Issues in Sports - Changing different coaches, the kid suffers (Part 1)

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 M.Rameshon
Bsc (Hons) Degree in Physical Education, Loughborough University (1992-1994)

Masters in Education (University of Western Australia, 2005-2008)

Changing Coaches - Young athletes confused by coaching pattern with different coaches taking them over time. 

I took about 6 top runners, in the past, in the year 1990, who joined me for running when I was an athlete cum coach. It was my best years of learning on coaching. In one of the 3km race, organised by the former SAAA, I did 9min 02sec for 3km race held at Seletar. (The best runner was M. Maran, 3km, with a time of 9m 00sec. He was the talk of the town, at that time. He is still currently holding the 3000m steeplechase national record, with a time of 9min 11sec. Maran has a personal best time of 3m 53sec for the 1500m). 

In that 3km race, one of my former runner Harpreet Singh, about 15 years old, at that time, came in 4th in the race, with a time of 9min 06sec. The admirable thing about him was that he beat N. Ganesan, former national record holder, previously, with a time of 14m 51sec for 5km. All Gurkha runners lost to him, although the Gurkha runners were fast at that time. Harpreet is one of the best genetically endowed runner that I have seen in my life. His studies improved through running. Later on, he stopped running as his father was not supportive of it at all. His studies dropped when he stopped running. 

The interesting thing that I saw in coaching was that if I train a runner who has not been trained under anyone, the runner does not easily argue at all or debate much. Harpreet, trained with me from young, listened to me word for word in training and his improvement was tremendous at time. He could have gone for the Olympics. 

I have seen in life, that a runner, who has been trained under someone, will be prone to argue most of the time. My own runners, trained by me, in the past, who went under others in the past have argued with other coaches. N. Ganesan was coached by two coaches before being trained by me. There was a certain pattern of training methods that he followed that created confusion in his mind, while Harpreet and others who trained when they were young, being coached by no one, did not have any problem. I had a lot of problem explaining about Arthur Lydiard training method to Ganesan. My enjoyable easy runs usually ended up in a big argument, hence usually I do my best to avoid running together with him. However, I must also say that it was with Ganesan that I was also motivated in running, as we keep talking about breaking the national record. 

I assisted N. Ganesan to do a 15min 41min from the time of 16m 46sec when he was in the National Service. I left for further studies after that. Eric Song and Paul Rainer trained him later. I saw Eric and told him to continue training Ganesan. Ganesan and I were great friends at that time, although we debated and argued on training methods, for me, I felt that he has been programmed and it takes time to deprogramme. 

The problem was that I used to feel my energy drained after an argument. I realised that if a kid was coached in primary school with a certain pattern, it will affect the kid when the coaches keep changing when they go through secondary, college and university with different coaches. 

That is the reason why I was, in the past, and even now, reluctant to take a runner into my fold although the runner has tremendous potential when I come to find out that the runner was earlier trained by someone. Deprogramming has to take place and it is not easy so that coaching takes place in a structured manner.

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.

Story of Ego - Stories From The East

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)

Inspirational Stories- Ego - Comes before failure

Once, there was a master and he gave a practice on silence to his group of inmates, who were staying in a monastery. The silence program was for 3 days. The inmates of the monastery were told to remain silent, which means the inmates were also not allowed to read books and also communicate by sign language, plus they were not allowed to have eye contact with each other, verbally or non-verbally. You can stand or sit beside a person, but there must be no communication. They are supposed to practise silence in a continued fashion for 3 days. 

In the monastery, there were some flexibility to the rules as well. The inmates were allowed to go where they want during dawn or dusk for an hour to look at nature. 

It so happened that there were three inmates who coincidentally were near each other, at a seaside, sitting and were looking at the sun setting in the evening. They were looking for half-an-hour at first. 

Then, one of the inmates spoke suddenly, "What a nice scenery to watch." Seeing this, the second inmate immediately uttered, "Hey, you have broken the silence rule, you are not supposed to talk." 

Seeing this taking place, the third inmate laughed and said, "Now, the only one who is not talking is me, and I am going to report both of you to our Master."

Meaning: The ego in a person has made the third inmate speak out, as he felt better by comparing against the two. Seeing the two inmates talk, at least the third inmate could have kept quiet, but he did not. Therefore he is the same as the other two inmates to break the silence rule. Silence is not easy to follow. How do we know whether our mind is under control, it is good to do a silence test for 3 days and see. It is not that easy! 

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.

Contributing To A Child's Success In Their Chosen Sports (Part 2I/3)

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)

Lesson From Star Wars - May The Force Be With You (The full story)

Yoda, Master of Obi Wan Kenobi

When I was a secondary 2 student at St Joseph's Institution, we had our school holidays in November and December. That year, in 1978, we did not have any CCA after our exams. This was due to an influenza epidemic in 1978, the National Schools' Cross-Country Championship was cancelled. All my training for secondary 2 were in vain. It was the only year, to date, till now, the National Schools' Cross-Country ever to be cancelled. (Maybe, it was due to this cancellation that our school's cross-country teacher-in-charge, Mr Joseph Varghese, decided to cancel all our November and December training. This was unlike when I was in secondary one, we usually had trainings during the holidays). We were so free as we were not bogged down by any academic programmes from our parents too. My class-mates, then, suggested to me to work during that holidays. Since I had no CCA activities at that time, I decided to take up an offer as a sales promoter.

While at work, my managers were promoting on Star Wars products and I had to promote the sales of expensive Star Wars products, like the droid R2D2, Bounty Hunter etc. We had to show the customers how to dismantle and assemble the products and demonstrate how to use the remote control for the droid R2D2. To my amazement, at that juncture, I realised that I was able to sell many of the Star Wars products. That experience built up my confidence and later on in life, it gave me the conviction that I can be successful in life. (However, given the choice between training and working, I would definitely have chosen running instead of working during the holidays, as it was, to-date, I missed my very important improvement in running). Moreover, my mother was also not in favour of me going to work. 

As a sales promoter, I had to also set up a laptop, like a video to show a 20 mins trailer on Star Wars. It was compulsory for us to show at least 2 times per day. So I watched it again and again too without feeling any boredom.  Star Wars film was very interesting for me at that age. This film, in fact, inspired me a lot to the point that I also watched, " The Empire Strikes Back" and "The Revenge of the Jedi". I have already watched all the series/parts of Star Wars. My running too became a lot influenced by these films. 

The movie characters like Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan, Kenobi and Yoda amazed me a lot. In the film, Obi-Wan, one of the masters of the Good Force will be killed by his own student, Darth Vader, who joined the Dark Force as he was greedy for power. 

Darth Vader was helping an evil Emperor to win wars in the galaxy over the Good Force. Actually, Darth Vader was a good student earlier on, who was to be groomed to assist the Good Force. The evil Emperor used temptation to succeed in making Vader join the Dark Side. Darth Vader finally relented to selfishly gain immense power, which involved psychic, occult, supernatural and clairvoyant power.

The story goes on and it is good for the children to watch this movie called, "Star Wars". It is actually a fight between the Good Force versus the Evil Force for dominance of power. It is a power struggle. In The Empire Strikes Back, the Good Force will strike at the Evil Force and the story goes on again. 

Over time, when Luke Skywalker grows up, he will go visit Yoda the Master of Obi-Wan, for some physical, mental training and other training in a faraway planet. Luke will learn some intricate knowledge used in warfare, especially on using the Light Sabre like a Jedi, so that the Good Force will finally triumph over The Evil Force. 

In the film, Yoda was at first very hesitant in taking Luke as a student. Yoda was very worried that Luke might end up just as Darth Vader, joining the Dark Force, slaving to the temptation of power, benefits etc. Obi-Wan, in spirit form, without a body, strongly encouraged Yoda to take Luke into his fold. Obi-Wan felt that Luke could be the main character to defeat the Evil Force, Darth Vader and the evil Emperor. 

In order to win the Evil Force, Luke will go through various kinds of tough physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual training to develop love, patience, truth, righteousness and peace. In one part, Yoda will show Luke on how to use one's mind over matter, It was at this point that Yoda will show that belief is important, which Luke did not have at first. In that film, I realised that it is important to control one's anger, and not to lose to anger at any and every instance, in order to make the right decision. (Anger can burn 3 days of food. When one is not angry, one will harness the energy and feel the inexhaustible energy that one has).  

Finally, the story conveys a strong message that Good Force wins ultimately. It is the only belief that we need to have. From the film, I learned, it is easy to go to the evil side anytime. However, to go to the Good Force, can be a challenge. Many, when facing a dilemma between evil versus good, they tend to choose the Dark Force over Good Force and lose themselves. Values are needed to be with the Good Force. Also, in the film, I learned that one's desire, anger, greed, attachment, ego, fear and hatred can sap the physical, mental and spiritual energy away. Definitely, Star Wars stories are inspirational and it is good to watch. May The Force Be With You! 

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.

Contributing To A Child's Success In Their Chosen Sports (Part 2H/3)

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)

Impossible to possible

Dr Ansgar and I can keep talking about running and we do not get tired of it

I spoke to Dr Ansgar, 49, a dentist by profession, from The Specialist Dental, and a 3hr 35min marathon runner in Stanchart Marathon 2015, on how he took up running. From my conversation that I had with him, I realised that he has been running from young and he is still passionate about running till now. He told me the story of himself on how he got hooked in running after trying other sports.

As for me, before running, there are some incidents that had taken place were in the long run, finally, I took up running as I saw a purpose in it. 

When I was about 6 years of age, I was staying at Kampung Bahru (at base of Mount Faber). I lived in a Kampung, a Malay word for village. This particular Kumpung housed Malays and Indians together. 

My uncle, when he was young, used to attract me with toys, like plane and car, to make me take up a running sprint challenge with a Malay boy by the name of Cho. Cho was a very fast runner and I found that it was hard to compete with him. Always when there was a challenge, he wins and I lose all the time. I got frustrated with that as I was not able to get the toy, and as a result, I did not have the opportunity to play with the toy. Hence, I looked forward to the next challenge. 

After some challenges, somehow, on one fortunate day, I was able to win Cho in a 50metres type of sprint challenge. I felt so happy on that day, hoping to get the toy at last. However, my uncle told me that the race will be valid if I challenge Cho again and he told me that he will definitely give me the toy if I win him in the second round. I was upset with this as I found it impossible to win Cho in 50m dash. Cho seemed to possess a lot of toys and I had none. He was always luckier than me. So, in the second round of 50 m dash with Cho, I realised that I ended up losing him. It frustrated me a lot. A series of these kinds of situations keep happening again and again. 

Then, came a day where I started to be aggressive in going for it. The day came where I kept winning Cho all the time. However, my uncle told me that we need to run again, this time, Cho was given a head start, a few metres in front of me. I did not know why but for the second round challenge, I had this habit of losing to Cho. Over time, even in the second round, I was able to win him. 

At the end of the day, finally, I did not get my prize, as I came to a realisation that if my uncle decides not to give me the reward, then nothing can motivate him to give me the toy (usually a miniature car/helicopter/plane). At that age, even when Cho got the head start, a few metres in front, a privileged start, I did not know that my uncle was unfair. I thought that his rules and regulations of the race were the gospel truth and I thought it wrong to question him. Somehow, I used to wonder why I was not able to get it. Over a period of time, when I got matured I realised that Cho was a pet of my uncle and there was a clear indication of favouritism, which I was not aware of at that age. 

The act of losing and losing all the time can make children give up sports. In my case, I thought that I was born loser. However, the act of giving Cho a privileged start, in a way must have developed in me the instinct to be more aggressive in the approach if you want something badly. I think that this must have contributed my improvement in marathon running such that I was able to do 2hr 24m 22sec. (It is good that I learnt it from the school of hard knocks). 

The abandoning day of the challenge dawn upon me when on one day, I realised that I did win, although Cho got a privileged start. We were asked to challenge again for validity. Again, I beat him, But to my amazement and disappointment, I did not get my reward, eventually. Then I abandoned the idea of any challenge that my uncle was trying to get me and Cho to do. I realised that it was a waste of my time. When my uncle called for a challenge, between me and Cho, I decided to ignore the challenge. 

Nevertheless, these challenges that took place at an early age must have made my mind stronger to rebound back when I lose. 

A number of incidents, over time, of not being able to win some Singapore top runners appeared in my life. Impossible became possible. For example, I used to lose a runner by the name of Ramasamy, former national record holder of a marathon, 2hr 36min. I thought that it was an impossible task of winning Ramasamy, who had a personal best time of 16m 00sec for 5km. The thought has appeared a number of times that winning was just a dream and it is not going to happen. Over time, I was able to do a time of 15min 31sec, where I came in 4th in Singapore Open Track and Field Championships 1992, and I also overtake him in a number of races. Ramasamy was a good athlete at that time.

Several opponents that I thought that could not be beaten were beaten, over time. From 1990 to 1992, from 5000m to marathon races, I realised that I did not have challenges coming from anyone from Singapore, except for Ramachandran from Malaysia. I was coming first in all the races with commendable timing as well. However, I was not able to improve much in Singapore. 

This made me go forth to England to compete and study at the Loughborough University of Technology. 

From the story, I can see now that kids, if they keep continuing their pursuit with iron determination and excellent self-discipline, and they believe in themselves, they can over time be able to achieve their dream in a chosen sports. By continuing, we can see that those that we thought impossible to be beaten are actual 'human' to be beaten. 

Hence, losing when one is young is not the full story.

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.

Contributing To A Child's Success In Their Chosen Sports (Part 2G/3)

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 M.Rameshon
Bsc (Hons) Degree in Physical Education, Loughborough University (1992-1994)

Masters in Education (University of Western Australia, 2005-2008)

Ego (win) Oriented and Process (learning) Oriented Children

It is very interesting to share with the readers of the blog post on personal training that I do with a kid. It is a known fact that some parents are hoping that their child can excel in their chosen sports. The thing that they are hoping for is the results. Some parents want quick and instant results. I have seen a coach taking a drastic move in order that the child gets results, leading to the child giving up sports later. Parents must be extremely careful about this. Strategically it is a good idea to work towards long-term results. The important component for parents to have is actually the patience that constant success will take place later on in life.  

The coach is strongly encouraged to have some form of Physiological knowledge before they take up coaching, if possible. The Singapore Sports Council and Singapore Athletics are working towards this. It is a good idea for the coach to take up a course which touches on Maturation as well. The message must be driven that kids are not miniature adults, and as such a lot of care must be taken such that they are groomed well in their chosen sports. Moreover, the kids will go through numerous problems and issues while they excel in sports. During the teenage years, they will face adolescence problem as well. It is important for coaches to be armed with Physiological knowledge to assist the child to the maximum. 

A carefully planned cycle or programme that will assist the child to do well in sports, from child to adult life. Whether it is for performance or health or fitness, the key point that the parent should know is that it is important for the child to know that there is a process that enables them to succeed, in the end. 

Without knowing the process of hard work and learning that naturally takes place in sports, a child may have the attributes of being an ego-oriented or product-oriented individual, always yearning to win, at the expense of seeing other kids losing. 

Hence, the first thing that the child needs to learn here is to accept that losing as an important part of training to excel and succeed one day. The child should be taught on success, by winning oneself rather on winning others. An ego-oriented child will do an activity as long as they win. If they lose they will give up the activity. When they are not good in a particular activity, the kid will not want to spend time doing it. 

The better way to arrest the problem of a child being an ego-oriented kid is to enable the child to understand that if they learn, for instance, the change of technique, style of posture in sports etc, these changes will make them a better sportsman over time. By making the child well informed on their chosen sports, the kid will learn to like sports. 

Also, we must keep reinforcing the idea that it is totally acceptable to lose in a game. I have seen children, who believe in doing well at that very moment only and are not wanting to work hard during a series of training sessions. When a parent sees this kind of problem, my advice is to suggest to them to use the significant others, like coaches, friends, peers, relations etc to influence a child to make them know the importance of constant hard work that leads to sure success. The most important thing that the child needs to know is that by improving oneself all the time, a number of successes will take place for them, over a period of time this could lead to not only in the real winning of a chosen sport but also in career and life as well. 

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.

MR 25 Ultra Marathon 2015

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 Saranniya

Today, I was told by Coach Rameshon that Mr Evan is just thinking of completing 10 rounds of the Mac Ritchie 10.5km course. It sounded like he is not competing as he has a race coming up soon during the last week of February 2016. Frankly speaking, I admire Mr Evan's courage for taking this challenge. We made it a point to support him, especially at the start of the race, at least. 

We reached the carpark at 6 30am, which was full. Somehow, a group of athletes from Flexifitness came to encourage Mr Evan for the race. They were full of zest. Later, we decided to meet at Mushroom cafe. 

In actual fact, the last time I saw this MR 25 Ultra-Marathon race was in the year 2014. We did not have any evening programme, at that time, and we decided to stay on all the way till night to support Mr Colin Chua and Mr Lim Thow Wee from 7am to 7pm. Both of them came in 4th overall in the team event of half-marathon 21.2km x 2. Both competed instead of completing it. 

As for today's race, I was there at 7am and the start was more organised. I was impressed with the organisation. At about 7am, the race started. The start was good to see as many athletes crowded in front of the racing group. The athletes were showing signs of excitement and enthusiasm to run in the race. Section by section, I did my best to take photos of the running crowd. 

Coach Rameshon, after the start of the run, went for his personal training, after seeing Mr Evan at the start of the race. The appointment was fixed about 2 weeks back. He came back to Macritchie at 9am to support. 

We met Aunt Helen Toh, Moonlake, and the rest of the athletes. They completed one round of the run. We were doing our best to locate Dr Ansgar Cheng and was told by Moonlake that he was still running with Mr Evan, at that time. Moonlake messaged us that Mr Evan was in the main group. 

While encouraging Mr Evan, the Flexifitness athletes went for their 2 rounds run around the 10.5km MacRitchie Reservoir route in a clockwise fashion, while Mr Evan had to run anti-clockwise direction. 

At 12 noon, our supporting runners had to go for another important programme conducted by Coach Saravanan. Coach Rameshon did not know what to do and he was in a dilemma and was weighing the situation, Finally, after discussing with some athletes we decided to go for the programme in the evening, conducted at Bukit Timah. 

We are keeping our fingers crossed and believe that Mr Evan will definitely do 10 rounds of 10.5km. Our spirit will be there with him to support. All the best, Mr Evan!

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.

Contributing To A Child's Success In Their Chosen Sports (Part 2F/3)

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 Murugiah Rameshon
Bsc (Hons) Degree in Physical Education, Loughborough University (1992-1994)

Masters in Education (University of Western Australia, 2005-2008)

Running gives you discipline, and discipline is a ladder of success in achieving anything. 

Both N. Ganesan, former National Record holder of Singapore 5km (14m 57sec) track race, and I, did not really talk about studies during training. Usually, it is all about running, running and more running. It is about how to improve and we strictly discuss the content of it. In order to attain this kind of high standard of training, one must be intrinsically motivated. We believe that this gave us the discipline and we got over our tertiary education later on in life. 

I remember my former cross-country teacher, Mr Joseph Varghese cautioning me, not to be obsessed about running when I was training very hard. He was teaching St Patrick's Secondary and I was teaching Catholic High School. It was in the year 1996. After our school' s victory in National Cross-Country race, Catholic High School were under 14 division Champions and under 17 second overall in the boys' race, he spoke at length on not to be too serious about running. I believe that I took running as a passion and not an obsession. That passion made me know the ingredients on running, and that led me to go to Loughborough University and do research for my degree programme. Running is responsible for making me finish my further studies in Masters in Education Programme (University of Western Australia, 2005-2008). Hence, running balanced my life in terms of pursuit and education. 

In my life, I have seen runner's running and being injured because of the wrong understanding they have on running. Every day, the so-called obsessed had been running. All they talk about is running, running and running. When you talk about diet, recovery etc, the runners tell that they have to go home. Hence, I feel that the obsessed person in running runs without a clear understanding of running. 

The runner does not reflect on whether the training programme will make them go forward or not. They are somewhat mad about running, but they are not passionate about running. The keyword is passion. Passion leads one to draw out a proper program and also do reflection after a race. I have seen a number of athletes running a race and just don't do any form of reflection. They just say in the mind," This is just another day," and run along. They do not bother about the fat percentage of the body and do something about it so that the performance gets better. 

For example, in Kenya, a top elite athlete has 3 % fat percentage for the whole body. In Europe, one has 4%. According to my former lecturer Sir George Gandy, he says that the fat percentage is enough to determine who is the winner in the end. So particular attention is always taken by the passionate runner. The obsessed person in running does not have a direction. 

A passionate person in running does not have only have a diary, but he or she will also do self-reflection, in everyday training and also after a race, always finding for a room to keep improving.

That is why I have seen in Hwa Chong Institution some keywords for students to imbibe. One must have a passion for something and that passion will lead one to knowledge. As for me, there are proverbs in many faiths that knowledge will lead one to wealth. 

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.