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)
Mr Yong Yuen Cheng - 217km Death Valley Challenge, California
An Interview With Yong Yuen Cheng
Why did you take part in this challenge?
To show to my students that an ordinary person is capable of achieving extraordinary things.
To be the first South-east Asians (and of course Singaporeans) to complete the Badwater Ultramarathon.
To tie the challenge with fund-raising efforts for Mountbatten Constituency and National Junior College.
Did you get permission to run this race?
Organisers told me that we lack the experience, hence we did our own one with permission and own support.
What gave you confidence in doing this run?
A few months after completing the 168 km Run Round Singapore in 2005.
In April 2006, we made a decision to run the exact Badwater Ultramarathon route on our own in 2007 and named our event 217 km Death Valley Challenge 2007. There was a lot of preparation involved and we finally succeeded.
How much did you raise for charity?
We raised $200000 for Mountbatten CSC and $40,000 for NJC
Can you tell us, in summary, some of the training done for this?
For the distance: an average of 24 hours of endurance training per week (highest weekly mileage recorded was 48 hours)
For the mountains: staircase climbing, hill training, slope running at MacRitchie, running on Sheares Bridge and Bukit Timah Hill.
We did long runs.
Canoeing training with my students.
Stationary bike cycling at home.
Approx 5 hours each day, I trained in aerobically.
How was your build-up for this?
The build-up is as follows. I took part in several events.
MR25 Ultramarathon (Dec 2004)
Run Round Singapore (Oct 2005)
Marathon Challenge (Jan 2006)
Gobi March (Jun 2006)
Death Valley Recce (Jul 2006)
Round Singapore Canoeing Challenge (Aug 2006)
MR25 Ultramarathon (Dec 2006)
Vertical Marathon Challenge (Jan 2007)
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.
