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Finding Your Inspiration

Runners are not too different from surfers; we experience our runner’s highs and lows riding through undulating waves of emotions arising from met goals to false expectations. Most often, we’re on the crest of our running career training for a dream marathon, breaking PR’s, or reaching distances once inconceivable. But, there are times when we hit a trough—an injury that never goes away, burnout, or boredom—and it feels like a bottomless pit that, if not managed properly, can drag you down into a sea of sorrow and, sadly, flabby muscles and additional poundage.

I found myself in that pit a couple of months ago. For a while, I didn’t want to climb out of it, but, fortunately for me, I found gentle reminders of running—a person, a picture, or a memory—that yanked me out of that black hole and gave me inspiration to run with passion again.

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I’d like to share with you some of the people and things that inspired me to lace up—either for a gym workout or an LSD—and got me to fall in love with running again:

LEA SALONGA. Yup, that’s right! One morning, I was scheduled for a workout but I was too lazy to even get my run apparel on. Ready to head out the door in jeans and a top, I quickly browsed through the morning papers and chanced upon Lea Salonga’s column about getting back into training. I ran back upstairs, changed into my running clothes, and I found myself running on the treadmill that same morning. Just goes to show you don’t need a runner or a super athlete to get you back out there. Pick up a good book, surf the web, browse through blogs to find your inspiration from other people’s words.

ISIDRO VILDOSOLA. Nothing stops Sid from grabbing podium finishes, not even a missing limb. I met him a couple of years back at various runs and I get the chance to chat with him once in a while. He’s a humble guy with a lot of achievements. Couple of weeks ago, I bumped into him at Ultra Track Oval and he proudly showed off the Silver Medal he won at the Asian Paralympics. Congratulations Sid! You’re an inspiration!

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– with Sid and the nicest medal I have ever seen -

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– Spread of Asian Para Games Daily -

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– Sid bags Silver for the Philippines in Men’s 1500. Missed Gold by a split second -

* JEFF GALLOWAY. I don’t know exactly how many people all over the world Jeff Galloway has inspired through his books and coaching, but I am definitely one among the hundreds and thousands. I was lucky enough to be in his presence while he was in Manila for several days.  While he gave words of wisdom on running during talks and workshops, it was during our downtime—over meals, on the way to our hotel in Cebu, or while we were running—that I was completely and utterly inspired by him. He would talk about his experiences with Steve Prefontaine, Alberto Salazar, and Bill Bowerman and he made them real and human to me—not the legends that I only read about in Runner’s World and books. He told us countless tales about his running when he was younger and anecdotes about other runners. He and his wife, Barb, are prime examples to me of real runners of character who unselfishly want to spread the love for running.

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– Jeff gave this to us while we were in Cebu. We couldn’t stop staring at it.  Photos above show him running along with Prefontaine. The business card is a copy of Pre’s card when he worked for Blue Ribbon Sports which later became Nike -

* TBR DREAM MARATHONERS. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: my favorite part of TBR Dream Marathon is getting to know the runners who signed up for the race. While others would hate to run at the back of the pack, I embrace the responsibility with open arms during our Bull Sessions. As sweeper, it is almost a gift to run with those coming in last because you’re a witness to the struggles as they push their bodies to the edge and, at the same time, you see them grow before your eyes—from weak to strong, from sedentary to long distance runner, from insecure to confident. I’ve met a runner who battled cancer, a dad who’s restarted running, and many more. We start the run as strangers and end as good friends who inspire each other to achieve new heights.

So, who’s your inspiration today?  Happy Valentine’s Day!

Posted on 02.14.11 to 01 Bullish Insights. Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 15 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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15 Responses to “Finding Your Inspiration”

  1. Yeah, inspiration comes in various forms and sometimes when you least expect it. Thank you for inspiring me and countless others. :-)

    sheerwill said on Feb 14 11 at 2:44 PM Reply

  2. MTM ika nga nila sa slumnote nung high school ako. Pero everytime na gusto ko ng mag give up lagi kong naiisip yung mga taong nakikita ko sa mga marathon na ahead yung age sa akin, yung ano at ano tas they didn’t give up at nauuna pa sila sa akin so lagi ko sila iniisip. Kung kaya nila, kaya ko din.

    At si Kuya (Sid-di lang kami magkakilala), madalas ko makita yan sa Ultra at ang galing grabe. You could say na inspiration ko din sya..pag nakikita ko sya naiisip ko “Kung gusto, kaya!”

    Webster12 said on Feb 15 11 at 4:10 AM Reply

  3. Just in time. Thanks again for inspiring us. I am sick again but I know this is only a temporary setback. Let us all cross that finish line. In God we trust!

    Lito C said on Feb 15 11 at 7:31 AM Reply

  4. Is it weird na medyo na-touch ako dito? Hehehe…

    itskayemiranda said on Feb 15 11 at 8:11 AM Reply

  5. Monette (my wife)is my inspiration. I always dedicate my run for her.

    Jonathan D. said on Feb 15 11 at 11:38 AM Reply

  6. My wife is my inspiration.

    Jonathan D. said on Feb 15 11 at 11:42 AM Reply

  7. The doctor’s and hospital fees are my inspiration.

    roadrat said on Feb 15 11 at 3:49 PM Reply

  8. hi jaymie, saw u at ANC this AM.i will miss edsa run becoz we’re moving to our own condo on that sunday, and i will be doing my share of running….anyway, i just got reminded that you are actually TBR (the bionic runner)- jaymie;bionic. get it? shucks. you’re way too young to know the Bionic Woman series. Her name was Jaymie. have a great day!

    tigerspots said on Feb 15 11 at 3:58 PM Reply

    • Abet, that’s too bad. We drove by the route yesterday morning. It’s unique and challenging. Pretty excited over it.

      My parents actually named me after Jaymie Summers :O haha

      thebullrunner said on Feb 16 11 at 8:26 AM Reply

  9. wow, what a trivia for me. my parents named after “abet guidaben” but im not sure if its something positive or inspiring? make this one great day!

    tigerspots said on Feb 16 11 at 12:28 PM Reply

  10. Thanks! Sid indeed is an inspiration. He not only races and brings glory to his country in the Paralympics, but also a skyrunner and an ultramarathoner. I run for those who want to but cannot.

    tj isla said on Feb 16 11 at 1:20 PM Reply

  11. Steve Nash – At 37 years old is still one of the top point-guards in the NBA. Despite his lack of height and natural athleticism he makes it up with hard work, smarts and with plays every game with great passion.
    TBR – almost a year ago I chanced upon a peculiar looking Blog – a pink colored Bull with Green shoes. Having better to do in the office (hehehehe) I read through some of the blog entries and was hooked! The stories were sincere, fun, informative and inspiring. It’s a celebration of life’s achievements whether it may be big or small. It’s one of the factors that lead me to run my first 10k road race at Globe’s Run for Home – my birthday run (it also marks my age “na wala na sa kalendaryo”) Fast forward one year – I’ll be running my first marathon. TBR Dream Marathon 2011. How knew a pink colored bull with green shoes would bring me to this great adventure.

    Haste said on Feb 17 11 at 12:12 AM Reply

  12. Two weeks ago when I first heard the name from the Bull Session at ROX. Last night I noticed he was on the cover of an old frontrunner mag (which i got from the condura run but haven’t had the time to read. This morning on my way back from a morning run, i saw the guy going downhill along the road going up mines view park. He’s 4’11″, i’m 5’11″. But he is not the one who’s looking up, but me. I wanted to stop him to shake his hand (and of course for a picture :-) hehe) but i just stood there and stared in admiration.. Go Vertek!

    Ghost said on Feb 17 11 at 10:20 AM Reply

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