Measuring performance

The most improved runners of 2005

This analysis was done based on the One Lap Savannah Race on
Wednesday March 09, 2005 at the Queen’s Park Savannah.

It's nice to see someone come in and give a spectacular performance, as in the case of the CariFin 2005 Female Cross Country Race at Sevilla Golf Course on Sunday May 01, 2005.

Kerry Wilson shined on that day, pulling away fantastically from the field to win the race that was definitely up for grabs (without any clear favorites). (It brings in that human drama in sports which is so refreshing).

When we look at the male category - Joel Bharat stamping his dominance in the male category, in such a way to say he understands what it takes to be a true winner - from Urban Challenge to CariFin Family Day, he ran away with all the first prizes.

Credit must be given to the participants who for over two years have stuck to the grind and believed in making themselves better, improved their performance, and excelled at CariFin. 

Inherently, this is what CariFin is all about.  Helping to motivate people to change their attitude and behaviors as it relates to their personal responsibility to improving and maintaining their health and fitness and leading a more active life.

Sometimes the people who make the biggest improvements in their performance as it relates to their finishing times are not the top athletes, but the guys and ladies who are in the middle of the pack.  Those who manage a three-day per week training, or the weekend warriors, or those who see the necessity to take control of their health and fitness by maintaining a regular training regimen.

In 2005 Helen Aberdeen of RBTT Bank quietly but distinctly, distinguished herself as such a person.  Showing that high level of commitment, determination, and that burning desire for improving her time over the previous year.  As her improvement was much more significant than what was achieved by the other female runners, she was the most impressive.

In 2004 she finished in 39.45 mins. placing 34th (fourth to last) at the Queen’s Park Savannah out of thirty seven participants and placing 35th overall.  She improved her time to 31.25 mins. in 2005.  A massive leap of eight minutes and twenty seconds, a huge improvement.  How did she manage - a plus eight minute improvement? What motivated her?  What was some of the things she did?

It would be nice to know what the dynamics here were.

CariFin Roving Reporter: What was training like after you posted 39.45 in 2004 and finish thirty fourth ?

Helen Aberdeen: I was in the gym… my husband runs…he encouraged me ….. Running around Queen's Park Savannah with my husband in addition to doing the gym.

 CRR: How many times per week did you train?
HA: Three days most weeks.

CRR: What was the motivating factor for you that moved you to this level of consistency in training?
HA: My doctor told me that I needed to start exercising.

CRR: What races did you do in 2004 and how did they help you to improve.
HA: No…. only race I did was CariFin … my co-workers encourage me to participate in CariFin

CRR: Are you looking forward to increasing your time our One Lap Savannah on March 29, 2006 and what time do you think you could do?
HA: I definitely would like to….even if it is by a minute

CRR: How is your training coming along for 2006?
HA: I will say good…. I am in the gym and doing a little training session

There are four women who were part of the 2004 one Lap Savannah Race and participated again in 2005 and mproved their performance.

Sharon Belmontes of ALGICO made the second highest jump in performance in 2005.  In 2004 she did 21.36 placing ninth and improved to 19.54 in 2005, placing fourth.

Wendy D’arbasie of Central Bank placed fourth in the One Lap Savannah in 2004 in a time of 19.34 and won the event for the first time in 2005 in an improved time of 18.53 a thirty-nine seconds improvement.  She also took first place in the One Mile race at the Sand Track Q.P.S. and the Mini Cross Country at the Botanic Gardens.

Mayon Dragon of Central Bank managed to maintain the same time of 30.21 she did in 2004 while placing 20th out of thirty-seven and doing the same time in 2005, while placing 34th out of forty-six.

The men
Joel Bharat of First Citizens Bank won the male One Lap Race in 12.43 and improved his time by 19 seconds over his 2004 time of 13.02.

 Miguel Mohammed of RBTT improved by 7 minutes, Michael Luces of Central Bank did a big 39 seconds and Robert De Silva did 20 seconds.

 Robert De Silva of RBTT Bank finished sixth in 2004 with a time of 15.44.  In 2005 he placed fifth in 15.24 an improvement of 20 seconds.

 Michael Luces is the biggest jumper in terms of performance in the male category of the One Lap Savannah.  He did 15.42 in 2004 placing fifth and doing 15.03 in 2005 while placing in an improved fourth position.
Michael Luces – the son of the more famous and internationally known Granny Luces showed that the chip didn’t fall too far away from the block.  He demonstrated a kind of tenacity, commitment to one’s goal and determination to up his game and he had a much improved CariFin 2005.

 We caught with Michael in his very busy schedule and asked him a few questions pertaing to his improvement and training.

CariFin Roving Reporter.
“You had a good race at the One Lap Savannah last year, you did an improved time of 15.03  from 15.42 in 2004, what would you say accounted for that?”

 Michael Luces:
“Consistency and hard work…. I also worked on my technique using the “pose method of running”

 CRR: “What is your training like this year?”
ML: I wasn’t able to do much training this year. I have just started back my training. When I am training I go for three times a week, which is mostly hills and a long run on weekends.

 CRR: “How do you feel to know that you are the most improved runner for 2005?”
ML: I feel good about being the most improved runner for 2005, the hard work paid off well. I know if I continue training hard I will be one of the top runners in the financial sector, but to achieve that I have to be consistent.

 CRR: “We look forward to seeing you at this year’s One Lap Savannah Run, what to expect from you and good luck.”
ML: I will be trying hard to improve on my 2005 time.