Last June—just as school ended—the Yongsan Garrison Commander decreed that, as PT (Physical Training) was an integral component of a soldier’s job description and Yongsan is first and foremost an army garrison with its mission priorities focused on troops, no motorized vehicles would be permitted to travel certain roads from 6:00-7:00 on weekday mornings to allow troops to train, run, etc., unhindered by traffic. Multiple gates would close, too, during this timeframe so that vehicles can neither enter nor exit the garrison. (For a true emergency, we have been assured, gate and road access would be granted . . . with a military police escort, no less!) All three schools on Yongsan Garrison line one of the main thoroughfares barred to traffic during this morning training hour, and both gates that I normally use to access the garrison close.
Last year I generally arrived at school around 6:30—an arrival time still possible when I walk! However, for driving days I either need to be at school before 6:00 or else brave the glut of traffic entering at 7:00 and inching through the multiple intersections orchestrated by the whistles and hand motions of military policemen arrayed in camouflage BDUs and fluorescent orange vests. Last year my running days dwindled to none by November, ultimately expunged by big city traffic and big city air quality. Yet, during my first month in Korea while living on post (before moving into my apartment), I ran regularly in the early morning and quite successfully. In fact, the garrison really is the best place to run because traffic is less dense, especially in the early morning, and better options exist for “greener” routes.
So, before school began this year, I experimented with driving on post before 6:00 and running during the “PT Hour.” Five weeks later and I’m still running at least three mornings a week. On school mornings, I head to school about 5:40 dressed to run. (Interestingly enough, there is always at least one other car in the parking lot when I pull in, but, as of yet, never more than three vehicles occupy spaces until after 7:00.) After dumping stuff in my classroom, I’m off, usually a few minutes before 6:00, just as first light truly breaks the dark.
No matter how hard I have tried to remedy circumstances inherent in dressing for work away from one’s own boudoir, I think my presentation always looks somewhat wilted on the days I run; the hair, especially, I can’t get right. I have made my peace, though: I can surrender the ultimate “crisp” in appearance for the loveliness of a day with a run.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
[This morning I carted my little camera with me on the run. A somewhat overcast sky flattened the magic of the early morning light often accompanying me on my runs this September.]
I warm up by walking from school to the community playing fields.
I stretch with the railing bar on the flat between the two flights of stairs.
Believe it or not, this is an ascent!
The curve before the highest point on my route.
Now I descend toward Embassy Housing. (Can you see the "gate" into Embassy Housing?)
After running through two sections of Embassy Housing, I head to the path in back of the Fun Park; here is the skate park section.
The path on the right I use for backward running, skipping, butt-kicks, etc. because it's mostly straight and rarely has anyone else on it. (And, yes, that is a driving range on the left--another section of the Fun Park.)
Then I head toward the schools again. The elementary school is coming into view on the right.
Looking over one of the elementary school's playgrounds. At the top of the stairs on the left, I stretch out again after a run.
Looking toward the middle school campus. The windows on the right of the taller building is where my classroom last year was located.
This year, though, I have a "hut" classroom; it's the farthest one back in this building.
Here's the entrance to my classroom.
1 comment:
I enjoyed the "running tour," especially since I didn't have to run.
Post a Comment