Page 20 - EXTRA Magazine Volume 6

20

PAIN is temporary
but PRIDE is forever!

There’s not a single person on the planet who all the more meaningful, but also served as
doesn’t find staying healthy important. How an inspiration for others when they heard his
you take care of your health not only depends story. “When my wife got sick with cancer, I
on personal preference, but also on how much took care of her while she was at Chulalongkorn
time you have available. It also represents the Hospital. In my spare time I ran in Lumpini
attitude you have towards yourself and those Park. At the time, I could clearly see two very
around you. This is certainly the case for Khun different paths – one inhabited by health -
Thanongsak Supasap, a man with a powerful conscious people, while the other was a place
story to share. An actor who greatly values for those who neglected their health. I believe
his health as well as a passionate runner, he prevention is the best medicine.”
believes that advocating good health is a great
way to contribute to society. “After my wife passed away, I came up with
the idea of becoming a health advocate. I
“Ever since I was a young boy, I’ve always loved initiated a project called “Run for the Ones
playing sports - anything from boxing, football, We Love” in partnership with ThaiHealth (Thai
sepak takraw, basketball, volleyball and running. Health Promotion Foundation). As part of the
I used to run 5 - 6 kilometres for half an hour project, participants had to run the 900
a day from Sam Yan to Hua Lamphong, or do kilometres from Bangkok to Doi Tung within a
two rounds around Lumpini Park. That used month. The idea came from speaking with
to be all. When I became an actor, I trained my wife about her risky treatment. I pledged
myself by running three or four days a week.” that if she would recover, I would run from
Bangkok to Doi Tung because my wife used
Initially running only 5 - 6 kilometres, Khun to visit Doi Tung and loved it there very much.
Thanongsak increased the distance to 10 It was also a tribute to Her Royal Highness
kilometres, after being persuaded by a friend Princess Srinagarindra. Despite my wife’s passing,
to join a marathon. What he gained from I vowed to keep my promise of helping others
marathon running was not only more mileage, to become more health - conscious, and hopefully
but it also inspired him to work on self- the merit I made will be dedicated to my
improvement. “I saw people who were older wife’s memory.”
than me but had much better personal records.
For example when I was approaching the finish “It’s my strong belief that if we want to enjoy
line of the 10 - kilometre course, I noticed a being with the ones we love as long as
petite woman who was able to finish the 42 - possible, we have to take care of ourselves first.
kilometre course. I started wondering why some If the need arises take care of our beloved
people were able to run such long distances ones, we will be strong enough to take care
and I thought I should give it a go as well. of them.”

Determined to develop his endurance, a twist Following his first successful project, Khun
of fate meant a major turning point in his Thanongsak is determined to continue to
family life that not only made marathon running motivate and inspire others. He realised that