Fit And Fab

Long runs keep him going, and going...

Manager Evan Chee tellsJoan Chewwhy he wishes he had longer legs

Mr Chee, who started running competitively in junior college, counts sports and running among the three most important things in life. He takes part in about 10 endurance races a year.
Mr Chee, who started running competitively in junior college, counts sports and running among the three most important things in life. He takes part in about 10 endurance races a year. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

Q. Has there ever been a time when you were not fit and fab?

A. When I was about 32 years old, I sprained my left ankle badly during a captain's ball competition.

Subsequently, I was involved in a bike accident where I sustained bruises on my arms and legs.

As a result, I could not run for two to three months. My weight ballooned to 69.9kg, which was an all-time high for me.

Q. What is your typical diet like?

  • BIOBOX

  • EVAN CHEE

    AGE: 35

    WEIGHT: 62kg

    HEIGHT: 1.7m

    The research and project manager at Osim International takes part in about 10 endurance races a year, which range from 5km runs to ultramarathons.

    He was part of the Osim marching contingent at last year's National Day Parade (NDP), which his 15-year-old sister Erynne also joined. He recalled taking part in an NDP rehearsal one Saturday afternoon, then going home to catch two hours of sleep before going out again to join the Sundown Marathon at 1am.

    Mr Chee, the second of six children, called his timing of 3hr 13min for that race "a disappointing result", but treasured the experience nonetheless.

    He is happy to have clocked a personal best of 2hr 49min at the Tokyo Marathon in February.

    The bachelor lives alone in the south of Singapore.

A. I do not really watch my diet nor count my calories as I find that too tedious.

In general, I do not like food that is too sweet or too fatty.

Breakfast is usually a bowl of cereal, porridge or bread.

I'm not too picky about lunch and dinner, as long as there's food!

However, when I travel, the food I consume tends to be richer, hence, I do have to exercise self-discipline.

I'm not exactly a role model for a healthy diet as I do overindulge at times. That being said, as a distance runner, it is important I replenish myself with food after every run.

Q. What are your indulgences?

A. They would probably be bubble tea, durian, chocolates and potato chips. I try not to have these often, but sometimes after my weekly long run, they are difficult to resist.

Q. What do you do to relax/how do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?

A. I go for an easy run, have a massage or plan for a short overseas trip.

Q. What are the three most important things in your life?

A. My loved ones, sports and work.

No matter what happens, my family will always be there for me. Hanging out with them allows me to unwind after a really long week at work.

I've always had an immense passion and interest in sports and running.

I started running competitively in junior college after I was selected for the school's cross-country event. Lastly, my work is also my passion.

Q. Would you go for plastic surgery and why?

A. No. There are many other better places or things to spend this amount of money on.

Q. What are your favourite and least favourite parts of your body?

A. My teeth are my favourite because I always receive compliments that my teeth look neat.

My least favourite would be my legs. Perhaps they could be slightly longer so I can run even faster.

I'm always envious of runners with long legs. They look good and help their owners run fast!

Q. What is the most extreme thing you have done in the name of fitness?

A. It would be taking part in an ultramarathon race in 2014, which required one to run for 12 hours around MacRitchie Reservoir without stopping for lunch or dinner.

Q. What are your sports-related paraphernalia at home?

A. I have tennis rackets, badminton rackets, a road bike, all kinds of sportswear, medals, trophies, plaques and many running shoes and sports shoes. There must be hundreds of these things.

But my most prized possessions would be my medals, trophies and plaques achieved to date. Every one of them has a different story and has given me different memories.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 05, 2016, with the headline Long runs keep him going, and going.... Subscribe