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)
In the past, about 20-30 years ago, races in Singapore were more small scale then compared to many big races, that is going on now. I enjoyed running races then as there was more space to run.
Later on, the races got bigger. Now, you will have to pay more to run the bigger races.
The question arises- to run a mini-race or major race to achieve a personal best time. Is it better to run a small or large scale race?
My previous experience is I only got faster with big organised races as I felt more pumped up with adrenaline. I was very excited in races as compared to a small race. My times got faster. I got myself hyped up in these races, such as the Standard Chartered Marathon races, Berlin Marathon, London Marathon etc.
My previous experience is I only got faster with big organised races as I felt more pumped up with adrenaline. I was very excited in races as compared to a small race. My times got faster. I got myself hyped up in these races, such as the Standard Chartered Marathon races, Berlin Marathon, London Marathon etc.
Right now, we have races where there are about 40,000 runners running in races. If you are a weak runner, it is good to run marathon races which are small scale. If you are a 4-6hr marathoner, you will have to zig-zag a lot during a race and it will be endless overtaking a big crowd in front of you throughout the race.
Choose a race that is smaller in scale to get a good time as there will be huge crowds blocking you in big-time races.
Choose a race that is smaller in scale to get a good time as there will be huge crowds blocking you in big-time races.
The same goes for 5km, 10km and half-marathon races. I observed that when I ran the Paris Marathon 2014 with Jennifer Quek, who wanted to do a 3hr 40min, we had to overtake people who were much slower than her. Most of the runners in front of her were able to do a 3hr 45min to 3hr 50min. Having to keep overtaking a number of slow people can dampen your mood to run fast and go for a personal best time. The problems that Jennifer had were the same as mine when I ran in the 2007 London Marathon and 2007 Berlin Marathon.
If you are a good runner and you are looking for a good personal best time, a very well organised big scale race will definitely be better. There is a high chance of doing personal best times most of the time.
If you are a good runner and you are looking for a good personal best time, a very well organised big scale race will definitely be better. There is a high chance of doing personal best times most of the time.
If you are not a good runner, it is good to start by running in minor races. Why is it so can be explained here?
Firstly, small races are cheaper and you don't have to pay much either.
In small scale races, one can have more sleep and there is no need waking up at 3 a.m. so you have time to catch the MRT, subway or bus, only to sit around and wait for hours before starting your run. An extended wait can affect your race. The worst part of it is the long queues to the toilet.
In small size races, it is easier to warm-up as compared to races organised in a big manner as you can actually have the space to run your fastest. Running in a zig-zag manner, as mentioned earlier, to overtake slower people who lined up in front of you wastes energy and adds distance to your race, but staying behind them can seriously affect your race timing. There's no good solution (except for running a smaller race).
When you are able to somehow manage to do a fast time in a big race – and you're not a professional runner – it will likely go unnoticed. I have seen this taking place in many Malaysian races.
One of the most important psychological reasons to run in small scale race is to run times that are good enough to win many local races. When one runs in a major race, you may find it hard to be top 100 runners in the race and the top runners are in fact big professional runners, like in the London Marathon and other Marathons. It is a good point to compete with the best but sometimes it's good to get a little recognition of your achievements or a small award for yourself, too, which will give you a continued motivation to excel.
Over time, as you get better and get faster times, then move to a medium-size race before going to a major race. This is how a mediocre runner should plan. In Psychology, it is called stress-inoculation. I about studied this Sports Psychology at the Loughborough University of Technology when I did my PE and Sports Science (Hons) degree course there.
Many nowadays just want to run in big races, like the Major Marathons, as they are popular and they like to share with their friends that they have run big races.
Over time, as you get better and get faster times, then move to a medium-size race before going to a major race. This is how a mediocre runner should plan. In Psychology, it is called stress-inoculation. I about studied this Sports Psychology at the Loughborough University of Technology when I did my PE and Sports Science (Hons) degree course there.
Many nowadays just want to run in big races, like the Major Marathons, as they are popular and they like to share with their friends that they have run big races.
When I was young, I ran minor races first. It was thrilling and enjoyable. It is only when I got better, I started to look forward to running with the top runners in SEA and Asia. One should take gradual and progressive steps, rather than a drastic step of running major races. An aspiring athlete should do this and not do otherwise in order to succeed in running.
Despite all these disadvantages, bigger organised races typically charge more, not less, than their small mini- races. Spending more to get less may take place. It is good to plan race properly by knowing that running in bigger races isn't better all the time.
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.
