Askals

In my last column, I wrote about a runner who killed a lion in Colorado, USA.  He was fighting for survival after the cat attacked him. My “kumpare”, Relly Mercado  texted me and said that here in the Philippines the runners main problem are the stray dogs or “Askals”.  When I was organizing the Everyman Triathlon in Mactan, a triathlete fell from his bike after being chased by three dogs.  In Iloilo City a few years back, a runner who was approaching the finish line and running third was suddenly attacked by a dog that darted from behind a tree. The runner who was bitten in the leg was able to finish the race but dropped out of the top five. “Na mo-mo ang runner as in Momo Challenge”.

La Salle Lady Archers

Despite their loss to the UP Lady Maroons, it looks like defending three-time champion La Salle Lady Spikers are headed to another championship season. The Archers blasted archrival Ateneo on opening day followed by victories over the Adamson Lady Falcons and National University Lady Bulldogs to claim the top spot in this year’s UAAP season 81,before the debacle. Rookie Jolina De la Cruz is a welcome addition to an already explosive cast that include Des Cheng, Aduke Ogunsanya, May Luna and Michelle Cobb.  Dela Cruz was impressive in her second game when she scored 10 points against Adamson.  Of course La Salle has the winningest coach in Ramil De Jesus.

Did you know?

ALEXANDER SKARSGARD an avid runner was advised to stop running and instead advised to eat 7,000 calories a day so he would have the bulk while portraying Tarzan in the film The Legend of Tarzan. Akarsgard also lifted weights.

ERIKA ROE a 24-year old bookshop assistant stole the limelight during half-time entertainment of England versus Australia game at Twickenham Stadium in Middlesex, England.  Erika a streaker, stripped exposing her 40-inch bust.  Twickenham  proved to be a good venue for her to market her assets as she netted some 8,000 pounds in television appearances.

JOHNNY WEISSMULLER was the original Tarzan when movies were still in black and white.  Johnny won swimming gold medals in the 100 and 400 meter freestyle events. In the 1924 Paris Olympics four years later, he repeated with a gold in the 100m while earning another gilt in the relay. Weissmuller escaped being kidnapped by bandits while on tour of Cuba in 1950 by unleasing his famous Tarzan yell. The bandits scampered upon hearing the yell.  Weissmuller owned 51 world records ranging in distances  from  50 to 800 yards.  While dying in a hospital, Weissmuller yelled and terrified the nurses. He was born in Hungary but raised in Chicago where he started swimming at age 16.

CLARENCE DE MAR  Seven-time Boston Marathon Champion was the first lifelong runner who’s heart was autopsied (after his death at age 70 from bowel cancer). DeMar was found to have some coronary artery blockage, but his arteries were two to three times larger than most, leaving plenty of room for healthy blood flow.  I myself was diagnosed of an enlarged heart in my younger days but my cardiologist said this is normal for runners.

Underpass

I was informed that the opening of the Mambaling underpass has been moved to June instead of May. I’m asking my five year old grandaughter Myles to teach me how to sing  the Nursery song, Enero, Pebrero, Marso, Abril, Mayo, Hunyo, Hulyo, Agusto, Septyembre, Octubre, Nobyembre, Disyembre….LUBI LUBI.

Notes:  Belated Happy Birthday to Anjelly Geron.