Mok Ying Ren's Interview on 1hr 08min 18sec

Mok Ying Ren - Breakthrough in the Half-marathon timing in Bareno Half-Marathon

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mok-Ying-Ren/55123634845

As what Lord Coe has mentioned in the past, "All records will be broken". He said these words when he was in top form breaking several world records. Over time, all his records tumbled down. It is a fact that all records will go one day, even the Singapore's national records plus mine in marathon (2hr 24m 22sec), either now or in the future. It is all a matter of time. Knowing this is wisdom itself.

In my blog, we have seen that India, China, Middle East countries, Korea plus other countries have broken the Asian Games Record over the years. Singapore does not have to break these records but at least if there are supporting bodies which could look to the improvement in athletes in a way that the runners should be doing 2hr 20min.

In order to do this, the most important thing is to get the support of SAA. In the past, when I did 2hr 24min 22sec in the Chiengmai SEA Games, I was told in the newspaper to hit sub 2hr 21min to qualify for the SEA Games. At that point, I realised that I was at a turning point in life to continue to improve or stop. I realised that to go below 2hr 20min needs massive support from SAA. Eventually, I stopped running seriously because I wanted improvement beyond 2hr 24min 22sec.

I believe that the bigger bodies can support the athlete's aspiration and support the athletes for SEA Games and give special considerations to marathoners to run in the coming SEA Games to gain experience and in the long run get the medals for Singapore, which our girls were able to get in the past. This can happen may be in 3-5 years time to assist the athletes progressing. I can see that runners Mok Ying Ren and Ashley Liew are using their own initiatives, plus time, money and effort to strive to improve. I think we should consider carefully and appeal to the bodies concerned to assist to their request. We must remember that Rome was not built in a day. I believe that the present SAA is doing their best to help athletes. However, I believe that much more is needed to improve the situation.

Having said that, let us read Mok Ying Ren's interview on his recent improvement in Bareno Half-Marathon. It is a very good improvement worth supporting the athletes of the future to bring medals to Singapore for marathon race.

An Interview With Mok Ying Ren

What race did you take part recently?

THe Bareno 21km Run

What was the time taken for this race?

1:08:18

How was your preparation for this race?

I just enjoy my training with my running buddies especially Sia Chuan Han (ultra- marathoner champion 2010) and Jason Lawrence from New Zealand. We mainly do lots of easy runs.

How do you find the organisation of the race?

The organization was good and done in a relaxed manner. It was fun. The water points were sufficient and they also provided SIS (Science in Sport) gels at the 14km mark. It was great! Signs were however not very well placed and marshalls were not very active. There were some parts that I was not sure if I was running on the right track.

How do you find the course?

It was hilly. The day before we happen to ran on part of the course and got a shock that it was that hilly. We thought we could come to a flat race and run fast!

Are you happy with the timing of the race?

Yes! But I am more happy with the race experience, chasing the Kenyans and all. I managed to finish 2nd, winining 2 Kenyans and losing to one in the process. I am looking for such experiences when I race and not really about the timing or positon. I am happy to come in last if the race was exciting and full of experiences I can take home with me. I want to get into good races where there is fierce competition and a chance to carry out interesting strategies.

Any marathon that you would like to take part in?

I am doing the upcoming christchurch marathon in June 5th in New Zealand.

Any plans to aim to qualify for the Sea Games Marathon 2011?

I run because I enjoy it and the company of friends I can run with. The process is more important than the results. I realise I perform better if I do not focus too hard on timings, records and qualifications. Moreover, it still remains obscure on SAA's support to distance running in Singapore. Not a single distance runner from 800m and above is carded by SAA and we do not receive medical support and recovery services from Singapore Sports Council unlike our fellow colleagues in the sprints and throws events. Yes, it seems fair that we do not get the support because we can't meet the targets that they set. But if distance running in Singapore has lagged behind in terms of development over the past decade, is it fair to penalise the runners by setting targets based on current standards of the region? - the entire South East Asia has moved on in terms of distance running and has left Singapore behind. To put that in perspective, to qualify for SEA Games, one needs to break national records i.e. a bronze medal time is equivalent to a Singapore National Record - This shows how far behind we are. And yet, SAA sets targets based on this result meaning that one needs to set a National Record WITHOUT the support of the SAA before he gets their support. How is our athletes in Singapore going to bridge that big gap without SAA's support? Its going to be difficult. But for us distance runners, this should not affect us as we must always enjoy running with or without SAA support.

Mun Yong Liang - Health and Fitness Club Chairman

Mun Yong Liang - Former Catholic High Secondary School Student Who Can Excel in Studies and Running


Hard work will always be rewarded.  
Picture 1 - Teng Jian Hong, Mun Yong Liang, Jeeva, Rameshon, Chamkaur and Si Heng.

We got to know each other because of Health and Fitness. Mun Yong Liang decided to handle as chairman as he was voted in by the Health and Fitness Club group of Hwa Chong Inst (College). He told me that he has a time of 11min for 2.4km. Hence, I kept giving him fitness work to improve him in healthy living. However, over time, because of good conditioning at a young age, Yong Liang became interested in running and hence he joined the Cross - Country team. His progress was very slow to the point that we start focusing on the three boys, Si Heng, Jeeva and Jian Hong. I realised that quality is very important. I was thinking that winning a gold is not near for us as we did not have our fourth best runner. We started focusing on track. However, over the last 3 1/2 weeks, Mun Yong Liang. from a mediocre performance in SAA Cross -Country and Wings Cross- Country, suddenly started to make tremendous improvement.

It was the last 3 1/2 weeks which made a lot of difference as his improvement was exponential. He was getting closer to Jian Hong and Si Heng to win them. Although, this did not happen, he was able to do a sub 16min for the National Schools' Cross -Country and come as 12th position. Hence, he was 5 of the top 12 boys who came from Hwa Chong. The other talented who rose to the occasion was Chin Joo Ern, who spring a surprise by coming in no 09 position. From the trials, I realised that Joo Ern made a miracle improvement during the last two weeks of the competion. All these culminated in Hwa Chong Institution winning the A Division Championships, one of the two championships that Hwa Chong Institution won out of twenty years. The championships trophy was always elusive and finally we got it.

I believe that everyone were working on what time they are to go for rather than going after any RJC or VJC boys. The boys started to follow the game plan, rather than competiting with the opponents.

Having told about Mun Yong Liang and the game plan, now I would like to invite this disciplined, resilient, understanding, kind, thoughtful and charismatic student to give his answers to the short interview I gave.


An Interview With Mun Yong Liang  - Chairman Health and Fitness Club

What is your role in Health and Fitness Club?

I am the chairperson of the Health and Fitness club. However, I have taken a 2 month hiatus to concentrate on my training.

What made you and your former Catholic High friend Nathaniel Wong to join Health and Fitness Club?

Nathaniel ‘Nat’ Wong and I wanted to join a CCA that would allow us to maintain a certain level of fitness, so that we would be fit for National Service in two years. Health and Fitness Club fit the bill completely. It did not require a large degree of commitment as there is only one session per week and it allowed us to maintain a certain level of fitness.

What did you learn from the club?

From the club’s core programmes, I have learnt some basic yoga poses such as the headstand and shoulder stand; unique stretches such as the Japanese sit; some theory such as the drive/arousal theory; training methods; periodisation; injury prevention and even food and nutrition. In essence, I have learnt many things regarding health, fitness and even sporting performance.

Why did you join the School's Cross-Country Team?

After my third Health and Fitness session where we had a 1km run, coach Rameshon came to me and asked if I was interested to join him for training with the Cross-country team. I had some passion for running since Secondary 4 so I jumped at the opportunity offered to me. After some time I joined the ranks of the Cross-country team.

How do you find the training?

The training volume slowly increased from 2 times a week, to 3 times a week, to 4 times a week to 6 times I found the gradual increase in training volume very thoughtful. I find that it was wise of coach Rameshon to adopt a conservative approach to increasing training volume. It prevented me from feeling burnt out and getting injured. The training might seem tough but it is quite manageable. There are definitely times when I don’t feel like running at all but I’ll just remind myself that this is my first and last chance to achieve something for myself during my schooling years, that motivates me to keep training. I also like to motivate myself with this quote, “Running won’t kill you. You will pass out first.” So, the training is probable tiring and maybe daunting but definitely not impossible.

Can you balance studies and training?

I’m okay with balancing schoolwork and training. I skip my breaks to complete my tutorials. I’ll just have a sandwich during the break as I do my tutorials to keep me going through the day. Small sacrifice for the final victory, besides, a sandwich is healthy! I am generally ahead of my tutorials, because I have a need to be ahead (not much time to do homework when I get home after afternoon training, just feel like sleeping!).

But there is indeed some difficulty when it comes to revising and training. There’s barely enough time to complete schoolwork, so there’s no time to look back and revise previous topics.

What made you to do sub 16min for Under 20 National Schs' Cross-Country Championships?

Faith. My very first run around the Bedok Cross-Country route was around 16:40. The next one was 16:20. By the time I hit 16:09, I told myself there’s no time to go to 16 flat then onwards to sub 16. I decided that there’s no next month or next year and I just aimed for sub 16 the next week. I believe that mental training helped me to do a sub 16 min.

How do you feel about your result?

A little disappointed about my timing at Nationals. I knew that due to the crowd, my time would be affected slightly, but I felt that anything between 15:50 and 15:59 was achievable, so I was aiming for any time that is sub 16. To realize at the finish that I missed my target by 14 microseconds was quite disappointing. Position wise, I would have never expected myself to be in the top 20. 11 months back, so I am quite satisfied (although I’d be happier with a top 10 finish!).

How did you feel when you knew that your school became champions?

EXTREMELY happy. No words could describe the thoughts and the feelings rushing through my mind. Cliché but true. When you have really put in everything you’ve got, when you have put your heart and soul into something, the happiness of earning what you have trained hard for is quite indescribable.

Which event are you taking for the National School Track and Field Championships. ?

I would be running the 3000m Steeplechase at the National Schools Track and Field Championships.

What is your aim and long term target?
To keep running. Follow in Ashley Liew’s footsteps. Win a marathon or two. His story is quite inspiring. Haha. My other love besides running is mountain biking. So hopefully I can achieve something there as well in future. I’m sure the base that cross-country training has given me would be helpful!

What is your advice to students who are reserved to take up cross-country because of intensive training?

You’re only as strong as your mind. You can do anything if you set your mind to it. The intensive training is the main reason why victory tastes so sweet. So, just take up cross-country if you’re passionate about it. Worry about the intensive training later. If you are really passionate, those things will work themselves out later.

Detailed C Division Boys' Results Race 2011

National Schools' Cross-Country C Division 4.6km Timing
Raffles Institution (High School) 30
16m 08s 002 Mohd Imran
16m 26s 004 Shohib Bin Abdul Wahab Marican
17m 28s 011 Chua Shao Shxuan
17m 30s 013 Willy Lim Wei Qian

Hwa Chong Institution (High School) 33
17m 09s 006 Dai Nan Tian
17m 11s 007 Tan Jian Jie
17m 20s 008 Leong Sheu Xiang
17m 29s 012 Dylan Tan Yong Jin

Victoria School 82
17m 26s 010 Ryan Koh
17m 58s 020 Dominic Choo
18m 06s 025 Mandip Rai
18m 16s 027 Justin Thong Yu Wen

Bendemeer Sec School 87
16m 05s 001 T Thineshwaran
17m 51s 018 Ivan Consuelo Hong
18m 19s 028 Chiew Han Hui Adisak
18m 42s 040 Lua Jian Hong

Singapore Sports School 98
17m 20s 009 Keith Yong Sheng Wei
18m 02s 023 Sean Chua Chi Hin
18m 29s 031 Gary Wee Wei Zong
18m 37s 035  Brian Ho Ren Jie

Commonwealth Sec Sch 115
17m 02s 005 John Tio Chee Hon
17m 59s 021 Muhd Hafiz
18m 47s 042 Liaw Zhi Yong
19m 03s 047 Ho Zi Feng

Catholic High School 141
17m 40s 016 Scott Ho
18m 29s 032shi Shi Jun
18m 51s 045 Tan Wei Sheng
19m 04s 048 Tay Tao

St Joseph's Inst 152
17m 56s 019 Lee Zhen Yu Edward
18m 06s 024 Leong Wei Sie Aloysius
18m 59s 046 Ong Chin Kang
19m 57s 063 Muhd Hasif B Jemain

Nan Hua Sec School 163
16m 16s 003 Leroi Lee rong Zu
18m 32s 034Jozua Heng Yi Jie
19m 21s 045Douglas Yeo Zhi Xinag
20m 53s 077 Wong Kwok Ho

Anglo-Chinese School Independent 196
18m 07s 026 Paul Simmy
18m 31s 033Sean Chan
19m 22s 050 Justin Eu
21m 06s 087 Keefe Tan Sher Waye

Maris Stella High School 227
18m 41s 039 Wee Zheng Mou
18m 42s 014 Matthew Zach Neo Jia Jun
19m 32s 054Ng Yun Jian
21m 36s 093 Terry Lim Xi Chen

North Vista Sec Sch 236
17m 39s 015 Kennedy Tap
19m 46s 057 Lester Pung Chee Yong
19m 52s 059 EeBing Xian Bryan
22m 02s 105 Peh Zhenhao Amos

Woodlands Sec School 241
17m 36s 014 Murugananthan
20m 01s 066 Brian Pek Ling Cong
20m 26s 070 Paramoth Naidu
21m 15s 091 Muhd Fahmi

Kuo Chuan Presbyterian 244
19m 25s 051 Wee Zheng Cheng
19m 26s 052 Theodore Tan
19m 49s 058 Jeremy Pravindran
21m 03s 083 Chim Ge Huai

Jurong Sec Sch 327
18m 48s 044 Qian Yu Hao
19m 52s 060 Aaron Sim
21m 46s 097 Remus Ong
23m 18s 126 Tan shun Xiang

Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School 379
20m 17s 068 Lugmanul Hakim
20m 48s 075 Muhd Danish
22m 32s 117 Asri Nur Harez
22m 36s 119 Samual Ang Wee Teck

Deyi Sec Sch389
20m 58s 080 Divyan Nair
21m 02s 082 Cavin Christopher Peter
22m 19s 111 Aw Zheng Hao
22m 30s 116 Lim Chun Ann

Bedok View Sec Sch420
20m 48s 074 Low Heng Wei
21m 54s 102 Wong Jing Jie
22m 39s 120 Ang Wei Liang
23m 04s 124 Muhd Syahiran

Queensway Sec Sch 462
19m 44s 056 Eugene Low Ya Ming
21m 54s 103 Chua Chong Aik
24m 18s 151 Adam Sufi
24m 20s 152 Kenny Tan


Unity Sec Sch 465
21m 51s 100 Ho Yonjg En Jesher
22m 18s 110 Mohd Zaid
22m 44s 122 Liew Guan Teng
23m 39s 133 Kuan Yan Heng James

Pierce Sec Sch471
21m 53s  101 Muhd Afiq
22m 14s 109Muhd Nur Azhar
23m 29s 130 Heeran Ravindran
23m 31s 131 Ong Jian Xun

Boon Lay Sec Sch 479
19m 32s 053 Tang Bi Yang
20m 31s 071Muhd Hairul
25m 39s 176 Yong Zong Lin Joven
25m 27s 179 Max Tan Zi Qing

Northbrooks Sec Sch488
20m 54s 078 Muhd Ridhuan
21m 44s 095 Ong Ming Liang
24m 17s 145Nor Amsyar
25m 12s 166 Muhd Nur Afiq

Quangyang Sec School 511
21m 48s 099 Federic Lim
22m 42s 121Goh Jing Bang
23m 28s 128Sapan Sunwar
24m 53s 163Alvin Teo

School of Science and Technology 536
21m 05s 085 Tan Jing Heng
24m 09s 144 Chua Zong Wei
24m 11s 145 Christopher Nah
24m 53s 162 Jurvis Tan Si Jun

Anglo Chinese School (Barker Road) 564
21m 08s 089 Matther Yeo Ming
23m 40s 134 Ng Wei Qiang Richard
25m 18s 168 Timothy Tan Lin Yi
25m 35s 174 Lee Koon Wen

St Patricks School 568
19m 58s 064 Clement Luke Yeo
21m 00s 081 Kim Hyeon Gu
27m 09s 201 Basil Ryan
28m 21s 222 Shervin Tan Kuo Jin

Canberra Sec Sch 572
20m 55s 079 Lai Thye Yi
24m 18s 150 Wong Hong Sheng
24m 27s 155  Kieran Yap Zun Hong
26m 13s 188Jonathan Tan Bo Cong

Northland Sec Sch 573
18m 37s 036 SAifulAnuar
24m 16s 148 P. S. Arvinth
24m 35s 157 Muhd Sufi
29m 33s 232 Shaik Fahmi

Pei Hwa Sec Sch 619
24m 16s 147Muhd Zahin
24m 27s 154 Mohd Nashrudin
24m 35s 158 Giovanni Lim
24m 45s 160 Teo Wei Jie, Sean

Fuchun Sec Sch 640
22m 07s 106 Nafis Bin Juraimi
22m 28s 114 Naufal Bin Juraimi
27m 08s 200 Muhd Amirul
28m 11s 220 Sew Cheen Da

Changkat Changi Sec Sch 649
21m 06s086 Amirul Hadi
24m 31s 156Aniq Johan
25m 28s 170 Muhd Firdaus
30m 03s 237Tay Wen Hao

Chua Chu Kang Sec  Sch 683
23m 18s 127 Saravaana
24m 01s 139 Garham chu
26m 58s 199Timothy Timuari Li Zhi
28m 07s 218Ang Jia Yong

Loyang Sec School 686
23m 29s 129 Sherman Ng
23m 56s 136 Kwang Kian Hui
27m 16s 202 Hanniel Lim
28m 09s 219 Koh Jun Jie

Tanjong Katong Sec Sch 707
20m 53s 076 Brandon Soo
26m 13s 187 Dhayan Parresh Timbadia
27m 32s 209 Gan Cai Ying
29m 55s 235 Zachary Ngooi Cheng Hong

Chong Boon Sec Sch 708
22m 09s107 Muhd Amirul
26m 28s 194 Lee Wei Ming Jerrell
27m 16s 203 Yusuf Chouthury Shaik Farid
27m 17s 204 Que Ming Qi, Aaron

Serangoon Sec Sch 713
23m 35s 132 Muhd Tarmizi
26m 08s 185 Chandrashekahar
26m 15s 190 Muhd Raihan
27m 19s 206 GweeMin Xin

Pioneer Sec Sch 716
22m 12s 108 Akman
24m 50s 161Muhd Naqiuddin
26m 34s 196Muhd Sallman
32m 31s 251 Leow Jing Kang

North View Sec School 721
21m 58s 104 Pravinthan
25m 26s 169Alvin Ngow Feng Hao
28m 27s 223 Catapia John Nicolas Taas
28m 30s 225Mohd Mirza

Chung Cheng High School (Main) 724
25m 30s 172 Calvin So
25m 37s 175 Edward Wee
26m 03s 182Yeo Wei Quan
26m 29s 195 Emmanuel Kwan

Henderson Sec Sch754
24m 03s 140 Seah Xie Liang
26m 13s 189 Leslie Goh
26m 45s 198 Chin Jin Tai
28m 54s 227Wong Yi - En

Yuan Ching Sec Sch 757
21m 44s  096 Abhishek Pandey
26m 21s 191 Lee Jun Heng
29m 46s 234 Teo Han Wei , Dominic
29m 58s 236  E Gogulan

 Hua Yi Sec Sch 768
25m 58s 180 Ang Tau Want
26m 08s 184 Eugene Hoong
26m 24s 193 Muad Afiq
27m 42s 211 Mohd Danial Isa

Bukit Batok Sec Sch 791
26m 00s 181 Lee Min Lun
26m 42s 197 Issac Chua
27m 18s 205 Muhd HaiKalb
27m 32s 208 Tobias Lee

Si Ling Sec Sch 871
24m 05s 141 Chho Kai Sen
30m 19s 241 Muhd Fatris
30m 20s 242 Ivan Yap
31m 04s 247 Miresh Praveen

Detailed C Division Girls Results- Nat Sch's Cross-Country 2011

National Schools' Cross-Country  2011 - Team and Individual Results.
Distance - 4.1km

Cedar  - 20 points
001 17m 52s Jocelyn Lee
002 17m 53s Lok Xin Ying
008 18m 28s Tricia Chua
009 18m 28s Edina Tan

RV - 52points
005 17m 59s Rachel Tang
011 18m 39s Christina Puay Jia Sing
017 19m 12s Chen Hui Jia
019 19m 30s Foon Si Han

Cresent Girls' School -65 points
004 17m 56s Lin Yuxin Kathleen
014 18m 50s Marianne Elizabeth john
015 18m 57s Natalie Tan
032  20m 06s Ariel Chung

MGS - 68points
003 17m 56s Collins chloe Ariana
013 18m 48s Sabrina Lim
023 19m 45sNasuha Nasser
029 20m 01s Audrey Lim

CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' Sch 103 points
006 18m 05s Yeo Yue
027 19m 51s Elysia Marie Chong Wen Yee
034 20m 12s Eunice Lim Jing Wen
036 20m 25s Kathleeen Wong

Singapore Sports School 116points
022 19m 45s Stacey Choo
026 19m 50s Chiam Jia Xi
030 20m 02sElleora Lim Kai chen
038 20m 33s Yang Shuet Hwei

Commonwealth Sec School 154points
018 19m 23s Wong Xin Yi Emilai
028 19m 59s Peh Jia Wen
052 21m 3s Cheryl Lim Zi Qi
056 21m 54s Shervon Goh Yue Qi

 Jurong Sec Sch 176 points
037 20m 33s Nur Razlynn Bte Raslan
041 20m 47s Nur Iffadina Nabilah Bte Jamil
043 20m 55s 21m 50s Tan Yan Li Anabel
055 Angela Villanueya Nebres

Nan Hua Sch Points
040 20m 35s Cheng Wei Bin
044 20m 56s Ng ee Ling
049 21m 21s Wong Ying Xin
054 21m 45s Jodie Lim Hui

North Vista - 218points
North Vista Sec School
024 19m 47s Janine Lim Jia Jia
031  20m 05s Stephanie Chan
081 22m 49s Chia Kai Xuan
082 22m 51s Loh Mel Jun

RGS -219
039  Tee Chun Ying
059 Lee Huan Jing
060  Denise chia
061  Sheryl Lee

SCGS 239 -pts
016 Rachel Lum
062 Chloe Teresa
068 Nichole Ong
093 Ching Ann Hui

Woodlands Sec Sch -263
046 Tahseen Gani
051 Revathi
064 Seri Nursyahidah Bte Mohamad
102 Nur Ameerah

Bukit Batok Sec Sch 280pts
048 Ng Yuan Yi
050 Josephine Tan
084 Soh Zhi Xuan
098 Nur Haziqah Hamraa'

Paya Lebar Methodhist Girls' -299
069 Lee Wen Xhin
071 Bai Yingzhi
076 Karina Lalchand Sheri
083 Valerie Wee Jia Ying

Ahmad Ibrahim Sec School 331
063 Lini Farhana Bte Zulkornain
074 Law Lirong
087 Gladys ong Yuzhuang
089 Sabrina Tan

Junyuan Sec Sch - 331points
007 Lee Ting
086 Yang Nan
109 Nur Azyan
129 Siti Nur Sabrina

Chung Cheng High School (Main) 346 points
075 Jane Cher
079 Faith Oh
085 Genevieve Chua
107 Lam Pui Shan

CHIJ (Toa Payoh) 384 points
053 Kitty Teoh
077 Kumi Sotomatsu
106 Reyna Logathan
148 Debbie Cheng

Hua Yi Sec Sch -388 points
067 Tan Cheng Hui
090 Tang Sze Tong
097 Dephanie Ng
134 Karen Lee Kah Yee

096 Desay
104 Cheryl Lik
115 Perlina Lee
116 Maranda Lieu Yun Xian

047 Shammah Preethi
058 Roslidyawati
162 Ng hui Hung
167 Nur Ai'n

065 Dionne Choo
088 Helene Tan
133 Tatin Zafirah
170 Denise Lim

091 Nur Syafiqah
119 R. Reshma
120 Celin Goh
132 Chen Jiayi Dora

091 Eliza Goh
119 Tan Wen Xin
120 Chan Ying Hui
132 Nadhirah Insyirah Bte Abu

100 A. Dhivya
118 Alfiera Bte Zbdul
127 Vanesa Ang
128 Siau Qian Ling

105 June Kwek Jia Li
123 Yee Jie Ying
131 Chew Min En, Lydia
142 Chew Yan Ru, Mavis

080 Nichole Lim
137 Rachel Neo
138 jonys Tan
164 Vanessa Lee

066 Maia Maebenne Cruz Sobejana
101 Dareen Ong Simin
175 Nazariah
188 Ko Ya

099 Erin Yeadon Kimbrell
121 Nur Umairah Bte
144 Lim Yan Zhen
194 Germine Ho

122 Jazzlynn Toh
135 Gladys Kee
155 Natalie Lum
156 Rena Tan

114 Yusoff Nur
143 Zuleiny Bte Mohd Saifollah
149 Nurul Natasya
163 Nadya Adryana Bte Rozaini

125 nsiti Nur' Aliyah
153 Cynthia Jean Miranda
158 Angel Png
180 Aerenia Koh

126 Liu tong Tong
139 Angeline Tan
147 Cynthia Li
189 Izaa Fariha

124 Chrissa Chia
171 Ong Yu Pin Chloe
180 Poh Hui Xian
183 Shahindah Bte Sahfreen

112 Regina Tok
182 Shannen
186 Pavitra Devi
187 Karen Elizabeth

146 Nurul Atiqah
154 Nurul Sarah
173 Lee Li Min
201 Wong Jing Yun

140 Joycelyn Chen Wah Yi
176 Germaine Lee
177 Huang Xiao Pei
202 Hoong Jin Ying

Tinesh's C Div Champ from Bendemeer Sec Sch

Tinesh - Champion For C Division National Schools' Cross-Country Championships 2011
Story of Resilience - From non-top 20 in 2010 to first in year 2011.

How was the race?
Few days before the competition, I was a bit nervous, to tell you the truth. But I also know that other athletes will be having nervous feeling that I have. I was told that a bit of nervousness is natural for anyone competiting. So I did not bother on nervousness. However, inwardly, I was aiming for top 3. 

What was your father's expectation?
To come in top 3. My coach told me to aim for top 10 as a first goal. If at the 1km mark, he feel good, Tinesh could go for top 6. At the 2nd km if things are good, my coach told me to slowly move forward to top 3 and if I feel good at the last 3km, my coach told me to go for first postion. Whatever it is my coach told me that I can come in top 3 during the finals.

How did you feel at the start of the race?
Confident. Luckily, I was not that nervous. I felt very good and focused to go for it.

What kind of time were you expecting?
Personal best . Anything faster than 16min 05sec for the 4.6km route.

How did you feel during the last part of the race?
Pressure came when Imran from RI was caching up and I told myself that I should not give up at all cost.

How did you feel after winning the race?
Finally, I am achieving something, it was worth it.

How did your friends feel about this
Shock and surprised.

How did you feel about getting 16m 05sec?
Never pushed as hard like this. Hence, I am very happy with time.

Principal feel about this?
Mrs Wong was very happy.

Parent Mr Krishna Being Interview By Me.

How was your involvement during the race?
Definite my presence would have affected him positively. I came personally to motivate and encourage him. At the 1km mark, I had to tell my son to break away opponents who were pursuing him. He managed to break away and from then on it was just smooth sailing for him.

How did you feel on his winning?
Very happy, I did not expect this fantastic result from my son. Until the announcements were made I did not know whether he was first or second. I was surprised to hear that he got first. 

How is your family's feeling?
We are proud of him

What is your next step for him?
To go for 1500m and 3000m gold.

CJC Forecasted to Win Next Year's Nat School Cross- Country 2012

Jared Hui - Athlete in the Making

Picture 1 - Jared Hui, being pursued by the Hwa Chong athletes Teng Jian Hong and Yeo Si Heng.

We all know the Jared Hui story http://rameshon-m.blogspot.com/2011/02/jared-hui-8min-03sec-24km-with-2-months_10.html . With my two months training Jared was able to improve his 2.4km from 9 min 20sec to 8min 03sec. Hence, I have predicted him to be one of those tipped to win the individual champion for next year. From mid-February, he has been training with CJC coach Elaine Lim, Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon 2010, 2nd in local women open marathon race.

In this year's cross-country race, Aldrich was 6th with a time of 15min 35.50sec with Jared Hui coming in 8th with a time of 15min 45.25sec. Both were ranked 1st and 2nd respectively for year one college students competing in the national schools' cross-country championships. Hence, CJC needs only two good athletes, which is a very possible thing, to win the title and the ball seems to be in their court to win.

As Jared has been predicted as a very talented student, with 3 1/2 month training. he has beaten all Hwa Chong students except for Teng Jian Hong and S. Jeevanesh. Hence, the progress he has shown is exponential. With commitment and consistent training, I believe that he will further improve as he has a lot more room left to improve.

Having said that, I would like to introduce this fine young gentleman who can upset many budding talents in long distance in future to come if he going to take up running as a lifetime sport. Hence, I will post this interview that I had with him.

An Interview With Jared Hui

How Can you tell us on your training and your improvement between GCE 'O' Levels and now?
I was training on mileage after the GCE 'O' Levels and speed training for about a month before nationals. I was shocked by my improvement at nationals as I’ve never run sub 16 before.

What made you to choose cross-country as compared to other sports?
I wanted to stretch my potential in running and I love to run.

How is your parents support? Can you say something on your sibling and your parents' involvement in sports?
They supported me although I came back late from training sometimes. My sisters played table-tennis for their schools.

How did you enter Catholic High School?
I appealed through cross country.

What time were you expecting for this race?
I was just expecting top ten

What was your time and position?
I did 15m 45s, and came in 8th position

What was your strategy during the race?
 To just follow the pace of the top few runners.

How do you feel when you know that you are second to Aldrich Lim, from your own school in Year 1 college category.?
I did not really bother much, as he has much more experience and training than me.

Knowing this , what is your next goal?
I aim to come in top 3 for nationals next year.

How are you coping with your studies and training?
I’m trying to balance both studies and training and its tough.

Any problems you encountered during the race?
The last part 270m I had to overtake some girls who were the last few of the 'A' Division Girls.

Mother of Jared Hui
How do you feel about the race.
I am happy and it is good to hear on his constant improvement.

Appreciation - Thank you Mr Ram for training me during the Nov, Jan and Mid-February which gave me the conditioning for cross-country.

http://flexifitness.runningcoachsg.com/our-services/

Fastest School Boy Jeevanesh Speaks

An Interview with Jeevanesh on his recent performance in National Schools' Cross -Country Race 2011

Picture 1 - Jeevanesh, tag no 5086 standing focused just before competition

Picture 2 - The start of National Schools' Cross-Country Race 2011

   

Picture 3 - Jeevanesh had to run his own solo race in order to challenge against the time to do a sub 15min.

 

What were the time trial timing before this competition?

I did 3 time trials before this competition. 15min20 sec, 15m 11sec, 14min 59sec

When did you achieve the sub 15min for this course?

I achieved the sub 15 min for this course during the last time trial.

How did you feel when you achieved this timing?

Extremely happy, I guess.

What time were you aiming for this course?

My target was a sub 15 min.

What made you to go for the bigger goal?

My improvement as you can see from the timings of these time trials and the motivation from the rest made me go for sub 15 min.

How did you feel when you know that you are the first person to run this race in sub 15min?

sub 15 min was kind of expected as I was doing well in the time trial so nothing much really. I hope that this will inspire others to do sub 15 min in the near future cos I already have shown that it is possible to do so.

How did your coach, father, teachers and friends felt on your feat?

They felt very happy that I was able to do a sub 15 min.

Picture 4 - (2nd) Benjamin Amaldas (Raffles Junior College), S. Jeevanesh (Hwa Chong Institution) and (3rd) Rodrigo Victoria Junior College) on the podium.

What is your next target for the year?

I hope that I can do a sub 16 min for 5K. if so, I hope that I can do a sub 15:40 in order to break the record of Darshannath. It will be hard as I have to push myself throughout the race but it is worth trying. I havn't really improved much in middle distance because of my focus on winning the national schools' cross-country race 2011 though but I hope that I can do a sub 2 min for 800m and sub 4.10 for 1500m. It will be wonderful to end my last year in this school's nationals in style. I will do my utmost best to go for it!

Diary of Jeevanesh's Sub - 15min For Nat Sch Cross-Country 2011.

Diary of Jeevanesh breaking the sub 15min barrier (14min 57sec)

Picture 1 - Another target of Jeeva was for school to win the team championships.

I made my way to Bedok Reservoir Park in Si Heng's parent's car, together with Yong Liang and Nathaniel Wong. We arrived at approximately 7:50am . We met Jian Hong, Joo Ern, Samuel Wong, Freeman and Jia Le along the way and we headed to our spot in Temesak Poly where we conducted our warm-up jogs and stretches. Mr Ram gave us his last thoughts on the race and wished us best of luck. Ashley Liew, Augustine Tan and Shi Jun were also there to give us support. We changed into our running attire and did our usual stridings on the top platform of Temasak Poly. We hyped ourselves and got ready for the race, both mentally and physically. We went to report at the reporting area. At the same time, we took photos of us as a team just before the run.

Picture 2- Jeevanesh (left) was confident of a sub-15min

We found ourselves in a straight line, me followed by Jian Hong, Si Heng, Yong Liang, Joo Ern and lastly Samuel Wong. The race official was giving his usual speech before signaling the start of the race. Later on, the race began. I found myself in an unusual position, just mili-seconds after the sound of the siren. I realised that the ground that I was standing on was muddy which, resulted me in slipping forward as soon as I kicked off from the ground. I noticed the front runners were on their way and luckily, my team was not affected by this as I saw Jian Hong emerging from the left hand side of me. I got my bearings right and started chasing the front pack. By the 200m mark, I caught up with them but I had a tough time navigating myself through the patch of grass which was extremely wet due to yesterday's rain, perhaps.

00:33sec  was shown on my watch as soon as I hit the 200m mark. I was on a perfect time split and thus, calmed myself down and started running according to the way I run my usual time trials. Benjamin Amaldas and Zachary Deveraj was just behind me at that point, followed by Eugene Rodrigo and Wilbert Ho. I started to up the pace a bit faster in order to open up a gap between me and them. I hit the 1000m mark with a time of 03min 00sec. It wasn't a suprise as I did that once and still managed to run the route with ease. I continued to follow this pace through the rough path till I reached the bottom of the hill. Due to the fast pace at the start, I could then relax and run up the hill at a slower pace in order to recover from the run as well as not exert myself.

As soon as I reached the top of the hill, my watch shown 06min 20sec. I was delighted as I was still on a perfect time split for a sub. 15 min timing. I ran down the hill slower as usual as I decided to recover a bit more so that I could sustain the fast pace till the finishing line. As I hit the sandtrack, I started to run as fast as I could. This portion of the race is where most runners will feel likely to give up and so I reminded myself that I had to give my all in this race for the team, school etc. Sometimes, I looked ay my right arm with the words 'Never give up' written on it. I arrived at lamp post 47, a few metres before the 3000m mark with a time of 09min 30sec. It was 8s faster than my usual time splits but I decided to keep on running at this pace. I felt assured that I could do a sub- 15 min if I could continue with this pace.

I ran as fast as I could till the Berlin Wall. I hit the portion outside the toilet near the Berlin Wall apprx. 11min 30sec. It was way too fast as compared to my usual time split of 11min 45sec. Thus, I had to pay the price as the last 600m was pure torture. However, I tried pushing myself harder with the support of Sim, Nathaniel Wong, Freeman, Jia Le, Ashley Liew, Brenden Lee, Lester, ACS (Independent) boys, HCI boys, Mr Ram and finally my dad. As I turned my back, I could see Benjamin Amaldas and Euguen Rodrigo approximately 15 - 20s behind. I pushed myself but it was difficult as I felt the lactic through my legs. As soon as I crossed the bridge, I was getting dizzy due to exertion and probably because of the heat. However, I focused on finishing the race and tried opening my strides till I reached the track. As soon as I hit the track, I gave my all and crossed the finishing line with an official time of 14:57:05. I was extremely happy as I met my personal 2 goals of coming in first for my category as well as achieving a sub 15 min personal best time. But the satisfaction was nothing compared to what I saw next. Jian Hong, Joo Ern and Si Heng finished 7th, 9th and 10th respectively, which meant that we have won the team championship as well, which is our team goal. Yong Liang did very well, coming in 12th just behind Si Heng and Samuel Wong came in with a respectable timing and position as well. All of us did sub-16min for the race. Overall, we came in first for A-Div with the lowest points of 27. Many congragulated us on our outstanding achivement.

We collected our medals, trophies and shield and for Mrs Chin Bee Kuan, our Deputy Principal (college) but we realised that she outstation. Hence, we gave it to Mr Ram. Also, we expressed our appreciation to Mr Ram for training us both physically and mentally for this race. After the race, we went to celebrate our achivement at Gokul, an Indian vegeterian cafe, where Mr Ram treated us for dinner.

Picture 3 - Taking photos together at the lounge

I would once again like to thank Mr Ram for training us, Ashley Liew and Brenden Lee for coming down to support us despite having lessons on that day, the team for giving everything for the race, Nathaniel Wong, Sim, Freeman, Jia Le and HCI boys from the High School for cheering us on during our run, my parents and friends for encouraging me and lastly to everyone who have supported us in one way to another.

Picture 4 - Outside Gokul, Indian Vegetarian Restaurant

I hope this victory will spur us on to do better in the upcoming Track & Field Championships. Congratulations to those who did well in this Cross Country Championships.

Picture 6 - Augustine Tan, Rameshon and Shijun joining the celebration.