One of the more fascinating questions we get from our HeadOffice MLM is “what is the most important thing in running with bulls?”.

Co-Author Wells and I spent a great deal of time getting the emotions right- if not the results- in A Line in the Sand’s prologue, set in Pamplona. We did a lot of homework, and got a lot of coaching from a great guy named Dennis Clancey before actually running with the bulls. There were several take aways from his wise counsel- the crush before 7:45, what happens in the turns, what happens when someone (or you) falls in the path of the 1,000 pound beasts, how to read someones eyes if they have a bull behind them.

And there are a lot of spectators at San Fermin…like most everyone. Some on balconies, some in the Plaza des Toros arena, some behind the barriers, some just jogging well clear of the horns. But assuming one goes to Pamplona as a runner as opposed to a watcher, there that’s the moment, after you see that look in the next a man’s eyes and summon the courage… to answer Dennis’ first and last question…

“What is your time in the 40 yard dash, because that’s what you get around the bulls. Five seconds, max.”

The quintessential measure of the man on the football field- back, receiver, skills- was the 40 time. Explosive acceleration. forward momentum. Run through the finish. Burners will do a 4.6. Super humans maybe 4.4. Deon and Randy Mosts posted 4.2. Bo Jackson did 4.12… and he was 225 lbs.

So, if you go run with the bulls (which we highly recommend), focus on those five seconds. And, says Dennis…

“You have to start at the right time!”