I like running. I did not until I joined the military. With the American soldiers, at one of the toughest unit across the nation, we trained ourselves hard. The whole company (not as in "coroprate") ran every morning according to cadences. Sometimes, I got to sing a Korean cadence then the fellow G.I.s would sing along not to mention the fellow Korean soldiers.
Any how, the race was quite the challenge. It was only 10k (aka 6 miles), and yet I rare a full course.... but just laps..the same routines every now and then. So at first it was tricky for me to figure how far I was. Of course, there were signs. After the 3k (less than 2 mile), I began to develop where I was and to realize how I needed to pace myself, which I did eventually.
My record was 51:30. For some reason, I did not look at my watch while running. Had I done it, I would have made it under 50:00. But, there is always next time.
It was my first time to take part in this sort of race. There was a great turn out; Koreans, foreigners, G.I.s, students and seniors. It was such a great feeling. A sense of accomplish that I felt at the of the race is probably what motivates people to run..run and run. I felt fine. My legs weren't sore. Instantaneously, I thought I will run another in the not too distant future. I should, then, train properly. Next time, it is going to be under 50:00. It just made the list of 2012 New Year resolution.
After the race, with Lars that is visiting town and some others from the Ajou International Summer School Program back in 2007, we partied. Seven of us gathered, did bar hopping, laughed, drank and ate. I hope Lars felt welcome. The only reason I organized this party was because I just wanted to make my friend feel home.. I know Korea is not his home. He only stayed in Korea about 2 months and it was 4 years ago. And yet, there are still 6 of us who was in the same program and we were pretty 'tight' So, why not throw a party.. have a good time, give us something to remember by..
I know for a fact that after few years, everyone will be gone. Joe is going back home for good next March. Scott will too probably Teaching is not even his major. Natalia, after her graduation next Feb, need to find a job somewhere and who knows where it is going to be. And the same things goes for Eddy. It sound very sappy, naive and most of all cliche, but we might not be able to see other for the rest of our lives. So, we see and hang out with each other when we can. It is a though that counts, after all.
Even though I was extremely tired from running.. and staying late, I was very much content at the end of the night. Hopefully, Lars will go back home with only good memories and we meet down the road somewhere sometime.
