The Running With The Bulls.

So they have this tradition in Strathmore, and it involves the gathering of ten thousand cowboys, cowgirls and all the wannabes in-between. These people fill the stands to watch the 100 or so men who step forward for a once in a lifetime challenge. The challenge that I speak of is of course: The Running of the Bulls. The crowd you find in line to sign waivers for bull running is an certainly an interesting one. Some are in it for the glory, some perhaps are trying to prove themselves or consider it a legitimate show of bravery. Others (like us), were simply there for a new and exhilarating experience. Finally, some of the people standing in line were truly and solely seeking the $1000 grand prize. Not to stereotype, but simply to give you a better picture of our bull running compadrés, please picture now a man with a moustache. He is naturally shirtless, tattooed, and most likely drinking beer. His cowboy hat is the most expensive thing he’s wearing and his belt buckle is what most would call large. Some would say too large. He may be missing some teeth, or they are at least brown from a lifetime of chewing tobacco. He also likely would have cursed about 5 times since I began this sentence describing him. However, most importantly, he thinks there is not a chance in the world that 5 kids from Ontario would be better, or less afraid of running with the bulls than he would be. To be shamefully honest the 5 of us completely agreed with him. That is what we were dealing with; that was our company.

Running with the bulls was scheduled for 18:00. By 18:15 it's safe to say we each had a bundle of nerves. By 18:20 as we made our entrance into the arena the nerves calmed slightly, until the bulls were released. Our hearts dropped. Watching five, 1200 lb bulls charging at you was certainly thrilling. But before I go any further please allow us to explain the event known as bull running with which we are now so closely accustomed.

The running with the bulls involves 80 contestants left to fend for themselves in a gated arena monitored by 4 judges. The "runs" are separated into three rounds. the first is 6 small (relatively speaking) 1200 lb bulls that are meant to be the least violent. The intermission includes judges making notable mentions to particular contestants that stood out. Then the second round ensues. This time it is 4 larger 1400 bulls that are after us. Again, the judges make their comments and then it is time for the final round: two, large, aggressive Mexican fighting bulls. If when all is said and done there are no fatalities, no severe injuries and no harmed bulls the judges then select their favourite contestants and put it to the crowd to select the winner of the $1000 grand prize.

Ok. So now that your caught up with stampede culture, back to our time of terror in the arena. First round, there was a few close calls, but overall relative safety. In the second round Jamie and Charles made a few daring stunts that distinguished themselves in the eyes of the judges. After the third and final round, with all limbs still intact, we were all extremely relieved to have successful conquered the running with the bulls. After the bulls again were caged away, to our astonishment Jamie was chosen as one of the 6 finalists. It was now up to the crowd the judges and fate to decide who was going home with the grand of cold hard cash. We pulled together as a team and every time Bob Tallman (world famous rodeo announcers) mentioned Jamie, we all went buck wild, preforming antics and the classic sports celebrations that we all know and love. With roaring applause Jamie made the finals and by this time it had surfaced that we were from Ontario and were up against a home town kid. However, along with this, somehow (we still have no clue how) news surfaced of our adventures and mission which was announced to the listening crowd. At the end of the day, to all of our utter astonishment, Bob Tallman, Grant Keibler and the band Hey Romeo decided in our favour and selected Jamie as the 2011 Running With The Bulls. They invited us all up onto the lift from which they were speaking and gave us an opportunity to share a bit of our story to the thousands listening in the crowd. To this date, this has been our teams favourite bonding experience and even from this exposure spawned many fantastic stories that will be posted next time we make into into a free wifi hotspot. But for now, we thank God for giving us $1000 right after we spent around that on our transmission. This has been an unforgettable experience!

Cheers,The Boys