Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Skippy]

Ya you will get strange looks. I have been jogging around my neighborhood for the last couple of months. Some general tips...

1 - keep it wholesome - wear a shirt always. Shorts are fine but keep it a little long.

2 - Pot holes and sidewalks and such. Here the running surfaces can be very uneven.

3 - Cars and traffic - you do not get the right of away - forget any laws that say otherwise. Many a driver here in Korea see side mirrors and signal lights as nice decorations. You have to up your awareness if running near vehicles.

4 - Be aware of the immovable force called the Adjumma. She has been on this Earth longer then you and raised 1.5 children and is God's gift to Korea and she will not be moved - YOU have to move. She does not care about you she is more important that you.

5 - People can be a little more rude here. Like the adjumma they just will not make the effort to make your life easier like step aside or stop their car.

Good Luck

[carleverson]

[cheolsu]

Running is huge here. I don't think it's true at all that Koreans don't run. I think that if you take out women under 40 and men under 25, it's as popular here as it is in North America or Europe. There's no running at the high school or university level as there is particularly in the US, and young women don't run, but other than that, there are major races with 20,000 people like there anywhere else.

The reason you never see Koreans running on the street the way we do is that people generally run with clubs at a place that's good for running: a university campus, a park, by the river, and so on. I think most of us who run here probably run from our door to the river or to the park, but Koreans I know would rather drive or take the bus somewhere and then start.

I've run with coworkers at the track at Korea University. I thought it would be a good run just to get there, about 3k one way, but we ended up driving there to run around the track.

[Died By Bear]

cheolsu - "There's no running at the high school or university level as there is particularly in the US, and young women don't run,"



In Kangnam at the health clubs, plenty of young women run inside on treadmills. Plenty. I see them every day...19-27 all day long. I can run a mile in about 10 minutes and they all smoke me! (I know 10 min isn't that great)


And on the removing your shirt thing, I guess as long as you're not in a crowded city and definitely not a hairy guy *hair on yer back yew say?!*

I bought myself 12 of those dry fit running shirts from nike and it's almost like not having a shirt on at all, works for me. sweat evaporates pretty well. But to each his own, if you think it works for you in a crowded city running without a shirt in this society, go right ahead. Life's too short, have fun with the attention

Heard a story about English teachers in the country side, male teacher gets negative attention for wearing shorts. Apparently older Korean males never wore shorts in 1995.

[McGenghis]

I run quite a bit out by the sea. I have many beautiful courses to choose from. I can take a nice 6 Km nip through the rice paddies and into the local hills where I often see deer, or I can just head due east and reach the sea in about three minutes. I follow the bike path along route 7 and cross a few rivers then return home. On this run I am never more than 200 yards from the Drink.

If I go at dawn I watch the mackerel fishermen pulling in their nets. The smell of that massive heaving water is intoxicating. I run past a few gun turrets with their weapons trained on the horizon. I rarely cast a nervous eye out for North Koreans, but rarely is not never.

In the hills, I greet the hikers and try not to disturb the souls resting under the little mounds along the path.

Basically I have no idea how anyone could live in a city. I seriously start climbing the walls after about 48 hours in Seoul.

Edit: maybe I should create an anti-Cohiba Rule thread. Calling all country bumpkins...^^

[Zackback]

carleverson,
No, they don't. Come to Andong and see what happens. The positive attention is incredible. Just today I had a bunch of construction guys cheer me on yelling "Yes, number #1!" and a lady (yes, an attractive one) at Emart was really excited to see me because she just saw me an hour earlier running near the bus terminal. So take your stupid ass jealousy and shove it.
I always run shirtless now. It's not illegal. I feel more comfortable running this way. The people offer a lot of encouragement.

And it is very thrilling running to Andong University

[PatrickGHBusan]

ZAck, I do not know holw old you are but by your posts you sound like you are near or over 40.

If that is the cas�:

[Zackback]

Speak for yourself. It's awesome running shirtless here.
You're just jealous. It's time for you to grow up and stop acting lke an envious middle school punk.
Don't like it? Too bad.
I don't need "luck". I exercise hard and it pays off
It's always nice hearing university chicks yell out "You're sexy" and those dancing girls in front of the businesses.....well twice now they stopped their routine just to say "Hello" and 'Oh wow...Hi!!" while giving a cute smile and friendly wave.
Yeah I'll put my shirt on just beause you said so despite the fact that it is not illegal here. Get real. Get lost.

[PatrickGHBusan]

Classic trying to hang on to youth and chasing much younger women to feel young.

Good luck out here Zack. I sense a convertable in your near future.

Next time I come to Korea, lets go for 10-15K run, will be my pleasure. I will even translate what Koreans are saying about you in Korean for ya.

[Zackback]

Hey I'm here in Andong for a few more months. Anytime.
About going for a 10 to 15k run......first of all you won't be able to keep up and second of all those distances are way too short.

[PatrickGHBusan]

[Zackback]

Been running since 13 and have done plenty of triathlons. I was ranked in my home state (Connecticut) in this event.
Emart to Andong University and back is about 22 kilometers. We can throw in 8 more here and there.
It's all talk anyway because you won't be here.

[runthegauntlet]

[Zackback]

No need to throw out a running time. I'll wait to see the look of surprise and utter stupidity when he sees the positive attention I receive.
Yes I have done myriads of road races. I got involved in triathlons in my late teens...while still also continuing doing just road races.

[runthegauntlet]