Singapore #Fitspo of the Week: Benjamin Wee and Marina Chen
Life goes beyond the digits on the scale and your body is capable of so much more. Yahoo’s #Fitspo of the Week series is dedicated to inspirational men and women in Singapore leading healthy and active lifestyles. Have someone to recommend? Hit Cheryl up on Instagram or Facebook.
Name: Benjamin Wee (@zxbenjaminxz)/Marina Chen (@marinagiggles)
Age: 27/33
Height: 1.81m/1.70m
Weight: 74kg/62kg
Occupation: Account manager/executive assistant
Status: Married to each other
Diet: Less fried food, soupier stuff, occasional fast food/No specific diet, just try to avoid supper and fried food
Training: 2 swims, 2 bike rides, 1 mid-distance run a week/lunchtime yoga, 2 evening swims or runs, cycling during the weekend
Q: How did you get into the sport of triathlon?
Benjamin: I was doing pacer training back for the Newton Challenge 2014 when I saw a few cyclists pass and they looked really cool. I nudged one of my teammates and he told me that it’d be impossible for me to pick up that skill. Triggered by his words, I went to explore and came upon the sport of triathlon, without prior knowledge of swimming or cycling.
Marina: I started road cycling in the year 2012 and saw friends from my cycling group participated in Ironman races. They convinced me to join the Port Dickson International Triathlon in 2013 and I completed it using breaststroke for the swim. It got me thinking after that experience and I decided to learn freestyle to pursue this further.
What are your backgrounds in sports?
B: I was never the sporty type till I reached puberty, where I started joining sports meets, and also played racket games and ball sports. Then I had to take a hiatus from fitness in polytechnic because I was managing studies and part-time work.
M: My cycling days go way back to primary school when I cycled daily on a market bicycle (which is a lot bigger than myself) to tuition classes. As I was always late for lessons, I had to sprint with a 15kg bicycle to class. I guessed that was part of “strength and conditioning” that eventually helped me in running in secondary school. I represented my school for cross-country.
What was your first triathlon and how did it go?
B: 2016 Ironman 70.3 Vietnam. It was chaotic! I have never felt so breathless and so worn down. But it was worthwhile when I crossed the finishing line, because that was when I proposed to Marina.
M: My first race was the OSIM mini triathlon in 2007. I swam breaststroke in my running shorts and swim top, cycled with a rented mountain bicycle from East Coast Park and ran in a Giordano tank top. I ran my lungs out and crossed the finish line only to realise I’ve missed a loop on my bike leg. I told myself I would never do a triathlon again.
What is it about the sport that you like so much?
B: Due to its nature, it is ever-changing where things you least expect can happen. It forces you to adapt to the changes on course and overcome adversities to hear that statement, “You are an Ironman!”
M: I like how it’s ever-changing on the race and how much I get to know myself even better at every race. It’s never the same, even when I return to the same race.
What are some of the highlights of your triathlon journey so far?
B: I would say, overcoming the fear of picking up new skills like swimming and cycling. Also, conquering a full Ironman race in my first year of cycling at Ironman Western Australia 2016.
M: I found my best friend, buddy and husband too!
What are your goals for the sport now?
B: To enjoy the sport and the process towards every finishing line.
M: We aim to race the Ironman World Championship in Kona at least once in our lifetime. Also, we are focused on racing injury-free with a lot more strength and conditioning.
Are there any advantages or disadvantages being in the same sport as a couple?
B: I never have to justify the sports equipment I purchase – I guess that is a plus. At the same time, we’d be willing to spend more on sports equipment than on our dates.
M: It’s a double-edged sword. We always convince (poison) each other to purchase new bikes, new triathlon suits, new shoes and more. And we also spend a lot of money on race registration fees and race holidays… yet we do not convince each other to earn more money. However, we get to save a lot on movie tickets as we are always training together.
When did you feel the least confident about yourself?
B: When I was enlisted into army. Back then I struggled through the NAPFA fitness test and slacked off. I put on a whopping 10-plus kilograms and ended up being 85kg. Everyone in my section were super fit and getting gold or silver in their IPPT while I failed badly. To make matters worse, their physique made me feel intimidated. One day I decided to put in the extra effort to do more bodyweight exercise before I sleep every day and the rest is history.
M: The time when someone important walked out of my life. I overcame it with the love I was showered from my family and very close friends. I wanted to be confident for the people who love and care for me and I would never risk going back there just to make them worry.
Are you satisfied with your body now and why?
B: I would say there is more work that can be done to improve the physique and the fitness – but I am happy with who I am.
M: Yes! I am healthy and I love my imperfections as they make me who I am. No one is perfect.
Do you get any comments about your body?
B: Tons. The most common comment I get is – “You are an Ironman, how come you have love handles?” I would just laugh it off and continue to be confident and see how I can improve. Any comment is good feedback.
M: All the time. I take it that I am worth their time.
