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No time to spare today. I’ve got design projects, a magazine, a marathon, and a talk tonight to work on.  I’ve gone on less than 5 hours of sleep for the past week or so.  My face has broken out with acne and my kids refuse to kiss me because they think it’s contagious (perhaps this is the worst part of it all!)  I feel like a teenager again but with a lot less energy.  I’m cranky, tired, and stressed. Aaack!

The solution? a 5-km run this morning.

When do I do it? Drop off the kids at school. Run to the gym from school.  Shower at the gym. Head to Starbucks to work.

That should be enough to put a smile on my pimple-infested face for the rest of the day.  Don’t you just love how running can easily fit into our busy scheds?

See you tonight for our BULL CIRCLE talk at R.O.X., 7pm. Click HERE for details.

GOOD NEWS! We have reached our quota for 200 FIRST-TIME MARATHONERS participating in TBR Dream Marathon.

BETTER NEWS! Due to high demand and overwhelming interest in TBR Dream Marathon even from non-first timers, we have decided to open up 100 more slots to give more runners a chance to share in the celebration. Who can join?

1. First-time marathoners, or…
2. Second-time marathoners (Yes, you read it right!)

Registration on-going at Nike Park Bonifacio High Street NOW!  No need to reserve via email.  Head straight to Nike to register.

RACE FEE: P950
WHERE: Nike Park, Bonifacio High Street
TIME: Mon-Thu 11am to 11pm, Fri-Sun 12nn to 12midnight
LOOK FOR: Raymond or Julius (running specialists)

1. After payment, you are already a CONFIRMED PARTICIPANT unless you fail to pass the qualifications stated in our rules and regulations anytime prior to race day.
2. Please bring a 2×2 Photo for the registration form. You may submit this later on if you wish.  (This is for our Souvenir Program/Yearbook after the race!)
3. As a CONFIRMED PARTICIPANT, you will receive the following perks:
   • 15% discount at Nike Park, Bonifacio High Street from now until May 22, 2010.
   • automatic inclusion in our e-group.  This will be our primary means of communicating with you, so please check email regularly
   • Priority seating for BULL CIRCLE: talks from running experts from now until race day.  Our tentative date for our 1st talk will be February 17, 2010, Wednesday at ROX.  Topic: The Marathon Dream. This is free and open to the public.

Hubby and I spent our Valentine’s Day morning, just like thousands of other runners, at The North Face Thrill of the Trail at Nuvali.

– Start for the couples run –

This was an 11k and 22k trail run which I desperately wanted to join, but I didn’t because of three words: No, not “I love you” (you’re so cheesy) but “Hong Kong Marathon!”   I thought it was best to avoid any potential strains, sprains, or little accidents on the trail before marathon day on February 28.  (Read: praning!)

While hubby ran the 11k race, I went ahead and ran on the road.  The air was a bit chilly, perfect for a nice morning run.  There were a lot of people strolling by the lake, biking, and even resting inside their tents on the grass. I loved every minute of that 5k run.

– The road I ran on. The same road TBR Dream Marathoners will pass –

– So peaceful here –

By the time I got dressed and went back for hubby, he was done. And so were other running friends who showed off all their battle scars.  Hubby had a swollen pinky, Aljo a scraped knee, and Marga bruised palms. Mark and Tiffin Parco had no scratches, but they did demonstrate Mark’s show of affection this Valentine’s Day.  When they crossed the river, Mark offered to carry Tiffin to the other end exactly like this…

– I heard Aljo asked Mark to carry him too. Unfortunately, he was rejected by Mark –

Despite the bumps and bruises, the runners were all smiles and enjoyed the new trail experience.

– with Edward, Raymund, Bards, and Dingdong –

– with Meek Runner and her hubby, Tiffin, and Francis M. –

– with Me-Anne and her husband –

– with Jun –

– Mai Mai and Miguel. I predict non-runner Miguel will be lacing up in 3 months –

Congratulations to TNF and the entire team, especially my favorite technical consultant Neville Manaois for staging another unique and exciting trail run!

This is the first in our series of talks for BULL CIRCLE: Running Talks for TBR Dream Marathon in Nuvali on May 22, 2010.  The first BULL CIRCLE TALK:

THE MARATHON DREAM
What is a marathon? Why do runners dream of conquering it? We gather a team of marathoners with various backgrounds—a Boston-finisher, an ultramarathoner, a one-time marathoner hoping for a 2nd attempt—to impart their wisdom and practical tips to guide you on training for a marathon. They will also talk about their various marathon experiences, whether it was in Pasig or Paris, to inspire and motivate you.

For TBR Dream Marathoners, we will also talk about the TBR Dream Marathon.  We introduce you to the TBR Dream Team, the organizing committee behind the marathon and faces you’ll see regularly from now until marathon day.  Plus, you’ll get to meet other TBR Dream Marathoners who will take on the journey with you.

We hope to share the message that you don’t have to be a super athlete nor do you have to devote your entire life to running just to finish a marathon.  Proper training, plus dedication and hard work, can get you to reach your marathon goal.

DATE: Wednesday, 17 February 2010
TIME: 7:00 PM
VENUE: 3/f R.O.X., Bonifacio High Street
HOW MUCH: free of charge, no pre-registration required

WHO CAN COME: Open to the public but TBR Dream Marathoners will be given priority seating.

* TO TBR DREAM MARATHONERS: Upon signing in at ROX, pls. inform us if you are a confirmed TBR Dream Marathoner so we can assist you.  We will also give you your 1 BOX OF CECON TABLETS (100PCS) so you can start taking it during training.

SPEAKERS:

• Susan Lafferty – Susan has spoken at numerous first timer events and panels around the world.  She has run 25 marathons, including Boston (PR of 3:47) and 2 Comrades Marathon, one of the world’s top ultramarathons which covers 89km in South Africa.  She is a 44 year old mother of 5 and is the wife of TBR Dream Marathon Race Director, Jim Lafferty.
• Neville Manaois – Neville is the team principal of Pinoy Ultra Runners and co-owner of Secondwind Running Store. He brings with him years of experience as a long distance runner.
• Anton Diaz – Anton has been running since 2007. His first marathon-for-a-cause was in July 2007 guided by the P&G Runner’s Circle and its coach then, Coach Jim Lafferty.  Anton hopes to run his second marathon this year. He is behind one of the Philippines’ top blogs: Our Awesome Planet.

SCHEDULE:
6:30 PM – Sign In
7:00 to 7:20 – TBR Dream Marathon (Jaymie Pizarro)
7:20 to 7:40 – Susan Lafferty
7:40 to 8:00 – Neville Manaois
8:00 to 8:20 – Anton Diaz
8:20 to 8:45 – Q&A (Panel)
8:45 to 9:00 – Meet fellow TBR Dream Marathoners

UPDATES FROM THE AMAZING KIDNEY RACE ORGANIZER:

Online registration reservation facility is up now. Pls visit www.thewanderboy.net. The organizers apologize for the delay as minor technical glitches have to be corrected.

Incidentally, we are making an advisory to all registered participants and would-be-participants that the intended kidney-shaped 15k Finishers’ Medal would have to be replaced by a more conventional yet equally well-crafted round medal design. The amount saved from this modification will definitely be a major supplement to the funds to be raised for the cause of this charity race.

We hope to see you on March 7.

– Cool, creative kindey singlet! –

– New design for Finisher’s Medal 15k –

– New design for Winners’ Medals –