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)
Benny Goh - From 3hr 15min (Berlin, 2008) to Four sub-2hr 55min for marathon races
Dr Benny Goh, 37, is the training buddy of Dr Ben Tan. We use to call him as Benny. The first time I saw him was in Berlin as we were about to run in the Berlin Marathon in 2008. In that race, I did 3hr 31min while Dr Ben Tan did 3hr 01min. Benny Goh did 3hr 15min. The mileage that he did at that time was only 50km per week.
After the race, the meeting ended with Dr Ben Tan, Benny, myself and Daniel Ling training together to run in the Stanchart Marathon 2008. While Dr Ben Tan, Daniel Ling and I came in third, second and first respectively, in the race, Benny ran with a balloon to help people to pace their race well. After the race, he told us that he was envious and he joined us later on for training.
In the year, 2009, while Daniel and I got ourselves injured, Benny did well in the race by coming in 3rd in the race. It was a podium finish.
He also has the best time taken by a Singaporean for 84km performance in Sundown Marathon by a local.
Recently, training with Dr Ben Tan, he did well in the Chicago Marathon 2012 which took place in the US. He braved the cold weather and achieved 2hr 51min for the marathon race. I salute this gentleman as he is one of the rare ones who have done sub-2hr 55min four times within a span of 4 years. As such, I thought that it would be a good idea to feature his interview in this blogpost so that many can benefit from it in their aspiration to run faster in the marathon.
An Interview With Chicago Marathon 2012
What was your marathon time in the year 2008 and before?
I started doing marathons by running
with pacer groups. Prior to taking part in the World Major Marathons, my
timings ranged from 3:45 hr to 4:00 hr. Berlin 2008 was my first major. I ran a
3:17:36 for my first overseas and solo race.
Which was the first marathon that you did a sub-3 hr?
The 2009 Nagano Olympic
Commemorative Marathon was my first Sub 3 hr marathon.
Can you tell us on where you did your first sub-2hr 55min?
The 2009 Nagano Olympic Commemorative Marathon was also
my first Sub 2hr 55min marathon
How many sub 2hr 55min marathon time have you done?
I have done 4 Sub 2hr 55mins..Namely
Nagano, Boston, New York and Chicago.
Which was the most recent one that you did 2hr 55min?
The most recent one being the
Chicago Marathon.
Are you happy with the time?
I cannot have asked for more
considering the amount of training that I put in.
How was the organisation of the race?
There is no complaint with regards
to the race organization. Both the start and end points were at Grant Park
which was in the city. It was very accessible and convenient from most of the
hotels. However, the crowd support paled that of New York and Boston because the
running route went through industrial and university areas of the Chicago.
How was the terrain during the run?
Chicago is a relatively flat course
compared to New York. But the last kilometre was the killer. It was an up slope
End Point and was certainly a big DAMPENER!
Any goal that you have in the long run?
Of course, will still continue to do
marathons and try to maintain Sub 3 hrs if possible
How was the weather during the run?
How was the weather during the run?
The weather was kind to us on the race day considering it was Chicago. The morning temperature at the starting time (7.30am) was about 6 degrees celsius. The temperature was about 11 degrees Celsius during the race. It was warm enough for me to run in my usual singlet and shorts.
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.
