Category Archives: Bullish Insights

As the 3rd issue (Oct-Dec 2009) gets inked and stapled at the press, I thought of sharing with you the behind the scenes shots of our last TBR Magazine issue (July-Sept 2009) with Drew Arellano on the cover.

Together with Ben Chan of Blacksheep Photography/ Photovendo, our photographer, and his crew, Maui and Kevin, and Marga and Jun, we set off to Sierra Madre for a full day shoot…

– It was the first time I’d ever been to Sierra Madre. Half the time I was wishing I had brought some run gear along. I hope to return for a long run on those roads. Beautiful! –

– Our team: Kevin, Marga, Ben, Drew, Maui, myself, and Jun –

– I’m sure Drew would’ve been willing to run 5k to make our running shots look more realistic. But, to save time, Ben’s trusty spritzer provided fake sweat for Drew –

– What a pro! –

– We wanted this shot to be our cover. Orange was our favored color, but we ended up choosing an even better image –

We also shot Joselyn Saw of Pinoy Ultra Runners who recently returned from the TNF UTMB at Chamonix, France. This was at U.P. Diliman…

– Marie Calica, former beauty and fitness editor of Marie Claire Philippines, did the make up for her good friend, Josaw –

– Josaw, in her element –

And, the fruits of our hardwork…(please refrain from grabbing these shots without permission)

– Loved this shot. But it didn’t make it to the mag –

I caught a nasty bug last night that’s draining all the energy out of me. The throat is scratchy and I’m sneezing every 15 seconds.

Earlier this morning, I tried my best to proceed with work: finalize TBR Magazine – October issue, and thankfully, I did. (Wait for my post about it!) But, there are still meetings to attend, and shopping to do (for the Li’l Miss Bull Runner who turns 5 tomorrow!)

Plan is to finish all these and head to the clinic tonight. No, not a doctor’s clinic, but a running clinic! Hah!

For the past two weeks, I’ve been regularly attending the Nike Training Clinic at Ultra on Tuesdays and the Mizuno Run Club at Bonifacio High Street on Thursdays. I don’t join the training session as I have my own program to follow, but I think being around runners and coaches gives me the motivation to accomplish my job for the day. Of course, great conversation with running friends makes the experience less dull, too.

Methinks that an 11k tempo run at 5:40 pace tonight may just be the thing to scare the virus away. Now, if that doesn’t work, you’ll hear from me tomorrow—after I visit a real doctor’s clinic!

The iamNinoy Runners Group met yesterday for Heroes Run, a tribute run to commemorate the 40th day since Tita Cory’s passing, by running past heroes’ monuments, Gabriela Silang, Pio del Pilar, and Ninoy Aquino along Ayala Triangle.  

– Assembly area was near the Ninoy Aquino monument –

– Marga stars in the movie “Up” –

– Banggiiiii! –

– with Banggi and Marga. BWK reunited! –

– Jam and Paolo –

– Fellow iamNinoy steercom member, Mayi –

– Gatorade for iamNinoy Runners. Of course, it had to be yellow, too! –

– Marga, Mark, and fellow iamNinoy runner! (Sorry, please send your name!) –

– Bobby and Vimz –

Despite the rains and traffic, over 30 runners, clad in yellow iamNinoy shirts, showed up to become “heroes” for the day.  Each 1.2km loop covered by a runner raised P100 to be donated by a corporate sponsor to 57:75 Movement, a non-profit organization which seeks to reverse the education crisis in the country by contributing funds to purchase textbooks, provide meals, or build schools for public schools nationwide. 

– Photographer Ben registers and commits to run a number of loops to raise funds for textbooks and schools – 

– iamNinoy runners off to run loops around Ayala –

– Why do we run? Just read the back of our shirts! –

– Hearty meal and “rehydration” at Dencio’s after Heroes Run –

If you would like to know more about the iamNinoy Runners Group or if you are interested in joining, click here.

Many thanks to Mayor Binay, Ayala Land, Gatorade, and Ben Chan and birthday boy, Maui Hidalgo of Blacksheep Photography!

On Sept. 9, 2009, it will be the 40th day since the passing of our beloved Tita Cory. We, the iamNinoy Runners Group steering committee, would like to invite the iamninoy Runners Group members to join us for a HEROES RUN, an organized tribute run around the Ayala Triangle, Makati’s pocket of greenery watched over by the monuments of Gabriela Silang, Pio del Pilar, and Ninoy Aquino to commemorate Tita Cory’s life.

Heroes Run details:

1. Runners must be a member of iamNinoy Runners Group.  Only 200 runners may participate to avoid heavy foot traffic on Ayala Triangle. 
2. iamNinoy runners must register online to join.  First come, first served.  Click here to sign up.  
3. Please come in your iamNinoy t-shirt.
4. The Heroes Run begins near the Ninoy Aquino monument and traces its route along Paseo de Roxas, Makati Avenue and Ayala. Each lap around the Triangle is about 1.2 kilometers. 
5. A tent will be set up near the Ninoy Aquino monument where you can sign up and have your registration verified.  Runners can pledge to run any number of loops.
6. The Heroes Run starts at 4:30 pm and ends at 6 pm.  Runners are encouraged to arrive before 4:30 pm.  However, those who have other commitments may also arrive anytime during the event and run around the Triangle.
7. Runners are advised to strictly keep to the sidewalk. 


8. There will be a Gatorade station near the Ninoy Aquino monument.
9. Please avoid leaving trash around the area.
10. After the run, some of us will be gathering at Grilla, Paseo de Roxas. You are welcome to join.

Celebrate the life of President Cory Aquino. Be one of the 200 to take on the Heroes Run.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW!

Second day in Portland and there was no time for jetlag, blogging, or hunger.  This is how I spent the full day prior to Hood to Coast relay race…

RUNNING IN DOWNTOWN PORTLAND

On Thursday morning, CK and I stepped out into the cool Portland weather (not unlike Baguio morning weather) for a run around downtown Portland. We ran towards a park—where I was told a Nike running commercial was shot—for a wonderful 5k loop around the river.

CK and I finished an easy 5k and made our way back to the hotel. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) we lost our way and inadvertently toured the rest of downtown Portland to cover a full 8km run.

SHOPPING

On the same day, our teams headed off to Target to purchase items for the race. Each team had their own cart and checklist. CK and I loaded our cart with bagels, peanut butter, Nature Valley bars, Gatorade, mineral water, garbage bags, baby wipes, and more. Oh, we purchased markers too to decorate our van.

We then headed for a mall and factory outlets where we all went on a mad shopping spree under a limited amount of time.

THIRSTY THURSDAY

We rushed shopping that day to make it in time for Thirsty Thursday, a Nike employee party at the Nike Campus, almost like a send-off for the various Nike teams registered for the Hood to Coast race the following day.  We saw teams from all parts of the world.  I was told that the strongest team was the Nike Bowerman Team, long and lean elite runners who made any woman drool as she watched them glide in perfect stride (except myself since I’m happily married. Hah!)

It was held by the Tiger Woods Convention Center, the biggest building of them all, and on the Ronaldo Field, where they say they test running shoes and practice barefoot running on the pristine green grass.

The party was informal and relaxed. People drank beer and chatted as each team was called onstage to introduce themselves. One could paint temporary tattoos, like the swoosh, on any part of the body. Bowerman shirts and singlets were being sold. Our team got to chat with each other and enjoy each others’ company.

– with Nike people from Texas and New York –

PRE-RACE BRIEFING

Our dinner/ team briefing was hosted by T at her place. All 24 of us from Singapore Chili Crabs and Singapore Noodles were present.

After a delicious dinner, we sat around T’s living room to listen to our team captain, D, for last minute directions and tips before the big day. He discussed race details such as tracking our time and using timing chips, and laughably covered one important topic as well: hygiene. Of course, this was one important and touchy subject for soon-to-be sweaty runners sharing one van for over 24 hours.

We departed T’s house early to load our own vans for race day. By 10:30pm, our team was up in our own respective hotel rooms eager to get some rest for the two-day race the following day.

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