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)
House Gathering - Discussion on good news and bad news.
Picture 1 - The discussion was on running, triathlon and ironman race.
The lunch was around 12noon. It was raining. Somehow, I was able to see Dr Ben Tan's house and he was directing me from his house on how to come in.
To my surprise, I saw Daniel Ling and his wife. After so long, I am meeting Daniel Ling. I saw the rest of them and started talking to them while having lunch with them.
The hottest topic of the day was on Standard Chartered Marathon 2011. We believed that a lot of improvement can be done.
Firstly, we felt that the spectators like us should be allowed easy access to the race route throughout the run. After seeing Ashley Liew at the 4km mark, Ruben Galen and I tried all our best to go to some parts of the race. However, it was proven difficult. We tried going to Orchard Road, but there was a lot of detours and finally, somehow I drove my car to Mountbatten Road to see the 26km mark, as we were able to see last year's race from East Coast. This year, we were not allowed to see anything. Coaches like us were treated like outsiders who may spoil the race. We were there to cheer the runners and I believe can be improved to a great extent as this would improve the runners' time for the marathon.
In Gold Coast Marathon Race 2011, the 10km race was held a day before. Ashley and I were able to see this from our rented flat. On the day of the marathon at Gold Coast, the half marathon route was diametrically opposite to the marathon race route. Hence, there was no collision. In Berlin Marathon 2008, the race is purely a marathon race and there is no other race. The rollerblade marathon race that they had, which was popular, was held a day before, not together on a Sunday.
The water points could be improved. Some runners that I had spoken to told me that the water point was not enough. During the lunch, we felt that by putting enough water points runners will definitely improve their timing. There were enough water points at the 1994 Singapore marathon. During that time, I realised that I did 2hr 34min 02sec in the year 1994 in Singapore, just one year before the Chiengmai, Thailand SEA Games, where I did 2hr 24min 22sec.
The distance markers should be for every kilometre and not for some distances. Distance markers should be made very visible as the runners have put a lot of effort training for the marathon. There is a lot of time, money and effort involved. Organisers could do something to ensure that runners can pace themselves when they run. Else, they won't know how to judge and this is not good for the runners' safety as well.
The 10km and half - marathon had bottlenecks where many told me that their timing was off because of this. I believe that organisers could do something about this as this does not affect the top runners for both local and elite. Definitely, it affects those who are doing the half-marathon race.
There were about 5 hills for the half-marathon. The route should be made such that the route is flatter and not hilly. The marathon route had one long stretch of a long hill. Something could be done on this.
After our lunch, I thanked Dr Ben Tan for inviting me and I bid goodbye to him and his wife and left the place.
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.
