Of baby-making and running…
Pogi Runners: (from right) Ed, Santos, John, myself (Binoy)
Conception in this case was made possible IN three men in their 40s. No, hold your horses yet. This is neither pornography nor science-fiction/ horror story (haha). Of course I am writing in the figurative sense. I love speaking and writing in metaphors as they make the impossible possible in articulating my views. (although I take Eliud Kipchoge’s motto “No Human is Limited” literally, especially in the field fo running). Like for example, baby-making IN these three men, that is not impinged by biology. Myself, Santos, and John are the official fathers of this baby called the Pinoy Runners London (PRL) which we virtually conceived as one and gave birth to in 2017 after a tedious two years of pregnancy. It was a long process as we ensured that the bedrock of this baby would be fertile enough to thrive. We nurtured it with our running experiences garnered during the weekly half-marathons we were enlisting for like mad, that commenced in 2016 up to 2017 when we became a lot braver to tackle the sacred 26.2 mile-distance. Surely running marathons pretty regularly provided us the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitude on parenting. Besides from the practicalities and wisdom of running we had been absorbing during those races (and regular trainings), we likewise discovered plenty of articles/ books/ research materials and personal testimonials by more seasoned runners which not only fed our growing baby then in our virtual womb, but also our own bodily and psychological systems, making us proper parents-to-be. By the time PRL was due to come out in the world, the three of us, Pogi Runners, were all-set for the challenge of raising this kid. Stuff such as cross-training, emotional/spiritual wellness, healthy diet, rest, etc. supplemented the staple passion and dedication we possess. And to make life a lot easier, the fourth parent/ father came into fore—Ed—in 2018 when PRL was just toddling about. Ed, the new-kid-on-the-block/ Pogi Runner No. 4, being the youngest of us four, probably had the brighter vision to push this baby of ours to its first milestone, the Isolation Running Festival last May this year. But this story deserves another space. And not to forget that in 2019, PRL became a big brother to a “satellite sibling”—the Pilipinas Runners Training and Support Group (PRTSG) that is created to cater to fellow Filipino runners based in the Philippines. As of this writing, PRL is a proud host to 804 members whilst little brother who is actually THE bigger bro, with 1570 members. By this time, PRL does not have only full time dads—it has got also its aunties and uncles, in the core group, namely: Michael, Rodnie (AKA Brao), Nico, Betty, Mylene, Roy, Paul, Trixie, Kyle, and Darryl (AKA Dazzah). These are equally experienced runners, providing the synergy and creativity for PRL (and PRTSG) to thrive healthily. Surely PRL (and PRTSG) does not and won’t lack the care and attention it needs to further its growth (as well as PRTSG’s).
Binoy Panes 08/09/20 2257 h
London, England, GB
