Looking to push herself beyond her comfort zone in 2024, Shannon Taylor Wong decided to challenge herself by taking on her first half-marathon
New Balance’s new running philosophy, ‘Run Your Way’ has been at the forefront of removing sterotypes, giving anyone who wants to run — be it socially or competitively — a means to celebrate their individuality. Pace and distance aside, ‘Run Your Way’ shows that there is no wrong way, only your way. In this collaboration feature between New Balance and Nagoya City Marathon, SportPlus.sg finds out how this philosophy has helped with preparing individuals for their races.
Be it effortlessly thrusting 100kg with her hips or doing rep after rep of strength training, you may have seen her on your social media feeds. Soon, Shannon Taylor Wong will be swapping indoor gyms for the streets of Japan as she prepares for her first half marathon.
As a strength training connoisseur, the fitness, lifestyle and travel content creator prides herself on her physical strength. Her journey towards her toned physique and a healthy lifestyle saw her trudge along the paths of HIIT, CrossFit and every arm, back and leg workout known to man.
Having pushed her physical limits in gyms across the country, there was only one thing left which Shannon wanted to conquer, and that was a long-distance race. Her wish finally came true when she was offered the opportunity to participate in the Nagoya City Marathon, and the 25-year-old is excited to be Nagoya bound.
So, what does it take for a strength focused athlete like Shannon to compete in her first 21.1km race? SportPlus.sg sat down with Shannon to have a chat and find out about her preparations for Nagoya.
What made you want to join your first half-marathon?
Shannon: I wanted to push myself beyond what I was comfortable with in terms of my fitness levels. Being someone who is experienced in strength training, HIIT, CrossFit and maybe even yoga, I've never really pushed myself to finish such a long distanced run. This is my time and year to push myself beyond what I'm already familiar with.
Can you share a little about how it’s been going from strength training to long distance running?
Shannon: Honestly, it's been so difficult! People may think if you've been doing HIIT for a long time, running should be easy since you have the cardio and stamina aspect settled but no!
Running is so much more than just a physical kind of game which we’re a little more used to in HIIT. There is a huge mental side to it. Running long distances is hard for me because I have nothing else to think about and distract myself.
To help, I make up scenarios in my head! If I see a couple running past, I make up a love story. If I see a dog, I imagine what they're thinking.
What kind of adjustments did you have to make to your lifestyle going from CrossFit to running?
Shannon: Firstly, my diet. I realised that because I have been running pretty much every day, my energy levels and my hunger levels have increased significantly. One lifestyle change is that I have been eating way more carbs than usual. Previously, I used to be more focused on protein because when it comes to strength training, you're looking at muscle growth.
Secondly, the frequency in which I run has definitely increased. In the past, I think I only ran once every two weeks. Now, because I'm training for Nagoya, I think I run six times a week which is a steep learning curve for me. But it's good, I love the change.
How has your running journey been so far?
Shannon: My running journey has been pretty good in terms of my progress. I've been quite happy with it actually! When I first started training for Nagoya, to be really honest with you, 5km was already my max. Previously, I never ran anything more than that.
Now, I'm able to run 10km which I'm really proud of. I mean, okay it's not 21.1km yet but baby steps! You can't just all of a sudden run 15km in one day. You always have to progress slowly. I have three more weeks to the marathon and you know what, I'm really excited!
Is there anything that you’ve learned about yourself while training for your first half-marathon?
Shannon: I learned that I am not as mentally strong as I thought I was. When it comes to strength training, people are like: “Come on, two more sets! Five more reps!"
Easy. You want 15 more? I can give you 20. But asking me to run almost every single day…six times a week…and long distance? The mental strength training is crazy! I think the biggest change I saw in myself since starting to train is my mental strength. You have to get used to running such a long distance while listening to the same songs. Actually, maybe I should make a playlist huh?
Can you share with us your biggest motivator?
Shannon: My biggest motivation was the need to better myself one percent each day and to be a better version of myself than the day before.
What's it like being part of a team of ladies heading up to the Nagoya Marathon from Singapore?
Shannon: It will be really empowering. Not only will it be my first actual half marathon, it’ll be alongside all these physically and mentally strong women. I feel like it’ll be very powerful and refreshing to know there’s so many other women going through this journey with you.
What are you looking forward to most in Nagoya?
Shannon: Two things! The weather, firstly. Singapore is just too hot. I cant wait to experience my first half marathon in the cooling weather. It’s going to be a completely different experience. Number two, the food! I love Japan. Sushi, sashimi, you name it. They're all my favourites so I just can't wait to eat.
What do you hope to achieve for yourself in Nagoya?
Shannon: I set a goal of between two and two and a half hours to complete it. I know it may be easy to some but for such a long distance which is something I'm not really used to and considering my short training time, i think its a reasonable goal for myself.
What does 'Run Your Way' mean to you?
Shannon: 'Run Your Way' is something very personal to me. Whether it's running your way, strength training your way or CrossFitting your way, it’s a very powerful message that says 'this is your own journey'. It's a competition between me, myself and I.
You're trying to progress everyday and even if it's just by one percent, you're pushing yourself to get better. The beautiful thing about it is you're not using someone else, but yourself as your motivation.
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