The Philippine Online Chronicles

Her friends did not expect her to turn out a runner. As one of her friends, Rico V., said in her blog in 2007: “I’ve known Jaymie for 16 years now (that’s half her life), and I never thought that she would take any sport seriously. I remember when we were in high school she always wore biking shorts (spandex) and her Dragonfly shoes…sabi ko: 'Wow ang sporty!' Yun pala that’s just her everyday outfit.”

Ask Jaymie Pizarro and she will tell you that prior to running, she was just a typical mom trying to get rid of post-baby weight by dieting, going to the gym, and trying all sorts of new exercises to no avail.

Well, she’s not exactly that typical. Jaymie is not only a graphic designer by profession; she’s also the pioneer of Baby Sign Language in the Philippines. In her blog, The Bull Runner, Jaymie says: “I was (and still am) very hands-on with the family, but at that time I felt the need to do something for myself, but I didn't know exactly what it was.”

In December 2006, after giving birth to her second child, she and her husband bought a treadmill. Walking 3 times a week to lose weight gained during pregnancy did not work. Over coffee one day with girlfriends, one of them told her she was running on her treadmill. Jaymie thought: “Why didn't I think of that?!  When I got home, I tried running but I found it hard.  I downloaded a beginner's training program online, followed it to the letter for 2 months, and found myself hopelessly addicted to running.”

And she’s been running farther and longer since then. Her achievements are getting as long as the miles she runs. She has run 5k, 10k, 15k, half marathons and 3 full marathons to date. She is editor-in-chief of The Bull Runner, a free bi-monthly magazine, available in print and online.

The Bull Runner has been featured in several newspaper and magazine articles since she began running too. And she has expanded her sphere of influence. Her hubby, who used to just drive her to her runs, now joins her.

I asked her how she came to choose "The Bull Runner" as her nom de guerre. It turns out she is a Taurean (“very stubborn” as she describes herself) and she knows that this bullish stubbornness is a good trait for runners who refuse to give up on their goals despite injuries or pain.

Jaymie’s weekly regimen shows just how serious she is taking running and being fit:

MON: Strength training (gym)

TUE: Run

WED: Rest or swim

THUR: Run (tempo/hard)

FRI: Run, Strength training (gym)

SAT: Yoga or Swim

SUN: Long run (over 2 hours)

Where does she find the time? Taking care of two young children, holding down a career, and still finding time to run can be overwhelming and Jaymie admits that every day is a balancing act for her. But in the same breath, she is glad that she works from home as this allows her to attend to her children’s needs first before indulging in her run or working on her projects.

I asked her what she would advise those who are thinking of running or want to become fit. This is what the bull runner has to say:

Enjoy!  When you start an exercise program, make sure that you actually enjoy the activity, whether it's lifting weights at the gym, swimming, or running. If it's a challenge for you to just get out and do it, then try other activities until you find the sport that gets you excited and thrilled.  Find your passion and indulge in that wholeheartedly.  That way, you'll get fit while you're having fun.

So if running has been on your mind for some time now but you never got around to beginning, take the cue from this once-nonsporty Mom who’s now an inspiration and motivator in the circle of women runners. Lace up and just run!

Photos by Ben Chan of Photovendo. Used with permission.