Category Archives: Bullish Insights

Guess where I was earlier today?  I was less than two feet away from Derek Ramsay and his well-toned abs.  I was so near I could practically feel it.  Too bad he kept it well hidden underneath his shirt.

It was the press conference for the CENTURY SUPERBODS RUN at National Sports Grill in Greenbelt 3. I was seated not far from the stage where Derek along with the Century Tuna Superbods, Kaye Lopez, and the host, Reema Chanco talked about the upcoming race.

Prior to that, details of the race were presented along with the video of the 21k route in 3D.  This is definitely going to be one big event. Looks like Century Tuna is pulling out all the stops to make this a success with a well-organized race, plus bonus of loot bags, Superbods go see, Photovendo, RunPix analysis, and a raffle after the race.

– Kaye, Derek, Century Tuna Superbods –

During the interview, Derek admitted that he wasn’t into running and ran only in his other sports. He’ll be joining the 5k race on Feb. 21. A friend said Derek is a natural athlete who, even without training, could probably outrun Piolo. (I wonder!) As for the Superbods, the guy doesn’t run and the girl was a highschool track athlete.  She runs a bit to stay in shape.  The only serious (and fast) runner onstage was Kaye.  So, I watched them from my seat and started to drift off. You know, it’s never fun to listen to non-runners dryly talk about a sport you love so much.  I’m just hoping that, by the time they finish their race, they’ll be hooked for life too like the rest of us (insert evil laughter here).

– Blurry pic of Pam of Timex, Marga of Run Radio, and Vima (Kulit Runner) –

– with Jay (Prometheus Cometh), Vima, Marga, Raymund (Everybody Loves Raymund), Bards (Banana Running) –

After the presscon, we had dessert and continued to talk more about—what else—Derek’s abs…I mean, running…

– dessert with more kwento –

The Century Superbods Run will be on February 21, 2010.  Registration is open until February 15, 2010.  Race distance: 3k/ 5k/ 10k/ 21k. Click here to visit their website.

– Mayi, Jake, and Pio (in the back) before the run –

Last night, the iamNinoy Runners Group donned their yellow shirts and gathered at Bonifacio High Street to run for what would’ve been our beloved President Corazon Aquino’s 77th Birthday.  With yellow balloons in hand, we ran easy, “kwento” pace around BHS in memory of Tita Cory.

– All set for the birthday run –

As Monday is my only rest day per week, I ran just one loop around BHS (a measly 1.2k) and enjoyed the company of other iamNinoy members. It was nice to finally have time to chat with other members of the group, which started only at 50 runners when we launched in Condura Run last 2009, to over 1,500 runners to date.  Our group is not a political group (doesn’t matter who you’re voting for President in May!) but one that hopes to make heroes out of every runner.  Right now, we run to help reverse the education crisis in the country.

After everyone had finished running (well, we had to stop Jake from doing his 20k so that we could eat already!), we headed over to a nearby bar (complete with disco lights!) for some beer and food.  Phiten gave away 5 Phiten necklaces to some lucky winners.

– Paolo Abrera tries the Phiten tape for his injury –

– Happy Birthday, Tita Cory! Top (L to R): AnPaul, myself, Iya, Drew, Mayi, Pio, Lala’s hubby, Francis. Bottom (L to R): Jed, Lala, Grace, Totoy –

They say “You’ll never forget your first.” And, when it comes to my first marathon, it is definitely true.

When I crossed the finish line at my first marathon at QCIM, the feeling was overwhelming and unforgettable.  Going a step further, I would say it was life-changing. I found a new confidence and strength that I never knew existed.  I realized how through plain old hard work I could do the impossible.  Now, when the going gets tough, I just look back at that first 42km and think: If I survived that, I can do anything.

Thus began my dream to inspire others to run their first marathon, or their second, or their third.  To make others feel the same way I did.  To help them effect change in their own lives.

For the past few months, I met with key people in the running scene, the best of the best, who I thought could help me offer the best of the best for others.  And, now that dream is coming true.

By next week, I’ll tell you all about it.  It’s so good you’ll think you’re dreaming…

* Photo by Levi Lakandula

I was happily chewing on my holiday indulgence (even if the holidays are over), chocolate almonds from Classic Confections, when I bit into something much harder than an almond. To my horror, it was a quarter of my molar!

By the next day, I was at the dentist’s clinic having it mended. I thought a simple filling or “pasta” would do the trick. But, after much draining and poking around, the dentist delivered the bad news: You’ll need a root canal.  Even worse news: it would cost P12,000.  What?! That’s the price of a new running watch, or two pairs of running shoes, or a ton of new apparel! (If you’re asking: Must everything be associated with running? The answer is YES!)

I have no choice but to push through with the root canal next week. But, I also asked the dentist what the cause was so that I could prevent all my other teeth from chipping.

Could it be old age?  Or calcium-deficiency?  The dentist’s answer was unexpected.

My dentist’s guess is it’s running-related.  She said I may be gritting my teeth when I run or lift weights.  She even suggested I get a mouthguard to wear while I’m running and sleeping.  Oh boy.  Who would’ve thought a mouthguard would be my newest running accessory?

Less than 3 weeks before the big C…Condura, that is.

I had planned on running the half marathon; in fact, that’s what I had registered for last December, but certain key influencers (named: Alvin and Ton C.) convinced me to go for the full. Well, I didn’t need that much convincing anyway.

LAST LONG RUN?

Typically, a marathon program will ask you to run the longest training run, 20 miles or 32km, three weeks before the big day. Since I just ran Singapore Marathon last Dec. 6, my program is anything but typical. I don’t have a strict program I’m currently following. Every time I run with my coach-friend Alvin, I basically ask him what I should run for the next week and, with occasional whines about the speedwork, I willingly comply.

Alvin asked me to run what should be my last long run: 32km last Sunday. (I think I heard him say he’ll make me do 35k next Sunday. Not too sure.) I usually incorporate a half marathon race into the picture, but with no 21k race last weekend, I was left on my own.

6K WITH FRIENDS

Hubby and I were invited by friends–Isa, Ivy, Julian, and Norman–to join their 3.5 hour run last Sunday. I had never run with them before, but I thought it was the perfect way to let time fly running all those kilometers.

We started at 4:30 a.m. and, in the dark, we went off. As they’re a close knit group who regularly train together, hubby and I settled comfortably in the back, chatting as we always do, as if we were in our own world. No, we were not holding hands.

The course was a flat and quiet 6k loop that the group planned on running five times over. Midway through the first loop, I whispered to hubby: “I don’t think I’ll last another loop in here.” My quads and I were dying of boredom.

At the end of the first loop, hubby and I had to take a bathroom break, so we let the group go ahead.

12K WITH HUBBY

Hubby and I ran another 12k together. His plan was to run 15k, so when he ran 18k, uhm, we figured it was time for him to stop.

He drove off to have a tapa breakfast at Sentro, while I ran McKinley Hill all the way to Bonifacio Global City.

18K ALONE

The first 15k or so on my own was energizing. It was the kind of run that I needed to clear my mind, unload all the burdens of the past week (or even year), and encourage fresh thoughts and emotions to enter my soul. At certain times, I almost felt like I was in a trance, lost in the rhythm of my footsteps. I learned later on that friends, Lody and Coach Jo-Ar, spotted me from other side of Lawton Ave. and were yelling out to me, but I didn’t even hear them.

LAST 2KM

It’s true when they say that running has more to do with the mind than the body. When I hit 30km, I suddenly felt spent and exhausted. All the energy suddenly drained out of me.  I wanted to quit. After all, 30km was good enough!

By this time, I started doing loops around Bonifacio High Street.  Near Starbucks, I bumped into the forever hands-on Condura Run organizers, Patrick and Ton Concepcion and Rudy Biscocho, who were planning for the exact race I was training for. They asked how long I was running and I replied “32k” then I looked at Ton and jokingly told him “This is all your fault!”

Those loops around Bonifacio High Street had never felt so long. Every single time I rounded each corner, I battled with my inner demons who were telling me to quit. I knew I would never forgive myself if I ended without hearing the 32k beep from my watch.

ENDING LIKE A WINNER

I finished the full 32km as planned. And, for the very first time, I ran it with absolutely no walking breaks (with 6 bathroom breaks though). My legs were completely fine all throughout the run; they were slightly sore, but after some stretching, they felt unbelievably great.

I dropped by Sentro where hubby was having his tapa breakfast outdoors and feeling like a real winner, I yelled to him with excitement: “I did it!” Condura, here I come.