Having started running at a very young age, Leo has come a long way as an athlete and setting a national record. During this interview session with Flight Centre Active Travel, Leo inspires us with his determination for success .

FC Active Travel: Leo, thank you for agreeing to do this interview with Flight Centre Active Travel Singapore. For a national athlete and a SEA Games representative, you have indeed taken a very unique path. Not only are you self coached, but you have also run good times in every event from the 800m (1:53) to the marathon (2:38). Please tell us a little about your journey as an athlete. How did you start running, and why the diversity of events contested?

Leo: The pleasure is all mine! In Primary School, I was picked by my physical education teacher to join the Track and Field club and thereafter started representing the school.

800m is my pet event, while running long distances gave me a great sense of satisfaction and achievement. I also believe that having the opportunity to try out the range of events during my schooling days gave me the confidence and affirmation that I can excel in any discipline if I’m willing to put in the hard work.

FC Active Travel: Please tell us a little about you being self-coached. What is your coaching philosophy? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being self-coached? Any athletes/coach you model your training philosophy after?

Leo: I started training on my own towards the last year in Polytechnic and throughout the two years in army. It is definitely not easy right from the start as I’m so used to getting spoon-feed by my former coaches. And most of the time we do not question or get told why we are doing a particular set of workout, and in that sense we are missing a lot on understanding the science behind our running.

I believe self-coaching let me get the most out of this running journey. From being more responsible in taking up the ownership of my workouts to being more disciplined in carrying out them. There are also more benefits to self-coaching. To name a few, no one knows our weaknesses and strengths better than we do, the flexibility in planning the workouts to suit our schedule and you’re able to race as frequently as you wish!

On the flip side, not having a coach to give you constant advices and monitoring, helping to path the way towards your goals might be tough, especially those new to running.

I wasn’t self-coached right from the start and I wouldn’t be able to do it without the teachings from my former coaches. If opportunity presents itself, I’m still willing to go under tutelage of a coach that can help me reach my full potential!

Personally I like the legendary distance coach, Arthur Lydiard’s way of training. He focuses a lot on strong endurance base and periodization and my body reacts well with it.

FC Active Travel: Runners often feel that training in groups beats training alone. What is your view on this? Do you mostly train alone or in a group? Any favourite runners you like to train with and why?

Leo: I’m not against this saying but rather I’m an advocate of group training. The same pace magically feels easier when done in a group and there’s someone to cheer you on when the going gets tough! I usually do my track intervals with my running group, consisting of Ying Ren (now training in Colorado, USA), Russell Ericksen, Kien Mau, Colin, You Boon and Danny. I love how we might be training for different events, but still able to work together towards our separate goals.

If I had a chance, I would like to train with the Dibaba sisters or Jenny Simpson. It always motivates me knowing how fast these ladies are running!

FC Active Travel: So you’ve set a national indoor record in the 800m and represented Singapore at the SEA Games in the 1500m, but have also run a highly-respectable 2hr 38min at the 2014 Gold Coast Marathon. Tell us, where do you think your future lies? Road or track? You seem to prefer racing on the roads even with your success on the track, any reasons why?

Leo: I’ve being missing out participating in the local road races for almost a year due to committing to the recent SouthEastAsia Games. But I don’t see myself getting back to the mad road racing days two years back, focusing more on quality races now. (If not how to catch up with Mr RunSohFast! Haha)

I would probably still be doing the middle distance events until 2017 SEAGames at least and one or two road races during my base phase.

No real preference over track or road racing. On the track, we’re racing for personal bests or trying to do the nation proud most of the time. While on the road we are running as part of the bigger running community. Both present their own set of challenges and rewards. But I’ll see myself doing more road races in the long run when my legs aren’t able to take anymore hammerings from the speed workouts!

FC Active Travel: SEA Games marathon champion and FCAT Singapore athlete Soh Rui Yong has spoken highly of you as possibly the most talented and most versatile athlete in Singapore today given your impressive range. Would you agree with that statement? Should there be an exhibition race for running fans, what do you think would be a fair distance for both of you to square off at? 1500m? 2.4km? 3000m?

Leo: Haha thanks bro! I wouldn’t say I’m the most talented but probably one of the more driven and passionate one in the local running community. I’ve seen as versatile runners such as fellow middle distance runner, Hua Qun, Mok and Rui Yong himself!

Let’s do the 2.4km since most Singaporean can relate to this distance. It would be quite a “Kiprop vs Mofarah” although we’re not as fast of cause. I would imagine myself sitting at his back and trying to kick his butt if it comes down to the last 100m! lol

FC Active Travel: Any training tips for members of the Singapore running community who look to you for advice?

Leo: Make running a way of life. Whether it is for the friends you meet up during running sessions, the adrenaline you get from running fast, running far, or the satisfaction you get from beating your own personal bests, find your own right and joy in running!

FC Active Travel: Thank you for your time Leo! Any parting words?

Leo: When the going gets tough, look back and see how far you have come!

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Brand ambassador at Compressport Singapore, Shariff is first mobility impaired marathoner in Asia. born with a single leg before having it amputated further up to his thigh. Shariff began his journey as a runner after a failed suicide attempt; in this interview we speak with Shariff about his passion for running.

JustRunLah!: How would you introduce yourself to Singapore running community?

Shariff: Md Shariff Abdullah Peters, also known as Singapore Blade Runner.

JRL: When did you first pick up running (what age) and what inspired you to do so?

Shariff: At the age of 40 years old, my stump was amputated due to skin infection; after 3 months of recovery, I was inspired by South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius and started running to inspire everyone.

JRL: Would you say that one needs to have a certain mindset to take up running as a sport/exercise activity?

Shariff: Running is one of the healthy sports to stay healthy, fit and strong. You need to have courage to start, strength to endure, resolution to finish and never give up.

JRL: What would you consider to be your biggest running achievement so far?

Shariff: My biggest achievement is to be qualified and having participated in the prestigious Boston Marathon for 4 years since 2012.

JRL: How has Compressport products assisted in your training and achievements?

Shariff: Compressport products really help me on my performance and recovery. Ever since I started to wear the compression, I have no muscle cramps on the calves and tights. During the run, I had no pain, cramping and tightness in my calves which I almost always have. My legs still feels fresh at the end of runs and I continue to wear them for a few hours afterwards. On the following day, my legs still felt good, as if I had not ran the day before. The calf sleeves certainly did make a difference for me! It does not only help me with races but also with recovery!

JRL: What are your future goals?

Shariff: My goals are to run the Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon in May 2016 and also taking up courses to become a coach for para-athletes.

JRL: One reason why runners should join Compressports Rail Corridor Run 2016?

Shariff: Get the experience running on the trails and lookout for the beauty of rail corridor and historical places.

JRL: What advice would you give to all participants at Compressport Rail Corridor Run 2016?

Shariff: Join me, the Singapore Blade Runner, in running through the rail corridor on a trail instead of concrete pavements! Escaping into the woods or meadows gives you an experience of nature that road runs cannot provide. Also, the running surface of trails are softer, which gives your body a break too. The benefits of trail running span across the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual areas of your life.

JRL: What is your mantra for when the going gets tough in a race?

Shariff: Nothing is impossible when you believe.

JRL: Finish this sentence: Running is…

Shariff: … my passion – Born to Run, Live to Inspire

Once touted as Singapore’s brightest spark for running events in her secondary school years, Yvonne Lin has continued to run competitively and clinching titles in races. Flight Centre Active Travel had the opportunity to chat with her about her races this year and on how she juggles her training, work and lifestyle.

FC Active Travel: Hi Yvonne, thanks for taking the time to chat with us at Flight Centre Active Travel. How has things been for you lately?

Yvonne Lin: Things are good. I’ve started racing more this half of the year. Work has been well too.

So far in this half of the year, I’ve participated in races of various distances (5km, 10km and 21km). The races are Sundown half marathon, Mizuno Ekiden, Pocari Sweat Run and Asics City Relay. Among these four races, I enjoyed the Pocari Sweat Run the most as it was not oversubscribed. The route was simple and straightforward which I believe made it enjoyable for both competitive and leisure runners.

FC Active Travel: Some awesome races there. How have the results been?

Yvonne Lin: The following are my race results: – Sundown 21km Women Open: 8th – Pocari Sweat 5km Women Open: 1st – Mizuno Ekiden: Team 4th – Asics City Relay Running Club Category: Team 1st

I will be participating in a few other races in the coming months, namely the Orange Ribbon Run, Newton Challenge, Great Eastern Women’s Run and CSC Run by the Bay.

FC Active Travel: Plenty of racing! Great to hear. Tell us a bit more about the Pocari 5km. How did the race go more specifically?

Yvonne Lin: The race route was friendly. Although there were overlaps between both the 5km and 10km race route, I didn’t experience any jam as the route was clear. I could focus on competing as I didn’t have to weave through a crowd. The path was also wide for groups of runners to run through.

FC Active Travel: That sounds ideal. How has training been lately? What does a normal training week look like for you?

Yvonne Lin: Training has been only about 3 to 4 times a week ever since I started work. There will be a day dedicated for intervals, another for strength training and other one or two for long/easy runs. I’m planning to work on increasing my mileage.

FC Active Travel: What are your favorite interval workouts? And how far are your long runs and at what speed?
Yvonne Lin: I enjoy doing 500m and 1km intervals. long runs are between 10km to 15km between 5:15 to 5:30 per km.

FC Active Travel: Good stuff. So on a more personal level, what do you feel are some of the key factors in your success as a runner? Do you have any training rituals or diet secrets that you could share with people aspiring to be at your level?

Yvonne Lin: I believe that managing expectations and adjusting running goals from time to time would be some of the key factors in my success as a runner. They help to reduce the psychological stress experienced during competitions and enable me to enjoy running. Also, having a dedicated training team and coach motivates me to stay on track.
Eating frequent but light meals on training days works well for me – For example, Yoghurt/milk with granola, sandwiches and sushi In preparation for races, I increase my carbohydrate intake, with pasta as my preferred choice. As for training rituals, other than doing a short light jog, I perform a set of dynamic exercises as warm-up.

FC Active Travel: Thanks very much for the insight into your training and lifestyle!  Who coaches you? And what do you think creates that dedicated team environment?

Yvonne Lin: You’re most welcome! My coach’s name is Elangovan S/O Ganesan. I believe to build a dedicated team environment requires a strong group of committed seniors/runners to lead the juniors in familiarising with the team routines and dynamics. They set the expectations and examples right for the young ones such that some would be inspired to take on the seniors’ role in the near future. I would say, building friendships and our accountability for one another anchor our commitment to the team and the sport.

FC Active Travel: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us Yvonne!

Yvonne Lin: Thanks for having me!