Posts Tagged with: "Birthday"

Photo: Cres Yulo

TBR turns 10 today! No, not me silly! This blog! Yup, thebullrunner.com is 10 years old! Who would’ve known that this little online running journal of mine would grow into a magazine, a marathon, and even a community of runners who support beginners and truly love the sport.

Since I created thebullrunner.com on my birthday, it also means that I grow another year older this year. I turn 41 now. Sure, I worry about the white hair on my head, my failing memory, slowing metabolism, longer days of recovery, and bulges here and there, but for the most part, I’m thankful for all the blessings I’ve received the past 41 years I’ve been on this earth. It’s been a wild ride, especially the last 10 years when I became “The Bull Runner” but I look forward to many more adventures to come.

To all of you who have lurked, messaged, waved hello, joined TBR Dream, run with me, or even just supported one of my TBR runners, thank you. To all who greeted me today, family, friends, and even those I’ve never met but took the time to message me online, thank you. To my two kiddos who surprised me with their works of art today and who truly make this life worth living, thank you. Mwah.

Happy Birthday to me!  I turn 6 today.

Happy Birthday to TheBullRunner.com!  This blog turns 37 today.

Bring out your party hats!!!  Woot! Woot!

Oops, wait a minute.  Sorry for the mix up.  I turn 37 and this blog turns 6 today.  My bad.  But, if you wish to believe the first two lines, I don’t mind!  Really!

Traditionally, I throw the 5 to 5/5 contest (see THIS and THIS) where I give away tons of prizes for five days from May 1 to 5. It’s my favorite day of the year and I celebrate it by giving back to all of you guys who continue to support me by clicking on your mouse and visiting this little page of mine.

But, this year, I decided to celebrate quietly with my loved ones.  I hope you don’t mind.  Aw shucks, it doesn’t mean I love you guys any less, you know?  It just means that, um, I spent the entire week cooking my kids breakfast at 2:00 AM and sleeping when the sun rose until lunchtime.  We all suffered from jet lag for four straight days and I couldn’t seem to get anything done nor could I think straight.  Yes, I didn’t workout either until my first 50k ride yesterday.  (Good thing I still knew how to bike!)

Despite the lack of festivities, I am still very thankful for all the 36 years (and 5 blog years) that have passed as well as the next ones to come.  I thank each one of you who has touched my life and for those of you who have allowed me to touch your life in one way or another.  Thanks too for all the birthday greetings on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and SMS.  (Did I miss any?!)

Aaah, I’ve been blessed.  I’m truly grateful.  The past year has brought a lot of ups and downs, tears of sadness and happiness, but there is always, always a reason to celebrate and hope.  Looking forward to another wonderful year ahead with you guys!

Last Sunday morning, I woke up at 3 AM to the sound of rain dropping heavily on our rooftop. My first thought: Poor Milo Marathoners. I couldn’t imagine running a 42k for over 4 hours under heavy rain with soaked socks and raisin-like feet.

Having said that, running a distance less than a full in the rain is a completely different story. Running in the rain is an experience that I always look forward to because 1) I get to wear my favorite bright pink Nike Storm Fly running jacket (shallow I know!) 2) I don’t feel as tired running in cool weather, and 3) I feel like a kid again playing under the rain!

Well I wasn’t running Milo this year due to my recovery from injury, but I did get up early for a rainy 15k run with birthday boy, good friend, and certified Chi Running instructor, Lit Onrubia, and friends Ton, Quenby, and Leah.  The entire run was fun and smooth (my foot injury was gone!) despite the wet roads.

We ended our fun run with Lit’s birthday breakfast hosted by Tessa at her home.  A breakfast buffet table welcomed us—bacon, eggs, tocino, bagels, cheese, and coffee!—along with a birthday breakfast setting complete with little cookies as giveaways.  More of Lit’s running friends showed up to celebrate and enjoy the breakfast feast.

The biggest surprise of the morning was Tessa making a grand entrance in full costume with a chocolate cake in hand.  We sang, we ate, and we talked all throughout the perfect, rainy Sunday morning.

– Tessa and Lit –

– Perfect pic. We’re all looking at the wrong camera except for Tessa. L to R standing: myself, Lara, Tessa, Quenby, Ton, Arnel, Leah. Seated: Lit and Leana  –

Congratulations to all Milo Marathoners! Happy Birthday again, Lit!

I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate my 35th birthday morning!  As I said in the previous 5 to 5/5 Contest, I was going to start my day with a RUN!  So, run at 6 AM I did!

Ran 11km through the roads of Valle Verde, Greenmeadows, and White Plains with good friends JunC, Lit, Jay, Hector, and JunB.  Then, we rewarded ourselves with a scrumptious breakfast at Cafe Breton.

After breakfast, I swam 1km alone in a lot less time than I usually do. As in, 20 minutes less (mainly because I didn’t stop to rest as much anymore!)  Woohoo…I am officially hooked on swimming!

Lunch followed with swim squad friends Adel & Bic plus more chatting with Jake and our swim coach, Martin.

The second half of the day will be a lot slower. And, it’ll be spent in the company of the family. I’ll probably gain all (or more) of the calories I burned in the morning. But, just like with age, I only have one thing to say: Who’s counting?!

On this day, over three decades ago, I was born.

And, on the same day last year, The Bull Runner too. (This was my first post ever. My how time flies!)

We’re having a double birthday celebration today by running 100km from my place to Tagaytay followed by an eat-till-you-wobble party serving Omakase’s sushi, S&R pizza, Trio’s pasta, UCC desserts with bottomless frapuccinos. Care to join?

Oh crap, Coach ordered for complete rest today. And, I never ran past 20km. And, I’m on a diet.

Party is postponed to next year.

* Happy Birthday again to my best running buddy, Annie, who celebrated her birthday yesterday! We could’ve done a double birthday celebration— 200km with double the food!