Yesterday, over 400 parents and kids trooped over to Mercato Centrale at Bonifacio High Street for some 3k and 5k running action and to show their support for breastfeeding.  Spotted there were active families and friends…

- Christine and Paco Sandejas and kids -

- Patricia and Vince Hizon and kids -

- breastfeeding advocate, Abbie Yabot, with husband Mike (not in pic) and her family -

Plus mommy friends and their kids…

- Mommy Power!  Gigi (Fit Mommy) and my “twin sis” Jaimie carrying their kids. That’s tougher than a 42k! -

- The Janeo Family: Gab, Mike, and Lola. Missing in pic: Mommy Macel! -

- The Jao Family (Missing in pic: Daddy Jayvee -

Last but not the least, race organizer and my dearest Sis (who really should start running already)…

- Janice, bro-in-law Gary V., and kids -

As for The Bull Runner family, oh, the kids and I were present too even if hubby was off to the beach over the weekend.

The morning started out a bit slow and gloomy for us.  It was quite tough to drag the kiddos out of bed, there was an eerie silence in the car and not the usual chatting and shouting, Li’l Miss Bull Runner got cranky after she complained that I was “taking too many photos of her,” and I was just too exhausted from the 21k in such hot and humid weather the day before.

- To think they were so excited about this race! Check out that fake smile and frown! -

- Could they have been any more irritable? -

Before we could rant any further, the race started.  There were a few who were serious about racing (my friend ultramarathoner, Toto, was keen on winning the 5k…and he did!) but most were out there to just have serious fun.

The Bull Runner family couldn’t have walked any slower. I was contemplating on replacing Bull with Turtles, Snails, or even Sloths when I had another idea. A few meters into the race, I declared to the kids: Finishers of this race gets a new cheap toy later! (Yes, the word cheap found its way in there!) I saw Li’l Miss Bull Runner’s eyes light up. Then, I made a second announcement: Winner of the race gets an extra cheap toy, too! Before I could finish, the two were gone and had charged ahead just like little bulls!

- Ready…Set…Go! -

- Li’l Miss TBR with her cousin -

- They had a blast… -

- …and a tough workout too -

- Bonding time! -

During the race, naughty Li’l Miss Bull Runner would entertain herself by taunting her kuya…

- Caught in the act -

Spin like crazy to make herself dizzy, and…

- Whooopeee! -

…Just like Mommy taught her, Li’l Miss Bull Runner would cool herself down at the water station just like the pros do…

…and again…

Both crossed the finish at the same time. (Thank God because this Mom plays no favorites so they both enjoyed the same reward later in the day!) This was truly a fun and memorable bonding experience for us.

We dropped by Mercato Centrale for Mommy Milkshake’s post race activities and to shop for food of course (brazo de mercedes and cupcakes…yum!), but had to leave before the mommy talks and kiddie activities which we heard were a lot of fun.

Congratulations to Mommy Milkshake Run! Until the next one!

– with organizers, Rome Kanapi and my sis Janice Villanueva and the kids -

Our entire family, including my niece, showed up for the race armed with two umbrellas.  Hubby took care of the older kids, while I accompanied Little Miss Bull Runner who chose to bike the 3k course along with her cousin.  (I gave her this option since she was coughing and I worried that 3k was too much for her.)

“Are the girls going to win?” I asked Little Miss TBR. “Yes!” she yelled. Fueled by Woman Power, we were off!

– Little Miss TBR with her pet, Liny, who joins every family adventure -

FAMILY FUN

We raced along with other families who were enjoying the easy run despite the gloomy weather.  For a moment, I ran alongside Patricia Hizon and her kids Vicente and Paul; fast and fearless Vicente was way ahead of his mommy.

– Patricia Hizon with her adorable boys -

I also spotted Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan with her mom and her grandmother.  Her own daughter had sped off ahead and later found a place on the podium.

– Four generations of strong and beautiful Laxa women -

As for Little Miss TBR, she pedaled like there was no tomorrow.  With such a huge smile, I knew she was enjoying every minute.  We went for two loops around BHS.  The uphills were a bit of a challenge for her, but she enjoyed the gentle downhills immensely.  Too much in fact that I begged her to slow down!

– racing with my little girl -

BALANCING MOTHERHOOD AND RUNNING

I thought I was going to have it easy compared to the hubby.  (This pic shows he had quite an easy time running with older kids.)

– Coach Hubby with my niece and the kids -

Past 3km races with my daughter was always a slow and relaxed run.  But, this time, I failed to take into consideration that 1) kids on bikes go much faster, and 2) holding an umbrella while running was a skill I had absolutely no training for.

It was the ultimate test of balancing running and motherhood at exactly the same time.  While running, I had to hold the umbrella in one hand and camera in the other, caution Little Miss TBR about veering away from the course (which was almost every 5 seconds), warn her about hitting runners in front, and help her count the “rainbows” (prisms caused by the rainwater hit by the light) she spotted on the road.

With my feet soaked in rainwater (I wore Vibram Five Fingers for the first time. More on this in a separate post) and non-stop fast-paced running, it was exhausting…but seeing Little Miss TBR’s face beam with pride when we crossed the finish made all the sweat, worry, and tough bicep workout all worth it.

– We did it! -

LITTLE MISS TBR – A FUTURE TRIATHLETE

As it turns out, Little Miss TBR absolutely loved the race. After seeing the photos, she exclaims while jumping up and down: “Mama, I want to bike again in another race…and I want Liny (her pet lion) to join us again…and I want it to rain, too!”  Oh boy, this mama has got to train hard for the next one.

- Yahooo! -

Congratulations to the organizers of Mommy Milkshake Marathon especially my sis, Janice Villanueva of Mommy Mundo and Creative Juice. Hope to join this one again next year!

My sister, Janice, an advocate of breastfeeding and co-owner of Mommy Matters Nursingwear, organizes this annual event.  It’s not your typical competitive race.  In fact, it’s the opposite. It starts later than usual.  A quarter of the participants have bulging bellies, not due to obesity, but due to pregnancy.  And, there are games, chatting, and a whole lot of laughter going on before, during, and after the race.

Our entire family is signing up.  I hope you can too!

DATE:  August 8, 2010

ASSEMBLY AREA: Behind NBC TENT (26th Street)

ASSEMBLY TIME: 5:45 am

RACE START: 7:00 am

WEBSITE: mommymundo.com/events/milkshake

FOR INQUIRIES: Call 408.8070/ 0908.8657246

The atmosphere in Mommy Milkshake Marathon Year 3 at Bonifacio Global City last Sept. 5 was laid-back and fun.  With a jester juggling, a man on stilts, a big blue teddy bear mascot, and moms and kids strolling about, a runner would’ve thought he stumbled into a kiddie party instead of a run.  But, one quick look at the sea of pink runners pinning their race bibs, stretching, or warming up, and one would know it was truly a fun run.  

– with my sis and partner for Urban Mom Magazine, Janice Villanueva, and our dear friend, Rome Kanapi, childbirth preparation class instructor -

– Mesh (My Iron Shoes), Ting, Bards (Banana Running) and friends -

– My cousins, Camille and Candy and daughter, Katie, with Tonette, future marathoner -

– Charmaine (Correr Conmigo) and Taki (Techspec) with their unstoppable little runner, Meekha -

– They look like running twins! -

The great thing about this run was the variety of runners that showed up: non-runners such as pregnant and breastfeeding moms, newbie runners hoping to gain their first friendly race experience, serious runners bringing friends and family along, hardcore ultramarathoners (in pink too, mind you), and even the elite.  Despite the various backgrounds, runners of all shapes and sizes were there to have a good time.

– Off we go! -

– Hardcore runners: Bald Runner, Lester, Mari and Jonel -

- Kids and dogs joined the fun -

– Recent Ironman 70.3 team relay finisher (swim leg), Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan and her Lola finishing the 3k -

– Swthrt (Broj) and son -

– Mariel (Solemates) and daughter Mica -

As for me, I planned on running 15k (and the hubby 10k) before Mommy Milkshake, plus another 5k with the hubby and kids.  Due to the rains, I slept longer than expected (whoops!) and thought it best to keep the kids at home.  So, the hubby and I arrived at the race with enough time to run only 5k.  We ran 5k during the race after which I ran another 6k to complete a full 16k as prescribed in my training program.  It was an enjoyable run under cool weather.  Even better with great friends and family around!

– with Mariel, Bea, Sofia, and Mika, Marga, Patrick and friends, hubby, Vimz and Art and their kids, Aljo -

– with Marga, Patrick (Nike+ 5k Challenger on Run Radio), and hubby.  Congrats on your “bitin” 3k, Patrick! -

– Fun, fun, fun! That’s what it’s about, guys! -

Here’s a fun race for families: Mommy Milkshake Marathon Year 3. My sister organizes this event every year. It’s the least competitive, but most fun-filled and relaxed race you could join. I’ll definitely be there with the kids.

Click below to read about previous years’ races:
Mommy Milkshake Marathon Year 1 (2007)
Mommy Milkshake Marathon Year 2 (2008)

To register, click here. Limited slots available. Registration is free.

For more information, email mommymilkshake@gmail.com or call 7809898.

Skip the headlines (nothing important for us runners there) and head straight for the Sunday Lifestyle portion of Philippine Star. Fellow Happy Feet member and Star columnist, Tanya Lara, features recently held races Milo Marathon, Feati, and Mommy Milkshake.  (Thanks Tanya!)

Jump over to Page H-3 and you’ll find my big sis and I there…(That sister of mine is my next target running recruit. Ssssh! As for the hubby, mission accomplished!)

This is the one I am most proud of: TBR on yet another special mention in the papers. (Click here for TBR’s “press debut”.) I just love it when TBR gets more attention than little ol’ Jaymie does.

Now, this was not a race for The Bull Runner. It was a race for the mother in me. (Aaaw, sniff sniff. Pass the tissue, please.) As a mother who breastfed my two kids, breastfeeding is a cause that I support because of the gift of good health it has given to my children. It was also, without a doubt, one of the best bonding experiences I had with both kids.

– My two kiddors (breastfed my little girl for 15 mos. and my boy for 6 mos.) -

This 2k run was also more like my son’s run. He was looking forward to this for the past two weeks and, as he woke up this morning with a bad cough, I promised him I would just run by his side and forget about racing today. (Forced tapering for tomorrow’s race, huh?)

So, with two children plus a yaya in tow, we headed for the Fort at 7:30 am despite the heavy rains. Upon registration, I was delighted to receive a pink shirt which all runners were asked to wear for the run. With a quick wardrobe change, I became one among the many pink runners lined up behind the starting line. Thankfully, by then, the rain had gone and the weather was cloudy and cool.

The course began from Gourdo’s restaurant and headed out towards the main streets of Bonifacio Global City. It was a delight for me to run with my son and his cousin. At first I thought I would just brisk walk while they would run by my side, but much to my surprise I found myself running (close to race pace at times!) just to keep up with them.

- Cousins on the run –

I was enjoying the run when I saw Tessa Prieto-Valdes wearing what Ben said was my dream Nathan water carrier. MY Nathan?! How could that be? Someone else got to him before I did?! I took a shot and heaved a sigh of relief as I saw that hers was pink when My Nathan is yellow. Still, I was envious. Patience, I say to myself, patience. One day, my Nathan shall arrive.

- Tessa Valdes wearing My Nathan –

We passed Senendra and Bonifacio High Street and, before we knew it, we were nearing the finish line. The organizers pulled out their pink ribbon for us to run through but I learned a little bit too late (like when I was an inch away from the ribbon) that they did this for the kids—not me! Oops, I guess Mommy got too excited about feeling like a first placer!

- I know, I know, I look preggy here. -

Before we left, we were given bags and bags of freebies from the sponsors. My oh my, Barbizon sure knows how to give us runners the spoiling that we so rightfully deserve! I took home a sandwich and water, Avent items, Prolacta samples, and—now this is my favorite—a free set of underwear which fits me perfectly! Woohoo, this sure beats hard boiled eggs!

They said this was going to be a “fun run” and that is certainly what we got—a grand time running with friends and family! Barbizon, how about a “fun” 10k next year?

- We got H@ppy Feet! –

To H@ppy Feet: Mon, Ben (and Missy), Joms, Smith, and Tisha, it was nice to see you again. Ang saya!

To Banggi, (you’re much taller than I thought), Roselle (nice to hear your soul voice live) and Anton (you are such a pleasant guy!), I was so glad to finally meet you outside of cyberspace.

To Anna Price: It was quite difficult to chat while running haha. Wish we had more time to talk and get Colin and Nia to play together!

To Tricia, congratulations for winning first place! Are you sure that wasn’t just your first race?

To  Janice, my sister who organized the race, congratulations!  When are you joining?

Thanks to Erwin Nolido for my finish line and Happy Feet shots.