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)
As I know Dr Ben, Singapore's '3 times Sportsman of the Year award winner', whom we met in 2008 at a dinner after running the Berlin Marathon race. He shared with us that during the race, he did 3hr 01min telling in the mind, "no pain, no pain" repeatedly in the mind again and again towards the last 10km of the run. Eventually, he was not able to do it and became very determined in achieving this.
During the dinner, he was curious about doing sub-3hr. He was willing to do some of our workouts with us. That year, myself, Daniel Ling and Dr Ben Tan, being training partners came in 1st, 2nd and 3rd for the Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon 2008, respectively. Dr Ben Tan did 2hr 56min that year. Both of us were 40 plus at our age at that time.
Recently, I met Dr Ben Tan again in the 2011 Gold Coast marathon race, where Ashley did 2hr 41min 55sec there.
As Singapore Army Half -marathon is tomorrow, Dr Ben Tan, as a Singapore Sailing Club president, will be running. I had an interview with this gentleman who is an active former Hwa Chong Junior College student who got himself very interested in running and he is very passionate in this pursuit. He has been maintaining on his performance for a long, long time and he is awesome when it comes to training. Let's find out from him and learn something that will make us grow in knowledge.
An Interview with Dr Ben Tan
1. Are you happy with the Gold Coast marathon performance? It is important to remember to enjoy the process. I ran the Gold Coast
Marathon as the interval between my last marathon (StanChart 2010) and my next big target (New York Marathon in Nov 2011) is almost a year apart. The Gold Coast Marathon was to serve as a mid-cycle gauge and it served its
purpose.
2. Did your wife take part in that race and how was her run?
I'm into sports tourism, i.e. I go on sporting holidays. Being a holiday, my wife Alison and I go for these events together. She did the half marathon and had loads of fun. Immediately after the race on Sunday,
we went whale watching! It was really worth the trip as there was a pod of at least five whales and they were frolicking around the boat!3. What is your reason to run in the Army - Half marathon 2011?
I'm using the AHM as a pace run. I'm hoping to hold an even 3-hour
marathon pace for the half marathon.
4. How is your preparation for the upcoming half-marathon race in the
Singapore Bay Run?
undergoing a proper taper and I'll be training, as usual, the following week as the real peak is the New York Marathon.
5. What kind of time are you going for?
Between 1:30 to 1:35.
6. How do you find the route for the upcoming Army Half marathon race?
are only so many hills in Singapore.
7. Will you be running for the Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon 2011?
Quite sad that I'll be skipping StanChart Marathon this year - I've
been doing the past several editions uninterrupted. It's only one monthafter the New York Marathon, and I'm not gung-ho enough to do two marathons one month apart.
8. What kind of time are you aiming for in the marathon race of your choice?
I'd be happy with a 3:10 for New York.
9. Can you tell us some points from your book "Run For Your Life" that
would enable runners to do well in a marathon?
Train with an aim, rather than just going through the motion.would enable runners to do well in a marathon?
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.
