I ran my big race with my friends Hannah and Angie, and Lindsay and Whit (who ran the 1/2 marathon). Going into it, I thought I would run the 5k, but it turns out that I was definitely signed up for 10k by mistake, so I decided to go for it.
At the starting line we were all huddled in, there were a few hundred people running. Before we started everyone got in lines and gave their competitors back massages then the lines turned around, so you gave the person behind you a massage too. It was AWESOME! I'm not sure if this is typical of Korean distance runs, but it made a huge impression on me.
Just after I crossed the starting line we looked to the left and Ethan and Chris
were holding signs that said motivational things like "run like the wind" and "go big or go home." I didn't realize it at the time, but Ethan was also wearing a shirt that said "Maria is #1." There was so much great energy all around, and people were lined on the streets in some places cheering us on. There was also a Korean drum band playing for us as we passed about the 1km mark. Whenever the spectators saw that we were foreigners they got very excited shouted "good job!" and on several accounts, "I love you!" I saw three of my students while racing...they were very excited to see me. I ran with my friends for the first 7k, and then we broke apart and ran our own races. It was a great feeling to run the 10k when I had only practiced for the 5k. I felt really strong, and finished feeling like I could run more. It was so much fun. It seems I'm a runner and I didn't really realize it. I'm looking forward to my next race!
Oh, I don't know what place I got, or my time yet, I'm told it will be sent to me by a text message to my phone. haha!
I did get a really nice participants medal...seriously, it's really cool. I'm planning on wearing it all day. Stay tuned for pictures!
At the starting line we were all huddled in, there were a few hundred people running. Before we started everyone got in lines and gave their competitors back massages then the lines turned around, so you gave the person behind you a massage too. It was AWESOME! I'm not sure if this is typical of Korean distance runs, but it made a huge impression on me.
Just after I crossed the starting line we looked to the left and Ethan and Chris
were holding signs that said motivational things like "run like the wind" and "go big or go home." I didn't realize it at the time, but Ethan was also wearing a shirt that said "Maria is #1." There was so much great energy all around, and people were lined on the streets in some places cheering us on. There was also a Korean drum band playing for us as we passed about the 1km mark. Whenever the spectators saw that we were foreigners they got very excited shouted "good job!" and on several accounts, "I love you!" I saw three of my students while racing...they were very excited to see me. I ran with my friends for the first 7k, and then we broke apart and ran our own races. It was a great feeling to run the 10k when I had only practiced for the 5k. I felt really strong, and finished feeling like I could run more. It was so much fun. It seems I'm a runner and I didn't really realize it. I'm looking forward to my next race!Oh, I don't know what place I got, or my time yet, I'm told it will be sent to me by a text message to my phone. haha!
I did get a really nice participants medal...seriously, it's really cool. I'm planning on wearing it all day. Stay tuned for pictures!
2 comments:
Yea Maria!!! That's great that you went for the 10K. You are really doing so many great things there to push beyond your limits - wait, what limits?
Hi Ethan and Maria! I am really glad that you guys have made this blog because I was wondering how you two were doing over there. Your pictures are absolutely beautiful, and I hope you are having an amazing time. Can't wait to hear about your travels. Hope all is well.
Love,
cousin Lauren
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