BY Fitness enthusiast Natalie Yeo isn’t a natural runner. The very busy financial executive may be big on fitness but concedes that running long distances is still a challenge for her. Which is why you’ll still find her at the 10km distance of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon this year as she aims to get more running experience under her belt. She shares with us how a fitness routine is integral to her daily happiness.
Q: How did you manage the seemingly impossible task of combining a busy career and fitness?
Natalie: For me, it's all about being able to prioritise, and the discipline to stick to those priorities. I work pretty long hours, and I'm in the office around 8 am, and often stay until about 7 or 8 pm on average.
I make a commitment to wake up early to go to the gym at 6 am. Sometimes I go to the gym for lunch and just pack a meal back to eat at my desk after, instead of heading out for my lunch break. I think it's also about figuring out what's important to you. But at the end of the day, it works for me because fitness has become a huge part of my lifestyle, and I don't really think twice about how I can fit it into my schedule.
Q: Why did you join the SCSM this year?
Natalie: I was actually not a huge fan of running as I find it really challenging, but I’ve noticed that running has helped build my cardio endurance which is a core tenet of all-around fitness.
I joined my first SCSM 10km last year. However, I didn't actually do any running prior to the race, thinking that I should be fit enough to complete 10km fairly easily since I do HIIT workouts most days of the week. I was very wrong! That experience last year really reminded me that fitness has many facets. It's not just about being able to perform short bursts of activity at super high intensities, but also about cardiovascular endurance.
As such, I took up the same challenge once again this year, but what I’m doing differently is to step up endurance training with weekly runs and at the same time, taking a few cues on running from Under Armour running coach, Ben Pulham, to correct my technique and working on specific core muscles to strengthen core muscle groups.
Q: What would you say to coach potatoes to motivate them to get off their butts and work out?
Natalie: It's never too late to start! It's cliche, but Rome was not built in a day, and the first step is always the hardest, but once you do, the results will speak for itself and that would motivate you to pursue your fitness goals and keep working out.
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