Meeting 800m World Record Holder Kipketer in Singapore (13/08/2010) - Part 2

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)

Wilson Kipketer - The Man Who Broke The 800m World Record (1min 41.11sec)

Picture One - Wilson Kipketer 

A Rare Honour To Be With Kipketer, who broke the world record twice.

Date:13/08/2010

Time: 3:30pm to 5:30pm

Place: CCAB, Bukit Timah, near LKY School of Policy


Picture Two -

Great Britain's top athletes were controlling the middle distance track events during the 80s. From left to right is Steve Ovett, Steve Cram and Sebastion Coe, respectively. Sebastion Coe broke the world record with a time of 1min 41.73 and it stayed unbroken for 16 years until the advent of Kipketer who improved the time to 1min 41.11sec in 1997. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyvYkDiKA8o

A Running Session on Middle Distance With Kipketer
Wilson Kipketer had just conducted a course in middle distance running in Singapore. He conducted a professional sharing session with about 10 coaches, 10 teachers, 80 young athletes and about 15 young adult athletes on how to run efficiently.

On Technique

When it comes to technique, he told that, when we run, we should not bring the head in and bringing the shoulders inwards during the run. Another mistake cited by him was that some runners 'sit' while they run. In other words, it means that there should be an extension of the leg while you are striding during the run. The best way, he says, is to feel relaxed and easy while a person runs.

In order to not place stress on the knees and the lower back, Kipketer advised us not to land on the heel but on the forefoot.

Picture Three - Relaxed and Natural Way is Economical For Running.

On Workout/s

He told us that if a person has to do a workout, which one to throw out or collapse on the floor, it means that a person is doing too much in the training, especially during a workout. Workouts should be hard, but if you are a well-conditioned athlete, you will be better able to handle the training. After finishing a workout, a person should not feel nausea, dizzy and get out of breath, it simply means that over-training may have taken place. A person may give up running overtime. If the person does not give up now, maybe he/she may give up in the near future. The answer to this is to avoid overdoing something.


Picture 4 - Kipketer reiterates that a workout can be hard but not too tough until the mind goes bonkers.

On Food

He said that the elephants consume only vegetables but are found to be very strong. On the other hand, tigers eat meat and are found to be strong also. Hence, he says that balancing the diet is the correct answer to performing well in running.

Kipketer surprised us by informing us that his grandfather had lived for some 138 years old or so. Hence, Kipketer told the audience that it is better to try out on food and do the research ourselves to see the difference between the good ones and those which are not good. He advised us that it is alright to go to the internet to check on this to ascertain the truth. He also told us to be selective with some websites and told us that not all that we find in the web are informational.

Kipketer astounded us by telling us that he did not take any form vitamin, mineral and trace element pill. However, he did mention that if a person drinks coke, it would be advisable to drink this very rarely. He told that at the age of 13, he only took coke once within a year.

Picture 5 - Singapore's Weather

He told that the weather in Singapore is fine as compared to the place where he is living now. He believes that if a person trains hard and be consistent in training, they will do well.

On Massage

When a person reaches 18 years and above, Kipketer believes that getting a massage are found to be beneficial. As for those younger than 18 years of age, he says that there is no necessity for getting any form of massage.

On Winning

He mentioned that the attitude of a person during training sessions is vital. He believes that it is within the reach of a person to do well or not. In short, he believes that the ambition of the person is important.  If there is no ambition, then there is no long-term goal. It is up to the person in desiring oneself to do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-nktw7gZgU

On Life

He advised people to be cheerful in life and keep smiling and not to take life very seriously. This, he believes, is one way to relax the body and is good for running. The suggestion he gave to people was to keep smiling all the time.

Interview 1 - Kipketer on his record
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=504i4mrv9lE&feature=related

Interview 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGsEnuPYoXk&feature=related

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.