Meet the R4R Runners #3

Cameron Dyson-Smith

I met Cam for the first time on a run at the end of Canberra’s first lockdown in 2020. From day 1, he was eager to help R4R in any way that he could, including help with social media, coming up with the idea for the first iteration of ‘Meeting the R4R Runners’ (why we run), and standard contributions to the R4R war-room.

Since I first met him, he’s run 100km twice and the most recent time being for a special cause that you’ll find out more on through this questionnaire. With that being said, let’s jump straight into this weeks edition and meet Cam.

What is your name?

Cameron

Where are you from?

Canberra

Have you always lived in Canberra?

Yep

How did you first hear about R4R?

Heard about it through Benny A when on a trot.

When did you first attend a R4R?

27 May 2020

What keeps you coming back to R4R?

The community, always nice to turn up and have a run and a chat. Doesn’t matter what sort of mood you’re in or run that you’re up for there is always someone there at the same pace to enjoy a chat with. Love mingling and learning from people living all sorts of different lives.

Do you have a R4R Personal Best? If not, what’s your 5km PB?

R4R 26:54 - 5km 20:31

Do you prefer the winter R4Rs or the Summer R4Rs?

Summertime

Do you prefer Friday or Wednesday R4R? or in other words… Do you prefer beer or coffee?

I love both!! For me it’s about running for mental health. It’s about getting out there and running for resilience, it doesn’t matter where in the world you are or how far you go. I think it is so much bigger than a run, it is starting conversations and getting people moving. It is a community.

Wednesday night is a great way to break up the week and love the vibe at the Dock afterwards, and the Friday morning run sets you up right for the weekend. I love that I can turn up to either and be a part of it.

If you could go for a 3km/6km walk or run with 3 people alive or dead, who would you choose and why?

Anyone - Everyone has a unique story to tell and and we can learn from everyone. That is what is so great about community. We are often searching for someone ‘wiser’ or more ‘successful’ but the reality is everyone has something they can teach us.

Nice answer, but a cop-out nonetheless.

If I had to pick 3 though…

Jamie Oliver - I would love to just hang out, his value for food and family sit well with me.

Rich Roll - I love his podcast, he has had conversations with plenty of people that I would love to talk to and I think anyone who spends their ‘day job’ learning from others is going to be a great conversation. I also think he has the ability to ask me some questions that would really get me thinking about myself in new ways. 

Marcus Aurelius - I’m sure I’d learn a thing or two about stoicism.

What does resilience mean to you?

The understanding that not everything is going to go the way you planned or expected. To realise that sometimes you won’t understand why things happen but just knowing that you can recover. Understanding that your mindset has an incredible power over your reality.

Is there a time in your life where you’ve had to rely on your ability to be resilient?

In July Zoe and I lost our baby girl Flora long before she was born. I do not understand why and I will never be ok with it.

I realise that I need to continue for the family that I have in this life and for myself. I realise that I need to talk about it to help me and start important conversations about pregnancy loss that might just help others too. I have also realised that I can love her and miss her everyday but this doesn’t mean I have to be sad all the time, I can still experience joy with what I have here in this life.

Cam Raised over $8,000 by running 100km and sharing his story.

If you could say one thing to someone going through something tough at the moment, what would it be?

Easier said than done but I really encourage people to talk. 

In the 2022 edition of the R4R Gift, who will win the coveted Clydesdale award 100kg and above? Jonesy, Benny A, or other?

I’m in Benny A’s corner for that one.

That’s 3-0 to Benny A for the time being. Thanks for answering our questions, Cam!

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And remember, on December 15, R4R turns 2!

We’re lucky enough for the Dock to host us and for Schroders to foot the bill.

Please RSVP so we have a good idea of numbers. We would love to see you all there! (capacity permitting)