She is known for her pop ballads as well as her, well, "blunt" personality... to put it mildly.

But on her recent trip to Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong artiste Sammi Cheng proved otherwise.

Cheng, who is the first Asian ambassador for Skechers, was here to launch a series of its running shoes.

Being a runner herself, Cheng says she constantly challenges herself to run the extra mile and posts her achievements on her micro-blogging site Sina Weibo (Chinese version of Twitter).

Whenever she's questioned about her new addiction, running, her eyes will light up as she shares tips and philosophy behind the activity.

"For me, running is no longer a dreaded task but a must-do activity that has become part of my daily routine. I run for better health instead of trying to compete with other better runners," she says.

Cheng recalls one time when she was chased by a stray dog while running in her neighbourhood. "I was so sacred. It took me by surprise when it suddenly came out of nowhere and chased me!"

Luckily she was not harmed.

Does she have a favourite time to run? "No. I run whenever I feel like it. The dog incident happened at three or four in the morning," she says.

Asked if she prefers to run alone or with a special someone since the incident, she responds shyly:

"Well, sometimes I run with "people" and sometimes I run alone. I love running outdoors and I don't care much about the papparazzi because I have my strategy. I often change my route."

On questions about marriage, Cheng politely declines to elaborate.

Instead, she playfully hints that she "is enjoying every minute of being in love".

Cheng's lover is none other than popular singer Andy Hui.

The two had been together for some time before they decided to go separate ways.

But they rekindled their romance recently and were regularly seen enjoying each other's company in public.

While Cheng is focused on her work right now, she does not deny the prospect of marriage, saying she has left it in God's hands.

She is now busy filming in an action film with Andy Lau.

Preparation is also underway for a concert in Hong Kong at the end of the year.