Best of 2015

Thursday, 31 December 2015  |  Bullish Insights, Favorite Posts

BostonFinish

“The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours – it is an amazing journey – and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.”
– Bob Moawad

Oh what a journey it has been, 2015! This year was about independence, achievement, strength, and empowerment for me. Such strong words, you say?! After surviving life’s toughest challenges in the past years, 2015 was about pushing forward, rediscovering myself, and learning that, at the end of the day, I’m pretty darned happy with where I am and who I’ve become.

Here’s my best of 2015: (more…)

Race Report: Buffalo Marathon 2015

Sunday, 7 June 2015  |  Race Reports, Travel + Adventure

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There was no doubt about it. As I stood in the coral of Buffalo Marathon last May 24, 2015, I was certain that I chose the best race I could after a string of World Marathon Majors the past years. While finishing the six World Marathon Majors was a dream come true and exposed me to the world’s biggest and best races, I still believe that small, intimate marathons have their own beauty. I was ecstatic to be standing among the almost 8,000 runners in this race. (more…)

21 Tips for Running a Marathon Under the Rain

Friday, 22 February 2013  |  Running + Triathlon

With our erratic weather, it seems like every marathon now is under risk for rain. Last year alone, New York City Marathon was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy. California International Marathon pushed through despite rain and floods. And, how many times has it rained at Milo Marathon?!  Good thing we runners are always raring to run whether rain or shine! Right?! Right!

Rain

In two days, TBR Dream Marathon is set. As we’ve announced, it pushes through rain or shine unless we have a major storm that risks our runners safety.

Having said that, we hear that the weather is expected to improve (hey, even Kuya Kim tweeted it!), but we do know—even if they don’t tell us—that our dear runners are anxious over the possibility of rain.

So, we’ve prepared a few tips from our TBR Dream Team who, combined, have run almost 10 marathons in the rain! You may read a few duplications below, but I left them in there anyway to highlight their importance.

FROM JIM LAFFERTY: Ran 5 to 6 marathons in the rain, Co-Founder TBR Dream Marathon

Tip 1. : Have throwaway rain gear for start. Stay dry and warm as long as possible. Then discard as you warm up running.

Tip 2: Over lubricate. Wetness means more chafing and blisters! Lube up. Vaseline or bodyglide on EVERY part of skin. Watch between toes!

Tip 3. Keep moving. Rain causes rapid cool down. Convert all stop breaks into walk breaks. A 5 minute stoppage can leave you too stiff to restart!

Tip 4: WICKING GARMENTs. Be sure to wear wicking shirt and shorts that expel moisture. Cotton is WORST to wear in rain as it absorbs massively and adds a “drag” to your running! Who needs an extra 3 kilos?

FROM LIT ONRUBIA: Ran 2 marathons in the rain, Head coach TBR Dream Marathon

Tip 5: Think NO blisters. This is the biggest issue that you need to address and eliminate. Wet socks means greater chance of blisters. Back in 2010, while I knew that taping my toes would be uncomfortable, I also knew that it would reduce the chance of blisters. So I put band aids on every toe before I left my room and brought extra band aids with me to the race, just in case. (Also, know where to place the band aid pads on your toes. I typically blister between the toes, not at the bottom. So I adjusted the band aids accordingly.)

Tip 6: Don’t over-dress. You may be running in the rain but it doesn’t mean that it’ll be cold. At least not in Nuvali. So you really don’t need a lot of layers that will just be a hassle to carry around for 6 hours. So just try to stay as dry as possible prior to the race (maybe wear a jacket). But then pack away the jacket when it’s time to warm-up and just wear a large garbage bag (which you can buy at any grocery) when you take to the road. A garbage bag, with holes for your head and arms, is ridiculously effective in keeping you dry and warm. And it’s so easy to rip it off and ditch it after 3-7K, when you’ve warmed up.

Tip 7: Wear a hat or visor to keep the rain from constantly drizzling on your eyes and face. That can be irritating.

Tip 8: Take shorter but quicker strides until you get a better sense of your body and the wet roads. As you gain confidence in your stride, which will happen as you get more comfortable with the conditions, run your normal run.

Tip 9: Rainy or colder weather doesn’t mean you hydrate less. Stick to your normal hydration plan which you’ve been practicing for months.

Tip 10: Stick to your race plan. Because your body won’t heat up as fast in the rain, you will find it easy to go faster than your usual pace, especially in the first 10K. Fight off this urge and stick to your planned pace. Whether you’re racing under the sun or in the rain, always remember that “1st half=conservative, last 10K=aggressive” is usually the best plan.

Tip 11: Embrace the conditions and just run your run. You’ve trained long and hard for this day so let nothing ruin it. Besides, we’d all rather run under the rain than in 90 degree heat, right? I thought so.

FROM NEVILLE MANAOIS: Ultramarathoner and triathlete, TBRDM Race Director

Tip 12: Wear a cap, not only does it shield your eyes and face from the rain but also, helps manage body heat.

Tip 13: Wear a disposable rain coat or garbage bag heading to the starting line, it helps manage heat.  Throw it away once your body gets warm.

Tip 14: It’s cold at the start of the run,  but it will get warmer quickly once you start running. Don’t overdress or put on too much clothing. Just wear your normal running clothes.

Tip 15: Eat food or drink fluids.  You’re losing energy since your body is burning fuel and managing your temperature.

Tip 16: Be careful with your steps. The ground is slippery.

Tip 17: After you cross the finish line drink warm beverages,  and change your wet clothes, and keep warm immediately. Drink and eat as much as you can.

Tip 18: Weather will be unpredictable, don’t bring any electronic items.

Tip 19: No point changing socks after the rain, your shoes and the ground is still wet.

Tip 20: Run in packs or with groups, rain makes road visibility poor. Running in groups allows motorists and marshals to monitor you better.

Tip 21: Don’t be afraid to get wet and have fun.

Where in the World are You Marathoning this Weekend?

Monday, 28 November 2011  |  Bullish Insights

So where are you headed to get your marathon fix this coming weekend, December 3 & 4, 2011?

I’m going off to Sacramento for the California International Marathon. One of the top six fastest courses in the US. Negative elevation, baby!

I have friends, couple Macel & Mike and friends, Francis and Andy (all TBR Dream Alumni, by the way) all set for the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon.

I hear some runners have signed up for the Macau Galaxy Entertainment International Marathon.  This was my initial goal when I started planning early in the year.  But, Amale Jopson managed to influence me into joining CIM.  Not that I’m so hard to persuade anyway!

Some hardcore triathletes friends, Joey Torres and Guy Concepcion, will be going to Anda, Bohol for the Timex 226 Bohol Triathlon on Saturday where they’ll run their marathon only after a 3.8k swim and 180km bike. Okay, I think I just broke a sweat typing that out.

Last but not the least, I know a whole lot of runners will be joining our very own Quezon City International Marathon, a race that I will always remember fondly for being my first ever unofficial marathon.

Well, whatever marathon you’ll be doing this Sunday, or even if you’re running a shorter distance, I get the sense that it’s going to be one great weekend for a lot of us runners.  Don’t you think so?

Marriage is Like a Marathon…

Tuesday, 8 June 2010  |  Bullish Insights

Hubby and I celebrated our 10th Wedding Anniversary last June 3.  10 years!  Such a momentous occasion in our lives called for a grand date over a sumptuous meal followed by a romantic exchange of expensive and meaningful gifts…NOT.

Wedding

– 10 Years Ago –

We decided instead to celebrate 10 years of marriage over a simple dinner at Greenbelt 5.  After all, as agreed a few months ago, our gift to each other would be NYC Marathon on November 7.  Honestly, I couldn’t ask for anything more.  (Okay, maybe I could’ve asked for a Marathon Package instead, such as Chicago in 2011, Berlin in 2012, Paris in 2013, and so on and so forth)

This got me to think about the many similarities of marriage and marathons.  Here are 7 Reasons Why Marriage is Like a Marathon…

  1. It’s no joke. Marriage and marathons are serious business. Do it only when you are 100% sure you are ready.
  2. Cheaters are losers. Sure, no one is looking and you can get away with it, but know that the only loser here is you.  Methinks I’ll invent a device that can be attached to the laces of the shoe to track adulterous partners.  Good idea?
  3. Expect a few road bumps, or pot holes, or blisters. It’s not completely smooth sailing.  There will be challenges along the way.  Make sure you’re strong enough to overcome these problems.
  4. It’s fun when you have the right partner.  It’ll suck if you’re with the wrong one.
  5. It takes commitment.  Don’t expect to be successful if you don’t put in your time and hard work.
  6. Be ready to compromise and sacrifice, too. Happy hours and long nights out with the boys will have to be reduced when you start serious training for a marathon.  Happy hours and long nights out with the boys will have to be reduced when you get married.  Right, girls?
  7. Your heart must be in it. You gotta be happy doing what you do and being with the person you love.  Embrace the distance and marathoning.  Be constantly in love with your partner.

Happy Anniv to the hubby! May we have many more happy years—and miles to run—together!