She hit stardom at the marathon scene in KL when she was the youngest to complete the KL Tower Marathon 2015. Standing tall (from the tower) and proud, we had a chat with the vibrant little girl.
For the 8-year-old Natasha, her playground is the running track. After her first 5KM run at the Energizer Night Race, she was soon participating in races under 8KM with her mentor, Aunt Linda.
“On my first run, I didn’t expect anything, except I was complaining every 200m, asking my aunt, ‘Are we there yet?’” said Natasha, who had her cheerleaders, her dad and Aunt Linda, running alongside her.
So how did she feel when she won her first race? “I was tired and I just wanted to sleep.” “My second race was the Cupid Dash in February this year.”
So by now, we definitely know it was Aunt Linda who has been prompting and instigating her to partake in the KL Towerthon (and other races as a matter of fact). But what inspired Natasha to take on the burning torch?
“Uncle Philip ran the Empire Tower here when he was 10 years old in 1994 and he came out in the newspaper. Aunt Linda told me that if I join the KL Towerthon I could have a chance to break her brother’s record—and I did.”
NATASHA’S TRAINING
“First there were lots of running up the hill, and then I would walk up the stairs of my condo, which is 33 storeys high.”
Natasha trained once, twice and even thrice a week either after school or during the weekends.
Aunt Linda wanted to gauge how sporty she was, so she put Natasha on various fun challenges. She even made a goal board. Since Natasha could see the tower after she conquered the hills, Aunt Linda took a picture of both Natasha and the tower and drew an arrow on the picture pointing at the top saying “My Goal”.
HER BIG DAY
On her race day, little Natasha was already up even before the rooster, at 4am. At 5am she was on her way to the race venue. Aunt Linda joined in with a Veteran Women bib in order to chaperone her, as she was the youngest participant. Natasha’s energy and determination not only made her fellow participants’ heads turn but also got her to the top.
“I actually thought I would be the last but I ended up beating people at the race. I came in 74th out of 145 participants in my category.” said the proud Natasha.
“I did take a lot of breaks in between floors and I could see people running up when they saw me taking a break.”
That’s how the older participants were inspired by this little fire. If she could do it, they could do it too. Natasha, who was running to reach her goal, inspired many on her way to the top.
We asked if she would do it again. First, she quickly said no as the pain was still in her mind. After a hesitant pause, she said she would do it again and get a better score.
And what did she do after the race? She went for a movie—The Avengers.
Natasha has also been participating in trail runs and her upcoming race is the Standard Chartered KL Marathon-3km Kids Dash. “I prefer road running as compared to trail running because mom and dad had to carry me at certain points. If it is road, I just hope it is flat.”
On starting young, Aunt Linda wanted her to know how to manage a mental challenge as it prepares children to take up a challenge in life.
Natasha keeps saying yes to Aunt Linda and the only reason is because, “I see it as a challenge, I want to complete it, and I know I would give up, give in or give all I have.”
START ‘EM YOUNG
So much tenacity from a little child, Natasha has already proved her point on what type of attitude should one acquire when taking up a challenge in life.
Her parents are always supporting her and not pushing her too much over her limit. “Run at the same pace and save your energy”, she would hear them say.
Her dad, on the other hand, has a fun advice. “My dad said, when you’re almost at the finish line, run fast and strong as if you ran consistently throughout the entire race!”
With her New Balance shoes, Natasha has big dreams when it comes to running. Although it also comes as no surprise, she is active in other sports. Her favorite sport is Tae Kwan Do, followed by gymnastics and ballet. As she is still young, she has plenty of opportunities to explore her options and pick her adventures. Start them young so they don’t become the princesses who need saving from the tower, but the one to conquer the tower.
