Meet the R4R Runners #6

Binh Dang

Welcome to the 6th edition of the ‘Meet the R4R Runners’ where we get to meet Binh!

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting Binh, you’ll remember him. There’s not many people that exude the amount of positive energy that Binh does, and it’s safe to say, that he is a big reason why R4R has that friendly vibe.

I was fortunate enough to run with Binh solo the other morning, and hearing about his story, his approach to life, and his general view on the world, left me feeling great. R4R is lucky to have people like Binh champion its message, so let’s learn more about him!

What is your name?

Binh

Where are you from?

Canberra

Have you always lived in Canberra?

No – I am a 1st generation refugee from Vietnam. Canberra is my home town and I am a super proud Australian.

How did you first hear about R4R? 

My good friend and training companion Tyson Flynn referred me to R4R given my personal circumstances. One of my best life choices I have made.

When did you first attend a R4R?

December 2020

What keeps you coming back to R4R?

Running & Connection

Do you have a R4R Personal Best? If not, what’s your 5km PB?

No R4R PB.

5km PB is 19:32

Do you prefer the winter R4Rs or the Summer R4Rs? 

Running and developing connections, knows no season. I love both.

From running with over 100 people in summer, to running with 3 others in winter – the movement continues.

Do you prefer Friday or Wednesday R4R? or in other words… Do you prefer beer or coffee? 

I am a morning person and I love my coffee! Latte, full cream and 1 sugar please!

There is nothing better knowing that for that brief moment, when my mind is silence waking up early in the morning, I can be at peace with the world and get things done.

If you could go for a 3km/6km walk or run with 3 people alive or dead, who would you choose and why?

Firstly, let me state that I enjoy every ones company. But if I had to choose three off the top of my head it would simply be;

Matt Breen, Ben Alexander & Singh Talwar.

These guys turn up rain, hail or shine. Monday, Wednesday and Friday consistently!

They offer great companionship, perspective and have great human values.

What does resilience mean to you? 

Ability to endure adversity and come out the other side with a renewed perspective through working through the issue(s).

In other words – life can be not fair, there is no rhyme or reason – it just is. But if you build the belief and do positive things within yourself, you can over time manifest abundance that you deserve in life.

It may not come in the form that you expect, but you will become stronger for it.

That is what resilience means to me.

Is there a time in your life where you’ve had to rely on your ability to be resilient?

The last 36 months personally has been tough... and still is.

I know what it means to have self-limiting beliefs, low self-esteem and being dragged by the expectations of society.  

I realized that happiness has also been within me, my focus was simply not on myself. Until I change this mindset and stop chasing fulfilment in other people, possession and expectations, coupled with working on myself daily – Is when I truly learnt to love me, for being me.

I am thankful for developing the connections in R4R that has supported me.

I am thankful for anyone in R4R, that has allow me to support them.

Thank you.

If you could say one thing to someone going through something tough at the moment, what would it be?

“Do you want to talk about it?”

From my experience, for someone going through a tough time, one of the most helpful things you can do is listen. Listen with compassion.

You never know the words spoken or listen to, what that may mean to another person – It may even save their life. A life saved, is a life celebrated.

In the 2022 edition of the R4R Gift, who will win the coveted Clydesdale award 100kg and above? Jonesy, Benny A, or other?

Matt Breen will get the meat pie - He is easily pushing over 100kg! He qualifies for this division and is my dark horse to pip Benny Alexander at the line.

I’m not sure whether that’s a compliment or an insult, Binh! I’m 92kg with some to lose! Regardless, they were some great answers. Thanks Binh!