Every morning our apartment overlooks a high school track and Adam decided that was basically a sign — so now we run and power walk and think about getting old in the blazing Korean sun.
Every morning as I sit at the window, sipping on my coffee, I reflect on the deeper meanings in life. Sometimes I stare off into the great unknown and think…..”is that exhaust smoke or a…OH LORD JESUS!!! its a…..*cough, hmm…sorry, I digress. That was my ode to Sweet Brown..completely irrelevant but i’m such a sucker for autotune ….(click here) 😉
…But seriously, our apartment overlooks the Gyeongnam Technical High School high school track and over the past two weeks, Nicole and I have made our way to the quarter mile circuit several times in an attempt to formulate a cardio regiment.
While I run, sweat, pant….think about getting old, and involuntarily tinkle ever-so-slightly in the blazing morning sun, Nicole does her power walks, stretches and light weight exercises on the field. It really is a great way to start our day and effectively eliminates the need for that second cup of Joe. Plus, Nicole likes to show off her neon trimmed Nike yoga pants that make her look like a superhero…and I don’t need much of a reason to get me into some its-bitsy running shorts.
Korean’s are always struttin around like no big woop on the mountains, so we figure this will help us keep up with the Jones’s…well, more like the Kim’s and Park’s but you get the idea.
don’t forget to stretch,
Adam
Q: How do you stay fit while living as an expat in South Korea? A: Korea makes it surprisingly easy — mountains for hiking public tracks for running and a culture of outdoor exercise that makes staying active feel completely normal rather than effortful. Our apartment overlooked the Gyeongnam Technical High School track which became our morning cardio spot for the price of absolutely nothing. Nicole power walks and stretches in her neon Nike yoga pants. Adam runs and involuntarily thinks about getting old. It works for both of us.
Q: What is morning exercise culture like in South Korea? A: Koreans take morning exercise extraordinarily seriously and make it look completely effortless which is simultaneously inspiring and humbling. The same people who casually hike mountains in full technical gear at sunrise are the ones lapping you on the track before you have finished your first quarter mile. We decided to stop competing and simply commit to showing up which is a life philosophy that applies well beyond exercise.
Q: Is it free to use public tracks and sports facilities in South Korea? A: Many public school tracks and outdoor exercise areas in Korea are accessible to residents outside of school hours at no cost. It is one of the genuinely excellent quality of life benefits of living in Korean cities — outdoor fitness infrastructure is abundant clean and welcoming to all ages. Our morning track sessions became one of the highlights of our daily routine in Busan.
Q: How do you build a fitness routine while living abroad? A: Use what is directly in front of you. A track outside your window. A mountain at the end of your street. A yoga mat on a small apartment floor. The best fitness routine abroad is the one you will actually do consistently and the one that costs you nothing but commitment. We found that morning exercise also eliminated the need for a second coffee which felt like a genuine lifestyle upgrade.
Q: What motivates you to exercise when living abroad? A: Korean hiking grandparents in full technical gear passing you without breaking a sweat. That is honestly all the motivation you will ever need. The Korean commitment to physical activity across all ages is one of the most quietly inspiring things about living in this country and it makes your own excuses feel significantly less valid.
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