Running doctor with heart, vision
Doc Yong relishes completing all six World Marathon Majors with Boston feat
For someone with a serious heavy workload almost each day of the week, he finds a safe haven in running.
Amidst the rigors of being a sought-after eye doctor and microsurgeon whose line of duty is even tripled as the new big boss of a chain of hospitals in Cebu, he creates a tranquil mind and personal stillness once he hit the road in a pair of sneakers.
For Dr. Potenciano ‘Yong’Larrazabal III, running is life.
Admittedly though, Doc Yong said basketball is his first love in the sporting field.
In fact, he played hoops for the Sacred Heart SchoolJesuit Eagles (now Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles) during his high school days.
But it was when he injured his hand that he decided to shift into a sport that is suitable for his daily grind.
“I need exercise because I’m always burnt out at work. Also as a microsurgeon, I need to have an exercise wherein my arms and hands are safe, and running best suits me,” said Doc Yong, now president and chairman of the Cebu Doctors’ Group of Hospitals.
When he first ventured into running during the Queen City Run back in 2006, it perfectly fits into his whole being.
“For a busy person like me, the good thing about running is that I can train anytime of the day because I don’t need a team, I don’t need a group to be able to train,” said Doc Yong, who is also the head ophthalmologist and laser eye surgeon of Cebu City’s Larrazabal Eye.
More importantly, running teaches him how to understand stress and how to be effective out of his busy world.
“I’m quite stressed out with all the things I have to do, but running is my stress reliever. It enables me to formulate plans as it improves my mental strength. It helps me cope up with my daily stress.”
Since he first laced his pair of running shoes, Doc Yong took up the sport seriously with utmost sense of competitiveness.
Testament to that, Doc Yong has already ran an eye-popping total of 54 international marathons all over the world.
Out of all his accomplishments, Doc Yong said the Six Star Finisher Medal he received from the Abbott World Marathon Majors is his crowning glory.
One of the most exclusive race prizes in the running world, the Six Star Finisher Medal is offered to runners who complete six of the world’s largest and most renowned road races the New York City, Berlin, Chicago, London, Tokyo, and Boston marathons.
He considered the Boston Marathon as the hardest challenge he ever conquered as it took him 11 years to beat the 3:25 qualifying time for the prestigious race, the first Cebu-based runner to do so.
“One sportswriter even wrote in his column that it would be impossible for me to qualify for Boston as it is very difficult to get in since you have to qualify for an age specific time. He said only elite runners can get in. And with my time of 4:39, it looks like and will only remain a dream,” shared Doc Yong. “But with hard work, focus and determination, nothing is impossible.”
Interestingly, he finished the Boston Marathon last year with flying colors under a very tough circumstance.
“Boston was the coldest in Boston history and it rained throughout,” recalled Doc Yong, whose personal best is 3 hours and 14 minutes during his Boston qualifier at the Revel Mt. Charleston Marathon in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Back in 2007 when he finished his first international marathon in New York City, Doc Yong said it was really his goal to run in Boston that is why he was quite sentimental when he pulled off what is by far the most significant feat of his running career.
“I felt so ecstatic, fulfilled and couldn’t believe I was in the tail end of my 11-year journey to run Boston and get the 6 stars. Of course, I cried quietly inside,” said Doc Yong in reliving the glorious moment he will cherish for a lifetime.
The thing of beauty is that Doc Yong is more than a runner. He just not set a goal for himself, he also has a vision for others.
Turning his passion for running into a noble cause, Doc Yong established the Run for Sight Foundation leading to the birth of the Cebu Doctors University Hospital (CDUH) Run for Sight, one of the running events that the Cebuanos look forward to each year.
“As my interest in running grows bigger, I also
wanted to share my passion to the Cebuanos that is why I established my foundation,” said Doc Yong.
Through the years, proceeds of Doc Yong’s charity race that is now on its 13th year have greatly helped his foundation in carrying out its numerous charitable activities for the needy ones.
“Through our foundation, we are able to conduct various medical missions.We reached out to those who are in dire need of help at times of calamities. We regularly have gift-giving to some orphanage and home for the aged. Running for others is truly fulfilling.”
Wholistically, running has paved the way for Doc Yong to become a more focused, disciplined, purposedriven and goal-oriented individual.
And he has a sage advice especially to those who have not yet tried their hands in running.
“It’s a good sport and it’s not expensive because all you need is just a pair of running shoes. It’s a good exercise that will keep you away from any vices. It will lead you a healthy lifestyle. And if you wanna live longer not only for yourself but also for your family, running is good for you,” Doc Yong ended.
...running is my stress reliever. It enables me to formulate plans as it improves my mental strength. It helps me cope up with
my daily stress.