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)
Past and present timing - In the past, the timings were faster.
1994 Singapore International Marathon - An example of timings of the past.
Men's Local Open Position
1. 2hr 34min 02sec Murugiah Rameshon
(PB is 2hr 24min 22sec, 1995), SEA Games)
2. 2hr 44min 46sec Khoo Chin Poo
3. 2hr 46min 10sec Tan Choon Ghee
In the past, the timings of the marathon were much faster. Usually, in the
Singapore Marathon races, at least 6 of them will do a sub- 2hr 45min. I remember
N. Ganesan, 5000m former National Record holder, doing 2hr 46min, coming in 6th
in the marathon, in the year 1992. He wrote a letter to me on his race and it was
his first marathon race.
Nowadays, I see that the marathon times, especially the overall average timings, for locals to be much slower. Recently, my
friend, Tulsidas from Red Hawk Athletics Club, a former competitor to me, met me at a temple. He told me that we
used to run much faster a few years back.
I also agreed with him. The only thing we were not able to understand is that why are
the times slower.
We know that the first two runner’s times, especially Mok Ying Ren's and Ashley Liew's times, are comparable to the past. However, from 3rd position to 10th position for local men runners, the timings should be much faster now.
The reason for the current runners to obtain a much faster time stems from the fact that in the present world can see that the technology nowadays is more advanced than the past such that we
can expedite our performance in running and other sports as well.
In the past, we did not have tights which allows improvement in performance and recovery from a workout and long run bouts. We did not have altometer. We did not
have proper running shoes as what we have now.
There are gait analysis and correction in gait to run faster and so on currently. There is GPS watch as well to measure the accuracy of the distance so that one can calculate their mileage and pace oneself well too.
However, somehow, I feel that a reason for us to do well in the past comes
from running our very long runs. I believe we were able to achieve this at Macritchie Reservoir in the past.
We used to do a very long run, about 20km every week, running from the northern route to upper Pierce to Gate 1 and Gate 2 and back to MacRitchie.
Right now, this Gate 1 and Gate 2 is now closed to the public. We do not have
access to run as there is a fence to ward off runners running there.
I see runners running about 10 to 15km at MacRitchie Reservoir nowadays.
Now, it is difficult to run at MacRitchie as we have to run repeatedly the
same route. This makes us run shorter for our long runs.
It is just that we cannot do anything about this position. Some runners are
running at East Coast. This is flat and long route but the whole route is made of tarmac
and pavement and it may not be good to do long runs there as some of the runners and I had plantar fasciitis injury there.
I believe that a runner should do something about this to expedite performance improvement, especially the Sunday runs.
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.
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.
