I am sitting in the living room of someone who is a scientist, who aspires to gain his PhD, to be a professor, and to work in higher education. He currently works at a biotech company beyond his work at YRC. During your first conversation with this man you may not know it, but he is about as fast as lightening. But a quick glance at the wall and display case you can see there are numerous bib numbers, medals, awards, and ribbons. This is Cam Trinh or on Instagram as Camslamalakazam!
To break the ice, Cam begins the interview about watches. We have the same watch and it does more data recording then either one of us know what to do with.
I start by asking, “when did your first understand that you enjoyed running?”
Maybe it was when I joined the cross country team during the summer, going into my sophomore year. My second oldest brother invited me out to the trails. I did it because I had nothing better to do, honestly. Then, before you knew it, I had a good base of training for the upcoming school year. I progressed relatively quickly and started beating older people. I enjoyed the competition and beating my older brother was a plus.
“What do you wish people knew about you as a runner?”
I think that I am 5% talent. The rest is discipline and guts, a little masochism, and a glutton for punishment. I do not have a lineage in sports, I was just some scrawny kid, who built a big tank of endurance which worked well for me in cross country and track. I was not born with talent, so I had to grind it out to be on par with talented people.
“What is one unique thing about running you wish others knew?”
Running is a lifestyle. It is not a means to an end. If you run, you are a runner. Some people run to get in shape, but they are already in shape.
“What is it about running that you specifically enjoy?”
It is a sense of identity. I opted to complete my eligibility for my college sport career. I fulfilled all my years in the track and cross country team at Eastern. It is something that I valued. It helps give me validation in bigger and grander events.
“Such as?”
Large Marathons, 20,000 plus with an elite field and prize money. In college you do not get paid or get money.
“Do you have a bucket lists of runs?”
Tokyo, Athens-Greece, Honolulu, Paris-France, Disneyworld. Then the ‘World Series’ of Chicago, London, New York, Boston, Berlin, Tokyo with priority on international races prior to state races.
“What is the most unique thing you have done with regards to running?”
A proud aspect is, I may not be the best racer, I am a work horse during work outs. I help people to hit their time, their splits, and their pace. I will take charge, even if I blow up at the rest of the work out. I set my team mates up. This shows leadership, all for the greater good.
“If you could run any race what would it be?”
Western States (with a smile and small laugh). Not just to race it, but to perform well at it. I need to trust and have a strong relationships with my crew. Whoever is out there to support me and me to support them—pacing and nutrition, words of encouragement. Complete the ultra marathon that is internationally recognized. It is a pilgrimage, a journey. I cannot even fathom how long it is until I commit to something that long. I think physically I can get there, but I need to work on my mental. It is very much a mental/head game. Often times it is crushing negativity over such a long period of time. In an ultra there is more time to get down on myself.
“How does one become more positive, or believe in one self?”
Go for long runs solo. You can only rely on yourself. Which might make it easier when you do run with others. This is why I don't run with music anymore because it distracts me. This way I can be more in tune with my body and listen to my body better. I can listen to my body and feel my body, do what it needs and give it what it needs.
“How would you describe yourself as a runner?”
Maybe a little impulsive. In high school and in college it was dampened, there is a pulse. Now I am going back to it. Some miles I speed up and some I slow down. Until I see someone. As if you see a stranger in front of you, it is not the plan to pass them, but the heart rate increases and competitiveness itches, it would be a bad sign to not listen to your body when it says to pick it up.
What is it about YRC?
I think I just called the shop when I was a junior and I was looking for a part-time gig to help supplement tuition. It made sense, I ran for Eastern, I was a partial scholarship athlete, I was okay at grades, and as it turned out that Mike and Alison talked the night before about hiring someone. I picked up the phone the next day. I got hooked on the group runs and when people come into the store I get to talk about running. I get to listen to people’s woes and help solve a problem. Maybe give advice, which can be valuable to someone’s running journey. I love this small local business. What it does for the community around us, athletics, but it also maintains Frog Island. This way people can go down there, they sponsor events, and give out certificates for local events. We support Ypsilanti as a community, our shirts are locally printed, we host free group runs. I do not see YRC as working, it is promoting health and wellness for runners and non-runners alike. Or runners and runners to be. I also liked that YRC was new, I could use my systematic mind. I used excel spreadsheets to help with data recording, to help build a foundation of infrastructure. I get to help a local shop be successful.
“What would you tell runners to NOT do?”
Go too hard too fast. It is easy for news runners to get caught up in the excited-ness. They are trying something new and being adventurous. Really listen to your body. Try to gauge yourself. Do not over extend. It should feel different. But after a week if you feel overly strained, ease up. Do not spread butter to thin over toast, this comes with experience. When people over extend they get hurt and do not enjoy running anymore.
Cam says to me that running gives him motivation. It is a competition that helps fulfill his untapped potential. It allows him to appreciate the easy-going things in life; suffering on a long run often gives him this transformational thought process. Beyond his full time job and running pursuits, Cam continues to use his gift of running at YRC and helping others. He is a kind and gentle spirit. One that you want to be around. A runner that is fast and quick, but not an elitist that you can't catch up to. He is someone that you want to be friends with, no matter your experience or level, he respects your commitment and effort. He never looks down on another, but admires others for their running, energy, and effort. He says to me that he wants to be a reliable dude and a friend, but I can attest to you all that he is already those things. This is Cam.
To break the ice, Cam begins the interview about watches. We have the same watch and it does more data recording then either one of us know what to do with.
I start by asking, “when did your first understand that you enjoyed running?”
Maybe it was when I joined the cross country team during the summer, going into my sophomore year. My second oldest brother invited me out to the trails. I did it because I had nothing better to do, honestly. Then, before you knew it, I had a good base of training for the upcoming school year. I progressed relatively quickly and started beating older people. I enjoyed the competition and beating my older brother was a plus.
“What do you wish people knew about you as a runner?”
I think that I am 5% talent. The rest is discipline and guts, a little masochism, and a glutton for punishment. I do not have a lineage in sports, I was just some scrawny kid, who built a big tank of endurance which worked well for me in cross country and track. I was not born with talent, so I had to grind it out to be on par with talented people.
“What is one unique thing about running you wish others knew?”
Running is a lifestyle. It is not a means to an end. If you run, you are a runner. Some people run to get in shape, but they are already in shape.
“What is it about running that you specifically enjoy?”
It is a sense of identity. I opted to complete my eligibility for my college sport career. I fulfilled all my years in the track and cross country team at Eastern. It is something that I valued. It helps give me validation in bigger and grander events.
“Such as?”
Large Marathons, 20,000 plus with an elite field and prize money. In college you do not get paid or get money.
“Do you have a bucket lists of runs?”
Tokyo, Athens-Greece, Honolulu, Paris-France, Disneyworld. Then the ‘World Series’ of Chicago, London, New York, Boston, Berlin, Tokyo with priority on international races prior to state races.
“What is the most unique thing you have done with regards to running?”
A proud aspect is, I may not be the best racer, I am a work horse during work outs. I help people to hit their time, their splits, and their pace. I will take charge, even if I blow up at the rest of the work out. I set my team mates up. This shows leadership, all for the greater good.
“If you could run any race what would it be?”
Western States (with a smile and small laugh). Not just to race it, but to perform well at it. I need to trust and have a strong relationships with my crew. Whoever is out there to support me and me to support them—pacing and nutrition, words of encouragement. Complete the ultra marathon that is internationally recognized. It is a pilgrimage, a journey. I cannot even fathom how long it is until I commit to something that long. I think physically I can get there, but I need to work on my mental. It is very much a mental/head game. Often times it is crushing negativity over such a long period of time. In an ultra there is more time to get down on myself.
“How does one become more positive, or believe in one self?”
Go for long runs solo. You can only rely on yourself. Which might make it easier when you do run with others. This is why I don't run with music anymore because it distracts me. This way I can be more in tune with my body and listen to my body better. I can listen to my body and feel my body, do what it needs and give it what it needs.
“How would you describe yourself as a runner?”
Maybe a little impulsive. In high school and in college it was dampened, there is a pulse. Now I am going back to it. Some miles I speed up and some I slow down. Until I see someone. As if you see a stranger in front of you, it is not the plan to pass them, but the heart rate increases and competitiveness itches, it would be a bad sign to not listen to your body when it says to pick it up.
What is it about YRC?
I think I just called the shop when I was a junior and I was looking for a part-time gig to help supplement tuition. It made sense, I ran for Eastern, I was a partial scholarship athlete, I was okay at grades, and as it turned out that Mike and Alison talked the night before about hiring someone. I picked up the phone the next day. I got hooked on the group runs and when people come into the store I get to talk about running. I get to listen to people’s woes and help solve a problem. Maybe give advice, which can be valuable to someone’s running journey. I love this small local business. What it does for the community around us, athletics, but it also maintains Frog Island. This way people can go down there, they sponsor events, and give out certificates for local events. We support Ypsilanti as a community, our shirts are locally printed, we host free group runs. I do not see YRC as working, it is promoting health and wellness for runners and non-runners alike. Or runners and runners to be. I also liked that YRC was new, I could use my systematic mind. I used excel spreadsheets to help with data recording, to help build a foundation of infrastructure. I get to help a local shop be successful.
“What would you tell runners to NOT do?”
Go too hard too fast. It is easy for news runners to get caught up in the excited-ness. They are trying something new and being adventurous. Really listen to your body. Try to gauge yourself. Do not over extend. It should feel different. But after a week if you feel overly strained, ease up. Do not spread butter to thin over toast, this comes with experience. When people over extend they get hurt and do not enjoy running anymore.
Cam says to me that running gives him motivation. It is a competition that helps fulfill his untapped potential. It allows him to appreciate the easy-going things in life; suffering on a long run often gives him this transformational thought process. Beyond his full time job and running pursuits, Cam continues to use his gift of running at YRC and helping others. He is a kind and gentle spirit. One that you want to be around. A runner that is fast and quick, but not an elitist that you can't catch up to. He is someone that you want to be friends with, no matter your experience or level, he respects your commitment and effort. He never looks down on another, but admires others for their running, energy, and effort. He says to me that he wants to be a reliable dude and a friend, but I can attest to you all that he is already those things. This is Cam.
  |   |
RSS Feed