Emerson yao

Lucerne Group Managing Director, 54 Running

Emerson Yao started running a couple of years back, and later developed a lifelong passion for marathons.

The first marathon he joined was in San Francisco. “It started as a dare from my son Mark, who lives and works there, to run the SF Marathon. I said yes and the pressure to be true to my word served as a strong motivation for me to train. In July 2017, we both ran the SF Marathon together with my daughter May,” he relates. He ran his first half-marathon long race and finished 21 km within two hours and 27 minutes—at 51 years old.

For him, running is a meditative experience that helps clear his mind. Now, Emerson ups his running game by joining marathons in the country as well as internationally (his 10th and most recent being, the 2019 Chicago Marathon last October), alongside performing his managing director functions.

His fitness regimen includes training thrice a week— 6AM on weekdays and 4AM on the weekends—to strengthen his lower body and protect his muscles. He runs a distance of 10km on weekdays and 21km on Sundays. He has certainly reaped the benefits of leading an active lifestyle at his age. “My blood pressure is now normal, and my blood exams are all good! My heart rate is low, and I can fit into clothes that look good on me!”

Living healthy makes him feel feel stronger and younger. He also notices he is happier and more positive. He keeps a balanced diet for weight maintenance so he can run more efficiently and effectively.

Emerson balances his passion for running and quality time with his family. “So far my family is not yet complaining that our trips are mostly to places where I have scheduled runs. They are very supportive of my passion for running and recognises the health benefits that go with it.”

“I realised that even at my age, we can still be active, and that most often the limiting factor is our mind that tells us it’s impossible. As the saying goes... it’s only crazy until you do it!”

“We can still be active, and [that] most often the limiting factor is our mind [that] tells us it’s impossible”