1st Report - Qua Bi Qi, Gambles Her Way To Win Nat Sch X-Country 2011

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(1) Jeevanesh's Interview
(2) National Schools' Cross Country B and C Division Performance of Boys and Girls.

From Hwa Chong Institution (College) -  National Schools' A Division Champion (4.1km Race)

Name : Qua Bi Qi -  Doing Canoe as a CCA.

Picture 1 - The Hwa Chong Team (A Division Boys and Girls) 

What was your aim during the race?

I was having a conversative approach to this race. I wanted to come in as one of the top runner. Mr Wee Tong, my canoe teacher in-charge told me that I should aim for top 3 and follow the top runner and aim for first, if given the opportunity. Mr Ram told me to take a consevative approach and go for the top girl but give a safe distance in order not to get lactate in the blood which will tire me at the last portion of the race.

How was the start of the race?

I knew that the race was 4.1km in total. At the start of the race, I just chased some of the runners who were at the top and had a clear advantage of not being blocked. I was following behind the two RJC girls - Mok Ying Rong and Wan Zara. I think Belle of ACJC was behind us. Debbie Ho of Hwa Chong was also in contention for the top 6 position.

Tell us the details on the race to the finish?

After the start, at the 900m mark, I was still following the two runners from RJC. I did not do any thing to push the pace and I was a few metres behind both of them. (I told myself to wait for the right moment if the opportunity arises, if there is a chance for top 3, may be even first. Mr Ram and Mr Quek told me that I am in contention for first. )

At the 1. 500m mark, the two girls were still leading and I was still following them from a distance.

At the sandtrack (about 1.7km mark), I was about 10m from Wan Zara and Mok Ying Rong. It was here that I felt myself comfortable and started closing up the gap.

By the last 400m, at the 3.7km mark, I started to take a gamble to over take Wan Zara, as I was not sure of whose finish kick was faster - Wan Zara's or mine. Earlier, Mok Ying Rong started to drop back from the sandtrack to the link to the Temasek Poly. I was not sure why but  I felt that she may not be feeling well. I still had a bit of stress that Wan Zara may catch up on me. The feeling such, all the way, until the last 70 metres of the home stretch. At that point, I was feeling very confident that I am going to be the champion for the day. After the finish, I realised that I have achieved first for the National Schools' Cross-Country 2011,  'A' Division Girls.

Picture 2 - (Left to Right) Rameshon, Guo Chang, Chen Si Jia, Sherilyn Loh, Samantha Lim, Debbie Ho, Qua Bi Qi, Francois, Chloe Choy and Gwen.

How did your friends feel about the race?

They felt proud of my achievement. 

What was your training like for this race?

I was strictly training for canoeing. It gave me very good stamina for the race.  

How did the family feel about this?

Happy.

Who were the most surprised?

My friends were very surprised. I have to thank my school and Mr Quek, my canoe teacher in-charge, to keep Mr Rameshon constantly updated on my own training program and to allow me to run in this race and give me the opportunity to win in this race. I would like to thank Mr Ram for having full faith in my training and giving me the slot to run, even though I risked the chance of not running.  There was team work by both Mr Wee Tong and Mr Ram in communication.

Name the top 4 individual runners?

I was first. Second, third and fourth place went to Wan Zara, Belle Tan and Debbie Ho, respectively.