Having said that, running a distance less than a full in the rain is a completely different story. Running in the rain is an experience that I always look forward to because 1) I get to wear my favorite bright pink Nike Storm Fly running jacket (shallow I know!) 2) I don’t feel as tired running in cool weather, and 3) I feel like a kid again playing under the rain!

Well I wasn’t running Milo this year due to my recovery from injury, but I did get up early for a rainy 15k run with birthday boy, good friend, and certified Chi Running instructor, Lit Onrubia, and friends Ton, Quenby, and Leah.  The entire run was fun and smooth (my foot injury was gone!) despite the wet roads.

We ended our fun run with Lit’s birthday breakfast hosted by Tessa at her home.  A breakfast buffet table welcomed us—bacon, eggs, tocino, bagels, cheese, and coffee!—along with a birthday breakfast setting complete with little cookies as giveaways.  More of Lit’s running friends showed up to celebrate and enjoy the breakfast feast.

The biggest surprise of the morning was Tessa making a grand entrance in full costume with a chocolate cake in hand.  We sang, we ate, and we talked all throughout the perfect, rainy Sunday morning.

- Tessa and Lit -

- Perfect pic. We’re all looking at the wrong camera except for Tessa. L to R standing: myself, Lara, Tessa, Quenby, Ton, Arnel, Leah. Seated: Lit and Leana  -

Congratulations to all Milo Marathoners! Happy Birthday again, Lit!

Ran 11km through the roads of Valle Verde, Greenmeadows, and White Plains with good friends JunC, Lit, Jay, Hector, and JunB.  Then, we rewarded ourselves with a scrumptious breakfast at Cafe Breton.

After breakfast, I swam 1km alone in a lot less time than I usually do. As in, 20 minutes less (mainly because I didn’t stop to rest as much anymore!)  Woohoo…I am officially hooked on swimming!

Lunch followed with swim squad friends Adel & Bic plus more chatting with Jake and our swim coach, Martin.

The second half of the day will be a lot slower. And, it’ll be spent in the company of the family. I’ll probably gain all (or more) of the calories I burned in the morning. But, just like with age, I only have one thing to say: Who’s counting?!

And, on the same day last year, The Bull Runner too. (This was my first post ever. My how time flies!)

We’re having a double birthday celebration today by running 100km from my place to Tagaytay followed by an eat-till-you-wobble party serving Omakase’s sushi, S&R pizza, Trio’s pasta, UCC desserts with bottomless frapuccinos. Care to join?

Oh crap, Coach ordered for complete rest today. And, I never ran past 20km. And, I’m on a diet.

Party is postponed to next year.

* Happy Birthday again to my best running buddy, Annie, who celebrated her birthday yesterday! We could’ve done a double birthday celebration— 200km with double the food!

Like any mother bull, I am quite amazed at how fast my little baby has grown. Once upon a time, he needed me by his side every waking minute. Now, he is an independent little boy. A little bit on the shy and quiet side just like me when I was young. But, he is smart (ranked 1st in his class for last quarter), creative (loves drawing and art), confident (When I told him his class won in a sports event while he was absent, he innocently replied “How did they win if I wasn’t there?”) and, last but not the least, happy.

– Anton at a football tournament a few weeks back -

Little TBR says that football is the sport for him and we respect that. Lucky for me, he enjoys running too. When I asked him if he wanted to join the Condura Run with me this coming Sunday, he confidently replied “Okay. I’m going to be the fastest kid there.”

The Condura Run would’ve been his 4th race, but the first time that I would be his guardian. During past races, I would run 10k while my hubby would accompany my son at 3k. Due to my injury, I was looking forward to running along with him and enjoying the bonding experience. Secretly, I also planned on subtly training him for future races, to teach him how to warm up properly, to learn to find his pace, and most of all, to enjoy racing as I do. Unfortunately, my little boy had fever all throughout the week and only recovered today. My plan has been shelved—at least temporarily until he fully recovers.

Before I go, you may have noticed that I revised the header that many of you said were too “macho” for prim and proper me (okay, I just added in the last portion of that sentence.) I finally got the go-signal from my creative director, little TBR aka Birthday Boy, who as I’ve mentioned was the one who chose the “mean-looking” bull over the pink one which wore rubber shoes. When I told him that several readers commented that the bull was not “me,” he replied like an artist who must comply with his client’s request, “Fine. Change the bull. Just make sure you don’t use that background with flowers and shoes again.” Then he adds, “Maybe you want to change the color of the rubber shoes or remove it.” I reply with a nod, “Yes, Sir.” Anything Little TBR asks for, he gets—at least on his birthday.