January 7, 2010 Thursday It was a great running holiday season for me, last two three weeks and have enjoyed all the running despite all the snow and freezing cold temperatures. At the same time, I am also sad to hear of so many members suffering from significant (running related) injuries this winter and also many with general illnesses that are keeping them from maintaining an active running schedule.

Most of the injury reports are not the end of world or running but each should seek resolution to the symtoms rather than simply trying to wish them away. See a doctor if your pains linger on and do not go away after a few days or couple of weeks at the most.

Now back to more positive notes. We had a wonderful large snow fall last week, most in 70+ years, and some folks are enjoying the snow at the slopes, skiing, snow boarding, snow and ice sledding, ice fishing, etc. I took my family up to PyeongChang about two weeks ago and had a lot of fun with my wife and three kids.

It also looks like we will have record number of Seoul Flyers running the 2010 Seoul International (81st Donga) Marathon on March 21, 2010 and are reaching most members we've had since the founding of the Club in 2006. We have also attracted some very competitive runners, mens and ladies, and expect to have a fantastic year in 2010.

Mark Son has been doing a fantastic job being the Club Secretary, Treasurer and much more in 2009 and expect to have even more important role in 2010, helping Seoul Flyers become even better Club than ever before.

We have a healthy number of new members at various levels of running experience and speed and thus it will be easier for members to find training/running parnters than before also.

It is a brand new year and I want to challenge everyone to strive to be a better runner and better person in 2010 than ever before and continue to remember running is for health and not simply for PRs/PBs although PRs/PBs are good too. Even more importantly, think safety as bad practice of running/exercising is bound to create injuries, some minor but some injuries could be life-long lasting so please be careful out there and train with common sense in mind.

If you need training tips, and/or how to dress appropriately for extreme weather, please let us know and we will definitely try to find a good answer to your questions.

Don't forget the 1st Annual Seoul Flyers Running Club Awards Banquest this Saturday, January 9, 2010 at Sullivan School (http://www.sullivanschool.co.kr/) in Gangnam Insa-dong. Check out our Facebook page for the details on various upcoming events, including the banquet.

Happy trails and keep safe~

Jae
SFRC President

New Membership Application

Usual Group Runs:

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

Tuesday/Thursdays 5:30 a.m. : 30 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:

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

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

Recent Past Events:

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