Running With The Bulls
Want to run with the bulls and knock that off your bucket list? We can help you make that happen, we have actually done it and plan to do it again soon….
SAN FERMIN FESTIVAL
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The world famous Festival De San Fermin takes place every year from July 6th to the 14th. It is world famous for an activity that a lot of people find crazy, exciting, scary, cruel, fun and the ultimate bucket list experience. For me, I find this extremely exciting and fills me with so much adrenaline that I want to do it over and over again; running with bulls in Pamplona.
That’s right, I ran with the bulls in Pamplona in 2015 and it was one of the best experiences of my life, but I want to do it again! I am planning to make this a yearly event so if you can not come this year, you can come the next. But before I go into details, let me tell you a little bit about my experience in Pamplona.
MY STORY
The first and only time I went to San Fermin Festival was out of pure luck and coincidence. I happened to be at the right place and the right time. I did not know the festival was taking place and when I searched it up online, I had only 3 days left to go run with the bulls before I departed back to Texas. So I bought a train ticket and was on my way to Pamplona from Barcelona on a one night trip. I only had time to go to Pamplona, sleep, wake up, run with the bulls, catch the train back that same day then fly back home the next day. Talk about being rushed.
When I arrived to Pamplona I entered a whole new world I had never experienced before. If you have ever been tailgating at a major college football game then you might have an idea of what I am talking about, just multiply that experience by 100 then to the second power. LOL There were hundreds of thousands of people there. All of them partying and having the time of their life!
I did not have time to party or drink, I was focused on waking up early and run with the bulls. The actual run takes place very early in the morning so most people miss it because they were too drunk to wake up. However, I was determined to run so I had zero drinks that day and went to sleep early. I did however walk and explore the city and I experienced the biggest party I had ever been to. Everywhere you turned you saw people playing music, having fun, singing, dancing, passed out, laughing and just having the best time ever.
THE DAY OF THE BULL RUN
The next morning I woke up and was ready to go. I had walked the actual path the day before so I knew the route. It is actually very easy and does not require you to be in tip top shape to run it. Regardless, I warmed up and stretched before the run and so did the rest of the people that actually woke up early to run with me.
I am not goin to lie, I was scared for my life. I strategically positioned myself behind a wall. I knew there was no way I was going to be trampled by a bull behind that wall. The plan was to wait for the bulls to pass by and then run safely behind them and not in front of them. Boy was I wrong….
THE RUN
As the first group of bulls ran past by me, I got myself together and ran behind them. However, these bulls were no joke, they are humongous and run way faster than what I thought they did. As I was running behind the bulls I realized there were more bulls behind me running towards me. I heard commotion from behind me and then it hit me, there’s more bulls coming. I ran as fast as I could for about 5 seconds and sprinted to safety. I hid behind another wall and watched as the bulls passed by me at what seemed to me like 100 mph.
Once that second group of bulls ran past me and I made sure there were no more bulls coming, I started running along with everyone else towards the bull ring. I was so happy, excited and full of adrenaline that I actually ran that quarter of a mile stretch with no hesitation.
Once at the bull ring, they had several shows and events but I didn’t have time to watch them, I had a train to catch. I left around 10 am and was on my way back to Barcelona happy but a little unsatisfied.
You see, I had no idea how huge San Fermin Festival is and I had no clue what to expect during the actual bull run. I told myself that one day I would go back and experience it the right way and run it better than my first time. I now know when to run, where to position myself for a better experience and what to expect. I know that the more times you do it, the better you get at it and I can teach others how to run it and what to do to have the best experience possible.
COME WITH ME
If running with the bulls is an experience you have on your bucket list and you want to join me on my next trip, please send me a message. I will be planning these types of trips every year or every other year so make sure you sign up so you can knock this bucket list off with someone who has done it already. The group is growing so make sure you stay in touch for more information on this bucket list experience.