Putting on your running shoes and setting out the door, you never know where the open road will take you. For Jaymie Pizarro, a.k.a. the Bull Runner, the urge to run hasn’t brought her away from life; it’s helped her discover it in the fullest.

By Grace Hong

A Bull Runner is usually perceived as one of those Spanish fellows clad in white, with a red handkerchief around their necks, running along side a bull in Pamplona, Spain. They run, and run, and run until the finish line, all this in three insane minutes. And you’re never quite sure if they’re running alongside or running for their lives for that matter. The Bull Runner on the other hand, is clad simply in shorts, t-shirt, and running shoes. Jaymie Pizarro, mother of two, started to run initially to lose weight. She runs, and runs, and runs until the finish line of all the marathons she has accomplished. What differentiates her and a Bull Runner? Nothing much. They both join the festivities for the adrenaline, for the love of the activity, and simply the joy of it. Of course, they enjoy it in different attires. Why does she do it? Jaymie answers nonchalantly, “For the love of it.” She goes on to describe her love of running in the manner of one who loves her job, with that whole spiel about how it feels like you’re not really working anymore. But, seriously, it’s all true. She doesn’t have to force herself to get up in the morning. She never gets tired or disenchanted with it. Running is a part of her life; it’s become a necessity in her daily activities—just like how you need to brush your teeth every so often. Running the way Jaymie likes it is very flexible. She can squeeze it in the morning, in the middle of the day, or at night. Running is efficient enough for her needs, allowing her good quality training in no longer than sixty minutes. It’s a smart solution that is remarkably simple, really. Basically, she gets to kill more birds with that one stone. Health, fitness, and strength—it’s all there in one, err, running stone. Most recently, the Bull Runner was training for the Singapore marathon, which took place last December 6, 2009. Jaymie shares her marathon-training program with the World Wide Web, devotedly posting her daily regimen on her blog. The F.I.R.S.T. (Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training) program which Jaymie downloaded online provides the perfect routine she needs. The training is less frequent yet more intense, she explains. Training three times a week, she’s given ample amount of time to condition her body. 

With the flexibility of the F.I.R.S.T. program, she gets enough time to stretch, get a massage, cross-train, condition her body, go to class at A.I.M., tend to her kids and husband—oh, and also take care of her business! The Bull Runner is the shining example of time management. Managing to fit her running in at any time of the day, Jaymie makes it seem so easy you almost don’t want to believe this chick’s for real.

One would think that with this chaotic schedule, burn out would be inevitable. Not with Jaymie. Instead of taking a downturn, her life has shifted gears and gone on overdrive. Running has completely changed her outlook on life; from the way she manages her family, to her business and the full nine yards, she got a full grasp on it all and keeps up a positive attitude. Her cheerfulness, energy, and determination to lead a healthy lifestyle have won over everyone from her family to the faithful followers of her blog. 

The Bull Runner is just how you imagine her to be. Even over the phone, she speaks with so much energy that you yourself want to get into running. With her overwhelming training schedule (which is hardcore in all types of books), she still manages to encourage her readers and share tips and experiences. She pulls through the highly technical mechanics with the ease of one who truly loves what she does. 

After her marathon in Singapore this December, Jaymie Pizarro will tackle another goal, a Condura run (a 42km marathon to be held on the Skyway) in February. Like her passion for running, the goals she sets for herself have no end in sight. Then again, it was never about the destination anyway.

 

The Seven Days of Highly Fit People

Sharing a bit of her mileage, Jaymie gives the lowdown on her weekly routine leading up to an event:

Monday: strength training
Tuesday: intervals at the gym on a treadmill so she can pace herself and control her speed Wednesday: either spinning or swimming
Thursday: tempo runs, fast paced runs at Bonifacio High Street
Friday: strength training
Weekends: dedicated to long runs, usually on Sunday