Category Archives: Bullish Insights

My Li’l Miss Bull Runner turned another year older today. Like I’ve told her almost every single day the past week, I don’t have a baby anymore (sob sob), but we’re lucky to have a fun, adventurous, and sometimes feisty little lady. (You need not ask who she took after.)

She’s only joined one race this year: the Mommy Milkshake Run held last August. (We never force our kids to run if they don’t want to. But we do pray to the high heavens that they end up loving running as we do in the future.)

– LMBR with her cousin at the Mommy Milkshake Run 2011 –

I thought Li’l Miss Bull Runner would be semi-retired for this year and she’d stick to biking and playing with her Little Pet Shop toys, but as usual she surprised me last week. She heard about the Woodrose J.O.G. on December 4, 2011 and, even before I asked her if she was interested, she already informed me she was joining. That’s my girl!

– Woodrose J.O.G. Poster –

The great thing is, Li’l Miss Bull Runner received her birthday gift from the grandparents yesterday: Cosmo, the newest member of our family.  Methinks Cosmo could be her future running buddy (next to Kuya, of course!)

– Li’l Miss Bull Runner overjoyed to meet Cosmo –

Thank you to all 83 runners who joined the contest and risked losing their appetites to stare at my toes.

This was, by far, the silliest/ dumbest/ grossest post I’ve ever published so far. But, it did bring some laughter into my day which was sorely needed, especially after my exhausting 10k tempo run last night in the rain.

Before I announce the winner, allow me to reply to some comments:

RIZZA: I’m torn between numbers 1 and 10 because they are both matte. the others are glossy so i assume they have nails. i really analyzed it, huh? haha! okay, i go for number 1. =)

Me: Rizza, you are hilarious…and may I say, a nail conosseiur if there’s such a thing. We should spend a day in the nail spa together painting our nail-less toes.

HASTE: This is the longest time I actually looked at another person’s feet. My answer is toe #8.

Me: This is a bad thing since it was my feet. Sorry for ruining your day, Haste, haha.

JAN: I rarely comment on your blog but this one is an exception. Your toes are indeed ugly. Did running do that? It’s a good thing you’re pretty and we always see you in running shoes. My wife also runs but her toes still look ok. Anyway, I really don’t want to join your gross contest but since you already got me to comment, I choose no. 7.

Me: My feet have been ugly since birth and running just made it slightly worse.  Thank you for the compliment (even if it was uhm backhanded) and thank you for joining my contest (even if you found it gross. No worries. I felt the same).  This was a post done in jest to make light of all matters. Dead toe nails. Stress fractures. Stress at work. We all have our problems but we all need to laugh sometimes too. Try it.

And now for the great reveal…

The question was: Which one was the nail-less toe?

Answer: No. 8

Wow, so many of you were fooled by Number 7 huh? That one is just about to die so you were kinda advanced in your prediction. hah!

As for the rules of the game, winner was to be the 20th correct commenter. Out of 83 comments, can you believe only 9 guessed the right nail-less toe which was…drumroll please…number 8? (Remind me to give the lady who gave me the pedicure extra tip)

So, to stick to the rule, I’ll be awarding the commenter who was closest to the 20 and this would be the last commenter…

Congratulations to CARLOS ALFONSO ARITAO (REVISED 3 PM, 2 SEPT 2011) for guessing the right nail-less toe and winning P1,000 worth of gift certificates from Chris Sports and P1,000 worth of gift certificates from Runnr. I’ll be emailing you regarding claiming of the prize.  (Note: Previously announced winner KRISTIN submitted her comment after the contest period and was thus disqualified)

So I got a pedicure yesterday…and it inspired me to create this post on my toes. (Yes, I know they’re ugly but luckily I don’t really care what most people think.)

Before we begin our contest, I’d like to share some trivia on my toes (It won’t change the world or your life, but it may entertain you for a minute or two):

1. Gray is a favorite polish color.  Why?  Because I read in a past issue of InStyle that gray is the top selling nail polish color in Boston.  Methinks if I wear this color more often I may have more chances of getting into Boston Marathon in this or the next lifetime.
2. I never ever used to get my nails colored or even cleaned before I started running.  I think it’s such a waste of time.  But, with my terribly ugly feet and dead toe nails, I think it’s a must if I want to wear flip flops without being ostracized by friends.
3. Whenever a dead toe nail falls off (and this happens often), I present it to the kids and they squeal in terror.  Then, I chase after them with the toenail all over the bedroom.  (Crazy mommy, I know.)
4. I got my injury between #3 and #4 toes.  Since then, even if the pain is gone, I can’t even see the veins anymore when I wiggle my toes back and forth.
5. My bunions are getting bigger.  I worry that I may have to have them fixed soon.  My greatest fear isn’t surgery; it’s the number of days I won’t be able to run.
6. When I run New York City Marathon, I’ll paint R-U-N-N-Y-C-4-2 on my toe nails.  Cool huh?  Got that idea from Dara Torres.

I’ve been getting chills on and off for the past few days this week.  Every day I don’t quite feel 100% fine hence just 7k total mileage the past days and zero gym or swimming. Every evening, as we get into bed, I show the kids the goosebumps on my arms and beg them to turn the air conditioning down but they giggle and grin and head off to lala land while I freeze and sneeze and toss and turn with this cold that never really comes.  No surprise, I guess. They’re little bull runners, after all!

My plan is to completely disregard this cold-that-never-comes and run my long run tomorrow.  Sunday, I’ll go for a 5k recovery run at Earth Run where I hope and pray “recovery” would mean getting over sore muscles and this annoying cold.

MORE GOOSEBUMPS FROM TBR DREAM 2011

This morning, as I was preparing for TBR Dream 2012 (yes, you all know plans are underway) I went through all the stories sent in by TBR Dream Marathoners 2011.  Woah, I got goosebumps from reading about how our little dream of a race had made such a significant impact in their lives.  Here are bits and pieces of some of the stories sent in…(To the runners who sent their stories in, thank you so much! I wasn’t able to reply to each one, but I surely will. Just give me time to sift through my Inbox!)

There is nowhere in the world where one runs a marathon in a more loving and nurturing environment than in the TBR DM. The pacers, the dream chasers, the hydration station attendants, the organizers, the fellow runners, the families, the onlookers, everyone was cheering at us and buoying our spirits up, as if our dream-come-true is theirs too. Some runners faltered along the way, labored painfully, grappled with injuries, struggled with each mile, but these people kept them on, pushed them literally…Each of us runners were facing our own bout but we moved as if we were one spirit, straining into one direction and wanting every comrade of the road to finish too. In the TBR DM, everyone who crosses the finish line is a winner and everyone who steps on the thin line that defines a marathoner owns the limelight to himself. There was no competition there, only a contest against oneself, and there, we conquered. And as we did, our families and friends and supporters roared and hugged and held because our victory became theirs. (For full story, click HERE.)

– Aisa Manlosa

I practically threw out any plans of targeting a particular finish time and just cherish every kilometer and enjoy the great company. We had a blast every time Coach Jim would pass us by with his motorcycle shouting loudly and egg us to move on. We would talk about how this year’s edition of TBR Marathon was setup from the Bull Sessions, Talks, Send-Off Party and the marathon itself. With all the exceptional things given to us by the TBR Team, it seemed like Jaymie paid us to do the marathon – it was just that good.

– Anton Badiola

TBR Dream Marathon 2011, race day… I describe it as one HELLISH experience but I don’t mind doing it all over again. There were a lot of emotions from the start, pains and soreness along the way, but crossing that finish line gave me and every participant an inexplicable feeling that would make one cry and smile at the same time. I’d like to thank Jaymie and the entire TBR Dream Team. TBR Dream Marathon is the best marathon setting anyone could ever ask for. We appreciate all the time, efforts, and sacrifices you’ve done in making this happen. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion with us. I pray to God that He may bless you abundantly for you to be able to continue this good deed and help more runners in the future.

– Mike Janeo

TEARS OF ELATED JOY.  That is how I would describe my feeling as I ran the last few hundred meters to the finish line.  The last few meters to the finish line just kept repeating in my mind, it was truly a EUPHORIC MOMENT for me. When Joy & I saw the sign 42K, she told me she will run ahead and she will see me at the finish line.  The moment she ran ahead of me I just could’nt stop running, I kept going and going and going and I was crying already.  Good thing I was wearing shades so my tears were not easily seen.  It was just me who crossed the finish line when I saw the TIMEX clock 6:48 (as I recall) so it was a glorious MOMENT indeed!  And you know what the BEST part was? Just a few steps near the finish line, my eldest son JAVIER approached me, HELD MY HAND and gave me a big smile and TOGETHER we crossed the finish line.  Then my youngest son, ENZO gave me hug and it was just a PERFECT moment.

All Dream Marathoners were acknowledged by the host as we crossed the finish line. I felt like a Hollywood star, cameras flashing and the host gave me a compliment that I still looked FRESH even after running the TOUGH 42K.  Then the TBR medal was placed on me and I surely felt like a REAL WINNER, whoohoohoo!!!

– Donna Gojo-Segunial

I’ve been treated like a “fragile being” by family and friends who cared about me — so many things I shouldn’t eat or do, just because I had asthma. When I was rushed to the ER and a doctor tells me my asthma was back (and with vengeance), I was told I can never take part in any endurance sport ever again — I was told I can never run. But finishing your marathon defied all odds. I was able to complete 42.2km even when they told me I could not. (Click HERE for full story)

– Gail Villanueva

To most serious runners, finishing a marathon in 7:51 may be something to scoff at. But I hold my head high. I, after all, finished! More than gunning for a faster time, it was the experience that mattered most. So all those tears were all about being surrounded by happy, shiny people who have nothing but my best interest in their hearts, thus making my first marathon worth running, despite the pain.

– Dittie Galang

I’m thinking of setting up a website just to hold all of the stories from TBR Dream Marathon.  For TBR Dream Alumni, it would be a great site to look back on.  And, for those who dream of something bigger in their lives, it would be a great place to draw inspiration from.  Soon!

In the middle of reviewing both kids for their exams a couple of days ago, this stressed out mom couldn’t have received a better gift: an invitation from the lovely people of Misibis Bay to revisit their resort.  Before I could answer “Yes!”, they added: Congressman Manny Pacquiao will be there, too.

Fast forward to two days after and here I am resting comfortably in one of Misibis Bay’s luxurious suites completely starstruck after spending time with the best boxer in the world, Cong. Manny Pacquiao, and wife Jinky.

– Beach front at Misibis Bay –

– Most of the suites face the pool –

MANNY PACQUIAO: THE RUNNER

While the rest of the press were eating and chatting earlier today, I managed to steal a long 5 minutes of one-on-one chit chat with Cong. Manny Pacquiao! Boy was I lucky!

– Once in a lifetime chance to be this close to the Pacman. Check out what he’s reading! –

– Starstruck! –

– with Jinky Pacquiao –

What did we talk about? Running, of course!

I learned that Manny runs six times every morning of the week except Sundays.  It’s in the afternoons, 1pm to 4pm, that he trains for boxing.  He runs anywhere from 40 mins. to 1 hour and uses time as gauge rather than distance.  His longest run to date has been 1 hour and 15 mins.  He added that he loves hills and trains in Rizal when in Manila and Griffith Park when in the US.

MORE Q&A

Before I knew it, the rest of the press came to ask more questions.

While I was satisfied with learning about Manny’s running regimen, I was of course interested to hear what else he had to say on other matters:

* ON OTHER SPORTS ASDIE FROM BOXING: diving, jet ski, basketball, billiards, pingpong, badminton, and running

– Manny toured Misibis in this segway. That’s one good way to escape the paparazzi. For us runners, a sure way to PR! –

* ON WHAT SETS HIM APART FROM OTHER BOXERS: his faith in God.  He prays the rosary daily nine days before each fight and offers mass before and after the fight

* ON HIS KIDS FOLLOWING IN HIS FOOTSTEPS: he started boxing at age 12 and he’s quite relieved that his kids are not at all interested in boxing

* ON HIS BOXING STRATEGY:  There’s a lot of strategizing involved in boxing.  It’s hard.  But, if you plan it well, then it becomes easier.

* ON MOST VALUABLE MATERIAL ITEMS: his trophies and belts

* ON THE BEST INVESTMENT HE’S MADE: buying MP Tower, the first gym he trained in when he went to Manila.  It was old and decrepit when he purchased it, but he tore it down and built a 7-story building

* ON RETIREMENT: No comment at all

Here’s a video of Manny explaining how he trains for his fights by analyzing his opponents:

MANNY PACQUIAO READS TBR

I couldn’t believe it.  The Manny Pacquiao reading The Bull Runner Magazine.  Faint!

Misibis Bay is located in Cagraray Island in Albay. It’s a 45 minute flight from Manila to Legazpi and less than an hour land trip from the airport to the resort. For more info, call 661-8888 loc 3007 or visit their website at www.misibisbay.com

Read about my Misibis Bay Fitness Escape here and here.