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.

Homeward Bound

It's official. Plane tickets have been purchased and confirmed. Mark your calendars. Shady is returning home!--for 2 weeks only & back to Asia for back-packing.

November 29th: Depart Seoul

November 29th: Arrive Toronto

December 4th: Depart Toronto

December 4th: Arrive New York City

December 9th: Depart New York City

December 9th: Arrive Houston

December 13th: Depart Houston

December 15th: Arrive Bangkok

Sports Day: Volleyball, Basketball & Soccer

With Summer ending, and the cool Fall weather creeping into Seoul, we knew there would only be a few Saturdays left for sand volleyball. At the beginning of the Summer, we played at Jamsil as much as we could. We even made friends with some French expats living in Korea. In our last attempt to play, we all talked about playing on Saturday. We constantly reminded each other about playing. When Saturday arrived, only 4 of us arrived. Although discouraged, we had another plan.

Volleyball at Jamsil

Resting & More Volleyball

On the subway ride to meet our friends, who never showed up, I was tapped on the shoulder by a man. I turned around and found a father, mother, and daughter staring back at me. There was also a son hiding behind his mother's leg. "Could you speak with my daughter?" I spent the next 10 minutes on the subway conversing with their daughter asking questions like how her Summer was, what her favorite subject is, what her plans are for today. Luckily, I found out that they were going to a basketball game in Jamsil. Not just any basketball game, but an NBA all-star Asia challenge game against the Korean Basketball League's all-stars. Unsure of where exactly the game was, we knew it had to be in Olympic Stadium Park, the host of the 1988 Olympics. Walking upon the basketball stadium, we knew this was a ticketed event. We attempted to sneak into a back door, but found a guard. However, out came a Korean man in sweats asking in the most broken English if we needed tickets. I held out 4 fingers. He understood and made us wait. He came back and asked for 20,000 won per ticket. Furthermore, the tickets were already disconnected. Finding this situation sketchy, we began to walk away. I knew I would never get another opportunity like this, so I bargained him down to 10,000 per piece. Thankfully, the tickets were for floor seating! Although we were late, we still got to watch an hour of the game. We also got to sit behind Bobby Joo, a famous Korean-American singer/rapper. Even though this was an NBA all-star game, the players were retired. Nevertheless, we got to see Robert Horry, most championship winning player ever (7) with 3 different teams, Dominique Wilkins, one of the best dunkers, Vlade Divac, at 7'1'' one of the first European players and Tim Hardaway, one of the best point guards. The most exciting player to see was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, highest points scored ever, 6 time MVP and championship winner. Funny thing was, I recognized him from his acting debut in a Bruce Lee film.

NBA v KBL at Jamsil

Korean Basketball League All-Stars

Sitting Behind Brian Joo of Fly to the Sky, Famous Korean Singer & 2nd Row View

Robert Horry Directing the NBA Team & View from 2nd Row

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Coaching the NBA Team

After the game, we had to rush to an already planned event after our supposed volleyball game. We met up with my training co-workers for the South Korea v. Australia soccer game. SK scored in the 4th and 20th minute! The game ended in SK winning 2-1 and Park Ji Sung, most famous SK player & forward for Manchester United, receiving MVP for the game. This was my second soccer game. This time, at the end of the game, the SK team came back out and kicked over 100 signed mini-balls into the crowd. Luckily, Dave caught one even though we were sitting in the 2nd tier.

Australia vs. South Korea & Dave and & at the Game

Friends Watching the Game & Me and Maria (Trainee to Trainer)

South Korea Team Bows & Kicks Free Balls to Crowd

This was the most sports-filled day I've ever had. We joked saying that we could have caught a baseball game back in Jamsil before the soccer game to round out the day. This day just proves that randomness in Korea always leads to great fun!