Are you missing our Wednesday runs? If you are regular runner with RD, you will be familiar with the strength training sessions that Nicholas conducts after each session. Learn all about his different passions in this issue’s Feature Friday.

Men in black – looking after the well-being of pacers – that’s him on extreme left

RD: Let’s start from the beginning. When was your first pacing stint?

Nic: 2013, 5:30 group. There were so many of us – Andrew Lee, Uncle Simon, Raymond, Chris Cheow, Jason, Huey Yun. Many of these pacers are still with RD! It was a memorable time.

RD: Talking about memorable, you have an unforgettable booming voice. How did that come about?

Nic: I was in NPCC in secondary school. We were trained to use our diaphragm to project when calling commands. It is a large powerful muscle so you don’t have to strain your vocal chords. I am still serving as an Assistant Superintendent Police (NPCC).

RD: Interesting, will that also help in running? Level up to elite level?

Nic: Learning to breath properly will help in running. Many new runners breathe from their chest instead of their diaphragm, limiting their oxygen intake and end up gasping for breaths. Find a good rhythm and focus on breathing from the belly. Let me check with my friend Haile on your other question.

RD: Thanks for the tip! You have been helping RD with training, strength conditioning and cooling down sets. Where did you learn all these skills?

Nic in his element, “run up the hills…..” (Photo credit: Eric Huang)

Nic: I used to run a lot to relieve stress as a student. Basically, I learnt about fatigue and over-training the hard way. It took me some time to realise my mistake as I started to talk to other runners. I’ve also been a certified Les Mills body combat instructor for many years. It taught me many aspects of sports: nutrition, recovery, progressive loading, body mechanics and muscle types.

RD: Sounds like a holistic programme. Are there any other interests that you are currently pursuing?

Nic: I’m currently taking a sports massage course. It’s one of the subjects that I am curious about – especially as my physiotherapist has talked about it from time to time. I feel like it’s a missing piece in this fitness puzzle, a knowledge gap.

RD: You are a lifetime learner! What else can we learn about you?

Nic: I’ve worked for a period at Swensen’s so I can make ice cream, and I’m also a trained barista. Anybody wants to open a café?

RD: No thanks…….just hoping for RD runs to resume so we can run together again.