Thursday, January 6, 2011

2hr 24min 22sec - Chiangmai SEA GAMES 1995 (Part 3)

Note:

If you are keen and have queries, please contact Coach Rameshon at 9100 4369 or you can email him at m.rameshon@gmail.com or swift.rameshon@gmail.com. Please refer to website http://flexifitness.com.sg (for more information on him and his programmes)

By Rameshon
Bsc (Hons) Degree in Physical Education, Loughborough University (1992-1994)
Masters in Education (University of Western Australia, 2005-2008)

A summary, not detail, of the marathon 2hr 24min 22sec Part 3 in 18th South East Asian Games 1995.




As soon as Philippines' Herman Suizo, the then 17th South East Asian Games marathon record holder, gave up at around 21-22km, the group was left with 2 Indonesian runners, Roy Vence from the Philippines, a Thai runner and myself. We started to take turns to lead.

At the 23km, suddenly I surged the pace and was leading the race by about 20 metres and it was shortlived as the two Indonesian worked as a team to gain back the lost ground. The Philippines runner Roy Vence and the Thai runner also was in contention.

At the 35km mark, my left calve was aching a lot. I felt the muscles were tightening a lot. I was just hoping that the calve muscles would get better over time. However, the pace of the runners got faster and faster. At this point, I nearly stopped in the race as the pain in my calve was becoming unbearable.

I decided then that I need to do the best of the worst condition that I was facing and decided to let the runners go. As soon as I did that, the gap was widening.

This went on until the last 2km and suddenly I felt very strong and the mental training I did to push at the last 2km worked. Everything was working very well and I was pushing very hard until I saw the stadium. I entered the stadium to do the last 1km on the track and I saw the two Indonesians taking their miniature country flag from the crowd and finishing first and second, doing 2hr 20min. The bronze medal went to Roy Vence of Philippines, who did 2hr 21min 02sec. The closest guy to me was a runner from Thailand and he did 2hr 23min.

I ran and finally finish the race in 2hr 24min 22sec. After 10mins the next runner who was sixth was a Cambodian runner doing 2hr 34 min.

From the run, I realised that my timing, at that time, would allow me to qualify to run in the 'B' Category of the Olympics. This was my greatest satisfaction and achievement of my life.

Note:
I am hoping to write a detailed experience of this in the near future.

www.runningcoachsg.com


Note:

By Narayanan
Rameshon has taught in Hwa Chong Institution, plus several schools, and Republic Polytechnic as well. He has won many accolades and he was awarded Merit Award for 1991 marathon performance in breaking the national record of Singapore, at that time. He has made 22 male athletes do a marathon in sub-3hrs. He has made 7 female runners do sub-4 hours for the marathon, as well. He was inducted to the ‘Roll of Honour’  by the then College of Physical Education, organised by Singapore Olympic Academy, in 1998, for breaking the National record repeatedly 4 times, till he did 2hr 24min 22sec).

He also has a Coaching group and he trains them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm at Botanic Gardens. Those interested can call him at 91004369 for coaching assistance, to improve performance. There is also personal training that he does for many in a week. You can e-mail him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com.