On Higher Ground

Tay Yong Wei's search for the Runner's High, and how he discovered the ultra-distance trail run.

Just how do you stay passionate about maintaining an active lifestyle over the years? 41-year old Tay Yong Wei believes that it is more than just about doing or playing sports. It’s about finding something that you enjoy, and then drawing the best from it and making it part of your life.

Yong Wei thinks of himself as an ultra-distance trail running enthusiast, and tells us why he enjoys the activity so much that he plans practically all his travel and holidays based on race calendars. Like most of us, he holds a regular job as an engineer from Mondays to Fridays that does not require much in the way of physical activity, but he has cleverly adapted his training regime to be short, sharp and to the point that he knows exactly what needs to be done to achieve his completion goals.

The trail running enthusiast is also one of a handful of long distance runners in Singapore that still swears by his barefoot style running shoes too. It’s an interesting twist on running styles, as he tells us that he was running with regular cushioned shoes for years, but also grappled with long-term pain and muscle issues.