Category Archives: Bullish Insights

The rain didn’t stop all the mommies (and grandmothers, kids, and preggy women…plus their partners) from running the Mommy Milkshake Marathon at Bonifacio High Street yesterday.

– with organizers, Rome Kanapi and my sis Janice Villanueva and the kids –

Our entire family, including my niece, showed up for the race armed with two umbrellas.  Hubby took care of the older kids, while I accompanied Little Miss Bull Runner who chose to bike the 3k course along with her cousin.  (I gave her this option since she was coughing and I worried that 3k was too much for her.)

“Are the girls going to win?” I asked Little Miss TBR. “Yes!” she yelled. Fueled by Woman Power, we were off!

– Little Miss TBR with her pet, Liny, who joins every family adventure –

FAMILY FUN

We raced along with other families who were enjoying the easy run despite the gloomy weather.  For a moment, I ran alongside Patricia Hizon and her kids Vicente and Paul; fast and fearless Vicente was way ahead of his mommy.

– Patricia Hizon with her adorable boys –

I also spotted Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan with her mom and her grandmother.  Her own daughter had sped off ahead and later found a place on the podium.

– Four generations of strong and beautiful Laxa women –

As for Little Miss TBR, she pedaled like there was no tomorrow.  With such a huge smile, I knew she was enjoying every minute.  We went for two loops around BHS.  The uphills were a bit of a challenge for her, but she enjoyed the gentle downhills immensely.  Too much in fact that I begged her to slow down!

– racing with my little girl –

BALANCING MOTHERHOOD AND RUNNING

I thought I was going to have it easy compared to the hubby.  (This pic shows he had quite an easy time running with older kids.)

– Coach Hubby with my niece and the kids –

Past 3km races with my daughter was always a slow and relaxed run.  But, this time, I failed to take into consideration that 1) kids on bikes go much faster, and 2) holding an umbrella while running was a skill I had absolutely no training for.

It was the ultimate test of balancing running and motherhood at exactly the same time.  While running, I had to hold the umbrella in one hand and camera in the other, caution Little Miss TBR about veering away from the course (which was almost every 5 seconds), warn her about hitting runners in front, and help her count the “rainbows” (prisms caused by the rainwater hit by the light) she spotted on the road.

With my feet soaked in rainwater (I wore Vibram Five Fingers for the first time. More on this in a separate post) and non-stop fast-paced running, it was exhausting…but seeing Little Miss TBR’s face beam with pride when we crossed the finish made all the sweat, worry, and tough bicep workout all worth it.

– We did it! –

LITTLE MISS TBR – A FUTURE TRIATHLETE

As it turns out, Little Miss TBR absolutely loved the race. After seeing the photos, she exclaims while jumping up and down: “Mama, I want to bike again in another race…and I want Liny (her pet lion) to join us again…and I want it to rain, too!”  Oh boy, this mama has got to train hard for the next one.

– Yahooo! –

Congratulations to the organizers of Mommy Milkshake Marathon especially my sis, Janice Villanueva of Mommy Mundo and Creative Juice. Hope to join this one again next year!

Last July 31, 2010, I was invited to give an inspirational talk on running for NUVALI’s new residential development, Venare. The unique event was called TRY-ATHLON encouraging the guests to give various sports a try: running, aqua aerobics, yoga, football, and more.

– My talk was entitled “Life on the Run” –

– My favorite running quote and a photo shot by Levi Lakandula for Conquer Corregidor last year –

– with NUVALI managers and other speakers for the day –

It is always a pleasure for me to share my passion for running (I’m sure you all know that by now) and to inspire the non-running audience (not a runner in the house…except for the hubby!) to give the sport a try.

– with Phil at the impressive Treveia Clubhouse.  If I was 15 years younger, this would’ve made my day. Wait, I think it still did. –

– All the other sports guests could “sample” at the event –

– Aqua aerobics at the Clubhouse Pool. Wonder if they had aqua jogging for runners? I wish. –

– Football star Phil Younghusband looks cool as a “Surfer Dude” too –

– Bikes for rent at NUVALI –

She stayed with us for less than a month.  And, when she left, we didn’t know that she had robbed us of items almost three times worth her monthly salary.

It turns out that our crooked maid had a love for running!  Except for cash, all the items she stole were for running:

1) My Mizuno Wave Alchemy that was next in line for road testing

2) My husband’s Nike shirt

3) My son’s P3,000 savings (Stealing from a kid. She’s got no heart!)

And, worst of all, the two major losses that just breaks my heart every time I remember them…

4) Two of my all-time favorite Nike cotton shirts that I purchased in Nike Campus in the US.  (Why did she have to steal pieces that aren’t available locally?  And, why my Lance shirt?!  Grrrrr!)

– I got this Bowerman shirt for a steal at the Nike Campus. Nike staff pulled out boxes and sold shirts on the field during the Hood to Coast party. Now, how do I replace that, robber maid? –

– Go Lance Gooooooo! Sob sob –

To the evil runaway maid: I wish you trip on a huge rock while running with my shoes and that you gain so much weight you won’t even fit into my Nike shirts.  Karma will get you soon.

Whenever Annie is visiting Manila from Singapore where she’s based, we make the most out of the little time we have together.  For some women, that would mean countless hours of spa dates, shopping sprees, and long chats over coffee.  Not for Annie and I.

We spend our time running as much as we can.

MONDAY

Last Monday, we ran under the intense heat of the 9 a.m. sun at our favorite playground running our usual course.

Just like the good ol’ days, we warmed up with a short walk that extended to 1km without our knowing because of our endless chatting and laughing.  We ran the course paying no attention to pace since there were more stories to catch up on.  How’s life in Singapore? How much are local races nowadays?  Remember when we were both 5 to 10lbs lighter?  In between talking and laughing, as I ran with my bestest running buddy, I was glad to know that it was as if she never left.

After our run, we didn’t make plans for breakfast or meet ups.  We only set the date for our next run: Ultra on Wednesday.  That’s the way we are with Annie.  We don’t chat on the phone nor do we text each other often, but we always show up for our running dates.  And when we see each other, we have the best time sweating it out together.

WEDNESDAY

This morning, we met Coach Rio and friends Jay and Jun at Ultra track oval.

Annie and I reminisced about the summer of 2008 when we trained together under Coach Jo-Ar.  How he made us do intervals  with Coach Lydia de Vega and her highschool track team.  There we were, two women twice the age of these long-legged sprinters attempting to match their pace.  Or how Coach would make us run up the stairs with Annie reaching the top so quickly as I always struggled to run the last 3 steps.  Aaah we were much fitter then.

Coach Rio asked us to run a 1-miler, 800, 400, and 200 earlier today.  As usual, I chased Annie from behind; she’s always been the stronger runner.  With both of us not being at our fittest, we huffed and puffed all throughout the run.  Just like before, we would complain about what we had to do, but deep inside, we both knew we loved the speed.

– with Coach Rio, Chino Trinidad, Noy Jopson, Jun Bisnar, Jun Cruz, Mart Miranda, and Annie-

– Annie in serious conversation with our good friend, Jun. I bet they’re talking about injuries or insoles –

– sandwiched between two super celeb athletes, top triathlete Noy Jopson and Coach Rio de la Cruz. Starstruck ako, guys! –

MORE TO COME

Annie will be here until next week.  Needless to say, there will be more runs to come.  Hill training, maybe another track workout, and definitely Rexona Run where we’re registered for 21k.  Aaah, runs are going to be fun in the days to come!  Isn’t this what running buddies are for?!

Talk about perfect timing. I had fever a few days ago and I’ve been coughing endlessly (and loudly) all week. With the nebulizer in my mouth last night, I easily computed the amount of hours I worked out all week: ZERO.

To think I was overly thrilled about NYC Marathon Training starting this week.

To think Secondwind‘s Boy’s vs Girl’s Challenge kicked off last Monday, too. (This is a distance challenge initiated by Secondwind Running store where 10 girls, including myself, will win compete against 10 boys, for the longest distance run in a specific period of time. These poor boys don’t know what they are up against, I tell you.)

To think bestest running buddy, Annie, arrived from Singapore last Friday. Since last week, we had planned on running to our hearts content together. I’ve missed her terribly and I’m hoping we can cover our favorite course tomorrow, just as we always did before.

There’s only one B word to express my feelings right now: Bummed.

Okay, maybe another one: Bitin.