Brendan Lee - Aiming for 2hr 55min in SSCM 2010

Brendan Lee
With 3 months of proper training, improving his marathon time from 3hr 54min in 2008 SSCM to 3hrs 05mins in Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon (SSCM) 2009.

Picture 1 - Brendan, a triathlete and a marathoner combined

It was last year that I met Brendan Lee, a triathlete, during the marathon training sessions we were having together with Ashley Liew, Dr Ben Tan, Dr Benny Goh, Daniel Ling, Lim Thow Wee, Amrit Singh and the Hwa Chong Institution (college) boys. We were all training together twice per week and train on our own on all other days.

Picture 2 - Brendan and Ashley Liew (2nd in Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon 2009) are partners during workouts.

Brendan Lee, who is at present studying in Singapore Management University, wanted to improve his middle distance running by doing some form of stamina work during October, November and December. He entered the marathon race in the Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon 2009 race for fun but with proper preparation as compared to the past. Eventually, he ran a 3hr 05min, in his first serious marathon race.

I realised that, with not much training, he was able to do an excellent time and it was a tremendous progress. What a guy! I decided to tell him the truth that he is capable of doing a sub 3hrs this year. He became very motivated and is currently gunning for a sub 3hrs for this year's Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon 2010 race. Having said that, I will be interviewing Brendan on his coming race on Dec 5 and also ask him some other interesting questions as well.

Picture 3 - Brendan Lee (center), during the Inter-Varsity 5km track race.

An interview with Brendan Lee

What is your passion?

My passion is in running as well as cycling.

Can you share with me the places that you train?
I usually train at CCAB, East Coast Park, Pasir Ris Park, Fort Canning as well as Macritchie.

What is your personal best for last year's Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon in year 2009?
My pb is 3hr 05min 28s

Picture 4 - His friends who did the Army Half - Marathon 2010 (Xander Huang, Ashley Liew and Amrit Singh)

Any thoughts that is coming to your mind now?
CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT FROM MY AWESOME SMURTS TEAM! (Singapore Management University, triathlon team)

Picture 5 - The SMURTS (below) that Brendan Lee is mentioning.

What do you think about the route for the Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon 2010?

I think that the new route is really interesting, as we will have a different start and end point for the first time. However, as mentioned by all the other runners, the run up sheare’s bridge at 37km will be something that everyone should be wary of. This is the time when cramps and fatigue starts setting in, so it is important to pace yourself correctly.

What kind of time are you hoping for?
I’m aiming for a time of 2hrs 55mins or faster.

Picture 6 - The Inter-Varsity Track and Field Team 2010 of SMURTS

What is your long term goal for 5km and 10km in running?

I prefer to race longer distances on the road as compared to the track and I hope to be able to do below 17.30 for 5km and below 36min for 10km in the near future. For the long term, definitely below 17min for 5km, and 35min for 10km.

How do you balance studies with training?

I normally run in the morning and at night, studying in between. I find that it allows me to have a uninterupted block in the afternoon for studying and to go to school as well.

How is your support from your parents?

My parents thoroughly support my running endeavours by letting me have the car to drive to training as well as reminding me to take glucosamine as well as vitamin pills and to make sure that my shoes are not too worn out.

How about your girlfriend's support?
I’m grateful to my girlfriend, Jia Min, as well. She’s always supportive of my long training hours and never fails to be by my side when I fall sick or get injured.

How many marathons have you run so far?
I have done 3 marathons so far. The Sundown and Standard Chartered marathon in 2008 were ran without much proper training. As for the Standard Chartered marathon in 2009, it was the first time training that I was training very hard for it and achieve a good time.

What is your long term goal for marathon?
My long term goal is to be able to do sub 2hr 45min, and most importantly, to have a long running career like Dr Ben Tan, Dr Benny Goh and Mr Rameshon.

Picture 7 - Brendan Lee has got very good running style.