Hashtag Matibay is real.
My London-Oxford Ultra
REACHING the beautiful city of Oxford by foot in 27 straight hours from Richmond, South London, was like slaying a personal Goliath earlier this month. Running a total of 102.3 miles (as I got lost in the middle of the night thrice) using the meandering path of the River Thames as a guide, was done bit by bit in a systematic, tempered manner. Every step was calculated to ensure no energy was wasted and no physiological need was left unattended. Being my debut into the top end part of ultramarathons, I had to forego expectations to be able to compete the race. And I was determined to go easy on my self. I just focused on finishing the event. I was open to the invaluable learnings and wisdom I was poised to absorb. Such sharp learning curve, in the next stages of my endurance running career will serve as a platform to attempt a better performance in the near future. All in all, I was proud to represent BVAC, my country the Philippines and my family of Filipino runners, the Pinoy Runners London during this official race by Centurion Running, officially known as the Thames Path 100. And I’m thankful to my best mate and fellow BVAC runner John Diamante who paced me in the last 10 miles.
Binoy Panes, PRL Ultra Runner
RUNNING the last 10 miles of the Thames Path in Centurion Running’s TP 100 last May 2021.
Janmar Baniquid: Kicking the Bad Habits
A Return to One’s Glory
My name is Janmar Baniquid of the Pontevedra Fun Runners of Negros Occidental, Philippines. I have been running since my elementary education. I was a track and field athlete during my elementary and high school days. I was also a varsity athlete of my college’s track and field team and a former member of Team Bacolod in Negros Relay, a walkathoner and a Milo Run top finisher.
I stopped running after having a family to focus on supporting them. Then I began smoking cigarettes and drinking. Until one day, my cousin invited me to join her to register for Pinoy Runner London’s Isolation Running Festival (IsoRunFest) last May 2020.That was the first time I ran after a long time. I felt so happy after the event, as if my blood was alive. And it returned all the positive and happy memories during those times I was training for official competitions. The last time I ran was in 2009 during the PRISAA (Private Schools Athletics Association) in Albay, for Team Western Visayas. I remembered the road and the oval being my training and playground. My heart was shouting, “running is my passion!”. I was so motivated that I continued running. I joined the subsequent worldwide events of PRL —the Master Miles Challenge, The Daily Dash, and the Merry Miles. It was during The Daily Dash event, when I realised that my smoking habit was totally gone, because my body was no longer longing for it. That's why Im very thankful to my Pinoy Runners London Family especially to Master John Diamante for pushing me to go back into running. It has changed my lifestyle to a healthy one.
Thank you so much Pinoy Runners London for inspiring, encouraging and motivating us to be healthy in mind and body amidst life’s challenges especially in the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
More power PRL!!! Looking forward for more event. God bless us all!
Editor’s notes: Pontevedra Fun Runners was founded by John Diamante. It is led by its chairman Jimmy Gavan and supported by its core leaders: Chariz Gildo Abkilan, Rex Gildo, Cheryl Chua, and Cheryl Chua. The muncipality of Pontevedra is set to register this running club, an ally of PRL, in the Securities Exchange Commission within the year.
The Iron Lady Runs
PHOENIX Iron Man Marathon gave me one of the toughest and best experiences yet in life as a runner. Rain and wind make people love their cosy beds. But I admit, the inclement weather that morning made me smile, big-time as I conquered eight full laps of the pretty hilly route. I love all the mud that made it more difficult. Probably the reason why I decided to do a full marathon instead of a halfsy, as Master John Diamante said—”break your thoughts, think that you can do it!” On my last two laps, there was a moment where my mind was dictating what my body would do. I was soaking wet, my shoes were heavy with mud. I could not stop thinking abort this run, just walk, just go. However, there was on the other side, a whisper, saying I could do it. I was alone in a serene place. I thought, this is my town! This is my playground! I stared at a vine. And remembered what I did during our Surrey Hills Trot with Binoy, looked at a point, ran then walked until I finished that first ever marathon of my life. Thinking about what happened, I can say that running long distances is not all about how strong your body is but 80% how strong your mind is. I embraced everything because I wanted to enjoy every stride. But to help achieve this, I would need more training, surround myself with positive people and gain more experience. I love the trails but within the path, you never know what will hit you. Same as life. So just be prepared and enjoy.
Lani Navalta
PRL Marathoner
(Editor’s note: the title is mine)
