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“Huwwwaaaaat?!”

That was my reaction as I viewed the numbers on the scale the evening we arrived from Hong Kong a few days after the marathon.

I had gained a whopping 6 pounds in 4 days. Even my husband was shocked as he noted that I didn’t indulge so much during the trip. (Of course, he wasn’t with me during New Balance’s eat-all-you-can buffet where I had three whole lobsters. Still, that’s seafood so it doesn’t count!) Even if I had binged in one meal, I ran a marathon for God’s sake (plus I ran 3 more during the past months), so I should at the very least maintain my weight, right? Well, not this body of mine! Grrrr…

So, I moaned, and groaned, and complained, and whined about it all.

Now, almost 2 weeks after, I lost 2 of the 6 pounds but I’m still heavier than ever. Thus, I am still complaining and whining.

What’s the cause? After much analysis, here’s my bullish theory (for all you experts out there, correct me if I am wrong, but then again this is my body so I should know it best):

1. Reduced mileage. I cut my mileage after Condura (recovery) and before Hong Kong (taper) thus reducing my calorie burn. (Can I just tell you that I absolutely hated this period?! Remind me never to do anything as crazy as this again.)
2. Reduced activity. So I got busy with work and kids like a lot of you, and I stuck to my one love: running when I was pressed for time.  All the other stuff I used to do on a weekly basis: gym, spinning, swimming, and yoga were put on the back burner for the entire February.
3. My body is used to running. I’ve been running since 2006 and I’m guessing that my body needs something new to get excited about for weight loss (or even just maintenance please!)  Triathlon world is that you calling once again?
4. I’m eating more than I know. So, I cut back on meat, but I’ve been bingeing on fruit shakes (Sexy Chef, Stabucks, Frutas…you name it, I drink it!), yoghurt ice cream (Golden Spoon is love!), and more which is still too much for my reduced mileage.

The good news: I lose weight as fast as I gain.  So, as I told my gym instructor this morning—while we were both staring at my protruding belly and bulging arms in front of the mirror—“I’ll be back on track come Monday and I’ll lose those 4 pounds fast.”  This bull works hard for what she wants, and she usually gets it.

The iamninoy runners group together with Mizuno and coach Patrick Joson invite you to join the running clinic on Mar. 13, 2010, Saturday, 6 AM. Meeting place is in the parking area of St. James the Great Parish in Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa.

Unfortunately, I can’t make it as I registered for Pinay in Action tomorrow. For those who didn’t sign up, I hope you can make it to the iamNinoy Run!

Our 2nd Bull Circle packed the corner of R.O.X. again last March 10 as over 150 runners arrived for Coach Jim Saret’s talk on “Getting the Body Marathon Ready.”

– One leg up! Coach Jim teaches runners some balance exercises –

– We were honored to have one armed super runner Isidro Vildosola… –

– Wonder tri mom Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan… –

– and Jun Bisnar, GM of Nuvali who celebrated his birthday that evening, and his wife Ofel in the audience –

Our 1-hour session extended to over 2 hours as Coach Jim caught the runners’ interest with his interactive discussion and demonstration on balance and core training for runners.

What I learned in this session:

• BALANCE is important for runners!  With each step, one foot is on the ground and another in the air. One leg is at work to carry your body weight and keep you balanced. If you lack balance, one leg will have to work harder just to keep you balanced.
• HOW TO DEVELOP BALANCE: single leg stabilization drills


– Why is balance important for runners? Click on the video to find out –

• Runners should focus on strengthening the CORE. Focus on doing more core training rather than crunches, weight training, or plyometrics.
• HOW TO ACTIVATE THE CORE: suck your belly button in!
• HOW TO STRENGTHEN THE CORE: stability ball exercises, balance disc, planks

– with Coach Jim Saret –

– with Sid and Coach Jim –

* Thanks to Armie for some of the photos!

For those who missed the very informative talk, we have more videos coming up on youtube. Search for The Bull Runner.

Hubby and I didn’t register for Unilab’s Run United for Wellness, but the kids did. My, how the tables have turned!

– My little runners –

TBR Jr. was well-prepared for this one. The night before, we broke the good news to him: Since the race was only 500m, we would allow him to sprint until the end. There would be absolutely no talk of pacing or slowing down.  “I can run fast?!” he asked with glee. “Yup!” we answered.  And, with that one reply, his eyes were beaming with excitement.

As for the little one, she was quite anxious about Kuya leaving her behind. So, we told her that we would just show up for the race and she would decide there if she would run or not.

We arrived at Bonifacio High Street a little after 6:30 a.m. for the kids’ 500m dash of the race. We parked at the far end of BHS not knowing we had parked at the opposite side of the kids’ race.

We saw the 21km runners coming in and wondered where our race would start.  By that time, it was around 6:50 a.m.  Then, we spotted the kids in the orange helmets and realized we only had a few minutes to spare before the race started.

– High tech start/finish line for United Run –

TBR Jr. and I ran towards the race start while Hubby and Little Miss TBR, who woke up on the wrong side of the bed and had a monster attitude that morning, strolled along behind.

– Uh oh! –

TBR Jr. and I ran, and ran, and ran. In between breaths, TBR Jr. said he was getting tired.  Uh oh, we hadn’t even reached the race yet!

Thankfully, we made it in time.  And, hubby and daughter who just walked…made it just in time, too.

– Super athletes joined in on the kiddie fun run: Monsour del Rosario, Norman Black and Alvin Patrimonio –

– with TBR Jr. and Trey, the future runner son of RG who I met before the race –

When the gun went off, TBR Jr. waited for me as if to ask if he could run already.  I said to him: “Go, I’ll follow.  No need to look back. I’ll be behind you all the way.” And so he ran…

Still, he would look behind again and again, checking if I was still there. Again, I told him: “Just go as fast as you can. I’m running behind you.” It was in the last few meters, just after we turned towards the end, that he went full speed ahead, confident that his mom got his back all the way to the finish.

– No sweat…literally! –

After a few minutes, we caught sight of Hubby and Little Miss TBR walking towards the finish. She was still in an awful mood even if Kuya had ran back into the race to encourage her.  Well, no one can really force Little Miss TBR to do anything she doesn’t want to.  (Wonder where she got that!)

– Little Miss TBR manages a teeny weeny smile –

This was TBR Jr.’s first race that he ran all the way; no stops nor breaks. Wooohoo!  It was a good lesson on self-confidence for my boy.  And, the first lesson on letting go for Mommy.

– Congratulations to my little runner! –

– Unilab’s play area for the kids. Fun fun fun! –

THE NEXT BULL CIRCLE (running talk) is TOMORROW!

We’re lucky to have booked Coach Jim Saret, my favorite speaker, for tomorrow’s Bull Circle.  He’s usually flying all over the world with the Smart Gilas RP National Basketball team, but he made the time for us to talk about enhancing our running performance.  Hope to see you tomorrow!

• Wednesday, 10 March 2010, 7 PM
• R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street
• Topic: “Getting the Body Marathon Ready”
• Coverage: injury prevention, neuromuscular stabilization, strength and conditioning for runners.
• Speaker: Coach Jim Saret, Phil. Olympic Committee’s Sports Training and Fitness Consultant for all national teams.
• Open to the public
• Free of charge