I have moved to mokyingren.com :)

http://inside.nike.com/blogs/humanrace-en_SG/2008/06/29/sea-games-medalists-running-story

SEA Games Medalists’ running story

At only the age of 19, Mok Ying Ren has brought pride to the nation when he won a gold medal at the SEA Games Triathlon last year. In this exclusive interview, he shares with us his running story.

By Mok Ying Ren
SEA Games 2008 Triathlon Gold Medalist

It was the beauty of the nature at MacRitchie reservoir that really made me run competitively. My secondary school, Raffles Institution (RI) always hosted the annual cross country meet at the nearby MacRitchie reservoir. I usually jogged there as my warm up and then ran the race, at the same time enjoying the sights and smells of the nature reserve. My first proper race was the interschools Cross country. The weather was bad and it was raining heavily. I remember the water level of the reservoir rising so high such that it was level with the flooded ground too. One or two runners beside me actually fell into the reservoir! 

It thus pays to know the route well. Even though I did not win the race, coming in 11th, it was a really nice experience to push your lungs out for your school. It was the sense of satisfaction after a good tough race which I was looking for. The challenge of the terrain and the monkeys (they usually attack you if you wear red) made me want to take up cross country as a Co-curricular Activity. It was very different from track which consisted of much running in blind circles leading to nowhere. Having said that, track training does have its merits.

I started running then though my main sport was still swimming which I started in Primary 4. In JC1 I was bored with just swimming and decided to take up triathlon. I basically realised that I increased my race time by 8 times from about 15min to 2hours now. But I have no regrets.

Triathlon is very strategic as everyone has their strengths and weaknesses in the 3 disciplines and we can play around with them to our own advantage. It was also a huge task to train 3 sports at one go, trying to juggle all of them and attempting to peak for an important race. I did my first triathlon in Afamosa Malacca in 2004. It was really tough as the course was really hilly and it being my first time, it was no joke. I finished in 2hrs 32min. This year 2008, I revisited the race and I managed to win it after 4 years of training with a time of 1hr58min. It was a great feeling. 

In 2007, it was my honour to represent Singapore in the SEA Games. I failed to qualify in 2005 but it only spurred me on to train harder which eventually paid off. It was my toughest triathlon I had ever done due to the conditions and competitors. But I managed to defend our gold medal from 2005 by a mere 29 seconds.

Out of the 3 disciplines, I still love running the most because of its versatility and convenience. One can run anytime anywhere, as compared to swimming which requires a pool and cycling which requires non peak hours on the road. 

I hope that those reading this will pick up a sport that they like which they can enjoy with their friends and family.

Thanks for reading,

Mok