Race Media

Spotted: a Family Man on Singapore Trails

 “I will always ensure that I get to give my wife and two beautiful daughters a hug before I leave for races” said Alvin Png.

 Alvin Ping interview leading up to MSIG Singapore Action Asia 50 and after his 2nd place 100km finish in Mongolia

Q1. How did you develop your love and interest in running?

A1: I was initially a road cyclist for many years. I started to get really interested in running after witnessing a friend ran round Singapore in a fund raising ultra-event in 2010. After I got out there and did it myself, it was no turning back. To me, trail running is running free, running wild, exploring, and moving.

 

Q2. Ideal trail running course and distance for beginners?

A2: MacRitchie and Green corridor are all good beginners trail running courses in Singapore. These trails are generally not too technical which allow new comers to build up confidence particularly on footing.

As for the distance, I would recommend people to keep the approach as gradual as possible. One can start out doing just a couple of km to test things out first. From there, adjust the distances accordingly, but always remember to listen to the body. It will tell you when you are ready to increase the distances. Even for seasoned road runners who are making the jump over to trail running. It's imperative to start out gradually as well because trail running taxes the body in a much different manner than road running does.

 

Q3. What is your typical race day routine?  Do you have any prerace superstitions?

A3: I must have my coffee before the race start particularly for races that start in the morning.

I do not have any prerace superstitions but I will always ensure that I get to give my wife and two beautiful daughters a hug before I leave for races. Another thing I must have with me is the lucky rainbow loom bracelet that my girls made for me.

 

Q4. What makes you continue to enjoy running?

A4: Running is more like a lifestyle for me. I love the feeling of freedom it gives me. I appreciate the time alone to think about things while I'm doing my solo runs. Other times, I enjoy switching off and going into the zone while cruising along. This makes me feel very at peace. With that being said, I doubt I'll never stop.

 

Q5. How would you prepare for the MSIG Singapore AA 50?

A5: I keep most of my runs at an easy aerobic pace/heart rate. I'll try to put in some faster workouts like fartleks, tempo runs and hill intervals once or twice a week one month leading up to an event.

 

Q6. Can you share some advice in your running career?

A6: One thing I learnt after lots of trial and error on training methods and nutrition. Every individual is different and special. One got to be bold and experimental. Don't be afraid to try out new things eventually you will find what works for you and what doesn't. It is also imperative to take things easy and learn to manage stress, be it training or everyday stressors.

 

Alvin Png - 愛家也愛越野跑的好男人

Alvin Png：「我每次在出門參加比賽之前，一定會擁抱我的太太和兩個美麗的女兒。」

 

Q1: 你是怎麼愛上跑步的？

A1：我其實是公路單車手很多年了。直到2010年，我才開始對跑步感興趣，因為那年我見證了一個朋友參加新加坡某個環島超馬的慈善活動。而從我第一次接觸越野跑之後，就再也停不下來了。對我來說，越野跑是跑的自由，野外，探索和不斷向前的精神。

Q2：你認為怎樣的跑道及距離適合越野跑新手呢？

A2：新加坡的麦里芝水庫區和綠色走廊都是很適合越野跑新手的跑道。因為技術性難度都不高，所以剛剛開始跑越野跑的朋友們可以慢慢建立跑步的自信。

而距離方面，我建議大家儘量循序漸進。第一次跑的新手可以從幾公里開始跑，然後根據自己身體的適應情況調節越野跑的距離。其實有經驗的路跑選手剛剛開始接觸越野跑的時候也應該這樣，因為越野跑對身體的消耗和要求和路跑十分不同。

Q3：你比賽當日習慣做些什麼？有賽前迷信或一定要做的事和帶在身上東西麼？

A3：我比賽前一定要喝咖啡，特別是那些早晨開始的比賽。我沒有什麼賽前迷信，但我每次在出門比賽之前，一定會擁抱我的太太和兩個美麗的女兒。還有我一定會帶我的女兒們給我做的彩虹色的帆布幸運手鏈。

Q4：是什麼讓你五年後的今天還依舊享受跑步的感覺？

A4：跑步是我的一種生活方式。我喜歡跑步給我帶來的自由。我很享受一個人跑步，獨自思考的時間。有時候，我也會關掉家裡的電視電腦，出門邊跑邊感受這個在眼前的世界。跑步能讓我十分平靜。正因為如此，我可能一輩子都會這麼跑下去吧。

Q5：你會如何為MSIG新加坡動感亞洲50做準備？

A5：我平時訓練的時候基本都儘量保持有一個平穩的速度 / 心跳。在比賽前一個月開始，我會試著每個星期加入一兩次速度較快的健身方式，比如：法特萊克訓練法（Fartlek）、節奏跑（Tempo Run）和山坡間歇跑（Hill Intervals）。

Q6：可以分享一些跑步的建議給大家嗎？

A6：在訓練方式及營養補充等方面犯過很多錯誤之後，我學到的很重要的一點就是，每個人都是特別和不同的。跑手們要大膽，要敢於嘗試新的事物。最終你一定會總結出什麼是適合你自身的，什麼是不合適的。另外，學會放鬆和壓力調節很有必要，不論是訓練還是每天都要面對的生活壓力。