Archive for July, 2011

I certainly do. And, it turns out, so does Gatorade.

The good people at Gatorade are giving me the chance to run my dream marathon…again. Hopefully, this time, I get to run it exactly the way I want it. No more tripping over Disneyland sidewalks (grrr!), pre-race sightseeing, and last but not the least freezing my thighs off in shorts. I know now what to do and what NOT to do.

– Running NYC Marathon 2010 with my “bodyguards” –

It will be serious, steady, and hopefully joyful running at the biggest marathon in the world: The ING New York City Marathon 2011. Looking forward to seeing you again in November, New York!

Gatorade, thank you!

This is hilarious. Being the bull that I am, I just had to repost this interview of my fellow bull by my favorite running resource, Runner’s World.  Read it and laugh!

Click HERE to read the full article on RunnersWorld.com

For those of you who’ve been reading this blog since it started in 2007, you know that I’m a big fan of Mommy Milkshake Marathon. There hasn’t been a year when I missed this fun run.  Why? Here are the reasons:

1. It’s fun!  My kids always look forward to this race.  TBR Jr. loves running with his cousins here, while Li’l Miss TBR loves the fact that they allow her to bring her pink princess bike.  It’s just a 3k race within BHS so parents like us need not worry too much about their safety.  If I need a “real” run, I run BEFORE the actual race to get the mileage in.
2. The fun run is an advocacy run for breastfeeding.  The race is held every August which is World Breastfeeding Month. I breastfed both my kids: TBR Jr until he was 6 months and Li’l Miss TBR well over 1.5 years and I always encourage every mother to do so.  It was, for me, one of the most memorable bonding experiences with my kids.
3. The race is organized by my sister, Janice Villanueva of Mommy Mundo, a go-to portal of everything for moms and preggies, and Mommy Matters, a line of nursing wear clothes.  My Ate will kill me if I don’t show up for her run, but of course she knows I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Mommy Milkshake Marathon is now on its 5th year!  The next run will be held on August 14, 2011 at Mercato Centrale, Bonifacio Global City. It’ll have a 3k and 5k run or walk.  Hope you can join us then!

– This was taken at last year’s Mommy Milkshake Marathon. L to R: Co-founder of Mommy Milkshake Marathon, lamaze teacher, and good friend Rome Kanapi, Janice, myself, and our kids and niece. –

Below are the fun run details.  Please direct all inquiries to the contact details provided in the material. I will not be able to answer any of your questions.  See ya!

MOMMY MILKSHAKE 2011 REGISTRATION FEES: (updated)

• 5K- P500*
• 3K- P400*
• Kids (3-15years old) – P250*
• Kids below 2 years old- FREE OF CHARGE

*inclusive of singlet, race kit, finisher’s kit and snack

HOW TO REGISTER

Milkshake is only open to 400 participants. Race is open to the public (not just for breastfeeding moms). Register now to reserve your slot. Click HERE

**Those with online reservation must pick up their kits before August 7 or slots will be given to others. After August 7, only onsite registration will be accepted in the following registration stations:

• MOMMY MUNDO OFFICE 2/L Fun Ranch, Frontera Verde, Pasig CityOffice Hours:  9AM-5PM only (office is closed during lunch break, 12noon-1PM) Mondays to Fridays only
• ROX Bonifacio High Street
Time: 3PM-10PM onlyFridays- Sundays only
• MERCATO CENTRALE @BGC8th cor 34th sts, Bonifacio Global City. During Midnight Mercato- Friday and Saturday 10pm to 3am. During Mercato Centrale- Saturday and Sunday 7am to 2pm

POST-RACE ACTIVITIES

Mommy Milkshake this year goes a step further! After the Run/Walk around Bonifacio Global City, all participants are invited to a brunch and breastfeeding expo at Mercato Centrale right after. There will be booths and activities showcasing mommy and nursing products and accessories, there will be fun and informational talks and activities for moms as well as kids.*Breastfeeding Expo @ Mercato Centrale – no entrance fees, this event is open to the public and will run from 7am-2pm.

CONTACT DETAILS

Call 470-9925
Email info@mommymundo.com

We took TBR Jr. shoe shopping today. My 10-year-old has grown so fast the past few months that I pretend cry to him every weekend: I don’t have a baby boy anymore!

We dropped by Mizuno Magallanes this afternoon and I had the shock of my life: TBR Jr. can now shop at the Men’s section!  This mommy gave herself a moment to “let go” then excitedly showed him the vast array of shoes to choose from. He was slightly confused so, of course, I convinced him to purchase my favorite Mizuno model: Mizuno Wave Precision.  I was a huge fan of this shoe a few years back because it’s light and stable, but I could only use it for short distances and as much as possible on a track or asphalt road.  TBR Jr. loved the colors so it was sold!

Introducing: TBR Jr.’s first pair of Men’s shoes: Mizuno Wave Precision 11.  Cool! I almost want one myself.

– Mizuno Wave Precision 11 | P4,995 –

How many times have you received forwarded emails about the new modus operandi of some gang in the metro?  Most of the time, you remind yourself to practice caution but you never even think that it could happen to you.

It happened to me in broad daylight earlier this morning.

After an easy run and weights at the gym, I headed towards my car in the parking lot.  I dumped my gym bag in the trunk and took a moment to search for my wallet.  As I was doing this, around four people surrounded me and the car.  Before I could even think anything of it, a lady approached me almost frantically asking: Nasaan ang chinese restaurant dito? (Where is the chinese restaurant here?) I found it extremely odd because there was no Chinese restaurant near the area (and why would one look for one at around 9am) plus she was acting extremely nervous.  This was all happening within a matter of seconds, but alarm bells already started ringing in my ear.

I answered her: Hindi ko alam (I don’t know) then headed towards the door of the driver’s seat. She blocked me and asked the same question over and over. By that time, I was pretty scared so I yelled at her: Hindi ko alam!!! and headed for the door again. When I looked ahead, a man had already opened the door of the passenger seat. I yelled at him: Hoy!!! He was taken aback, apologized (yes he did!), and shut the door. I rushed into the driver’s seat, locked all doors, checked if all my valuables were complete (they were thank God!) and drove away in haste.  As I passed the parking lot, these people were nowhere in sight.  I then called the security guard and reported the incident.

Wow. I was captivated in fear for the next few minutes. But, after I calmed down, I was ultimately thankful that no harm was done.  It could have been a lot worse for me.  In a split second, my life could’ve changed…or ended.

I write this to remind you about a number of things:

1. to be careful out there—especially when you are running alone,
2. to listen to your instincts.  If you sense that something is amiss, then you’re probably right
3. to be a bitch (pardon my French) or a bull or both if you feel you have to defend yourself (although if they’re just asking for your wallet just give in and let them go. No amount of money is worth your life), and lastly
4. to be thankful for the blessings—big or small—that come your way.  I’d like to think there was Someone watching over me earlier this morning.

Note: I won’t be sharing any details about exactly where this happened for security reasons, but I did report the incident and shared my story with others who frequent this area.