I started my running journey back in 2017 as somewhat of an “accident” as I was hoping to get into another CCA instead. Coupled with the fact that training was physically arduous, the lack of drive and motivation ultimately resulted in me finding means and ways to skip training. It wasn't until the start of secondary 2 where I started taking training more seriously, but then I met with my next hurdle - a coach that didn’t fully believe in my capabilities. I still vividly remember how I had managed to clock a reasonable timing for the 800m event and yet when I had inquired whether I can be potentially selected for the following year’s 800m school team, my then coach simply said that I was “too slow”. From then on each and every single training session felt like a chore - no matter how hard I trained, it just never seemed to bear the fruits of my labour. That was until I was introduced to FWCC and ultimately Coach Fabian late 2019. When I first started being coached by Coach Fabian, I was initially apprehensive as I had thought that it was going to be a repeat of whatever I had experienced the past 3 years. Thankfully I was proven wrong and it turns out Coach Fabian was someone who believed in me and my capabilities - to the extent that I never thought possible. However, my time being coached under him was cut short by the whole COVID 19 pandemic and the fact that I was sitting for my last year in secondary school education. Before I knew it I was on my way to joining RJC and its cross country team. The first year of training was sadly met with a disappointing end as our season was yet again cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic. However in early 2022, a coach switch was made and coincidentally, Coach Fabian was appointed as our new coach. Safe to say, the first training truly felt like deja vu - in a good way of course. Training was still, if not even more, physically arduous building up to season but Coach Fabian was there for me and the team every single step of the way. Being the captain of my school team, I had the privilege to work alongside Coach Fabian in bringing the team together and could genuinely see how much he cared for us. The extent of Coach Fabian's faith and belief in every single one of us can be explicitly seen during training. One such incident would be when the wheels of the NSG track season of 2022 had just kicked into motion - I was extremely nervous and was doubtful that I could ever achieve my goal of winning a medal during an NSG. But Coach Fabian told me something that I will never forget which is that “the hard work has already been done during every single training for the past few months, now all that’s left is for you to race”, and he was right. In 2022 not only did I achieve my goal of winning a medal, our girls cross country team had actually managed to clinch the elusive gold. Coach Fabian is never one to shy away from taking the extra mile too. The day before my 3000m finals, I was feeling some tightness in my hamstrings - in need of some sort of release through physio, only the problem was that it was a sunday and the physio clinic wasn’t open. Panicking, I messaged Coach Fabian about the problem and without even a second of hesitation, he told me that he and his wife, Aunty Jinde, would come down to the clinic to help release my hamstrings. I was obviously extremely “paiseh” but also grateful that

Coach Fabian was willing to help me even if it meant that he was going out of his way to help his athlete.

To say the least, I'm beyond thankful to Coach Fabian as he has helped me and my team to achieve things that we had never even dreamed possible to reach. Though some (many, actually) trainings will make you question your sanity mid way through, trust me when I say that at the end of the day it will be worth it and Coach Fabian and his team will be with you every single step of the way. Coach Dillon has also been extremely supportive of the team too, being there every single training and encouraging us along the way (and “tahaning” our nonsense every now and then). I look forward to resuming training with FWCC and aim for greater heights:)

• 3000m BRONZE MEDALIST - 2022 A Division National School Games Track & Field Championships

• 1500m BRONZE MEDALIST - 2022 A Division National School Games Track & Field Championships

• 4 x 400m BRONZE MEDALIST - 2022 A Division National School Games Track & Field Championships

• 2ND PLACE INDIVIDUAL - 2022 A Division National School Games Cross Country Championships

• TEAM GOLD - 2022 A Division National School Games Cross Country Championships