Korean Job Discussion Forums

[EmilyEmily]

Hi, I am told by EPIK that I am coming to Jeju this summer to teach.

I recently started loving running, specifically trail running (my knees don't do well on pavement for long periods.) Are there great places in the wilderness in Jeju to jog? Will they be accessible or do you have to ride a bus or something just to get to a trail?

Also, if I were to join a gym in Jeju, is this easy to do? Is it like in the States where you have to sign up for a year?

Last question - vibram five fingers. Do people wear them there? I intend to get myself a pair in the coming weeks and I will probably wear them no matter what, but will I be the first person anyone has seen wearing vibrams? I hear they are really good for outdoor running, so I probably won't just walk around town in them. But here where I live in the US, I am seeing more and more people wearing them. Just wondering if they caught on in Korea yet.

[DorkothyParker]

I've never seen a person wearing vibrams other than on TV.
I don't know how good those are for trail running.

Anyway, Jeju isn't big, but it's big enough that I would need to know what area you live in to say what trails are available. With than said, in Shin, I am 6 minutes away from a running trail and the opening to a hiking trail. Hell, in Shin, everything is <25 minutes away.

Joining a gym is Korea is very painless and generally inexpensive. The price per month is reduced for a longer membership, but you can get shorter ones. I haven't joined a gym in Jeju, but the one I went to in Bucheon was 150k for 3 month.

There are lots of parks and public spaces all over.

Rhymes with Jeju Yahoo group can give you specific answers to Jeju-related questions.

Also expect high winds and rain upon arrival. The "rainy season" is supposed to be over around the first of July, but I thought it was pouring when I visited in late July and we had a plethora of storms when I arrived in August as well.

[EmilyEmily]

Vibram "Treksports" are designed specifically for trailrunning and hiking...just fyi. The other types, like bikila and the original vibram, are designed for normal running like on pavement. I didn't think people there probably wore them but you never know. Even people here who wear them are still seen as weirdos by most of the community. But apparently they are like heaven to walk/run in.

Anyway, thanks. I figured it would be awesome for fitness-type activities in Jeju. I am excited.

Sounds like a climate like New Zealand. I lived there for many years and got used to the windyness, although that is a slight drawback about Jeju. The rain will be nice.

[gtrain83]

be careful if you get the vibrams. You have to start running in them SLOWLY. Do not wear them for a 5 mile run on day one. Maybe add them into your runs a couple times a week for a while (like a 2-3 mile run) and slowly add more days and miles.

Also, if you want to run in them you have to learn good form running. Look at new balances website, newton, youtube, google, etc. for info on proper running form. If you run wrong in them or too much you WILL injure yourself. (example: guy in very good shape tries to run a 10k in his vibrams after having them about a month and tears his achilles tendon)

I am not trying to scare you away from them as I have the new balance minimus and they are awesome! But I mainly use them for lifting (like olympic lifts where you don't want a lot of cushioning from a typical running shoe) and cross fit. I will run 800m-1mile in them on pavement. When I start trail running I will go up in miles.

You can think about marathon racing flats as well to run with. They are minimalist shoes with enough cushioning to run a marathon. But if you are set on the vibram type trail shoes look into the shoes I am linking below. Some good vibram alternatives. Nothing against them just hard to get on. Sorry for the long (and kind of off topic) post but I wanted you to be aware of what it means to switch to a minimalist shoe. So do some research and good luck with picking a shoe! Hopefully there will be nice trails in Daegu when I arrive there for EPIK. Congrats on getting placed.

http://www.shopnewbalance.com/search_results.asp?qry=Women%27s+Minimus+Life&showdetails=yes

http://www.shopnewbalance.com/search_results.asp?qry=Women%27s+Minimus+Trail&showdetails=yes

http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/22877W/0/Womens/Barefoot-Pace-Glove?dimensions=0

http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/24669W/0/Womens/Barefoot-Lithe-Glove?dimensions=0

[Patrick Bateman]

[myenglishisno]

I saw those shoes in that Mirror's Edge game. I always wondered what they were called.

I'm big into running too so I'll check it out.

As for Jeju-do and exercise... Jeju-do is the best place to exercise anywhere in Korea, period. A huge mountain, fresh air, tonnes of nice roads, beaches and so forth. You'll be in heaven.

[EmilyEmily]

Thanks, guys...I am mostly wondering if it will be totally bizarre if I wear those there, not asking for tips...I know all about vibrams and have been researching them for months and a lot of people in my family have them. I am excited to make use of them on the trails in Jeju.

Next question: is there an abundance of yoga studios in Korea?

[EmilyEmily]

[gtrain83]

[robinsoncrusoe]

go surfing!