race. already knew we were in for a so-so race hearing the announcers repeatedly shout “mag-uumpisa na po ang ating palatuntunan!” which made me wonder if i got lost in an inter-barangay basketball tournament… the WORST part was the finish line. i’m still a newbie runner, and my goal in the last couple of months was to bring my time down to less than 30mins per 5K. i was around 100 meters away from the end when my husband checked his watch and said we were going to make it to sub-30 if we sprinted. so there i was running so fast, my heart rate probably up to 200, then i suddenly had to put the brakes because there was this looong line at the 5K finish… my official time was a good 3 plus minutes. was so frustrated i left soon after!

i am absolutely looking forward to the Happy Run!! i’m sure it will be organized so much better.

khun said on Jan 20 09 at 2:49 PM Reply
-Races you absolutely cannot miss such as Adidas King of the Road or New Balance

-Typical, garden variety road races that you can pass up because they’ll have the exact type of race next weekend, only in a different name

things we’ve learned by now — choosing our battles. tee hee.

marga said on Jan 20 09 at 10:25 PM Reply
I’m sorry but I’m not sorry I joined the PSE Bull Run. I enjoyed my first 10K race, with the support of runner bloggers whom I now consider as friends.

Yes, the long queue at the finish line was frustrating. But as long as I know my time, it doesn’t matter what my official time would be. My official time at the MILO race was 1 hr. yet I finished it at 35 minutes. I was disappointed at first but I have learned to control my emotions and look at the brighter side of things.

Meeting the runner friends was enough to make me very happy.

Missed you there, Jaymie. I really thought you would be there. I even imagined you cheering for me at the finish line.

Nora, the golden girl said on Jan 21 09 at 1:44 AM Reply
And to think I was almost disappointed that I missed another 5k opportunity.

Now I’m glad that I passed on it.

And may I add, another type of race is abound in our country. Aside from pure NOT-TO-MISS races, and “garden” races, there are also those “Playing-Along” races. They are organized by companies who took advantage of an influx of interest in running, yet have close to no idea of how to organize a good race. Bands, warm-up exercises, and even belly-dancers are their priority. Most also feel that all runs should be on a track, so Quirino Grandstand is a regular choice.

Sorry, PSE, but I believe your run fell in the third.

cougcat said on Jan 21 09 at 11:57 PM Reply