David Rudisha Down But Not Out (6/05/2011, Friday)

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)

David Rudisha - Confirmed Injured for now.

Current World Record Holder for 800m Gunning For Olympics and World Championships

Picture 1 - 03/03/2011 David Rudisha did 1min 43.88 outdoor for 800m in Melbourne

World 800m record holder David Rudisha did not run in the Diamond League race in Doha, Qatar, with an injury on his left foot. Recently, because of the injury, Rudisha was not able to train properly. The injury is considered not serious for the moment.

Current world record holder for the 800m said to IAAF news, "I am very disappointed not to be able to run at this meeting, where I have opened my summer racing season for the last four years." Rudisha is hoping to recover quickly to compete in the Roma Diamond league on May 26.

His training partner Tangui told IAAF, "He has not trained for the last one week. His leg is painful and he has not been having simple time training. I am disappointed he will miss out on the trip to Doha. We had done so much together and I thought he would be fit,"

Last season, Rudisha clocked 1:43:00 for victory in Doha. He started this season running in Melbourne and Sydney and has targeted winning the Olympics and the world championship.

The wishes that David Rudisha recover's on time.

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.

Celebrating Mother's Day - My Mother, The Greatest

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)

Mother's Day - A Day That We Must Always Remember.

Yesterday, I went down to my mother's and my wife's mother's house to celebrate Mother's Day. For me, this day is very special. I believe for many it is special as well. I feel that my mother is the greatest benefactor and guide that I ever come across. As such, I would like to relate to what my mother has done that has made me very proud of her.

In the past.

When my elder brother and I were in primary school, in De La Salle, my mother, Madam Thirumalardevi Murugiah, played a very active role in nurturing us in sports. She gave us the allowance such that we do not have a problem in staying in school for as long to do our CCA. She also ensured that we play most of the games and left it to us to pursue the game that we would like to carry on in life. Sometimes I would ask for more and it will be given without any question. My mother felt that in no way my CCA should be affected. Sometimes she used to come and pick us up after our CCA.

When I was in Saint Joseph's Institution, my father and mother always gave my siblings and me very good support. Anything to do with meals, my mother ensured that I get proper nutrition for it. She did not mind paying for my attire, food and transport. I t was this support that allowed me to be groomed as an athlete. 

The first person to be happy with my performance were my parents. My mother played a very active role especially when I turned vegetarian. I became a vegetarian after reading on Mahatma Ghandi's book. It convinced me that the human body's physical makeup is to live a vegetarian lifestyle and not become a meat-eater.  

I also realised that meat was for the body and vegetarian was for the mind and converted to this special diet. I also felt that it was wrong to kill animals.

It all happened in the army when I was about to enlist, I became a vegetarian. When I came out of the army, seeing my plight, my mother personally cooked for me a very special diet so that I do not lose out in nutrition in health and performance.

The national record of 2hr 24min 22sec that I did in SEA Games 1995 is in a way attributed to my mother and father. I feel that my mother played a predominant role such that I was able to hit the Olympic Qualifying time of 2hr 25min.

The next question that comes is on studies. My father was not worried on my studies. My mother was. So long I get a pass is enough for her to tell me to train very hard for my chosen sport, although she would remind us to improve on our studies. Over time, when I went for further studies in 1992, my mother supported me financially such that I was able to do very well in running and studies in Loughborough University, England, to do my Bsc (Hons) PE and Sports Science. There in Loughborough, I was glad to have met people like my coach, Alan Guilder and the great Sir George Gandy, our then University coach.

After coming back to Singapore, my mother had the wish that I should finish my masters. Her wish was greater than mine to do well. Finally, I completed a Masters in Education from the University of Western Australia in 2008. In that year, I also came in as the first local in men's open doing 2hr 49min in the Standard Chartered Marathon 2008. I did it at the age of 43.

Having said that, I always believe that we must acknowledge what our parents have done for us and have appreciation and gratitude for this. There is a proverb in Tamil says that when a parent kicks the bucket, one will start to relish the memory of what the parents have done for them. It is very good to appreciate and show gratitude when they are alive now that dead. It will be too late. Nothing in the world is greater than our parent's love.

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.

Booking of Gold Coast Marathon Airline Ticket

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)

Picture 1 Logo of Gold Coast Marathon 2011

I realised that my friend Lim Thow Wee is not running in the Gold Coast Marathon 2011. He wants to run in the Army Half-Marathon and Standard Chartered Marathon 2011. Dr Ben Tan is at present running in the Gold Coast Marathon, which falls on 3rd July 2011.

Ashley and I have booked the Airline Tickets for the trip. We will leave on 27th Jun to Melbourne. We will stay 3 days at my sister's house and on the 1st of July leave Melbourne for Gold Coast. We will stay there for 3 days and be back in Singapore. My experience during the Hong Kong marathon 2011 trip on Feb showed that it is important to look after the needs of Ashley or the marathon runner so that he can concentrate on the marathon and not worry on other things.

Picture 2 - Ashley Liew is hungry to get faster in the Gold Coast Marathon 2011

Hence, I will be going down to assist him. By me running, it just takes a lot of my attention away on monitoring on Ashley. I would like to see that in one or two years the time for marathon going down below 2hr 30min and I feel that Ashley has the potential to do it. I have been tracking his progress and there is no doubt about it if only he keeps on training over time.

Picture  3 - Ashley's training partner is Brendan Lee, who is training for a year-end triathlon

 


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.

Prediction - A Sub - 2hr 36min for 2 Local Marathoners

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)

Journey to Sub - 2hr 36min has begun for Ashley Liew and Mok Ying Ren

Picture 1 - Ashley Liew, in the center, wearing blue tights, winning in one of the age group category in a triathlon race.

Upcoming race
June - Mok Ying Ren is running a marathon in New Zealand, Christchurch

July - Ashley Liew will be running the Gold Coast Marathon

Mok Ying Ren's 1hr 08min plus performance shows that a sub 2hr 36min is very possible.

An Introduction
I will discuss about the past marathon scene before discussing about the current situation. I feel that the current situation is coming back to an exciting season as compared to the past few years, where it was hard to see a person doing a sub 2hr 40. I remember Ralph Mochbahani, the then Technical Director of SAA, running to me during dinner, congratulating me for Daniel Ling's 2hr 46min performance in Standard Chartered Marathon 2007.

Scaling New Heights

In the past, I remember in the SEA Games, Ricky Khoo and Tan Choon Ghee doing sub 2hr 40min. Khoo Chin Poo has done a 2hr 39min in Vietnam SEA Games 2004, after doing a 2hr 41min in the Gold Coast Marathon 2004, July.

In the past, fifteen to twenty years back, I was used to listening to people doing a sub 2hr 40min. Last year, if you bring time backwards, we saw only Mok Ying Ren doing 2hr 38min for the Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon 2010. Ashley Liew has done 2hr 45min in Hong Kong Marathon 2011

5 to 10 years back, I saw the time moving towards 3hr flat for the men's time. I was thinking that something should be done to improve the standard. In a meeting in the year 2007, as a Swift Club training and selection manager, I told Mr Loh Lin Kok, the former president (SAA), to increase the prize for the local champion to $10000. He told me that an increase of $1000 should be enough. That means that he wanted the champion to get $4000, instead of $3000. A certain percentage will still go to the government as tax. That, I felt was a low sum of money compared to $5000 that we used to get twenty years back. Right now, the prize money has been corrected. It is $10000 for the champion. The second and third prizes are ok for now. I believe that the prize money should be raised according to the inflation rate. Else, athletes will not train hard for it.

The sub-2hr 40min timing has been very evasive for many top Singaporeans. As you can see, due to hard work and keeping at the sub-goals of short and long term goals, it looks like 2 gentlemen - Ashley Liew and Mok Ying Ren -  will be in the short term bring the time down to sub 2hr 36min for sure. This is my prediction. Mark my words. Over time, these two have the potential to bring the time down to sub - 2hr 30min. Over the few years, the time will go down more for these athletes so long they keep to their long term goals. The sky is the limit!

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.

Page View (1st May 2010 to 1st May 2011)

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)

Picture 2 - For The month of April

Picture 3 - Weekly pageview of countries in the world.

Picture 4 -Today's Pageview   

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.

Mrs Chin Bee Kuan (Part 2) - An Interview By MOCH

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)

Mrs Chin Bee Kuan - Deputy Principal/Student Development

What was your fondest memory of life in Hwa Chong?

One fondest memory was the Youth Leader Training Camp. It was a seven or ten days camp at Pulau Tekong for leadership training, and we still have it today under the OAC. At first, I wasn't selected as the camp was mainly targeted at those in Uniformed Groups (UGs). At that time, UGs were the leadership "thing". However, I went to my teacher and appealed and got accepted in the end, thankfully. It was a process of self-discovery that changed me, as things I did not know about myself started to surface under the stressful and demanding environment, with a group of people I did not know beforehand. It was very enjoyable and can be considered the turning point of my JC life. It also sparked off my love for adventure and nature. Till today, I still go trekking and mountain climbing and I don't think I will ever stop (Mrs Chin has been to Gunung Tahan trekking at Mt Ophir and Mt Kinabalu, and the aerospace camp, an 8000m Everest Camp.

What was Hwa Chong like for you?

It was a very diverse environment with a range of people coming from many different schools. My class with only 24people, had people coming from over 10 schools. Coming into Hwa Chong cleared up my misconception that people who studied did not know how to enjoy life. When I came in, I changed my mind about it completely as I saw many people who did well and knew how to pursue their passions outside schoolwork. I opened up because of my two years in Hwa Chong my potential was maximised and that was the greatest takeaway.

Describe what a typical school day was like for you?

It is quite similar to the current school day. We came to school, had morning flag-raising (we already had the turning around during flag raising), went for lectures and tutorials. Our day could end at 5pm too if we had practicals. So it is about the same - the only difference I can think of being that we did not have Project Work!

Is there any marked difference in the school system or students in the past from now?

Not really - HCI's paper standards had already been very high ever since my time. I guess one of the biggest differences lies in the 4As. At that time, only about a hundred students out of the whole cohort would get 4As, not something that everyone can easily get as compared to now when half our students get 4As. To achieve straight As was quite a remarkable feat, and to aim for it was challenging.

What did you feel was challenging about school? And what motivated you?

I felt very challenged by the multiple talents around - academically challenged, especially in chemistry I was more of a mathematics and physics person, and to see how easy it was for some of my friends with grasping new concepts made me see a whole new range of standards and capability I had never witnessed before. My motivation? Fear! Not of not getting 4As but simply the fear of failing.

What are your thoughts on leading your alma mater?

It is a privilege and honour, to be among the best students who have very high self-expectations.

Any final words of advice for current students?

Having gone through 44 years of life, I feel more and more that values are truly very important. As a student being told about the importance of values, it was difficult to understand. Working life has reinforced all the lessons of yesteryear, however.

Next Issue: An Interview With Ashley Liew, Tribob sprints, overall champion.

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.

Mrs Chin Bee Kuan - Another J -TIGERR of Hwa Chong

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)

Mrs Chin Bee Kuan - An example of one who leads with compassion and one who speaks with kind words.

" Better than a gift given with a joyous heart are sweet words spoken with a cheerful smile." (Kural, 58)

A few days ago, Mrs Chin (Deputy Principal of Hwa Chong - College) invited Mr Lee Kai Sim (Dir PE) and I to a lunch treat. Later we fixed the lunch to be at Miao Yi vegetarian restaurant at Coronation Plaza on 29th of April (Friday), two after the National Schools' Track and Field Championships 2011.  It was a personal request from her. I felt elated and honoured by this.

Earlier on, during my stay in Hwa Chong, I used to meet Dr Hon for problems and he would give me the greatest support in anything by solving. If you ask me on who has given the greatest support in Hwa Chong, I would say that it was Dr Hon. I have a firm belief that he is one of the best problem solvers I have ever seen. He is also very prompt in responding to problems and he will not wait for problems to be solved tomorrow. There and then he solves.

Over time, I also found that another person whom I admire as a leader in terms of holding on to high values is Mrs Chin Bee Kuan. A number of times I have visited her for problems. The first thing she does is always to smile and answer. Many occasions she has shown me that she is one of those whom one can confide so as long one is sincere to their words and action.  

During the lunch treat, Mrs Chin told me about her previous schools that she came from and how she became the deputy principal of Hwa Chong. Our conversation, later on, turned to marathon running. Mr Lee Kai Sim, another keen runner also shared his experience running 84km of Sundown marathon during our conversation. I realised that Mrs Chin liked to know new things on what is going on in sports research, currently.

I found from my experience that she is one of the friendliest people that I have ever met on earth. Our Director of PE, Mr Lee will definitely agree with this 100%. With her presence, one just feels energetic to do even more to work for the school after a conversation. In short, I find Mrs Chin a charismatic leader.

There was once she even came down for a running clinic that I was conducting, a few years back. I felt elated and humbled by her mere presence.

As a person who believes in sports for health, she had even asked me on how to run the marathon during lunch. I shared with her the knowledge from Dr Clyde William's research on the easy way that one can easily do a marathon.

As such, to find out more on Mrs Chin she has given her interview in MOCH magazine which has been printed out by Hwa Chong. She has given her thoughts and ideas that I am going to present in part 2 of her post. This post is just part one. She is one whom a student could choose to emulate as a leader. It is rare to see a leader like in this era who can smile when there is a problem and also not waver from the path of truth.

I find that Mrs Chin in every way follows the J-Tigerr motto of Hwa Chong.

J - Joy
T -Teamwork
I - Integrity
G - Global Perspective
E - Excellence
R - Resilience
R - Respect

Eventually, I congratulated Mrs Chin and Mr Lee on Hwa Chong success as a champion school in the Nat Sch's Cross-Country and Nat Sch's Track and Field Championships. Later on, we parted.

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.