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Say what?! Don’t ask me to verbalize that. It took me a while to just type it!

It’s how the organizers of the Berlin Marathon describe their race. It means: “flat, fast and unforgettable.”

– Map of Berlin Marathon on my bulletin board –

In seven days, I, along with four of my running buddies, will be running those flat and fast roads of Berlin, the fastest marathon course in the world.  WOW!  To say I am excited would be an understatement.

Earlier this morning, some of us in Team Berlin (yes, that’s what we’ve been calling ourselves for the past months.  I told you we were excited about this race!) ran our last weekend run together.  Looking back, I told a friend I felt like we breezed through those long runs together.  We ran consecutive Sundays hitting 21k, 24k, 28k, then 35k until we tapered off.  Today, we capped off our marathon training with a 12k run.

For me, it was bittersweet.  While I was glad to have ended training, I do have to admit that I’ll miss those long runs, the company of friends, and the sumptuous breakfast after.  I can’t help it.  I’m just one of those people who love both the journey and the destination when it comes to marathons.  I just live for long runs!  (Hey, I can make  t-shirts with that line!)

For the next few days, I plan to just do one more run, one Bikram yoga session, and one bike trainer session.  That’s on top of trying to finish work, tutoring the kids for exams, and packing.  Waah!  After all that, I fly out on the 26th for what I’m sure will be a flach, schnell und unvergesslich marathon on September 30!

* Wish us all Pinoy runners luck!  We’re around 40 from Manila.

** Piolo (yes, Papa P) was supposed to join us, but he had to back out because of work. Boo! (Funny side story: He personally told me this in the Shangrila Cebu elevator.  I entered.  He was inside and called me by name.  Me?!  My jaw dropped.  He spoke matter of factly about not making it to Berlin and I managed to listen without drooling or fainting.  Hay life is good!)

Oh yes, you read that title right! As early as now, Unilab Active Health is releasing its race calendar for 2013.  This includes the Run United series of RunRio Trilogy, Run United Philippine Marathon, TriUnited Series, and, of course, TBR Dream Marathon where Unilab Active Health is our Presenter.

Bring out your calendars and note these dates down so you can plan your training and set your goals for the coming year!  (Zoom in to read the dates and distances)

Click on Unilab Active Health’s website for more info.

Registrations starts tomorrow for:

The Bull Runner Dream Team Run: Half the Distance, Thrice the Fun!

DATE: Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012
VENUE: NUVALI, Sta. Rosa, Laguna
DISTANCE: 21k
ASSEMBLY: 3:30 AM
GUN START: 4:30 AM
BULLSTOCK START: 7:30 AM hosted by Boys Night Out
NO. OF PARTICIPANTS: 600 teams of three (or 1,800 runners)

TBR Dream Team Run is the first grand reunion run for TBR Dream Marathon Alumni.

For TBR Dream Alumni, this is your chance to relive your TBR Dream experience at NUVALI and to reconnect with your batch mates. But, this time, you get to run with two other friends in a 21k race. It’s half the distance, but three times the fun!

After the race, kick back and relax at Bullstock, a simple and casual get-together at the Fields in NUVALI with lots of running talk and laughter hosted by a team of three too, the Boys Night Out!

RULES AND REGULATIONS:

1) TEAM OF 3. Runners must register as a team of three. At least one of the three runners must be a TBR Dream Marathon Alumni* or TBR Dream Marathon 2013 Registered Participant.  (* A TBR Dream Marathon Alumni is a confirmed registrant of the TBR Dream Marathon 2010, 2011, or 2012 regardless of him/her appearing or finishing the race.)

2) TEAM UNIFORMS. All runners are encouraged to come in team uniforms or costumes. Be creative! There’s a prize for Best in Costume!

3) FINISHERS’ SHIRTS & MEDALS. Finishers will be awarded Finishers’ Shirts and Finishers’ Medals upon crossing the finish line.

– TBR Dream Team Medal –

– TBR Dream Team Finisher’s Shirt –

REGISTRATION: Sept. 22 to Oct. 7, 2012

Slots will be limited to 600 teams or total of 1,800 runners only.  Start of store registration is Sept 22 – Oct 7, 2012 or until 600 team slots are filled.

Click on this link to download: TBR Team Run Registration Form

– Size chart for Finisher’s Shirt –

REGISTRATION CENTERS

1. RIOVANA BGC – 
28th St. cor. 9th Ave,. Bonifacio Global City | 
Mon-Sun 12nn – 10pm
2. SECONDWIND RUNNING STORE
 – Ortigas Home Depot, Julia Vargas Ave., Pasig City
 | Mon-Fri 11am – 8pm
Sat-Sun 10am – 7pm
3. THE STARTING LINE MULTI SPORT STORE – 
Autocluster Bldg. A, Westgate Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa
 | Mon-Fri 10am – 7pm
Sat 9am – 6pm
Sun 9am – 2pm

FAQ:

1. Does the entire team need to show up for registration?

No. One team member, not necessarily the Alumni or Participant, can register for everyone.

2. I don’t know any TBR Dream Alumni or Participant? Can I still join?

Sorry but we require one teammate to be a TBR Dream Alumni or Participant.

3. Can I run ahead of my teammates?

No. The entire team must run as one. Teams that do not run or cross the finish line together will be disqualified.

4. What do I need to bring on race day?

Um, aside from your 2 teammates, your waivers.  In your race kit, we have included two waivers per person. Each runner must submit both either during registration or on race day.

CONTACT DETAILS

For inquiries, contact TBR Hotline. Look for Macel. Mobile: SUN 0942.477.6099. Email: tbrdream@gmail.com

My daughter asked me: “Mama, how old are you again?”  I replied with my age.  Then, she gazed back at me with a half-amused, half-shocked expression and exclaimed “You’re even older than my school!” (which is celebrating their 35th year.)  Great. I am now older than concrete structures that seemed like they’ve been there before my Lolo was born.

Earlier this week, I was invited to an Olay Regenerist event at Tessa Valdes’ home. As soon as I arrived, a dashing young male model/usher (hence I couldn’t say no!) led me to the Visia computer which, upon placing my chin into a tiny little dome with an 18 megapixel camera, snapped close up images of my face, fed the info into a computer, and analyzed the condition of my skin.

I always thought my main problem was dryness and over exposure to the sun because of running, swimming, and biking.  The good news was that my skin had proper moisture, it was well protected by my sunblock (Neutrogena 100SPF), and pores were good too.  Now for the bad news.  And this was baaaaad.  I had wrinkles!  Huwat?  Me?  Wrinkles?!  Apparently, they’re all over my forehead and around my eyes.  My next thought: Thank God my camera only has 12mp!

Sigh. I’m getting old.  On top of those invisible wrinkles, I feel those flabs in the arms flapping away whenever I do a Ms. Universe wave (good thing I don’t try that stunt too often) and I need to have my white hair dyed every other month.  It would be easy for me to spend an entire day sulking about this while bingeing on comfort food (Cheetos and Mountain Dew Slurpee please!), but I’ll surely end up feeling bloated and even more depressed after.

The thing is, when I lace up my shoes, head out the door, and run my vanity issues away, there’s only one thing that happens: They disappear.  There’s something about feeling how strong or fast I can go that reminds me about the power I have as a woman with a rich history to draw motivation from.  With each foot stomping hard on the ground, I think more about how far I can go with my own two feet. It’s all me.  The older, wiser, stronger me—with all my wrinkles, age spots, and flab—that can choose to go longer, farther, faster than I did yesterday.

I started running at the late age of 30, ran my first marathon at 33, and I’ll run my 8th this coming September 30.  The long term plan is to run one or two marathons a year for the rest of my life.  Oh, I also have a not-so-secret dream of qualifying for Boston Marathon with a sub-4 when I hit 50 years old.

Aaah running, it’s a sport that I can definitely grow old with and I’m looking forward to our many more years of blissfulness together…with or without those wrinkles.

TBR Dream Marathon is fortunate enough to work with fitness experts and running couple, Armand and Mitch Felipe Mendoza to offer 100 TBR Dreamers the opportunity to receive free consultation and supervision on WEIGHT MANAGEMENT while training for TBR Dream Marathon.

To learn more about the TBR Dream Marathon Weight Management Program, click HERE.

The slots are limited to 100 registered participants of TBR DM 2013 because the Mendoza’s provide one-on-one consultation for free.  They wish to focus on those who are serious and committed to managing and monitoring their weight and those who can attend all, if not, most of the meetings.

Note the following:
– Limited slots only. Strictly 100 TBR DM 2013 runners will be accepted.
– Mitch and Armand will screen all applicants and choose who will be accepted.  Organizers reserve the right to reject or accept any applicant without reason.
– Participants MUST attend the first session on MONDAY, SEPT 24, 2012, 7PM at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Bar, 3/F Gap Building, BHS (on top of Gap and Muji).
– List of accepted runners will be posted on or before Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012.

To apply to be a participant of the TBR DM Weight Management Program, click HERE.