While his teammates were all recommended to join the team, Lin signed up on his own. Lacking formal training during his high-school years, Lin was at a disadvantage. On top of that, he was short and frail. At first, he would often get a taste of the rattan cane on runs--seeing the word "Waishuanghsi" on the bulletin board was enough to send shivers down his spine.
不同於別的隊員都以體育資優生保送方式入隊，他是毛遂自薦，少了國中階段的正規養成訓練，條件本來就比較差，加上體型瘦小，剛開始經常一路「吃藤條」，只要佈告欄貼出「外雙溪」課程 3 個字，林義傑就「皮皮剉」。