March 2 , 2010 Tuesday It used to be my personal policy not to run outside in cold weather.  I could come up with any excuse to stay in whenever the temps dropped below freezing.   I would be on the treadmill for the season or, more likely, just stop running all together and begin cross training.  By cross training, I mean get on the elliptical for about 15 minutes and then talk to friends at the gym over an ab machine.

This winter, though, my husband signed up for a spring marathon.  I would call him crazy and say that was a bad decision, but he would claim I encouraged him to join up.  He might even use descriptive words like "bullied" or "teased".  Anyway, I wanted to be a supportive wife and once he decided to run the Seoul International Marathon on March 21st, I wanted to do my part.  

My part includes staying in running shape through the winter with him and occasionally having a training run or race together.  So, we bought all the warm clothing one is supposed to have for cold weather running and we signed up for races all winter.  We've done A LOT of races this season.  My race shirt collection is becoming the envy of many.  I won't say I was gung ho every time it came time to lace up and head out.  I certainly won't say I didn't question our choices when Seoul experienced the hardest winter in recent years.  I would even admit to very bad words when freezing cold sleet blasted me in the face so hard my teeth hurt.  

However, this discomfort came with a gift at the end...a discovery.  My new knowledge: I REALLY like cold weather running when properly outfitted and when running with people I enjoy.  What a nice surprise!  

So, stop thinking about signing up for a race.  Stop coveting the race shirt of others.  Lace up and get out!  Give yourself the gift of running.  IT IS AWESOME!

Lara
SFRC Member / Contributing Writer

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Usual Group Runs:

Saturdays 7 or 8 a.m.: 10Km to 32Km slow run (LSD) - 10 to 12 min/mile pace

Tuesday/Thursdays 6:00 p.m. : 45 to 60 minute speed work (tempo/intervals) or hill work

Other Workouts : track/intervals/tempo runs/hills - time/days vary so contact us to join.

Upcoming Events:

Seoul International Marathon - March 21st

Seoul Open Marathon - March 21st

Jeju Ultramarathon - March 27 - 28th

Club Social - April 3rd or 4th

MBC Adidas Marathon - April 25th

Contact us to join the upcoming events and/or training runs.

Recent Past Events:

Anjoonggeun Peace Marathon - Mar 7

March Club Social - Mar 6

3.1 Independence Movement Day Marathon - Mar 1

Goyang-si Joongang Marathon - Feb 28

Koguryo Marathon - Feb 21

Yongsan 5K Fun Run - 9:30 a.m. Feb 6, 2010 - Saturday

7th Goguryo Marathon - Feb 21, 2010 - Sunday

Seoul International Marathon - Mar 21, 2010 - Sunday

2009 Annual SFRC Banquet - Jan 9, 2010 - Sunday

Yongsan New Years Eve Midnight Run - Dec 31, 2009 midnight, Thursday

Sports Seoul Marathon - Nov 15, Sunday

Thanksgiving Pot-Luck - Nov 22, Sunday (RSVP to Jae)

Son Ki Jung Peace Marathon - Nov 29, Sunday (Sign up by Nov 11 - Jae)

Childrens' Heart Disease Prevention Fundraiser Marathon - Dec 6, Sunday

Yongsan 5K - Dec 19, Saturday

1st Hangang Winter Marathon - Dec 20, Sunday

BBQ at Dave's - Sep 12, 4 p.m. Saturday

DMZ Run - Sep 13, Sunday

Yongsan 10K Road Race - Sep 19, 9:30 a.m. Saturday

Neck Tie Marathon 5K - Sep 26, Saturday

Hi Seoul Marathon - Oct 11, Sunday

Incheon New Bridge Opening Marathon - Oct 11, Sunday

Nike Human Race 10K - Oct 24, Saturday

Chuncheon Marathon - Oct 25, Sunday

JoongAng Marathon - Nov 1, Sunday

Cheolwon DMZ Marathon - Aug 23, Sunday

Brunch Social at Liz' House - July 12th, Sunday

6th Saebyuk GangByeon Marathon - July 5th, Sunday

4th of July 5K at Yongsan - July 4th, Saturday

5K at Yongsan Base - June 12th (Sat) 6:30 a.m.

Social at 3 Alley Pub in Itaewon - June 9th (Tues) 7 p.m. www.3alleypub.com

1st Hangang Seoul Marathon - June 6, Saturday

BBQ at Dave's - May 30, Saturday

1st Queens' Marathon - May 5th, Sunday

Visit Running in Korea

Links

Ohmyshoe.com - Choice running shoes

Smile Run - Another running club in Seoul

If you are interested in a link exchange or sponsoring our club, please contact us