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)
Dr Ben Tan - The president and a passionate person who believes that exercise is for life.
As his training partner in the year 2008, where both of us emerged top 3 in the Standard Chartered Marathon 2008, Dr Ben Tan showed that he is fearless and determined at all times. Running with him was a very good experience for me as I learnt a lot from him. I realised that with a lot of work and leadership in his work, he balances his life well with a great amount of exercise. Not only he runs races but his wife also runs races nowadays.
Not only Dr Ben Tan has the capability to steer Singapore in Sailing, but he also has this high level of fitness which just fits less than 0.01 percent of the top runners in Singapore. He is just one of the handful ones in Singapore who can replicate doing a near 3-hour run, nearly every year. I believe that he not only is an orthopaedic surgeon to many but he also, in a way, can save peoples' life by motivating people to run with no excuses, particularly the excuse called 'no time'.
It good for youngsters to learn, that at the age of 40 plus, Dr Ben is still running 10km to 20km per day. Simply amazing! As such, I realised that it is very good to spotlight his recent achievement in New York City 2011 in November so that the sub-3 hour runners in Standard Chartered Marathon 2011 can be motivated to go for a good time in the upcoming marathon race. I thought that it is good to get details of the marathon race.
An Interview With Dr Ben Tan
How long did it take to prepare for this race?
Ben: Nine months, divided into 3 training cycles. The first cycle culminated in the Gold Coast Marathon, and the New York Marathon was at the end of the third cycle.
Why did you take this race as opposed to running in 2011 Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon?
Ben: I intend to complete the five Marathon Majors. Having completed Boston, Berlin, and London, New York is the fourth and next year's Chicago Marathon will complete the five. As the Stanchart Marathon is only a month after New York, it had to be sacrificed as I only do two marathons a year (Gold Coast & New York for this year), and I spread them about 6 months apart.
What was your strategy for the race?
Ben: To keep an even pace. And if I feel very comfortable, to build up a 3-5 minute buffer in the first half and try to hold on to the buffer for the second half.
What were your split times for the race?
Ben: The first half went according to plan and I was quite comfortable and fresh at the 21 km mark. At the 25 km mark, I felt my legs were more tired than it normally is at that point. The bridges must have taken a toll on my legs, and I lost all that buffer and more in the second half. I underestimated the bridges and even the roads were undulating most of the way. It was only after the race that I read in the New York Times that the New York City Marathon is more hilly than the Boston Marathon. Next time, I'll look at the elevation chart more closely before the race.
Who did you go with for this race?
Ben: Quite a big group of Singaporeans. We sampled a few famous restaurants and went to Woodbury Commons to shop. Of course, my long time training partner, Benny was there too.
Is there anything special about the race?
Ben: The atmosphere is the most energetic I've seen of any marathon. The whole city is behind the New York City Marathon. They close major bridges (5 to be specific) and roads (including long stretches of 1st and 5th Avenues) just for the marathon, and New York Times dedicates a whole newspaper section (24 full pages) to the race and publishes the names and results of all those who broke 5 hours. The crowd support is incredible - you feel guilty if you slow down to a walk. There's so much to do in New York - after the race, my wife Alison and I even went ice skating in Bryant Park and watched Lion King in Broadway. We sampled the best steaks and desserts. As for the shopping, I'm especially happy with the snow skiing equipment that I've long wanted to buy (they had such a broad range to choose from), and just in time for the skiing season too.
What do you treasure most about this race during your stay here in New York?
Ben: Being part of the whole atmosphere.
Are you happy about your race?
Ben: Yes, I'm glad I've had the opportunity to soak up the NYC Marathon experience, which is one of its kind.
What is your next goal?
Ben: Chicago Marathon.
What is your long term goal?
What is your long term goal?
Ben: After completing the Marathon Majors, I'll pick small marathons in quaint places that are off the beaten track. These are not fast courses, so the priority is to experience the course and location, rather than to record a fast time. I'll still keep my running fitness - we tend to enjoy the race and experience more if we are fit enough for the marathon to be a breeze.
www.runningcoachsg.com
By Narayanan
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.
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.
