Victoria Cambell
Victoria is Singapore's top female triathlete, with a personal best time achieved at the OSIM Triathlon 2006 of 2hours16min. She has competed in about 24 events in Singapore and Malaysia since 2003. Interestingly, she started running as an overweight sports enthusiast whose weight gain was due a long lay-off period from competitive swimming. Frustrated with her weight, she took up running and one thing led to another, she found myself into multisport and the Triathlon became her pet event. To achieve her status as the fastest female triathlete, Victoria had to work her way up and it was not easy to get there - she has put in a lot of hours of training, mainly in the evening due to work commitments.
I've been running competitively since: 2003.
My PB for 10km: 41min
This PB was achieved in which race?
During a triathlon race - A'Famosa Triathlon
Why she chose running as her sport of choice:
It's relatively cheap - however I think the best thing about it is that you can do it anytime, anywhere and anyhow you like. It's not like tennis or soccer where you need a buddy, or cycling where there are certain times where you may not be able to go due to rain or traffic. Running can be done indoors as well, though admittedly dmittedly not as enjoyable as running outside but it can still be done. Also running only requires a pair shoes. You could even exclude the shoes if you wish.
List fav running routes and why:
My favourite route is a little route around NUS/Holland V/Clementi. The reason being that it has a bit of everything - busy and quiet roads, hills and flats, canal run, housing estates to see and a toilet in the middle just in case I need one during a run.
What drives you on to get up early in the morning or miss out on doing things your peers would normally do but you cant?
Actually, I don't get up early in the morning to train . I'm a night person and generally train after work. With regards to missing out on what my peers do, I believe in a balanced life and am quite happy with the way my life is. I still do go out with friends for movies, dinner etc, so in this way, I don't miss out on anything.
What goes on inside your mind when the pain starts kicking in?
I tell myself to go faster so that I can get this over and done with.
How does your husband cope when you are away or busy training?
My husband is quite supportive - there was a period where he got involved in the sport too. He bought a bike and cycled with me when he could. He encouraged me to join a cycling team together with him. Very supportive, however with allthings, he grew out of the sport and lost interest. He is still supportive just that he does not partake in it anymore.
Any tips for beginners ?
Take it easy. Find out what your limits are and work towards achievable goals. Do some research on smart training programs and listen to your body. Quality - not Quantity, Don't push where you can't or be influenced by other more advanced athletes.
Tips to take one's performance to the next level?
Try something different - Cross Training or more targeting Core Training to improve foundations of all sports.
Work-life plus training, how do you juggle all that?
Its hard, but where there is a will, there is a way. It's about making the sacrifices you can and wanting to balance your own expectations of life/work/family/relationships.
Why endurance sports? (triathlon, running etc.)
Why not? It's a sport where the challenge never ends. Some people think I'm mad for choosing this sport out of all the competitive sports in the world, but the feeling this sport gives is awesome! I achieved my initial goal of losing weight and it is continuing with the run that makes the difference between winning and losing!
How old do you think you will be doing this until? And why?
I may not be competing forever, but I will definitely be exercising till the day I can't anymore. It's a basic form of exercise jus like swimming and cycling. Everyone should do it!
Post Run Meal: a BIG Sugarcane Drink or freshly-pressed Orange Juice with TONNES of ice. Post race meal would have to be the highest number of calories and fats in the shortest possible time - junk food!
I've been running competitively since: 2003.
My PB for 10km: 41min
This PB was achieved in which race?
During a triathlon race - A'Famosa Triathlon
Why she chose running as her sport of choice:
It's relatively cheap - however I think the best thing about it is that you can do it anytime, anywhere and anyhow you like. It's not like tennis or soccer where you need a buddy, or cycling where there are certain times where you may not be able to go due to rain or traffic. Running can be done indoors as well, though admittedly dmittedly not as enjoyable as running outside but it can still be done. Also running only requires a pair shoes. You could even exclude the shoes if you wish.
List fav running routes and why:
My favourite route is a little route around NUS/Holland V/Clementi. The reason being that it has a bit of everything - busy and quiet roads, hills and flats, canal run, housing estates to see and a toilet in the middle just in case I need one during a run.
What drives you on to get up early in the morning or miss out on doing things your peers would normally do but you cant?
Actually, I don't get up early in the morning to train . I'm a night person and generally train after work. With regards to missing out on what my peers do, I believe in a balanced life and am quite happy with the way my life is. I still do go out with friends for movies, dinner etc, so in this way, I don't miss out on anything.
What goes on inside your mind when the pain starts kicking in?
I tell myself to go faster so that I can get this over and done with.
How does your husband cope when you are away or busy training?
My husband is quite supportive - there was a period where he got involved in the sport too. He bought a bike and cycled with me when he could. He encouraged me to join a cycling team together with him. Very supportive, however with allthings, he grew out of the sport and lost interest. He is still supportive just that he does not partake in it anymore.
Any tips for beginners ?
Take it easy. Find out what your limits are and work towards achievable goals. Do some research on smart training programs and listen to your body. Quality - not Quantity, Don't push where you can't or be influenced by other more advanced athletes.
Tips to take one's performance to the next level?
Try something different - Cross Training or more targeting Core Training to improve foundations of all sports.
Work-life plus training, how do you juggle all that?
Its hard, but where there is a will, there is a way. It's about making the sacrifices you can and wanting to balance your own expectations of life/work/family/relationships.
Why endurance sports? (triathlon, running etc.)
Why not? It's a sport where the challenge never ends. Some people think I'm mad for choosing this sport out of all the competitive sports in the world, but the feeling this sport gives is awesome! I achieved my initial goal of losing weight and it is continuing with the run that makes the difference between winning and losing!
How old do you think you will be doing this until? And why?
I may not be competing forever, but I will definitely be exercising till the day I can't anymore. It's a basic form of exercise jus like swimming and cycling. Everyone should do it!
Post Run Meal: a BIG Sugarcane Drink or freshly-pressed Orange Juice with TONNES of ice. Post race meal would have to be the highest number of calories and fats in the shortest possible time - junk food!
