{"id":407104,"date":"2024-03-28T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-28T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=407104"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"Bang-celebrates-50th-with-ultramarathon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/Bang-celebrates-50th-with-ultramarathon\/","title":{"rendered":"Bang celebrates 50th with ultramarathon"},"content":{"rendered":"

While others would celebrate their half century on Earth with a cake, a hearty meal, and perhaps a brewskie, Run Saipan member Ann Bang marked the occasion by running a 50-kilometer ultramarathon and completed it in 5.41:43.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started planning a 50K run as soon as the new year began because I wanted to have a memorable 50th birthday. At first, I tried to run in the track and field, but my plan was changed because my friends didn’t like the location,\u201d said the Seoul, South Korea native.<\/p>\n

She settled on a back-and-forth 8-kilometer route from the Garapan Fishing Base to The Shack that she ran six times plus another 2 kilometers to complete the big 50.<\/p>\n

Along the way, Bang was accompanied by fellow Run Saipan members who train with her and also took part in the Saipan Marathon a couple of weeks back.<\/p>\n

\u201cAngela Taflinger and her husband, Chad, started running with me at midnight at the Garapan Fishing Base, and they ran 5 miles. Then, Kathy Pagapular Ruszala and Kathleen Tolentino joined me. After that, Sheila Isla and Philip Joseph Santos ran with me. Lastly, Rosemarie Fontanilla Chisato and Malou Carlos joined me in my run also.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said running with friends made the ultramarathon distance a lot more bearable, especially since she started her journey at exactly midnight before going south toward the direction of the Oleai Beach Bar & Grill.<\/p>\n

\u201cI communicated with my running buddies in the group chat and we’ve been training for the Saipan Marathon for two months. I revealed my plan to my friends and they were willing to join me. They made me cry and touched me because it wasn’t easy to run for a friend starting in the early morning and even at midnight! I want to sincerely appreciate their time and celebration of my 50th birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for training for the ultramarathon on her natal day, Bang said it wasn\u2019t that hard because she already trained and completed the 42-kilometer Saipan Marathon just a couple of weeks prior.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn’t try a specific training to prepare for my 50K run because I’ve always been running and finished the full marathon twice. I just prepared a strong will and belief that I would complete it. I tried to take a nap during the daytime because I would start running at midnight, but I failed to sleep. So, I just drank coffee before running,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Asked to compare the Saipan Marathon and her 50K run, Bang said the latter was still harder because of Saipan\u2019s searing heat.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the Saipan Marathon was harder than my 50K run because most of the time, I’ve run in the dark without sunlight on the Saipan Beach Road Pathway. Even though it was humid outside, it wasn’t fatal. And unlike the Saipan Marathon, I just ran slowly and enjoyed it, so it wasn’t as hard than I expected.\u201d<\/p>\n

Will she run a 51K ultramarathon next year? The mother of two demurred and said just the thought of running a distance longer than the 50K she did, brings a tingling sensation up her spine.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just wanted to celebrate the beginning of my 50s. I want to join various marathons overseas such as Japan. For my birthday gift, I’ll participate in another major marathon in Korea in October this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Run Saipan president Edward Dela Cruz Jr. said he\u2019s amazed at Bang\u2019s mental and physical fortitude completing an ultramarathon at the tender age of 50 years old.<\/p>\n

\u201cCongratulations to Ann for celebrating 50 years of life by running 50 kilometers. Run Saipan is proud of its members to be taking health and wellness to different levels.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Ann Bang, center, with running friends, from left, Sheila Isla, Malou Carlos, Rosemarie Chisato, and Kathy Pagapular Ruszala.<\/p>\n

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

<\/p>\n

Ann Bang is all smiles after completing a 50-kilometer ultramarathon yesterday to celebrate her birthday.<\/p>\n

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

<\/p>\n

Ann Bang at the homestretch of her 50-kilometer ultramarathon.<\/p>\n

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

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