10 Predictions for 2011 from Madame Au-BULL-Ring

Okay. That’s the corniest way to start the new year.

But, yes, I’ll channel Madame Auring for this post—not for the entire year, mind you!—and make some predictions for our new, exciting year of running:

(1) Back to basics. From gadgets to races (to even P-Noy as President), runners will opt for simplicity rather than extravagance. Runners will purchase equipment for running, but will focus on the essentials, e.g., the right running shoe. Runners will not give importance to LCDs or fireworks in a race (those are just bonuses), but will demand for ample hydration, safe route, and the like. There will be greater interest in simple, natural approaches, such as Chi Running and yoga.

(2) Barefoot shoes will be all the rage. Barefoot running is still a controversial topic, but more runners are seeing (and feeling) the importance of going barefoot at least once in a while (this runner included). I don’t think Pinoys are quite ready to go completely naked down there (in the foot, silly) so we’ll go conservative by purchasing Vibram Five Fingers, Terra Plana’s Evo barefoot shoes, or Nike Frees (still my all time favorite!)

– Nike Free Run+ -

(3) Compression is in. As if there weren’t enough brands of compression tights in the market! Despite the high price and the hot weather, expect more people to purchase compression tights or socks as they go for longer distances. With the great demand, even smaller, lesser known brands may come in.

– A page off of TBR Magazine – October/November 2010 -

(4) NUVALI will be the new BHS…at least as race venue. Runners know Bonifacio Global City’s route like the back of their hands and we are looking for new courses to conquer. NUVALI’s fresh air, traffic-less roads, and challenging route will be a refreshing venue for more races this year. Don’t forget that it can also host muddy trail runs.

(5) Coach Rio will be the star of a new teleserye. As if he’s not doing well enough with race organizing, I predict Coach Rio’s star will shine brighter this year. He’ll be the favored race organizer for those with big budgets…and okay, maybe he won’t have his own teleserye, but we’ll see him more often in the boob tube. This guy deserves all the good karma that’s coming his way.

(6) Runners won’t just run, they’ll stretch and strengthen. It used to be that runners would just run, run, and run, then get injured. Now, we’re much smarter. We know that it’s important to strength train, do core work, and stretch, not just to avoid injury but to become better runners. See stability balls, dumbells, TRX Suspension training, foam roller, and other equipment flying off the shelves. See more runners in yoga classes too…and not just the ladies.

(7) Runners will run slower…by choice. It’s still cool to run fast, but it won’t be an issue if you run slow either. Runners will give more importance to running really slow during their long runs and will even learn the value of run-walking intervals. Jeff Galloway’s arrival in February should help encourage slow and safe running.

(8) Runners will pay more attention to diet. Sure, we run so we can eat more. But, runners this year will pay more attention to eating more of the right food to get proper nutrition to fuel their runs. Expect to see more sweaty guys in singlets requesting for non-fat soy milk lattes from their baristas. Nutrition experts and dietitians will be just as popular as running coaches.

(9) Everyone will be coaches and race organizers. Well, not exactly everyone, but a number of runners without proper credentials nor experience will hope to cash in on the running boom. This is NOT good for the community. Think twice before signing up for a run clinic or a race. Do your research on the background of a “coach” or a “race organizer.”

(10) New York Marathon will be the new Singapore Marathon. Two years ago, every runner wanted to run Standard Chartered Singapore. Now, everyone wants in on New York. It’s quite costly, but it’s worth every penny.

Did I miss any? What’s your Madame Au-Run-ning prediction for 2011?

Happy New Year to you!

Posted on 01.03.11 to 01 Bullish Insights. Tags: 2011. Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 35 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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35 Responses to “10 Predictions for 2011 from Madame Au-BULL-Ring”

100% finish for all Dream Marathoners Batch 2!

Gej said on Jan 03 11 at 9:26 PM Reply
- totally agree (biased), hehehe. Out of curiosity, hindi ba 100% ang batch 1?
  
  Still, we are so lucky to be able to attend the Galloway talk for free
  
  Zalds said on Jan 05 11 at 11:57 AM Reply
TBR Dream Marathon 3 will accomodate
more participants…600?, Speaking of TBR Marathon, I’ll still haven’t receieved memebership confirmation on TBR’s Dream Marathon Group Page..is it already up?

Haste said on Jan 03 11 at 10:45 PM Reply
- Are you referring to FB page? Our staff didn’t confirm you because your registered name for the race was different from your name on FB I allowed them to approve you last night.
  
  thebullrunner said on Jan 04 11 at 8:54 AM Reply
  - Thanks Jaymie for the quick response, I was able to join the group na….just read your latest post, hope you get well soon and have plenty of rest.
    
    Haste said on Jan 05 11 at 11:18 PM
This is related to No. 1 – More and more runners (particularly those graduating into longer distances) will ditch the iPod as they realize that running without music blasting in their ears is actually better (not to mention safer!).

Julius said on Jan 04 11 at 1:11 AM Reply
yey to #1! Nuvali eh…i like!

LYN said on Jan 04 11 at 12:43 PM Reply
more races will offer longer distances as runners leave the 5 and 10k’s behind.

Vivian said on Jan 04 11 at 2:53 PM Reply
I do hope that race organizers take a back to basics approach in their events this year. Hopefully, that translates to lower registration fees too.

Jom said on Jan 04 11 at 3:22 PM Reply
hello there! i just want to know. have you already made up your mind which races you will run this 2011? any race you recommend that newbies should run?

mars f said on Jan 04 11 at 6:44 PM Reply
- +1 to this
  
  for us newbies in running, we do not have an idea who are good coaches/race organizers.
  
  Antz said on Jan 06 11 at 12:23 PM Reply
  - I’ll write a separate post on this
    
    thebullrunner said on Jan 06 11 at 11:02 PM
nice one, jaymie. as for coach rio, the guy already has tv commercial so i guess a teleserye won’t be far behind. and @julius, i love that comment, man, and i have to say i so totally agree

caloyb said on Jan 04 11 at 7:17 PM Reply
agree on #7 & 8!

Joy said on Jan 05 11 at 9:07 AM Reply
Hi Jaymie, regarding #7 –>I believe and have experienced, ironically, that introducing regular walk breaks (Galloway) in 21K to 42K helps me finish the race faster than if I just run it 100% of the way

Nathaniel said on Jan 05 11 at 9:59 AM Reply
Am curious, TBR: At your level, at what stages during your races (whether full marathon, 21K , 15, 10, …) do you still use walk breaks?

Gej said on Jan 05 11 at 12:32 PM Reply
- Hi Gej,
  
  I only use walk breaks at 42k. And I use it a lot
  
  thebullrunner said on Jan 05 11 at 7:39 PM Reply
  - ok without hydration for 10k and less but how do you hydrate when doing 21 without the walk breaks? im having a hard time taking gulps even while going slow.:-) just practice?haha any tips?
    
    ghost said on Jan 06 11 at 8:12 AM
  - Oh don’t get me wrong. I hydrate even for a 10k moreso for 21k. I stop at hydration stations too! But, I just don’t take long walking breaks for those distances. I usually take one or two sips every 15 minutes. Drinking from a hydration bottle while running slow is manageable. Drinking from a cup at a water station is a bit more challenging but Coach Rio taught me this: fold the cup so you only sip from the edge. That way it won’t spill all over you while running. Try it.
    
    thebullrunner said on Jan 06 11 at 10:09 AM
  - okay… will try and practice that.. thanks jaymie! get well soon!
    
    ghost said on Jan 06 11 at 10:40 AM
  - hmmm.. thanks jaymie. haven’t taught about this BASIC technique to prevent spillage
    
    Zalds said on Jan 07 11 at 12:28 PM
prediction #11: more and more runners will do cross-training (to prevent injuries and just to try something new) which will lead them to eventually do multi-sports (aquathlons / duathlons / triathlons).

khun said on Jan 05 11 at 1:57 PM Reply
Thanks. at what intervals?

Sorry to hear about the gastroenteritis attack. Hope you recover quickly.

Gej said on Jan 05 11 at 7:56 PM Reply
- I’m not very technical about it since I didn’t learn about the Galloway method until recently. Past marathons, after 21k, I walk at every water station! I run when I drop the cup, which means that I hold on to that cup for as long as I possibly can haha. I’m still a work in progress and I want to try practicing a slower first half to allow me to run steady for the latter half. We’ll see.
  
  thebullrunner said on Jan 06 11 at 7:08 AM Reply
- just want to share my own interval technique, for 21k (as advised to me) do 1 minute brisk walk after each kilometer. i always got a good PR every time I do that for half marathon
  
  Zalds said on Jan 07 11 at 12:26 PM Reply
I am just wondering if those who got into running in 2010 will continue running in 2011? I started working again late last year and I find myself running less these days. I wish I could still run with much determination as last year. with much

Lala said on Jan 06 11 at 7:07 AM Reply
The longer the distance is the better. 42K is the new 21K!

Lee said on Jan 06 11 at 11:00 AM Reply
Thanks for the info TBR! I hope I don’t fold the hydration bottle and tilt and squeeze the paper cup by mistake- ha ha!

Though this is virtually impossible given the different pace of each participant, will there be an attempt kaya somehow to space out the water stations during the Dream Marathon to more or less sync with the 4/1 run walk that most participants, myself included, will probably be using?

I remember, during the recent KOTR (my first 10K, by the way), I’d be OC about the 5/1 run walk , I’d get sidetracked when the water station was either way before or way after the time I was about to take my walk breaks. Well, adjust na nga since its impossible nga to have the stations (and enough stations at that) to jive with the walk breaks. Beginner kasi – ha ha!

Gej said on Jan 06 11 at 12:05 PM Reply
- We have water stations every 1 to 1.5 km.
  
  thebullrunner said on Jan 06 11 at 4:00 PM Reply
+1 to Prediction #1
Runners will not pay attention if it’s a D-Tag, RFID, my Chip and if there would be a singlet or not. Though, it really encourages most runners to participate in an event.

Additional prediction of mine: Be part of the 2012 TBR.

Antz said on Jan 06 11 at 12:32 PM Reply
Water stations every 1 – 1.5 kilometers – galing! Thanks.

Gej said on Jan 06 11 at 7:22 PM Reply
- …and Gatorade of course. Key stations will have ice, sponges, bananas, and chocolates
  
  thebullrunner said on Jan 06 11 at 11:01 PM Reply
that sipping technique is a little problematic using plastic cups. so my fearless prediction is that more races will use paper cups (at least i wish they would) to make drinking easier at water stations. more importantly, it should be better for the environment.

nang said on Jan 08 11 at 10:41 AM Reply
Some race organizers, or more specifically, hydration sponsors, give out their products very cold. I’m sure it makes their product taste better. But I was able to listen to a talk by Alex Ariza (Manny Pacquiao’s conditioning trainer) to Philippine national coaches of various sports, and he said drinking fluids that are cold, during the physical activity itself is not good. He said that if the fluids are cold, they will just “sit” in the stomach and not be readily absorbed by the body. The body will then spend extra effort and energy in just heating the fluids until they are at the same temp as the body. Only then will the fluids be absorbed and utilized. So, it’s best to have fluids at normal tap temperature, and even ideal if at the same temp as the body.

Gej said on Jan 08 11 at 12:36 PM Reply
- Thanks for this Gej!
  
  thebullrunner said on Jan 09 11 at 3:05 PM Reply