It’s always a groundhog day!

2009 HK Marathon Report

with 3 comments

Ed Note: This is a guest post from Jerome Araullo on groundhog dude's blog. He ran his first ever full marathon in Hongkong last Feb 8, 2009.

HOW I SURIVED THE 2009 STANDARD CHARTERED HONGKONG MARATHON

I believe that my last weeks’ adventure is worthy of being recorded in the annals of the internet because of two things : One, I wont have to retell the story over and over again to friends and relatives, and Second, when I can no longer run, ride a bike, or swim, this blog can help me recollect.

I never had my own blog

Perhaps I feel that there are just too many blogs out there in the net and I don’t want to bore people with some personal anecdotes to death. Thanks to D’ Great Groundhog Dude for lending me some airtime thru his well read sports memoir.

So here it is. Let me tell you about my exploits in Hong Kong. How I survived it and the 2009 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon… Alone.

PRE-RACE
I arrived in Hong Kong February 5, 2009 in the morning. I had exactly three days before The D-Day… My first 42.26 kilometer run… a full marathon… The 2009 Standard Chartered International Marathon in Hong Kong.

My first day was my busiest. After arriving at Hongkong’s Central station, I proceeded to Wanchai at the Hong Kong side and checked-in my things with my wife’s best buddy Rita (who sings for a band at the Bulldogs bar in Tsim Sha Tsui).

I had to scrap my original itinerary for the afternoon and opted to spend the remaining hours of my first day in Macau.

February 6, 2009 – Friday
Overslept! Woke up at 730am. Today is REGISTRATION DAY for overseas runners!

After taking a shower, I got my back pack and ate at a nearby noodle shop. With my trusty ole map, I proceeded to Causeway Bay to register.

Volunteers from Standard Chartered Bank were still setting up at the Victoria Park when I arrived. I was asked to return at 12noon. There was already a short line in the overseas runners registration area when I came back.

The registrants were mostly expats, and some newbies from all over who traveled to HK just to run their marathon. Boy was I happy to see Kababayan runners. Mga tiga Cebu si Leszl Lumindas Gitaruelas, Mendel Lopes, and Brandon Bon who is a fitness first instructor in Cebu. They were all running the half marathon.

Later on, two Pinoy couples arrived Cris Litton and a friend. They were going to run the full marathon also and will write about the experience for Nike.

Moments later, the Kenyan delegation arrived. Some runners had their picture taken with them.

Registration fee was in cash only for late registrants like us: 440HKD or the USD equivalent. They also collected a 100HKD deposit for the timing chip.

The RACE KIT consisted of the following goodies:
1 Runner guide
1 jersey
1 Baggage collection bag
1 tote bag
1 sticker
1 bank promotional material
1 Finishers Medal – Yes, Kahit hindi mo matapos may medal ka na! Wooohooo! Bale wala ng photo op with the medal sa finish line.

February 7, 2009 – Saturday
Woke up at 530am.

Got out at around 6am and searched for a new noodle house for carbo loading. Reconned starting line and designated baggage drop off area. As I was walking along Nathan road guess who I saw? Two of the Ethiopian runners running! Wala bang taper taper para sa mga ito?

My biggest mistake for the day was I still pushed through with my IT to do some sight seeing and shopping. “Hey! It was my first time in Hong Kong!”

Sham Shui Po  Prince Edward  The Peak  Central  Avenue of the Stars (Lights show) in Tsim Sha Tsui  and Nathan road!!!

LESSON FOR THE DAY – Next time plan where you will have your carbo loading.
• Never assume that their Mcdo and KFCs in HK serve spaghetti.
• Never assume the Spaghetti House serve cheap spaghetti.
• Resist the urge to shop or tour HK before race day.
• Next time get a room with a TV

11:00pm Back at the tenement, I prepared the following stuffs for My Marathon:
• New Balance Singlet
• Running tights (shorts)
• Fuel Belt with 2 flasks only (with Pokari Sweat)
• 10- Gus (1 of them Roctane)
• 1 cellphone (a must)
• photocopy of my passport (mahirap na baka madeport)
• 1 small bottle of Omega pain killer
• 1 running socks NB
• My Asics running shoe with the 100HKD timing chip

FEBRUARY 8, 2009 – RACE DAY
330AM – All 3 alarm clocks go off!  I did some brief stretching on the bed (hmmmm) and left the tenement to go to the starting line.

I had a bowl of macaroni soup and cup of coffee at nearby Mcdo Peking road.

The starting line for the Marathon and the half marathon was at Nathan road near the Mira hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. The full Marathon was scheduled to start at 8am.

I spent the next 3 hours stretching, hydrating, and eating. The nearest Adidas shop along Peking road opened early, and the staff members were sticking Adidas post-its on runners backs which had different messages on it.

I met a kindhearted HK-based Kababayan named Pixie Ferrer, who realized my predicament as a lone tourist and runner. I explained my problem and she agreed to shoot my pics at the starting line and email them to me after the race. Her hubby was running the 21K. (Thanks again Pixie!)

The 21 K runners were warming up at the back-end of the road. The elite marathoners, warmed-up business class style. They had a block in Granville road cordoned just for them for warm up.

Honestly, if someone would ask me where I encountered the proverbial “Wall”, I would definitely say it was at Kilometer ZERO. I was a constant visitor of the portalets which were lined-up along Haiphong street. I went to the portalet more than 10 times and even threw up a couple of times due to pre-race anxiety. I was simply scared s@#$less! (note: the portalets here smelled horrible also!)

A few minutes before 8am, the runners were called to go to the starting line. The elite runners – the Kenyans, Japanese, Singaporeans, including our very own Eduardo “Vertek” Buenavista….. were all in front… ready to leave us their trail of Hong Kong dusts.

Amid blaring techno music, the emcee finally gave a short but very stirring speech for all of us. It was so inspiring that I had goosebumps all over my body and this made me feel like puking even more. I realized, “what a minute this is far better than the rousing call during the last PSE Bull Run!”

Oh I wanted to back out.

While everyone was counting down, I closed my eyes and clasped my hands and said my standard prayer. “Magpapakabait na ako, patapusin mo lang sa akin ang marathon na ito.” He he he. Really.

Bang! The runners stormed down to Nathan road, turned left at Austin road  then to Canton road Wui Cheung  and we entered the West Kowloon highway.

I was surprised, that I was feeling strong during the start. It was like I left all my anxieties at Nathan road after the gun went off. I kept telling myself like a mantra “This is what I trained for” over and over.

After a few minutes, my mantra changed. I started to do my countdown :”O Jerome, 41 K na lang. ”My god! I knew this was going to be a loooong day.

Most of the time, say about 95% of the race, we were running on Hong Kong’s national highways or expressways. If you’ve taken the bus from the airport to either Kowloon or Hong Kong island, you have definitely travelled on these magnificent roads.

Watsons distilled water were supposed to be served at every 5K point. But I believe I saw water stations at every 2.5K or so. If Im not mistaken also, the ISO-Tone sports drink were made available earlier as well as the Cadbury chocolates. Sosy!

Volunteers at every water station were all cheering (go on?) to all runners. At one station, they were playing a recorded cheer na naka-loop! Astig!

The ambience for me was intense in most parts because all you can hear was the panting and huffing of runners in Chinese!

(Note: We should have the Iso-Tone drinks here in the Philippines also. They have this minty taste which makes it refreshing even at room temperature).

At the 10K or 11K point, inside the Teung Ching tunnel, the lead pack (4 Kenyans) of the race was already on their way back. Not too far was Buenavista on a toe-to-toe battle with another Kenyan. Their strides were so close they were already overlapping. I cheered our Kababayan “Go Buenaventura!!!” Ooops! (the following minutes, I was trying to remember what Vertek’s family name was.

TURN AROUND POINTS
Finally we reached the Tsing Ma bridge where the first turnaround was at 15.4Km.

Forgot to mention, the organizers had set cut-off times for different distances/locations. “Runners who fail to reach the following locations before the specified times as stated below must board the official buses.” This is in order to facilitate the opening of the marathon route to normal traffic at 1:30pm.

For this point (15.4Km), you have to be in within 2 hours before the double decker grim reaper gets ya!

The Winds at the two bridges near Lantao Island were merciless. Just like what a Singaporean 3:20 marathoner warned me before the race. He said in his distinct Singaporean accent :”Is this yo first? Take it easy ok? And watch out for the bridge!” He wasn’t kidding.

At 20.3 Km at Ting Kau bridge, the cut off was 2 hours 40. I was IN at 2:14. I was still feeling strong when I reached half way at 2:18.

I knew I was slowing down already at 25K since the group I was running with was already ahead of me by several meters. I got the Omega pain killer from my belt and spread a generous amount on my quads and calves.

At 27K BOOM! I started going bonkers. I felt the fatigue on my legs, and my quads were twitching wildly. By this time, first aid officers were deployed every 2Km giving out those wonder Chinese liniment lotion to tired and weary runners. They were so hot selling that in some stations they ran out of stocks!

I reached the 30K mark at 3:42. Many have arrived in bonkersville at this point. They were sitting under tents covered in blankets and being consoled by their loved ones on their mobiles.

The grim reaper from time to time passed by us ferrying unsuccessful runners back to the finish line.

The highway leading to Hong Kong island was endless and brutal. I started doing the Galloway run-walk intervals not out of technique but out of necessity. Inside the Western Harbour Tunnel, I chanced upon fellow Pinoy runner Ms. Ivy Macainan and gave her a high 5!

Outside the tunnel, about 8 Km more to go, I sped things up a little bit as I negotiated Rumsey Street flyover at HK Central.

I knew I could give the last 5Km a stronger kick but I was already afraid that would result to cramps. I kept on applying those Chinese wonder lotion and my Omega lotion and gently massaged the affected muscles. The last thing I would want to happen here is suffer a cramp and jeopardize my first marathon.

Ive ran so many 5Ks, 10Ks, 21Ks, and even 25K events. But this marathon’s final 3 kilometers was the most vicious 3K Ive done so far. I continued to hydrate and emptied the remaining flask in my fuel belt. I still stopped to massage my legs just to make sure the twitching stops.

As we entered Lockhart road and St. George Street, the deafening cheer of the Sunday’s shoppers crowd reververated throughout Causeway Bay. It was an amazing feeling running through those streets giving our worn out bodies another adrenaline rush for that one last kick to the finish line.

I made my last turn and saw the blue and green flooring leading to the Finishline Arch. It was unbelieveable. I slowed down a bit because I wanted to savor the remaining seconds of the grueling test. I wanted the pain and suffering to last a little bit more because I knew it would take a looong time before I run another 42.

Our Kababayans from Cebu were cheering me on as I crossed the line. There were about a hundred of us who crossed the line all at the same time.

5:26:49 was my time. Saved by 4 minutes before the cut-off of 5:30. Faster than Katie Holmes’ NY Marathon time, but not enough to beat Ms. Winfrey.

The crowd then started making a countdown to the 5:30 cut off. I turned back and saw several people dashing for the line to make it. A few did, but there were many who didn’t even if they were almost there. They were just an arms length away, and they didn’t make the cut off. It was dramatic. As far as I’m concerned, as long as you crossed the line, cut off or no cut-off, it’s a marathon.

Ivy Macainan was still at the finish line and we had our picture taken. I got my things and sat in a corner to rest my worn out legs. It took me a while before I could get on my two feet again.

I met the Cebu runners and learned that Leszl Lumindas won 3rd place in her 21K division. Mendel Lopes on the other hand finished 4th in the mens 21K challenge. I later found out that Leszl is a coach to many runners in Cebu. After HK, she will be competing 10K and 21K at the 2009 Arafura Games in Australia in May.

———
Well this experience has taught me many things. First, I learned what my body is capable of. This is where I felt the worst pain ever. I was aching all over: your glycogen levels are down… your body is shutting down and shouting at you to stop and quit.

The experience remains surreal todate. I can’t seem to remember the agony, the amount of pain I was feeling during the last miles of the marathon. But I kept on running because there was no way in hell that Im not crossing that finish line at Causeway Bay.

Now I know why non-runners will never understand why we put ourselves to such misery. I cant explain it, but one will have to run it and finish it for him to understand why.

I was telling myself towards the end of the race that I will probably not run another marathon in the next 5 years. Well, I was wrong. Ano ba ang susunod?

So that’s how I survived my first trip to Hong Kong. Hong Kong is an amazing place with so many enterprising people. I will definitely be back in 2010 to run my second Hong Kong Marathon but this time Ill make sure that my family is with me in this awesome Hong Kong adventure.

Pacman Knows!

My friend told me that Mark Wahlberg appeared at a Lakers-Celtics game wearing a Pacman Knows shirt. As it turns out, this is the second time that he did it. Got this picture from another blog.

Manny has really arrived. 

I also want to have a shirt like this!

Laban Pacman! :) 

Adidas KOTR October 11, 2008

Adidas did a great job with this year's King of the Road Run. It was fun to finally run along the EDSA-Buendia flyover and along Buendia avenue. I finished with a terrible time but I'm not really competitive anyway. I was stopping a lot along the way and it was not to stop and smell the roses.

We were all lucky to have great weather that day. The sun was raging by 6AM which was much better than the last rain-drenched event I joined.

Nobody dared miss this one. I guess for many people, Adidas KOTR would be the main event of the year. For 10K alone, there were 1,400 plus finishers ( I also saw most of them...while they were on the stretch run back to the Fort :) ) .

At the finish line, I got to hang around with my nephew and watch the 21-K runners. These guys really impress me. Someday, I wish I can join and finish this event. I remember seeing one of the girls at this finish who seemed to be running out of breath. Good thing she didn't collapse. Her boyfriend and dog where with her at the finish line and they seemed to be in better shape. Oh well, that's my enduring image for the day.

The De La Salle AA Run

Link

My tita's blog :) It's quite refreshing to run when it's raining. Many were upset that the organizers messed up the directions. Not a few had to run back and make up for the wrong turn...no one forced them to, but it's just silly to be paying 200 pesos for a 5k race and then running only 3! Runners are smart consumers too :)

...I felt the same way initially. It's not nice to find out that you made a wrong turn just when you're about to hit the finish line. But on hindsight, I probably ran a total of 6K. That's a bonus!!!

NPR's Wait Wait...Don't Tell me

This podcast is highly recommended. A great combination of Games, political satire and news. This weekly show lasts for about 30 minutes and never fails to make me laugh.

What I find impressive is they always seem to guest a bigshot US politician like Congressmen and Senators. Even Obama calls in from time to time. And they really don't hold back on any punches...bigtime politician or not, they're all fair game.

How I wish I could listen in live and be a home contestant. The prize? A voicemessage from NPR's Carl Kessel. It may not sound like a million bucks, but I find it cool.

Podcast mania

I'm convinced now that the Ipod is the perfect companion on the road or when waiting at the doctor's clinic. And it took me 3 years to find out!

I still love morning radio (KDL and Teta News at MAxFM from 6-9AM and Failon/Sanchez on DZMM afterwards) but as soon as my favorite shows sign off, I listen to my Ipod.

Easily, my favorites are NPR's Wait Wait (great suggestion Cherry!) and Wall Street Journal podcasts (there are several). When I'm bored, I listen to RIcky Gervais canned shows. Many may not find him funny, but I think the guy's hilarious! One of the guys on his show, Don, is a real nutcase and just spews out outstanding nonsense.

Last night, I stumbled upon podcasts on DC and Marvel comics. Yet to listen to them, but I'm definitely looking forward to some alone time tomorrow (maybe in the evening).

FOr the meantime, look at my podcast subscriptions...it now resembles the DVD collection in my room in Taytay. "Acquired with such haste but left hanging for an eternity!" :)

...Better than a PSP :)

What's in a name?

We visited a few towns in Laguna yesterday. My dad heard about a barangay in Laguna called Taytay.

The trip took us to the underground cemetery in Nagcarlan, Laguna. As the pictures will show, the National Historical Institute is doing a great job. Just look at the well manicured lawn and the clean surroundings.

We did find barangay Taytay after lunch and bought some pasalubong as well as to chat with the owner of the pasalubong store. It appears barangay Taytay has been around since the 16th century! It's not so surprising really if you think that my hometown has also been around since the 16th too (Bambi HArper wrote an interesting column last year. Will try to post that here later).

On the way back, we made stops at Liliw, Laguna and Taytay falls in Majayjay.

Liliw was a pleasant surprise. They have a street there of tsinelas boutiques :) There were many local tourists which gave me the impression that the place has been able to generate enough buzz to make it a "required" stop for us visitors.

Yesterday's trip was truly outstanding. Our family should really do more of this (and to think that Laguna is just 2 hours away from our place!).

Runnex 25 run - UP Diliman

I should really change my name to the Lazy Blogger! :) This Run was three days ago but I only got myself to blog about it now.

Anyway, I won't write too much about it except to say that UP DIliman is a great place for running. I would like to go back next week. I finished the race in 450th place (out of a field of 500) but who's counting? (only me of course haha). My time was 1:12 hours.

Read more about it on Bullrunner and Baldrunner's blog. Coach Rio really did a great job in organizing this event.

...from the picture, it seems like I'm about to pass out :)

Good Superhero Movie

Loved the Iron Man movie. A pleasant surprise that Robert Downey was perfect as Tony Stark. It was also nostalgic to see characters like Pepper Potts, Happy Hogan and Obadiah Stane. It has been years because I've even forgotten all about Obadiah.

I would rank this movie alongside Spiderman 1 and Batman Returns as the best superhero movie adaptations of the CGI era.

Some useless notes:

1. Pepper Potts wasn't really as hot as Gwyneth :) ... the way I remember her, she resembles the red headed chick in Six feet under (sorry but i'm not in the mood to look up her name on Google).
2. I can't remember "Rhodie" from the comicbooks
3. In the sixties comicbook edition, the setting was in VIetnam and not Afghanistan as shown in this movie (makes sense!)
4. I couldn't recall that the thing on his chest was installed to protect his heart (I have lousy memory!)


and last, but most important of all...were you able to spot Stan Lee in the movie?

4th Fort Bonifacio Global City Fun Run

Finished this 10k in 1:09:22. When I joined my first fun run in June 2007 (Adidas King of the Road), I joined a 5k and finished in 45 minutes (blazing! heheh). I hung around the finish line waiting for Ayon and Jerome to finish their 10k. I saw a lot of finishers coming in after an hour. I was very impressed with all of them because back then, I really thought it would be impossible for me to be able to run a 10k.

Now,by just being able to finish a 10k, I feel that I've already achieved something big :) That's significant as I look up at my new "mountain to climb": the 21k. I feel positive that I can achieve this as long as I can get myself to run at least 3 times a week.

At the risk of blurting out too many cliches: Nothing seems impossible anymore!

..by the way, the run was sponsored by ANTA.

On Your Mark! The Draw the Line Run-for-a-Cause

GMA QTV sponsored a fun run for a cause called "On Your Mark! The Draw the Line Run-for-A-Cause". They also have a show with that title and its advocacy is to protect women against abuse.

Boy was I glad to be on this one. So far, this has been the most satisfying run I've had. First, I didn't stop as much to walk (I would say a cumulative time of less than 5 minutes! ) and I finished with a PErsonal Record of 1:08:51 for the 10k...now that's something regular runners would scoff at and I would too if I was an athlete! :) If there's somebody to thank, it's Austin for telling me to take smaller strides and maintain my pace at 90 counts for every minute.

But Jerome also achieved a personal best by going below 1 hour for the first time in his running "career".

"Hooray" right? Leave it to eternal optimists like us. As soon as I hit the finish line, Jerome's first question was: " 'tol, parang maikli ano? " (Wasn't it too short?). If it was, that would be a disappointment. So we'll check the internet this week to see if other runners felt the same way. And of course, there's our idol "The Bull Runner" who will have her own say on the subject (and that will be the final word in my book...she's got a Garmin personal GPRS). It was also nice to see her back where she belongs: on the road! :)

I'd like to say that it was a well organized event. The organizers should really give themselves a pat in the back...and a big bonus from their boss :) Let me count the ways:
1. cold bottled water: on my way back at the 7.5km mark, they still had a lot to go around!
2. Sufficient staff to direct traffic and point directionally challenged people to the right path
3. Nice looking kilometer markers :)...they really helped me a lot
4. Best giveaways so far this year (the shoebag was really nice ... they really matter to me, you see)

...There's another run at the Fort next Sunday at 6AM sponsored by Anta. Just sign up at the Anta Stores in Trinoma and BHS (Bonifacio High Street). The ladies there also told me to wear the Anta shirt after the race if I wanted to get a nice discount card (30%!!!).

DND AFP Run

Joined the 7th DND-AFP Gintong PAngarap half-marathon last Sunday at Villamor Airbase. Wait, let me qualify that: I was in the 5 km fun run category. It was my brother, Jerome, who tried his first 21-km event.

Let me just say that this was one of the better organized runs that I've joined so far. I have to hand it to the organizing crew because I really didn't hear anyone complain the whole morning! (Believe me, "bitching" seems to be a favorite emotional outlet for many people).

First thing that caught my attention, were the kilometer markers they put along the way. FOr those without Garmin Personal navigators, this was the next best thing! :) Maybe it's just psychological, but it sure helps when you know how much more you have to go!

They also had marching bands along the route. I saw only one (since I had to turn already at SLEX) but Jerome told me there were still two more in Fort BOnifacio. For a guy without an I-pod, listening to a live brass band play "Itaktak mo" (an Eat bulaga! tune) was just what the doctor ordered.

Villamor was a good choice because of the nice surroundings. The roads are clean and not too many cars.

They also seemed to have a lot of water (in comparison, the run i joined two weeks ago was a disaster!) which is top-of-mind for most runners: I mean who likes dying of thirst?!? I do lug around a bottle of water all the time for insurance.

At the finish, it was a big surprise when someone handed me a plastic bag of goodies: 2 pandesals, saging na saba, and boiled egg. That definitely made me smile. These DND-AFP guys really know how to take care of their runners! Good job!

It was the first race certificate that I saw where somebody actually signed!

I hung around for a while at the grandstand and watched a marching band perform. I took videos on my phone(maybe ill download them later this weekend) and walked around to enjoy the place.

It was a well organized event despite having no big name sponsors. It was also nice to see the top brass of the Air Force attending the event and providing moral support to their troops.

The old school

Went to my old school yesterday to accompany Tia Liling who was voting there. Took some pictures of the old building.

It was a little sad to see that the old building where I spent Grade 1 to 3 was already condemned. It's hard to believe that it's been 30 years since I went there. I can still remember many events and old friends. Despite my shoddy memory, it surprises me that I can still remember classmates from Grade 1 (I can barely remember the names of some of my college classmates! What an embarassment).

Wonder what happened to all of them. Taytay is a small town but the only classmates I've seen since 1980 are just a handful.

If you went to Felix M. Sanvictores School in Taytay, you would know why i took this shot. Can you tell me why?

healthy Choices

Anyway, as you all know, there has been a big change in my lifestyle: especially with my eating habits. No more beer, cut down on fat, (bawal na pumapak ng taba!), reduce salt intake. In short, I have to change the whole way I eat. Grabe men. It's so hard kaayo!

I'm beginning to get used to it though. I went to the grocery: I never thought I would still have a lot of food choices! Raisins, JellyAce, Skim Milk, Cereals, Non fat pudding, banana chips! I usually have cereals for breakfast na and sometimes oatmeal. No more patis and toyo (The worst thing that could happen to someone who grew up in Taytay)! By the way, no ketchup for me so I have to make up for with Suka and calamansi. And of course, when I'm still hungry after meals, I turn to Fruits. I also never thought that i would see the day when I would prefer Smoothies over ice cream when I'm in the mall!


So take my advice, don't allow your kids to get too dependent on meat, chocolates, and full cream stuff. They'll pay for it someday. Remember: BALANCE.

:)

Rgds
Jay

Revival

Have neglected this blog for more than a year. Just decided to check it again after my uncle mentioned to me that he stumbled upon it.

...while I would really like to keep this a blog that is strictly about baseball, I am tempted to post my picture on my trip to Sydney last week. I stayed with my cousins there for two weekends while I spent one whole week at our Sydney office learning from my peers.

IT was a wonderful trip more so because I haven't really been anywhere for more than a year...even Cebu which I miss a lot.

If you happen to be someone from outside the Philippines, I strongly urge you to visit my country. It has lots of nice places that you will find interesting. Just look beyond our airport and our capital because they really are quite iffy hehehe

But remember, Manila is just a small, small part of the country.

Jay

Boston Red Sox and The Chicago Cubs

Hi! It has been sometime since my last post.

Yesterday, the Red Sox played the Chicago Cubs. THe cubs won by a big margin and got 20 hits out of the Red SOx. Very one sided!

Interleague play began only three years ago so these two teams never played each other because the only way that was possible before was for them to be in the world series at the same time. Chicago last won the world series in 1908! And they last time they played there was 1945. BOston has always been my heartbreak club but Chicago really has been worse!

Last year, the red sox were finally able to break the jinx and won their first world series since 1918! Very Happy day!

...Will the Cubs finally go to the World Series this year? The best would be to have them make it and have the REd SOx on the other side. That would be just classic!

Shop PBS - Baseball: A Film by Ken Burns 10PK (DVD)

Shop PBS - Baseball: A Film by Ken Burns 10PK (DVD)

For people who are just beginning to fall in love in baseball, This is the ultimate baseball movie. A classic documentary that covers the sport from its history in the early 1800's up to the 90's.

It just doesn't focus on the sport itself. It talks about issues common to American society and baseball.

But the footages of all the baseball heroes are fantastic.

I first saw this documentary on the discovery channel in 1997. They showed one chapter every saturday morning. Needless to say, it was a good reason to wake up early on weekends!


I finally got a copy last year on DVD. BOught it on ebay for $100. Worth more than this to me.

Jay Araullo

ESPN Outdoors

ESPN Outdoors

click on this link to see Ted William's angling prowess...some people consider him to be the best flyfisherman of all time.

Jay

Boston Red Sox

Baseball is not really that popular here in the Philippines (Filipinos are basketball CRAZY!). You may be wondering why someone like me, who hasn't even been anywhere near the US, can be so crazy about baseball.

My grade school back in the early 80's had an above average library. When I was ten, I was extremely interested in sports. I was such a big fan of U-TEX, a professional basketball team in the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association), one of the underdogs of the league. Anyway, I'll write about U-Tex another time. So while browsing for books about basketball, I would skim other books about other sports. One of the first books that I brought out was about six guys who won the Triple Crown of Baseball. Let me see if I got them right...

Lou Gehrig 1927

Joe Medwick 1936

Ted Williams 1941

Micky Mantle 1952

Frank Robinson 1966

Carl Yastrzemski 1967

I'm sure I made a mistake with a couple of the dates but I'll make sure to correct them after checking the net.

Lou Gehrig and Ted Williams are two of my favorite players of all time. I'll tell you about Lou Gehrig another time. Why? Because Ted Williams is the greatest Red Sox of all time!

Batting left handed (like me), Ted was a left fielder. That he meant he patrolled Fenway Park's fabled Green Monster...which isn't much really. It's just a high wall merely 310 ft away from home plate that converts home runs to doubles...and singles (if it were in other parks) into doubles! It's on of a kind. You won't find anything like it in the other baseball parks. Ted was not just a great baseball player, he was also a war pilot who made a lot of kills (50 if I'm not mistaken ) while serving in two wars! World War 2 and the Korean War. this meant that he missed seven years in his career at his peak (or when at an age when he was most productive). I read somewhere once that he had the best swing among all baseball players ever and he had the sharpest eye...which probably explains his skill as a pilot and his hitting prowess on the diamond. The most impressive stat about Ted Williams is that he is the last player to ever hit .400 with a .402 average in 1941 (along with 37 home runs and 145 RBI). For those who are not in the know, .400 is a mean feat. Much like averaging 40 points in a season in the NBA (Jordan averaged 32 at his best). Hitting a lot of home runs while doing this is even more impressive! Another thing that I admire about Ted Williams is the recognition that he has received as one of the greatest anglers in the US. In short, he has made a name for himself in three entirely different fields! amazing!

Well have to go on now...I can blab on and on about Ted Williams but I it's time to sleep!

Go Sox!

Jay

Welcome to the Taytay Bulls

You might be wondering why I use the name Taytay Bulls. Well I got that from my barkada Oliver Briola or "Obeng" who is a basketball nut like me. The Chicago Bulls were just beginning to build their dynasty in 1992 and one of their popular players then was BJ Armstrong (excellent shooter from the outside). I'm not a Chicago fan (I always root for the underdogs) but Obeng got around to calling me "BJ Araullo from the Taytay Bulls!". Taytay is my hometown in the province of Rizal, Philippines.

I really wanted to name this site the Manila Red Sox Nation because I'm a huge fan of the Boston Red Sox(though I haven't set foot on Fenway Park yet!) since 1986 and Roger "the rocket" Clemens but the website won't accept it...must be a yankee fan hehehe

Anyways, welcome to my blog and I hope people can get around to reading it. I hope that I won't bore people too much and I hope to meet others who might have the same interests as I.

Jay