Tricycle driver by day, marathoner by dawn

AT 58 years old, marathoner Rock Boy Taylan isn’t showing any signs of aging.

In fact, he said his time and physique get better every time he hits the road.

Instead of taking it slow to prepare for his nearing retirement, here is Taylan, still rocking in full rejuvenation as if running turned to be his fountain of youth.

A tricycle driver by morning and a runner by dawn, Taylan joined other 1,961 elite athletes who participated the centerpiece 42-kilometer qualifying race of the 2019 Milo Marathon Metro Manila leg early Sunday at the Mall of Asia grounds.

This is the 21st straight year that he competed in the country’s biggest and longest-running annual foot race.

Last Sunday, he completed the route with a commendable clocking of three hours and 30 minutes which was 30 minutes inside the commissioned time of four hours for his age group.

Since his first 42K appearance in 1999, joining the grand foot race that continues to build a nation of champions and unites the Philippines as one also became an annual tradition for Taylan.

Taylan, a resident of Magalang, Pampanga, said that running in the Milo Marathon is something he would cherish forever especially that magical moment in one of the races where he registered his personal best of three hours and 14 minutes.

He also qualifies for the national finals every year, he said.

The father of three said that running keeps him balanced and gives him the energy and inspiration to provide a living for his family.

“Kapag natapos ko yung ruta masaya ako,” Taylan said with an energetic smile. “Wala akong nararamdaman na pagod, tulad ngayon wala pa akong nararamdamang sakit, hanggang ngayon wala akong maintenance na iniinom kaya minahal ko yung takbo.”

His secret?

“Unang-una disiplina sa katawan. Huwag magpupuyat. Araw-araw ka dapat sa ensayo kailangan determinado ka,” said Taylan who picked up running when he was already 37 years old.

He wakes up at 4:00 a.m. everyday to maintain his wellness at pace. He walks, then jogs, then runs to keep his potency at peak.

Eating a balanced diet and avoiding vices are vital to his regimen as well.

One would think that at age 58, conquering the long distance race such as the Milo Marathon is already a monumental accomplishment, it is just an “appetizer” for Taylan who also runs occasionally the 100-km and 160-km ultra-marathon, too.

Registration fee in marathon events is not much of a burden for him, he said. Local politicians and lawyer friends who were amazed by his stamina and determination helped him pay the entry fees.

“Doon sa mga entry fee may nag-i-sponsor kasi natutuwa sila sa akin kasi nga sa edad ko nagtataka sila bakit ang lakas ko pa,” he said.

Just like his love for marathon, Taylan doesn’t want to bid his tricycle goodbye yet even if his children, whom he toiled to send through college, are asking him to retire and enjoy the finer things in life.

Taylan’s eldest child is a licensed teacher while his middle child has a computer science degree. His youngest works as a ticketing officer for the Philippine Airlines.

He knew that the values he learned from the sport he deeply adores are the same lessons that motivate him in driving the three-wheeled vehicle that proved to be his bread and butter in order to sustain the needs of his loved ones.

“Sila yung inspirasyon ko. Malaking tulong yung pagtakbo para galingan ko sa trabaho” said Taylan who takes his tricycle for a spin right after his training at dawn.

Running and operating a tricycle — two activities he both loves — have common denominators, he said.
“Sa takbo kailangan diskarte parang pagda-drive ng tricycle. Hindi mo kailangan sinasagad. Kailangan meron kang recovery tapos banat na naman kaya nakukuha ko yung oras ko na gusto ko,” said Taylan, a member of the Brgy. Ninoy Aquino Tricycle Drivers Association in Angeles City.

Molded by experience, Taylan is likewise sharing his know-how to the young runners.

“Sa edad kong ito, gusto ko na lang yung gustong matuto tuturuan ko na lang para mai-share sa kanila yung nalalaman ko,” said Taylan who coaches aspiring marathoners in Angeles City.

By doing this, he is paying it forward to the running community.

“May nagturo sa akin na isang matanda. Pinatakbo niya ako nakita niya may potensyal ako,” said Taylan, recalling the day when a man he knew nothing of approached him and later on helped him hone his skills.

Taylan is a living proof of what international runner Ronald Rook once said: “I don’t run to add days to my life, I run to add life to my days.”

Asked when he will hang up his running shoes, Taylan replied: “Hangga’t kaya ng mga paa ko hindi ako titigil kasi parang buhay ko na rin ang pagtakbo.”