Nike Plus Human Race

Nike's Human Race: Seoul

Today, I ran my first team run. You must be wondering, "What team run?" Inspired by a recent conversation with my co-workers Mierie, Hannah, Jenn & Dave, we started our "team". One year ago, Mierie ran Nike's Human Race in Los Angeles. It is a world-wide 10 kilometer race sponsored by Nike. It will take place on October 24th in various places around the world including Seoul! At dinner, Mierie was telling us about her experience and that she was going to run this year's, just on a different continent. Invigorated by talks of training, determination, and the finish line, I immediately signed up.

Always the cheerleader for finding new activities in Seoul--especially physically challenging ones, and of course, branch-bonding activities, I sent out an e-mail to all of my co-workers that included sign-up instructions and 5-week training guide. It was a daily break-down consisting of gradual running distances, cross-training, strength training, and best of all--rest.

In high school, I would run 2 miles a day around my neighborhood plus play soccer. In college, I would run 5 miles a day--on a treadmill. Now that I'm in Korea, I'm lucky to run 2 km once a week. Determined to actually make our talk reality, I sent out another email announcing our first "team run". Luckily, I had 3 people respond. Since middle schoolers are away for the exams, we have been getting off at 7pm. Right then, we set off for the river in Nowon (reference Ajuma Aerobics). We began our jog and Dave ran ahead. Oh, well. Girls unite! I decreased my pace to keep with Jenn and Mierie. This was, however, not about speed, but achieving a distance. Following the training schedule, we ran 2 miles. It was tough on all of us since we hadn't ran in so long. Although it was rewarding to finish the exercise, it was more rewarding to support each other when we could all feel the hard pavement, our tiring muscles, and heavy breaths. Desperately trying to sprint the last 50 meters of the run, we kept our spirits high with cheers of "We're almost there." and "Come on. Let's go!"

We ended our work out with squats, lunges, and stretches. The best off all was the 순두부지게 (soon doo boo jigye --tofu soup) meal and feeling of accomplishment knowing that this team run increased our desire to train and finish the race.