1.    How did you start running?

In high school and middle school I did some sprints, but nothing serious. I just enjoyed running, did some races, etc.  In college, I played soccer and other sports, but did not do a whole lot with running.   After I came here (to the US), I would run now and then, but about five years ago, I saw the Bay to Breakers and thought it looked interesting.  I ran it and it felt hard, but after that, I started running more regularly, doing 5ks and 10ks.  Now I do Bay to Breakers every year religiously (Binoy was a part of Focus-N-Fly’s third place team at the 2009 race).

I find running really good for stress relief, but I had never examined my running in a technical way.  I decided to run a marathon, and join a running club to give myself some structure and improve my time.

2.    Who is your running role model?

That’s a good question.  Anyone who qualifies for and finishes the Boston Marathon is my role model.  That is my goal in a few years.

3.    What has been your most memorable running / racing experience?

Probably when I ran my first 13 miler.  I was kind of beat up at the end, but felt very good about it.  That is when I thought the marathon is not too far away.  When I run the Bay to Breakers, the Hayes Street hill is always memorable.  This year, I felt much better running the hill than ever before.

4.    What have you enjoyed about working with Focus-N-Fly?

I like the structure of the schedule.  I know exactly what I am going to do.  I like the group a lot too, although initially, I was a little intimidated, wondering how I could fit in.  Everyone was very friendly though.   The whole program strikes me as very interesting and I have gotten a lot of confidence from it.  I started late April, early May, and I can really tell the difference already.  I really enjoy the whole program.

5.    What is one part of your racing routine you can’t do without (sleep, pre race meal, tie shoes certain way, other ritual)?

Getting safety pins ready for my bib number. Every night before the race, I carefully select the four safety pins I am going to use.   I also always eat pasta from Capellini’s.  In the morning, just a bagel.

6.    What is your favorite place to go for a run?

Sawyer Camp Trail. I try to go there at least once a week.

7.    In the next year, what goals do you hope to accomplish?

The first thing is the Silicon Valley Marathon. That is my first marathon, so I just want to finish with a reasonable time.   From then, I want to do a couple marathons and half marathons.  I’m setting the bar low, but hope to run Boston in a few years.  This year I ran around 1:02 for Bay to Breakers, which is a big improvement from what I had been doing before.  Next year, I hope to break 1 hour.