Written by: Ho Kinh Dat
Edited by: Jonathan Chan
Residing in blocks G and F respectively, Kelvin Ling and Melvin Lee have once again put our KE7 Hall on the map with their recent resounding championship in the Singapore University Game – Road Run 2008. Both of them have taken up road run not only as a sport, but more than that, because of a genuine passion that has come to play an important role in their daily schedule. To achieve such a success, they have encountered several obstacles, some of which might have appeared insurmountable. Nevertheless, with an unwavering spirit to fulfill their potential, these two sporty figures have made it to the top.
Many seniors would remember Kelvin as the freshman Captain of the Road Relay Team during the last academic year leading his members through a hotly contested IHG event to a respectable 3rd place against all odds. In Melvin, himself a freshman this year, we also catch a glimpse of perhaps one of the runners of a future IHG team.
Melvin Lee
Kelvin Ling
Can you tell me why you chose running as a sport, and more than that, a hobby?
Melvin: I first took it up because I was inspired by my sister who was a national runner. Then when I started running, I enjoyed it a lot, so I have continued running since Secondary 1. More than a sport, it has been my hobby for 6 years.
Kelvin: I took up running two years ago. I was influenced by my officer in army who loved running to the max. At that time, I couldn’t imagine someone taking up running especially the marathon distance of 42.195 km so I decided to just try out running. Since then, I have never looked back and got really addicted to running. I have never regretted taking up running as a sport as there are many benefits accompanying it, such as becoming more disciplined, confident and definitely becoming healthier. Just to note that I was 90++ kg before I took up running and now I’m around 73kg.
If you are really interested in this sport, I bet you have obtained quite a lot of achievements. Can you tell me some of them?
Melvin: I didn’t have lots of achievements, but quite recently, my partners and I came 2nd in a team run competition – Singapore University Games Road Run, Sep. 2008
Kelvin: My first race was the standard chartered marathon 2006 in which I completed the gruelling distance of 42.195km in 4 hrs 12 mins.
Another significant race of mine is the Macritchie Runners 25 Ultramarathon in which I completed 75.6km in 11 hrs 42 mins. This race was very special to me as it was one of the toughest race I’ve ever run.
In my 1st year, I was the Captain for KEVII Road Relay team, I managed to lead my team to the 3rd position despite having no IVP runners in our team. As such, I received the “Outstanding Student Leader” in Sports last year.
I took part in many races but the only one which I made it to the top 15 was the Swissotel Marathon (Southeast Asia’s Tallest building), in which I climbed 73 storeys comprising of 1336 steps.
Wings Cross Country 2007: Team Champions.
Run NUS 2008: Team Champions
Currently, I’m the NUS Cross Country team captain leading a team consisting of runners from many countries and also runners from the Singapore National team.
Wow, that’s very impressive. Keep it up guys. Can you tell me the greatest satisfaction that Road Run has offered you?
Melvin: I think I feel a great sense of satisfaction whenever I push myself to complete a good training session. Sometimes training is tough, but once it’s done, you feel a huge sense of accomplishment.
Kelvin: The feeling of pushing yourself to the limit even when you feel tired and upon completing, the sense of satisfaction is indescribable. And I think many runners feel this way, that is what makes us addicted to running.
Regarding this race, how was the competition like? What new experience did you gain from it?
Melvin: The main challengers were NTU who fielded a very strong and experienced team of runners. As they could send in trainee teachers from NIE to run as well, they had a huge talent pool. The other universities like SMU and UniSim ran well too but I guess we had quite a solid team and we had been training together quite consistently so we beat them. It was my first experience competing at university level so I have gained an idea of the level of competition and the pace you have to race at to do well. I think the most memorable thing from this race is the fun that my teammates and I had when racing together. Doing well was a bonus.
Kelvin: Hmmm, this race was actually rather competitive and due to some reasons, we couldn’t send in our best runners (that is why we didn’t get the champions). Experience-wise, not really a lot, just another race to me.
What do you think about winning the race?
Melvin: NTU were a much stronger team so 2nd place was good to me. I think as a team, we still have to train well and improve a lot more to be champions.
Kelvin: Hmmm, as I remember, I always checked out the route before going for the competition and I think 2nd is good for me since the champions NTU sent in their best runners while we only managed to send in our 2nd team . Nothing is impossible, but at that time, 2nd was quite a good result.
Share with us your training methods, how you can improve over time and get the best potential out of yourself?
Melvin: We do quite a lot of interval training (Yannick’s favourite for road relay training). I think to do well over time, you must take care of your health and just go out there and enjoy your runs.
Kelvin: Hmmm, currently, I’m training 6 days per week (Tue: Speed intervals, Wed: Recovery run, Thu: Long Intervals, Fri: Strength Training, Sat: Recovery run and Sun: Long Run), but it’s a very brief workout though. I think to improve, consistent training is the key and to do that, self- discipline and good planning is much required.
Something personal you want to share?
Melvin: I’m from medicine year 1. I hope to be a good doctor. My favourite food is banana which gives me quick energy release.
Kelvin: I’m currently under the Sembcorp Industries scholarship, I’m in year 2 reading Chemistry from the Faculty of Science. My favourite food is Mr.Bean’s product and my worst habit is probably smiling too much :P
Would you like to say some words to KEVIIans?
Melvin: I hope all of you enjoy your hall sports trainings. I think the most important thing about sports is to have fun!
Kelvin: I want to share my favourite quote: “Life is just like running and winners are not created overnight, you will have to accept the races that you have lost, learn from it and believe that you will win the next one, knowing that you will probably lose that as well – Victory belongs to those who try!”
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