Six Marathons in Six Months!
Tan Ying Hsien, a lawyer at Standard Chartered Bank, who has been leading the Bank's effort in the fight to eradicate the commercial viability of child pornography on the Internet by 2008 has joined the race for innocence.
Ying is planning to overcome his limits by attempting six marathons in six months.
Ying has completed the marathon leg at the Standard Chartered Ironman Korea and is taking on the Sydney Marathon this weekend, and the 2006/7 series of 4 marathons known as The Greatest Race on Earth finishing in Hong Kong on 4th March 2006.
Welcome to the race4innocence and good luck Ying!
If you would like to join the race4innocence please email info@race4innocence.com
Interview with Mike DeNoma
16th January, by Rena Teng
Hi Mike, thanks for allowing me to steal 5-10 minutes of time from your hectic schedule.
My pleasure Rena.
Can you tell me more about the Race4innocence? It seems like you have set yourself some pretty difficult challenges.
1228 km does seem a long way. But if I can help even in a small way to protect the innocence of young children, then every km is worth it.
What is most disturbing about child pornography is because of the Internet a growing proportion of children being abused are under the age of 6 and many are infants and the abuse that they suffer is becoming more violent.
Child pornography has become and epidemic on the Internet. It is a difficult subject to talk about and even more difficult to stop. But as Einstein once said "The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people that don't do anything about it."
So you started the Race4innocence in October?
That's right the first leg to the race for innocence is
The Greatest Race on Earth and I have just completed the Mumbai marathon – the third in the four marathon series that makes up the greatest race. My first marathon was in Nairobi, followed by Singapore in December and Mumbai is the third.
So tell me more about the Nairobi Marathon. How did you do? What did you finish?
Nairobi was challenging for me because of the mile high altitude of the race. And the first 10km of the race is tough as its uphill.
The competition was as always fierce amongst us back markers. It's amazing how competitive people are, even when it takes 30 minutes to make up 10 metres on a fellow competitor. I finished in 5 hours and 5 minutes, with my 15lb backpack – so I was happy.
Running with a 15lb backpack? Why on earth did you have the backpack on?
I was also training for the Marathon Des Sables, a desert race in Morocco. I'm going to have to carry a 25lb backpack with my water in it each day during that race.
Was there anything in particular about Nairobi that struck you the most?
There is a wonderful running culture in Nairobi. It was humbling to see barefooted athletes running past me in the race. There was even this little boy picking up the bottles that runners threw along the way. He was walking faster than I was running!
How about Singapore?
Fantastic event organization and a great turnout! There were many world-class athletes in the Singapore Leg and new records were set.
I heard that you had a problem? What happened?
I changed the electrolyte drink that I normally drink and my body didn't respond well to and my calves locked up.
Oh dear! So did you finish the race?
Sure. I fast walked most of the last 9-10 kilometers. I was running well up to that point so I still managed to finish under 5 hours.
Did it take long for you to recover?
It took 2 days for me to recuperate. And this is something that my coach has been advising me to work on - I need rapid recovery from each of my races as I continue to train for Marathon Des Sables - a week long race across the desert.
What is your training regime like?
In Singapore, I train 7 times in a week, putting in 1-2 hours every weekday and 2-6 hours a day on the weekends.
Last December, I went to Fraser Island, Australia, (the largest sand island in the world) for a training camp. The first day I ran about 4 hours, then 7 hours on the second and 4 hours again on the third, covering about 95-100km in all.
I didn't quite fit the scene as I was running on the beaches, with my 25lb backpack, wearing a desert hat. I was an odd sight!
Running on sand is tough – twice as much effort to go half as fast!
Speaking of odd sight…from the videos of the Mumbai Marathon, I saw that you were wearing the elite number 1 tag. Isn't that for the fastest runner? Or last year's champion?
Ha ha…the upside and downside of being the title sponsor of an event! Our India management thought I should have the number 1 tag and it was too late to change once I found out.
I got some really odd looks from the real elite runners as we gathered at the start line. I am quite sure they were all confused and wondering, "How did the old man, lugging a backpack, get the 'Number 1' tag?"
You are just too humble. But I thought it was your 2nd best race among the three marathons? So was Mumbai another training stint?
Yes ... I was running with a 15lb backpack. And, yes ... I finished the Mumbai race in 4 hours and 58 minutes.
How was the race?
There was great camaraderie. The national television was there to cover the entire race and there was a buzz about the place. I felt good as the race started at 8 a.m. but it was already HOT! It was even hotter between 11-1pm. But the encouragement and support from our staff and the crowds was fantastic. And of course, there were little boys and girls on the streets, watching the race and they were all shouting, "Hey Number 1. What's wrong? You need to run faster and catch up, Number 1!"
You may want to consider the Number 1 Tag as a permanent fixture for your future races. Thank you for your time once again, Mike. All the best for your next race in Hong Kong.
Thank you.
Watch this space as Mike shares his experience of the Harbour Race, happening on 12th February 2006.
