"Life is short. Running makes it seem longer." - Baron Hansen

I HAVE been running for my life, quite literally. Growing up, I was a "sporty" child and played tennis and football to stay active, both physically and socially. But running was my first love. As a teenager, I remember feeling a rush of energy, before settling into a deeply relaxing state of mind, every time I zipped down Bencoolen Street where I grew up around. This "runner's high" has accompanied me through the years, and today, I have built a fitness regime centered around my life-long passion.

I run thrice a week, twice during the weekdays and once on Saturdays. Before the Covid-19 outbreak, I used to do a seven-kilometre circuit in the Marina Bay area after work, every Tuesday and Thursday evening. Today, I have adapted this route for the days I work from home, by running from my residence along the Park Connector Network (PCN) to Bishan Park. This is time I usually spend alone, and it does wonders to clear my mind and get my endorphins flowing.

On Saturdays, I run with Runninghour, an inclusive running club that pairs guides with mildly intellectually and physically challenged people.

I have been running with this group for four years now and the experience has offered me many lessons in gratitude and positivity - ingredients essential to enjoying overall health and wellbeing.

A special encounter worth mentioning was when I ran with a 65-year-old visually impaired gentleman. Together, we participated in the Sundown marathon in 2018 and completed a 10-km stretch in 62 minutes. During the run, not once did he said he wanted to give up. His quiet confidence and determination bowled me over that day.

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To ensure I can continue running till I am 100 and beyond, I have incorporated a daily workout and weekly fitness sessions into my routine. I begin every morning with 10 minutes of stretching, 60 push-ups and three minutes of an abs and core workout. On Sundays, I start the day with a yogalates session, which is a hybrid of yoga and pilates, and end it with a swim.

I am even looking to incorporate dancing into my workouts. Recently, I took part in a K-pop dance challenge on Tik Tok! This was for a new Prudential campaign with K-pop group, SuperM, to encourage people to stay healthy in a fun way. I decided to try it, and as they say, the rest is history. Now I know why my children are so into K-pop!

Being healthy also requires eating right. I eat a lot of leafy greens and avoid fatty meats. I have also started paying attention to the "empty calories" in beverages and reach for a glass of water every time I am tempted to down a sugary drink. When I do treat myself to a beverage such as coffee, I make sure to opt for "siew dai" which means "less sweet", as a healthier choice.

I also use tools from podcasts and playlists to health apps to improve my wellbeing.

My philosophy is simple - by taking preventative actions to care for our mind and body, such as working out and eating right, we can avoid or postpone the many health issues that plague us as we grow older.

For me, the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle have been tremendous so far. I feel strong, energetic and positive, and believe I even look younger!

Good health is a blessing, but it is also a life-long responsibility. So, pick up your running shoes and start running for your life!

• Goh Theng Kiat, 52, is chief customer officer, Prudential Singapore