Category Archives: Bullish Insights

This is my late post dedicated to mommies who run!  Hey, every day should be Mother’s Day after all!

Being a mom is a tough job.  For those who can successfully include “training for and running a marathon” in her to-do list along with the demands of career and family life, it’s even more challenging.  But, we’ve seen many women do it and we continue to see a lot more women aiming for it because it makes life more fulfilling, it makes us more complete, and—would you believe—it makes us better wives, mothers, co-workers, daughters, and friends.

So, it was truly heartwarming for me when, at TBR Dream Marathon, Philips Avent came up to us and offered something for our running nursing mommies that we had never heard of before: Philips Avent Breastfeeding Stations.  Yes, you got that right.  For the first time in the country, a marathon was offering a Breastfeeding Station, aside from the usual Water and Sports Drink Station.  How cool was that?!

We drew up the plans.  Found the location for it.  And quickly informed our nursing running mommies, Maricel and Debbie, about it.  They were thrilled.  When race day came, they dropped by and expressed their milk conveniently, discreetly, and comfortably at the special Philips Avent Breastfeeding stations.

– Philips Avent products neatly arranged –


– Philips Avent breastfeeding pumps –

The stations were clean and spacious.  Our two super nursing mommies were treated to free use of Philips Avent breast pumps, bottles and other products at the tent.

– Maricel Pangilinan and her pacer/husband Anthony pause to express milk for baby Solana –


– Young mommy Debbie giving a thumbs up.  She doesn’t even look tired midway through the run –


– Maricel and Anthony, along with friend Tina, continue the marathon with the Philips Avent tent behind them –

I hope this post inspires in many ways:

– For new mommies to realize that you too can aim to be fit and strong even while you’ve just given birth or are raising infants and young children (or like these moms, even while you’re breastfeeding. Just consult your doctor first);
– For moms of every age, shape, and size to know that you can live a healthier, happier lifestyle while caring for your family if you just decide to start NOW;
– For more companies, like Philips Avent, to support moms and women and lighten their load as they devote their lives to their families.
– For all of us to always remember our Mothers and the sacrifices they’ve made for us not just on Mother’s Day, but on the other 364 days of the year.

– Nursing mommy Maricel finishes her first marathon! –


– Maricel thanks Philips Avent for the support! –

With just a couple more days to the 3rd month anniversary of our new marathoners from batch 2013 of TBR Dream Marathon, we couldn’t wait to release our little surprise: the official video coverage of TBR Dream Marathon 2013.

Enjoy! In the meantime, we are busy preparing for TBR Dream Marathon 2014 (yes, we start this early!)

On our second day in London, we took a train to lovely and quaint Leamington, which became popular in the 1900s among the affluent as a spa town.  (Think hot springs of Laguna.)

– Leamington Spa –

– with my cousin, Michelle, in front of one of the churches at Leamington –

We took a car ride to Walton passing Stratford-Upon-Avon where Shakespeare was born and, shortly after, arrived at Walton Hall, a 19th century country mansion, which was the venue of my cousin’s wedding and also our home for the next two nights.  (Now think Downton Abbey!)

– Walton Hall –

– Leisure Club?  Beauty Salon? The perfect place to spoil a runner days before a marathon! Yes, feeling lifestyles of the rich and famous! LOL –

– The kids were thrilled about our room overlooking the countryside –


– View from the tower room –

I was thrilled to be here for my cousin’s wedding.  Celine and I grew up together being born just a month apart.  We went to the same school from Prep to Highschool.  We shared the same group of friends all our lives.  I spent most of my time after all of our elementary school days at her house doing our homework together, playing hopscotch or piko, or turning her bathroom into a huge bathtub and soaking in the bubble bath together.  (See, I showed early signs of eventually getting into swimming!)  And, even when we went to different colleges, started working, and I got married and she left for New York for her MBA and moved to Singapore, we remained close.  So, I was excited to see my “sister”/barkada/best friend finally settling down with Rob, her British boyfriend who we’ve also come to love.

– with Laurie and Cel, my bestest friends since forever, after Cel’s bridal shower at the Salon. Missing: Vicky and Krie –

Walton Hall was beautiful. I felt like I had gone on a retreat…a running retreat!  We were surrounded by nature, lush green grass, swans and ducks in the lake, trees that could tell tales from the past.  The weather was cold, but it was invigorating and refreshing.

– with the kiddos –

The next morning, Friday, I was to run my last run before the London Marathon on Sunday.  The hubby and kids came along with me.  We walked.  We jogged.  We laughed.  We looked for animals.  Then, they got hungry and went ahead for breakfast. LOL.

– The kids loved running (and jumping) freely all over the place –


– She wanted to get as close to them as possible! –

– Father and son bonding –

– Mini-me! –

I was planning on running 5k alone.  As I ran, I felt great.  Correction: Not just great.  I felt like my entire body, especially my legs, were completely prepared for the marathon.  My form was good.  My legs felt springy and light.  Everything felt perfect.  And so, barely even hitting 3k, I stopped and decided to enjoy breakfast with the family.

– Check out my running buddy on the right –

If there’s one thing I learned about as a serious runner, it’s NOT to take running too seriously.  There are precious moments and special people in your life that are more important than a race.  Not to mention croissants and Nutella waiting at the breakfast buffet.

That afternoon, as bridesmaid, I witnessed one of the most beautiful weddings I’ve ever attended.  It was touching.  It was emotional.  It was inspiring.

– Newlyweds with the Entourage –


– It was freezing cold out there! Here we are sharing Celine’s shawl –

– with my not-so-little kids –

– Hubby with the kiddos –


– Li’l Miss Bull Runner jumps for sheep! –

I indulged in good food, a little wine, and then the following day, the family and I took a train back to London for an easy Saturday before the big day: London Marathon!

PREVIOUS: PART 1: LONDON MARATHON 2013: RACE EXPO
NEXT: PART 3: LONDON MARATHON 2013 – GETTING TO THE RACE START

Thank you so much to all the people who got me to London! Unilab Active Health for sponsoring the trip. Special thanks to my favorites Enervon Activ for keeping me energized during training and race day and Enervon HP for aiding in recovery. Thank you to Timex Philippines and Timex UK who snagged me a race slot.

Happy Birthday to me!  I turn 6 today.

Happy Birthday to TheBullRunner.com!  This blog turns 37 today.

Bring out your party hats!!!  Woot! Woot!

Oops, wait a minute.  Sorry for the mix up.  I turn 37 and this blog turns 6 today.  My bad.  But, if you wish to believe the first two lines, I don’t mind!  Really!

Traditionally, I throw the 5 to 5/5 contest (see THIS and THIS) where I give away tons of prizes for five days from May 1 to 5. It’s my favorite day of the year and I celebrate it by giving back to all of you guys who continue to support me by clicking on your mouse and visiting this little page of mine.

But, this year, I decided to celebrate quietly with my loved ones.  I hope you don’t mind.  Aw shucks, it doesn’t mean I love you guys any less, you know?  It just means that, um, I spent the entire week cooking my kids breakfast at 2:00 AM and sleeping when the sun rose until lunchtime.  We all suffered from jet lag for four straight days and I couldn’t seem to get anything done nor could I think straight.  Yes, I didn’t workout either until my first 50k ride yesterday.  (Good thing I still knew how to bike!)

Despite the lack of festivities, I am still very thankful for all the 36 years (and 5 blog years) that have passed as well as the next ones to come.  I thank each one of you who has touched my life and for those of you who have allowed me to touch your life in one way or another.  Thanks too for all the birthday greetings on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and SMS.  (Did I miss any?!)

Aaah, I’ve been blessed.  I’m truly grateful.  The past year has brought a lot of ups and downs, tears of sadness and happiness, but there is always, always a reason to celebrate and hope.  Looking forward to another wonderful year ahead with you guys!

I am a London Marathon 2013 Finisher!

My official finish time: 4:24:41.

It’s been two days since the race and I’m still on cloud nine!  As my family and I tour the rest of this beautiful city, please give me several days to write up my race report.  For now, allow me to share with you some photos from before and after one of the best races I’ve been fortunate enough to participate in.  This one was right up there with New York City Marathon!  Simply amazing!

PRE-RACE: 36,000 runners gather together at Greenwich Park to find their own race starts: Red, Blue, or Green. I was Green. Race start time was 10AM. The weather was absolutely perfect at around 9 degrees in the start.

Highlight of the start was when we were all asked to pause to honor the victims of the Boston Marathon. There was complete silence from thousands of runners for a minute or two.

THE RACE: The race took runners through some of the city’s major landmarks. We passed Cutty Sark, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, London Eye and Big Ben!  Roads were lined with spectators from start to end!

POST-RACE: The race ended at The Mall. Thousands of loved ones waited for their runners at the Meet & Greet area.  I had my Enervon HP and an apple as I waited for family to arrive.

Happy to see the hubby and my kiddos after the race!

Thank you so much to all the people who got me here! Unilab Active Health for sponsoring the trip. Special thanks to my favorites Enervon Activ for keeping me energized during training and race day and Enervon HP for aiding in recovery. Thank you to Timex Philippines and Timex UK who snagged me a race slot. Thank you to my Coach, Andy Leuterio, for killing me during training so that I could perform during the race. Thanks to the following for sponsoring my gear and nutrition: Gatorade (sports drink), Oakley (Radar path shades), CWX (compression tights and recovery socks), Timex (Timex Run Trainer watch), and Kswiss (Kwicky Blade Light shoes).

Check back after a few days for my full race report!