{"id":404917,"date":"2024-01-12T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-12T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=404917"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"Ed-Simon-mark-7th-and-2nd-year-of-running","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/Ed-Simon-mark-7th-and-2nd-year-of-running\/","title":{"rendered":"Ed, Simon mark 7th and 2nd year of running"},"content":{"rendered":"

Edward Dela Cruz Jr. is synonymous with running and has now achieved what few have achieved\u2014running for seven years straight. He achieved this on Thursday, Jan. 10, due to the addition of leap years, but started his streak on Jan. 12, 2017.<\/p>\n

Another avid runner, Simon Necesito also marked his second year of running last Jan. 4.<\/p>\n

Dela Cruz, who is the president of the CNMI\u2019s premier running club, Run Saipan, finished 2,555 straight days of running and said that it was just like \u201cany other day.\u201d<\/p>\n

But, he said, \u201clooking at everyone else finishing their first 365 challenge and looking back, it feels great to be able to do it for this long. A lot of people told me initially to not run everyday. \u2018It\u2019s bad for you,\u2019 \u2018Your knees and back will give out.\u2019 Good thing I didn\u2019t listen to them. It was always obese people that gave that advice anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

With this accomplishment, Dela Cruz is in the \u201cProficient\u201d level and is ranked No. 367 according to the Streak Runners International\/USRSA list on the SRI website. Only five runners are in the \u201cThe Hills\u201d level of running for more than 50 years.<\/p>\n

The 32-year-old said that his wife, Anastasiia, and son, Alexander, along with his \u201cvibranium-clad conviction\u201d is what keeps him going. \u201cThat\u2019s my driving force to do this everyday. The will to live,\u201d said Dela Cruz.<\/p>\n

Will he ever stop running? Dela Cruz said he just wants to run for as long as he can. \u201cIf you really have to ask for a number, I want to run until I\u2019m 75. A lot of people act like in their 40s to 50s you\u2019re bedridden already. Mr [Changwhan] Jang, Mr Chong Nam Lee, and Dr. Ron Snyder are my greatest inspirations to run well into those ages.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said he wants to be at the 50+ year rank of streak running. \u201cI want to be the John Sutherland and Robert Kraft of Saipan.\u201d Those two runners are actually his inspiration for running. \u201cIf they can do it then anyone else can,\u201d said Dela Cruz.<\/p>\n

Yesterday, Dela Cruz said his run mileage was at 6,099. \u201cI didn\u2019t keep good track of my miles my first two years so I just defaulted at 365 for those years. After that I started keeping track on apps.\u201d<\/p>\n

For his advice to those who want to start a streak or are currently in the middle of one, \u201cDon\u2019t listen to doctors when they tell you that you need to stop running, and have a good healthcare plan. Injury is an inevitability in this line of hobby. Listen to everything else on what they say though, just not the stop running part. You just need them to patch you up. Run smart. If you\u2019re hurt; run your slowest pace and don\u2019t run farther than a mile. Listen to your body. This advice doesn\u2019t apply to someone who\u2019s training as a competitive athlete. For this kind of commitment, you got to choose the run streak or performance results.\u201d<\/p>\n

His biggest thanks goes to his wife as, \u201cIt\u2019s due to her grace that I can do this well after getting married. You know what they say: \u2018happy wife, happy life,\u2019 right?\u201d<\/p>\n

For Necesito who finished two years, he said he feels \u201cgreat. I didn\u2019t think I\u2019d be able to hold on after the first year. In fact, after the 30-day running challenge, I thought about quitting. But I realized now that if I stopped then everything I had built up after that period in time would be nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Dandan Middle School teacher said he is aiming for 1,000 days straight of running and has already set the date for Sept. 30, but, \u201cas far as I know, I don\u2019t think I have any plans yet to stop.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added, \u201cUntil recently, I was shocked to see the amount of miles I\u2019ve put in. I ran 1,115 miles for 2023.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for his advice, he said, \u201ctake it slow. You won\u2019t see results right away but you know what they say \u201cThe journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.\u201d The other thing I want to say is that, you have to be willing to make some sacrifices if you want to make this happen. For the most part, you just need 10-20 minutes out of your entire day.\u201d<\/p>\n

He then thanked Dela Cruz\u2060 for inspiring him to continue the streak. \u201cIt was under his guidance this year that I was able to accomplish a lot. I want to thank Dr. Ron, coach Robin [Sapong], and Aaron [Pamintuan] and the rest of the 365 running members. I want to thank Run Saipan and the Run Saipan family. They have been encouraging me to continue moving forward,\u201d said Necesito.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Edward Dela Cruz Jr. has reached seven straight years of running, or 2,555 days, and has logged 6,099 miles as of Thursday.<\/p>\n

-CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
<\/figcaption><\/figure>

<\/p>\n

Simon Necesito, center, holds a banner of his run streak days as he’s joined by friends at the American Memorial Park in celebration of his two years of running.<\/p>\n

-CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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