51 year old Mum runs 84km UltraMarathon!!

Impossible is Nothing to Her
Source: Article from The Straits Times, 20th May 2009

Madam Shirny Phoe will be the oldest woman to run the 84km adidas Sundown UltraMarathon this year.

COME May 30, Madam Shirny Phoe will attempt a feat that would put many younger Singaporeans to shame.

At 51, she will be the oldest woman to run the 84km adidas Sundown UltraMarathon this year. Mypaper reported that there will be over 10,000 runners participating in four race categories: the 84km ultramarathon, the 42km marathon, the women's 10km, and the team or corporate-challenge event.

Married to a Singaporean, the Indonesian-born mother of three has participated in nine long-distance races since she started running in 2002.

The tanned and toned 1.56m-tall housewife has a body that women 20 years younger would be proud to have.

She started training for the marathon three months ago and runs four times a week with her running mates. Her workouts vary from 8km to a 55km Bishan to Seletar route - not bad for someone who used to jog just 2.4km.

Her exercise regimen also includes tri-weekly sessions of yoga, body combat and aerobics.

Besides her love for sports, her family drives her passion for fitness. Watching her Indonesian mother battle diabetes and fly regularly to Singapore for treatment, Madam Phoe is determined to remain healthy for her own children.

Nevertheless, her 52-year old husband, Mr Vincent Lee, is worried. The electrical contractor, who will cheer her on during the night race, said: 'I don't know if she can make it. I'm not sure how I'm going to check on her during the race. Maybe I'll just wait at the finish line.'

But Madam Phoe remains unperturbed. Aside from the ultra- marathon, her eyes are already set on another feat: to complete a triathlon.

The unassuming woman's simple advice to other would-be marathoners: 'You can do it if you really want to.'

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Mr.Keropok's Thoughts:

Wow! I am just so amazed with Mdm Phoe and her determination in running the marathons and even the bigger dream of completing the triathlon! Puts many of us youngsters to shame man!

She's definitely an example of an overcomer and resilient person.

We don't need to run a marathon just to prove that we are good. But what matters is that in our daily living, she show that little bit more of determination in completing whatever we have set out to do - that's good enough for me.

I like what one of my youths quoted me, "I may be PES C physically, but I will not be PES C mentally!"