Category Archives: Bullish Insights

My sister and i often joke about how forgetful we’ve become ever since we were injected with anesthesia during our children’s births. We forget a story midway through a conversation, we leave one or two items more often than we would like to admit, and we even forget about our own age sometimes!

Years ago, I labelled my sister as “Forgetful Jones,” that brown-haired cowboy in Sesame Street who can’t remember a thing. But, this morning, I would have to admit that I deserved that name more than she does.

I thought I was all set for my 9 a.m. run this morning. But, on the way to my run, I realized I left my hydration belt and heart rate strap at home. No worries, I thought. When I reached my starting point, I wanted to take a couple of sips of Gatorade as I always do before proceeding to run, but I realized it was left in the freezer to chill. No water bottle either! So, I took a small sip from my little girl’s sippy cup instead.  I searched my bag for my ipod but I realized that I left the earphones stuck to my laptop since I used it to listen to Run Radio’s podcast last night. Luckily, the hubby had just returned from his run, so I borrowed his earphones. As I proceeded to run, my ipod failed to start because I forgot to charge it. I turned on my Garmin and discovered it was low batt as well. I completely forgot to recharge it after I rebooted it to fix its problems last night.

I seriously thought these were ominous signs. Was God telling me not to proceed with the run? That I may possibly trip over a rock, sprain my ankle, or get struck by lightning?  I set these gloomy thoughts aside, said a short prayer, and went off to run.

My program said I should run an easy 5k at 7 min/km pace, so that’s what I planned on doing. Like a purist runner, I ran through the roads soaking in every sight and sound sans the ipod and Garmin to distract me from the beauty of my surroundings. With the pace much slower than even my usual slow runs, I felt more relaxed as I fully let go of all the concerns of the day and allowed my mind to wander aimlessly.  Initially, I was off to a bad start with all the gear I left behind, but ironically, this was one of the best runs I’d had in months.

For the first time in weeks, I was able to enjoy a run the way it was meant to be savoured, like a glass of wine or a first kiss. Completely lost in my running revelry, this Forgetful Jones started remembering how it was to run in the early days. I recalled how I ran with just P100 shorts from SM, a cotton shirt, and a bottle of Astring-o-Sol filled with water for hydration without a care in the world about all my gear, when all I followed was the time and a 1-hour run was worthy of a big celebration, when the running community was so small and almost everyone was a friend. Everything was so plain and simple then.  How things had changed. How I missed those good ol’ days—and how I missed these kinds of runs.

By the time I made my way back, I had finished 7k at an easy 7 min/km pace according to my Nike+ Sportsband. I’m not superstitious, but those two coincidental 7’s, plus an awesome, invigorating run like that, made me feel like I could take on the world.

Is this for real?  1 minute to airing of the first radio show dedicated to running and, as I climbed up on the stool in the DJ booth of NU 107, I still couldn’t believe I had accepted this job as DJ along with good friend and fellow running blogger, Jay Nacino (Prometheus Cometh).  

– J & J –

– with our boss, Run Radio producer, Marga –

30 minutes prior to the airing, Jay and I were chatting our jitters away at 7-11, which was a short walk from the radio station.  We talked about the oh-so controversial Globe race, the slew of marathons set for October, and family drivers (how did that get in there?) and, for a minute, I thought we should have saved all our stories for the live show instead!  At that time, our producer, Marga Deona (The Changeling Child), the woman behind Run Radio, was frantically weaving her way through Edsa traffic.  When Marga arrived around 15 minutes before airing, all things turned serious.  We received a short briefing and started jotting down notes hurriedly.  Marga entered the booth to set up the music and Jay and I were left at the lobby, staring at each other as if we were at the starting line of the biggest race in our lives.

Jay told me he was going to say a short prayer, then turned his back on me facing the life-size mock ups of Adam Clayton and Bono of U2.  I said a short prayer and asked for guidance as well, asking God to “please keep me from saying anything stupid.”  When Jay faced me, I asked him “Did you ask for guidance from the gods of U2?”  I thought they would definitely be able to help us in this kind of situation.

So, there we were, seated at the DJ booth, watching the DJ countdown from 5…4…3…2…and 1.  He points to me and I nervously utter the words: “Welcome to Run Radio, the first run radio show for running…” 

– The DJ booth was intimidating –

– Getting serious… –

– …not! –

We were live for one full hour.  We only had an outline in our hands, so the show was not scripted at all.  We discussed future segments of the shows, read ads, introduced powersongs, interviewed our Nike 5k Challenger, and gave our very best in our first attempt at being disc jokeys. 

Much to my amazement, time flew by quickly.  Before we knew it, the one hour was over.   I didn’t realize it would be so much fun!  Being our first show, I’d have to admit there’s still a lot of room for improvement, but I’m pretty confident the show will improve and have its own personality in the weeks to come.

– Thank you guys for the support! Bobby, Vimz, Jun, and The Bull Runner family –

– Run Radio with the Little Bull Runners.  Little Miss Bull Runner was thrilled about mommy’s new job –

– The end to a great night and the start of new running and radio adventures –

Don’t forget to tune in next week!  

Run Radio on NU 107 every Friday, 9 to 10pm

Podcast available here three days after each airing.

If you heard us last night, let us know what you think.  Feel free to send in your comments—the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I told my producer that I gotta hear the truth so that I can work on my weaker points.  Be nice though…hahaha.

* Thanks to Vimz for some of the photos.

Awesome.  

Race results with race analysis from RunPix can be found here.

Free race photos taken by—who else?—Photovendo can be downloaded here.  (Go to “Print Your Photos” box)

By far, this is the most comprehensive presentation of race results ever provided by a local race.  Tying up with RunPix was a good move for Globe and Finish Line, which certainly benefitted all of us runners with race performance analysis that we can choose to dissect or reject (if we fell below our own standards…heehee).  I am impressed.

Here are my race results:

Time: Official time using time chip was 2:11:19. Ack, not the 2:09 I got from the Garmin. But, this is fine…

Splits and Speed:

Location: I was just entering Lawton when the winner crossed the finish line.  Did I really want to know that?

And, here are the great shots I downloaded from Photovendo! Photovendo took over 30,000 shots of all runners during the event…

– with the best running buddies: Jun and Annie just before gun start. Annie and I wore double “belt bags” that’s why there are bulges underneath our shirts. Yeah right. Photoshop please! –

– with Jun, Jay (my Run Radio partner), and Annie.  When the race started, Annie and Jay left Jun and I behind. –

– Had a blast! Can you tell? –

–  Running buddy Jun looks awfully tired! He ran even if he felt slightly ill.  I believe this shot was taken right before I clapped my hands repeatedly, cheered him on saying “C’mon Jun, kaya mo yan.  Morning sickness lang yan!” hehe.  He didn’t even laugh! –

– Thanks for this shot, Photovendo! –

– …And for this one too. Glad to have photos of one of my more memorable races –

Little Miss TBR crept up on me while I was working on the laptop, “Mama, when will we run?” Confused, I ask her what run she was talking about. She replied that I told her and Kuya about a race we were all going to join together, that I said it was that day, and that she wanted to wear her new running shirt already (the one I bought on the 1st day that Runnr opened, an excellent local athletic brand for kids called Equipe). All this she blurts out in a whiny tone, like she was ready to burst into tears out of exasperation with her seemingly forgetful mother.

“Oh, the Mommy Milkshake Marathon?” I did recall telling her about this in passing a week or so ago. The MMM is an annual fun run my sister organizes, not a major race, but an advocacy run for breastfeeding mommies and families. The past two years, I ran along with my son and nephew. (Click here for Year 1 and Year 2)  This year, I told Little Miss Bull Runner last week that she could join us already. She cheered “Yes!” complete with the elbow into the stomach action, like she clinched a deal.

Well, I explained to her very slowly, “It’s still in September. You have to sleep many more times before we run.” But to Little Miss Bull Runner, “next month” and “later” or “tomorrow” or “next century” are pretty much synonymous. So, she starts to make her awa face, the one that gets her Papa all the time, the same face that’s about to let out a loud shriek due to anger.

To save me from another tantrum, I excitedly asked her “Do you want to just wear your running shirt and then I’ll take your picture?” This got her. She smiled and agreed with enthusiasm. She chose her bottom (a floral skirt!), asked me to pull her hair up into a ponytail, and searched for Lucy (her partner-in-crime puppy who never gets left behind) then she hammed it up in front of the cam.

Here are upcoming child-friendly races that you can run with your children:

AUGUST 30: Looney Tunes Active Fun Run, SM Mall of Asia, 3k/ 5k. Reg fee: P300/ P500 for 3k+5k until Aug. 15; P350 until Aug 16; P500 onsite. Register at Nike Bonifacio High Street.  Visit LOONEY TUNES ACTIVE RUN WEBSITE.  (I heard even their directional signs at the race will be moving Looney Tunes characters!)

SEPTEMBER 5 (moved from Aug. 9): Mommy Milkshake Marathon, a fun run for breastfeeding, Bonifacio Global City.  Call 780-9898.  More details to follow.

I’m in high spirits today.  Work had been overwhelming and exhausting the past week, but since I submitted everything this morning, I felt a huge burden was lifted off my shoulders.  I plan to block my entire week only for light meetings, absolutely no design projects, and lots and lots of running.

Perfect timing since my bestest running buddy Annie just arrived from Singapore today.  Woohoo!  We’ll definitely be running all over the place—from our favorite training grounds to the Run for Home half marathon this coming Sunday.  I’m so psyched.

It seems that nothing can faze me.  Even this comment attacking me for my post on the One La Salle post (which was over a year ago!) didn’t bother me; in fact, it was wonderful entertainment.  This  “bitch” (she called herself that, not me) who seems to have nothing in between her two ears posted this:

Author: Bitch in Disguise (IP: 121.1.53.31 , acl1-257bts.gw.smartbro.net)
E-mail: atenista101@yahoo.com
Comment: 
ang corny mo naman! papansin ka lang. masyado kang disrespectful! kung gusto mo magblue, then don’t join the La Salle race.

To think that I had written this in my post:

Now, to my La Sallite friends (or is it, La Sallian?) please don’t find offense in this.  It is not meant to be disrespectful either.  We just want to express our fierce loyalty towards our own alma mater.  (Click here for full post)

Ack…some people.  I find it ironic that 1) she finds me corny, but she read my blog and  2) she said I’m disrespectful when she’s the one being offensive.  Is this girl even a runner?  We runners have more respect towards each other than this girl will ever fathom.  If she is a runner, then she must be having an awful day.  She probably found five dead toe nails when she removed her shoes, or she has an injury, or maybe she was forced to cut her run short due to a bad case of diarrhea.  Whatever.  

To Bitch in Disguise:  I find humor in this, really.  Maybe you should try getting a sense of humor, too. By the way, I’m okay with this for now.  But, don’t you cross my path in a race.  This Bull has got horns, too.

Uhm…where was I?  Oh, about my overall happy feeling. Yup, it’s a good day and I look forward to a great training week ahead.

See you later, beeyatches!