Giving back in Life the secret to success – BIRR Big Dog 5K run/walk

Winston Churchill said “you make a living by what you get, but we make a life by what we give.”

Truer words can never be spoken as we reflect on the meaning of Thanksgiving.

I’ve been blessed over the years with many friends and supporters and have never found myself short of money to buy food but there are those not so lucky.

That is why I‘ve been so honored to be the first ever recipient of the Big Island Road Runners Club Thanksgiving Day 5K run/walk.

The BIRR was looking at a way to give back to the community by combining a joint effort to raise money or food for those less fortunate through the Salvation Army. Over 300 runners and walkers participated on Thanksgiving Day and were asked to bring a can good or to make a monetary donation.

Over $641 was raised and 6 large bins of canned goods went to the Salvation Army during this most critical time of the year.

Despite having Stage 4 terminal brain cancer I am regarded as fully functional and that in itself is indeed a blessing.

As I reflect on the many things I am thankful for I have to say I appreciate all the many people that care about me.

You see to be functional means I have my wits about me. It means I look forward to waking up every morning at 5 am.  I am still able to do my five to seven mile walk each day. I can prepare for what the future has in store for me.  For some people the end comes instantly, like an accident or a heart attack. For me, I know my time here is limited and I have started to plan for my final days.

I look forward to each day and prepare better for it.  I have a deeper enjoyment toward life.

Each day gives me hope and brings me a deeper appreciation for those things that I normally take for granted, like my loving wife and now care giver, Randee.

So I’m honored that the BIRR would make me a part of their Thanksgiving run/walk as well as making it a benefit for the Salvation Army as a means to raise money and food for those that have so little during this holiday season.

During the 3.1 mile race it was Hilo High’s Stephan Hunter coming in first overall for the men in 17 minutes 11 seconds with Waiakea’s Ian McQuate 1 second behind.

“The entire race we were exchanging the lead,” Hunter said.  “I had to put on a late kick with 100 meters to go to win the race.”

When asked what he was thankful for on this day Hunter said, I am thankful that my family is doing well and that my brother is coming home for the holiday.”

McQuate echoed Hunter’s sentiment and is thankful for his own family and friends.

Following in third place overall was Joe Barcia in a time of 17:55.

“I am thankful for family and friends and especially that my daughter got up early to come down and be a part of the wonderful event,” Barcia said.

In fourth overall was Sven Loeschengruber (17:58), fifth was St Joseph’s Andrew Langtry (18:06) according to Rick Otani timer for the BIRR event.

Dano Banks who was on hand to do the 2 mile walk with his wife Marti said “I am thankful for my friends, family and good health.”

For the women it was a pair of Hilo High girls taking first and second place. They also happen to be the best of friends, Carmen Garson Shumway in a time of 20:38 and Mehana Sabado-Halpern 10 seconds behind.

In third for the women was Heather Rosario (21:38) fourth Lory Hunter (21:52) fifth Eqberiela Benito (22:05).

Garson-Shumway noted that she came out to do this run in support of the Big Dog and so did Sabado-Halpern and for raising donations for a great cause the Salvation Army.

So on this typical liquid sunshine day in our hometown of Hilo many folks came out to enjoy a fun filled community event. They all shared the same sentiment of wanting to give back in record numbers to those less fortunate.

And someday should you see a very thankful walker/jogger come climbing up Shower Drive in the early morning hours remember to say “woof” and never shy away from “Running with the Big Dog.”

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Billy “The Ghost” Barnett wins Waikaumalo 7 mile challenge

 Big Island Road Runners
Waikaumalo 7 Mile Challenge
February 27, 2011 @ 7:30 am
Waikaumalo Park, Ninole, Hawaii

Billy “The Ghost” Barnett prepares for start of 7-mile challenge

Pictured on far right wearing red shorts, Barnett is undefeated in 2011 races

7	Mile Run				Pace
Plc	Name	Division		Time	(min/mi)
1	Billy Barnett	<<< Overall >>>		40:39	5:48
2	Keoni Ucker	Open		43:01	6:09
3	Chris Mosch	Open		44:03	6:18
4	Justin Pang	Open		45:08	6:27
5	Isaiah Sato	Open		45:54	6:33
6	Paul Mauser	Open		46:33	6:39
7	Nick Hagemann	Open		47:11	6:44
8	Nick Muragin	++ Master ++		47:38	6:48
9	Lyman Perry	Master		48:12	6:53
10	Keith Marrack	Master		49:24	7:03
11	Steve Pavao	Master		52:46	7:32
12	Robyn DeBenedet	<<< Overall >>>	F	52:56	7:34
13	James Imai	Open		53:08	7:35
14	Derek Dominguez	Open		53:10	7:36
15	Kirsta Andrew	Open	F	53:35	7:39
16	DJ Blinn	Master		54:56	7:51
17	Lory Hunter	++ Master ++	F	55:56	7:59
18	Rob Van Geen	Master		57:21	8:12
19	Ray Ibarra	Master		57:26	8:12
20	Maka’ala Cruz	Open		58:21	8:20
21	Melissa Braswell	Open	F	59:14	8:28
22	Nina Hagemann	Open	F	1:00:18	8:37
23	Barbie Nakamura	Master	F	1:01:24	8:46
24	Emily Kingery	Open	F	1:02:16	8:54
25	Harris Kaneshiro	Master		1:02:30	8:56
26	Donna Wong-Yuen	Master	F	1:04:00	9:09
27	Charlie Bostwick	Master		1:06:24	9:29
28	Andrea Hess	Master	F	1:07:15	9:36
29	Marti Banks	Master	F	1:07:38	9:40
30	David Hammes	Master		1:07:41	9:40
31	Kim Furumo	Master	F	1:08:48	9:50
32	Lindsay Englund	Open	F	1:09:02	9:52
33	Tiffany Lindsey	Open	F	1:09:24	9:55
34	Richard Grothmann	Master		1:09:48	9:58
35	Daria Cunningham	Master	F	1:11:15	10:11
36	Morgen Bahurinsky	Master	F	1:14:51	10:42
37	Betty Ben	Master	F	1:15:46	10:49
38	Kimi Jackson	Master	F	1:15:47	10:50
39	Lee Collins	Master	F	1:19:56	11:25
40	Bob Scales	Open		1:21:15	11:36
41	Rick Otani	Master		1:26:03	12:18
42	Claire Shigeoka	Master	F	1:34:06	13:27
43	Marie Kuramoto	Master	F	1:34:06	13:27
4	Mile Run				Pace
Plc	Name	Division		Time	(min/mi)
1	Stephen Hunter	Open		28:30	7:07
2	Carmen Garson-Shumway	Open	F	30:27	7:37
3	Timon Skinner	Open		34:00	8:30
4	Aleksandra Beloborodova	Open	F	37:08	9:17
5	Dawn Patterson	Open	F	37:28	9:22
6	Leslie Terada	Open		38:03	9:31
7	Bobby Nakamura	Master		40:00	10:00
8	Keleala DeCosta	Open	F	40:51	10:13
9	Cherie Berg	Open	F	41:09	10:17
10	Norman Skinner	Master		44:30	11:07
11	Dixie Newman	Open	F	48:48	12:12
12	Richard Alderson	Master		49:24	12:21
13	Rihei Grothmann	Open		52:43	13:11
14	Jordan Hirae	Open		52:43	13:11
15	Sharon Ibarra	Master	F	1:01:15	15:19

HPU Harrier, Shannon White, Wins Turkey Trot

HPU cross country runner, Shannon White, on left

Hawaii Pacific Cross Country star and former Keaau Cougar athlete, Shannon White, came back to the Big Island for Thanksgiving and won the BIRR Turkey Trot.

White is also a former member of the Mules state cross country HHSAA championship team and a good friend of the Waiakea Warrior program and the Big Dog.

Big Island Road Runners Turkey Trot 5k Results
	Men	Time	Women	Time
1	Shannon White	18:43	Robyn DeBenedet	21:30
2	John Fratinardo	18:51	Sally Marrack	22:08
3	Todd Marohnic	19:04	Dena Rae	23:21
4	Nick Muragin	19:26	Donna Wong Yuen	25:09
5	Jesse Ebersole	19:51	Esther Kanehailua	26:01
6	Jordan Hirae	20:55	Dawn Patterson	26:49
7	Keith Marrack	21:10	Peggy Regentina	27:06
8	Kauila Wong Yuen	22:21	Marti Banks	28:20
9	Rihei Grothmann	22:38	Fern Costales	28:25
10	Greg Lum Ho	22:58	Lynne Brauher	28:28
11	DJ Blinn	23:55	Lily Keliipaakaua	28:37
12	Kelly Freitas	24:28	Heather Rosario	28:37
13	Joel Truesdell	24:57	Robin Bauman	29:33
14	Robert Belcher	25:19	Dulce Barton	29:37
15	Andrew Langtry	25:32	Halia Evans-Bautista	31:04
16	Edgar Tuliao	26:02	Maria Fratinardo	31:11
17	Rick Otani	28:16	Lee Collins	31:26
18	Harvey Nakasone	28:23	Hiilei Wong Yuen	32:44
19	Jack Brauher	28:28	Leah Ishigo	32:45
20	Firman Tehero	28:36	Lorie Saludares	34:35
21	Charlie Bostwick	28:55	Korry Pacheco	34:50
22	Stan Fortuna	28:55	Karen Uy	35:23
23	Richard Grothmann	29:24	Pumai Evans-Bautista	35:29
24	Ryan Camero	31:29	Colleen Fratinardo	35:39
25	Stote Farnham	32:01	Joselyn Evans-Bautista	37:44
26	Robert Saludares	34:31	Kainoa Ariola	42:46
27	Christopher Knell	42:03	Robin Day	45:47
28	Aaron Knell	Walk	Michelle Knell	46:30
29			Kekai Wong Yuen	Walk

Dano Banks – Overcoming Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Big Dog and Dano Banks

We’re just a few days into the New Year and this is a great time to look to having a bright and healthy future.

If you’ve been hampered by age related aches and pains or if you are just recovering from illness or surgery, 2010 may bring an entire new perspective filled with hope.

Being healthy is something many of us take for granted, until illness strikes.  Exercise, eating healthy, staying positive in actions and thoughts are all good steps in providing ourselves the best chance of a long and productive life.

One of my closest and best friends, Dano Banks, has spent nearly all of his adult life living healthy.

Banks has taken on great physical obstacles such as running a marathon, 26.2-miles, and even running an ultra marathon from Waimea to Hilo, 62-miles in one day.

Part of Banks motivation to take good care of himself was the loss of both his parents at relatively young ages.

“My dad died at 51 as his kidneys failed over a few months,” Banks said.  “It is a tortuous way to die.  He was a smoker, Camels, down to the nub.”

Banks mother died at age 62 with Alzheimer’s and other complications.  “I guess with my dad dying first when I was 19, I’ve had this eerie thought that I too would not live to a ripe old age.  I’ve thought for many years that it would be great to make it to 60,” he said.

This fear of dying at an early age prompted Banks to take extra special care of himself.  Besides regular physical exercise Banks also follows a healthy diet with no beef products, the use of soy milk, and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.

But as irony would have it, just six weeks before turning 60, Banks was struck with some very unusual, unexplained signs and symptoms.

“I was doing my usual morning routine this past June when I started to get some pain in the left leg.  By 9 a.m. I am getting pains and cramps which immediately escalate into excruciating pain with my writhing on the floor in between the bouts of cramped muscles,” he said.

Banks wife, Marti, came home from work to take her husband to the Emergency Room in Hilo where two doctors ruled out Cauda Equina, an impingement on the nerves.

Dano Banks

“They had no idea of my problem and gave me pain pills and stool softeners and sent me home,” Banks said.

The next morning the pain returns, this time in waves spread about 30 to 45 minutes apart accompanied by uncontrolled urination and bowel movement.  The pain became too overwhelming for Banks to even walk and it was back to the ER in Hilo.

A spinal tap was ordered which revealed elevated protein fluid, one of the only true markers for Guillain-Barre syndrome.  The diagnoses led to a medivac to Queens Hospital on Oahu and the long process of plasmapheresis (the removal of blood, spin it to remove the plasma which has the antibodies that have gone awry and destroying the nerve, and return with albumin to Banks body).

“Here I was in mid-June stuck with this syndrome/disorder in the hospital and I’m thinking that I’m just 1.5 months away from my 60^th birthday and am I actually going to make it?,” Banks said.

The good news is that after two weeks in the hospital Banks was allowed to return home to begin the long process of rehabilitation to his now frail and improvised body.

In August he returned to his job with the Department of Education as a resource specialist at the Hilo Annex District Office.

Seven months after returning home Banks has made steady strides towards full recovery, which can take up to 18 months.

“I haven’t been able to return to running yet and I still walk with a gimped gate,” he said.  “My left leg and foot continue to have decreased feeling.  I have no tendon reflex in my left leg.”

In early November Banks tried running for the first time, 2-miles, from his home to the Post Office.  “I was limping along trying to go at full speed effort which meant I was going a little faster than I can walk.  I have no left leg power due to the tendon still being compromised,” Banks said.

Banks continues to stretch daily, walks as much as he can and continues to maintain a healthy diet.

With the New Year just eleven days old Banks is a happy person and is on the slow road to recovery.  “I have no idea how I contracted Guillan-Barre and it brings to mind an old Woody Allen line from the “Sleeper” movie,” he said.

“In the movie Allen is brought out of being frozen for a number of years and when told all of his friends have died he immediately says….”that’s impossible, they all ate brown rice.”

Keep eating your brown rice, and exercise on a daily basis as we should all be giving ourselves the greatest gift possible, that of having good health.

In 2010 Banks faces the challenge of regaining the life he once had and I’m placing my money on his full recovery.

Happy New Year!