What Is Running to Victoria?
An exclusive article written by Singapore’s Top Female Triathlete Victoria Cambell
By Victoria Cambell
Singapore’s Top Female Triathlete
Top 5 for Shape Run 2008 5km
What Is Running? What a silly question one might say "Its the simple motion of placing one foot in front of another at an accelerated pace." my father would say. But sometimes, one does need to ask oneself this question, especially when you wake up religiously at 6am to spend those 30-60min on the road before the sun goes up. Why do I run and what is Running to me?
To many people it means different things. To your neighbour across the street it might mean his or her daily (or weekly) 30min destress and quiet time away from work and the house.
To your average teenager it might be the only way she knows to get a slim figure and sexy legs. To your average guy it might be the way to show his friends that he is the fastest man around. And to some, it might even be the way to spend a quiet 30min with the one you love. It could be an excuse to sneak around the corner to meet your boy or girlfriend, or even a safety line thrown to you to get your life back on track.
Whatever it is, its by no means unique.
I recall a conversation I had with a two colleagues. We were discussing how to beat this guy in a race of 10km who runs it in about 33min. For easy maths, we rounded up to 35min, making each km 3:30min. The conclusion was that even if the 3 of us found 7 other guys to do a 10km relay (1km each), we still would not beat this guy. Then we thought about 21km and 42km... and so on and realised that in the end, we would have to tie his shoe laces up to beat him and have a good laugh at our 'big dream'.
So what is running really? Is it a 'I'm better than you" challenge or is it a simple daily 30minutes of peace and quiet before the sun goes up (or down).
I suppose running means a different thing to each person.
For me, it is a life saver which pulled me out of the pits of low self-esteem and gave me back my confidence. It shed away excess baggage and helped me turn over a new leaf. It is something that opened a new door of opportunities in life, brought my life partner and also many friends. It helped me bring competitive sport back into my life and allowed me to dream big again. I run because I want to remember the good things it did for me and how it put my life back together.
What is Running to you?
By Victoria Cambell
Singapore’s Top Female Triathlete
Top 5 for Shape Run 2008 5km
What Is Running? What a silly question one might say "Its the simple motion of placing one foot in front of another at an accelerated pace." my father would say. But sometimes, one does need to ask oneself this question, especially when you wake up religiously at 6am to spend those 30-60min on the road before the sun goes up. Why do I run and what is Running to me?
To many people it means different things. To your neighbour across the street it might mean his or her daily (or weekly) 30min destress and quiet time away from work and the house.
To your average teenager it might be the only way she knows to get a slim figure and sexy legs. To your average guy it might be the way to show his friends that he is the fastest man around. And to some, it might even be the way to spend a quiet 30min with the one you love. It could be an excuse to sneak around the corner to meet your boy or girlfriend, or even a safety line thrown to you to get your life back on track.
Whatever it is, its by no means unique.
I recall a conversation I had with a two colleagues. We were discussing how to beat this guy in a race of 10km who runs it in about 33min. For easy maths, we rounded up to 35min, making each km 3:30min. The conclusion was that even if the 3 of us found 7 other guys to do a 10km relay (1km each), we still would not beat this guy. Then we thought about 21km and 42km... and so on and realised that in the end, we would have to tie his shoe laces up to beat him and have a good laugh at our 'big dream'.
So what is running really? Is it a 'I'm better than you" challenge or is it a simple daily 30minutes of peace and quiet before the sun goes up (or down).
I suppose running means a different thing to each person.
For me, it is a life saver which pulled me out of the pits of low self-esteem and gave me back my confidence. It shed away excess baggage and helped me turn over a new leaf. It is something that opened a new door of opportunities in life, brought my life partner and also many friends. It helped me bring competitive sport back into my life and allowed me to dream big again. I run because I want to remember the good things it did for me and how it put my life back together.
What is Running to you?
