"SPARTANS: What's your profession?"

So Heather and I have always loved fitness races. From our first half marathon in 2012 in Albuquerque, NM, to our most recent full marathon last year in Texas, there is nothing more enjoyable that setting out a journey together, staying together, and finishing together. Some of the best memories we have occurred during these races, but we faced a problem here in Korea: We don't do races on Sunday's. When we arrived here in Korea we discovered a big problem: All marathons in Korea, although very inexpensive as compared to American races, are ran on Sundays: everyone! Triathlons - non-existent here. Maybe we could look in Japan: same problem. What are we to do?!? My surgical tech, Jose Cardenas, came up with an idea. "Hey Doc, we should do a Spartan Race!"

I was naive on it: and come to find out as if Cross Fit people aren't weird enough with their tractor tire  lifts and "hey, lets figure out how to do something that will only give you rhabdomyolysis," they have a race, actually three, that you can do every year. The Spartan race encompasses a distance run, while accomplishing a series of competitive events. Each event can be attempted, but if failed you get to enjoy 30 burpee's, and we aren't talking about the ones that you wipe spit-up from off your kid's face. The attempt: Finish all the events, do it as fast as your can, and jump over fire to complete your race. The best part: They are done on Saturdays! Bam!

I was hesitant though: I am not a "CrossFit person" as I had labeled them; you know those who seek for punishment doing weird and insane exercises? But the more I looked at it, and knowing that I would have a bus take us up there and we could do it with some friends, made the event all the more enticing.

We signed up through IT&T on base and took the bus with Jose, Holly, Heather and I all the way to Incheon airport. Up to this point Heather and Holly had been going to CrossFit classes in the morning, and just 3 days before Heather spotted her latest challenge and mastered it: rope climb without knots. The long 2 hour bus ride helped up to hone our thoughts, and when we got there we saw we weren't the only crazy ones, 1000 other people were just a crazy as we were. Huge groups from Korean gyms were there, small groups like ours, military, young, old, it was amazing to see the diversity.

We took on the entry level race: The Spartan Sprint. The Sprint consisted of 23 obstacles in 8.5 km!  For our race, we got a single medal and shirt, but we also got an additional piece of a medal (1 of 3). If you do the sprint, you get one. If you do the Super, the get another, and if you're really insane and do "The Beast," meaning you go up in to the mountains somewhere and run like 14 miles doing 40 events, you get the final piece to complete the Trifecta medal. Super cool!

To begin the race we had to jump over a 4 foot barrier to enter the starting area.  My heart was pounding, I was super nervous and questioning my sanity.  The music was blaring "What are we- Spartans! What's your profession? Spartans!" Then the whistle blew and off we went!  Our first obstacle was the O.U.T. (Over, Under and through).  We had to jump over a wall, roll under a wall, then jump through a window.  OK!  I can do this!!

Next, we had to jump over hurdles.  Not the normal track hurdles, but these huge 1 foot square logs that where probably 5 feet off the ground.  I was able to jump and use my upper strength to make over the three hurdles, but poor Heather since she is shorter then me ended up slamming into two of the hurdles straight into the gut.  After the race, she has bruises for days!

We then had a Vertical Cargo, where you climb straight up a cargo net.  This was followed by a 4FT wall, which we all climbed over easily.  Next was the Stairway to Sparta.  Heather and I attack the obstacles in very different ways. We would come up on the event: I would sit back and analyze my plan of attack, but Heather would get this crazy determined look on her face and just attack the obstacle without a thought.  The stairway to Spartan was the first real challenge!  The wall to the stairs part was at least 6 feet high.  You have to clear up the wall to climb up the ladder part!

After some acquired bruises on the shin, we continued to the Inverted wall, the memory wall and the 7 ft wall. The inverted wall was a wall we had to climb from underneath, as it was inverted.  The Memory wall had our bib numbers and we were required to set to memory a specific name and date that matched our bib.  Each person had a different thing to memorize!  The 7 ft wall was the tallest wall of the entire race.  The girls had a cheat block about 2 feet up the wall.  The guys had to muscle up!  It was great being with our team!  We each would cheer and encourage each other!!  We wouldn't let each other quit and we helped each other when needed.  We also waited if anyone had to do the penalty of the hated burpies!!

Next up was Olympus, Atlas Carry, Monkey Bars and A-Frame Cargo.  Olympus was a slanted wall that had climbing hold at the top 1/4.  We could not use our feet, and could only use our hands on the holds!  Atlas Carry was where we had to carry these huge heavy balls!  I was worried it would hurt my back!  The men had to carry what seemed like 100 lbs! Monkey bars ended up making all of us, but Heather do Burpies!  Heather killed it and made it all the way to the end.  I had gloves on, and they slipped right at the very end.  The A-Frame Cargo was climbing up a cargo net at an incline.

The next three obstacles were reciting our memory test, attacking the multi-rig and the sandbag carry.  When Heather went the lady said she was wrong.  Heather said she knew she got it right.  It ended up she looked on the wrong thing to memorize and it wasn't the specific one to her bib,  however, since she recited it correctly, they let her pass.  The mule-rig was another all around Burpie Station.  This one was the ring monkey bars.  The sandbag carry had us carrying large sandbags.  Mine was about 75lbs and Heather's was about 50 lbs.

We had the spear throw, barbed wire crawl and rope climb next.  Heather was the only one who killed the spear throw.  Everyone else had to do Burpies!  The Barbed wire crawl was by far the dirtiest obstacle!  We were hot and sweaty and had to crawl and roll on the loose dirt under the wire.  I was so surprised to see that is was real barbed wire with all the super poky metal!!  There were quite a few gashes and blood spilt on this one from other contestants.  We all got out unscathed.  Heather was excited about the rope climb.  This was the only one she really cared about mastering.  She was able to flawlessly make it all the way up!  Holly wanted to get the rope climb too, but after a few attempts and Heather helping her, she still had to do burpies.  I have never done a rope climb before and had no clue as to the science behind how to do it, so I just went straight to the burpies section.

We knew we were getting close to the end!  We were tired and our arms were beginning to feel the pain!  We had the Hercules Hoist, Rolling Mud and Dunk Wall ahead of us!  The Hercules Hoist required us to pull a rope that was attached to a sandbag and pull the sandbag up to the pulley via the rope!  It took all the strength we had, and at this point I was so grateful I had gloves!  Jose on the other hand, was getting gashes into his hands and had the sandbag hoisted half way up, and was struggling because he couldn't grip the rope.  The girls held his rope in position, and I tore off my gloves and he put them on!  With gloves on and us cheering him on, he was able to get the sandbag all the way up!  The rolling mud was so gross!!  We had to go up and down three hills that had water and mud at the bottom.  It was about 3 feet of water.  At the very last hill, the entire hole was filled with mud, and there was a wall right to the water, and we were required to go under the wall and water to the other side!  Heather was about to chicken out, so Holly said "Let's do it together".  The girls counted to three and dunked out of sight.

Only two obstacles to go!  The slip wall and the fire jump!  After getting out of the water, we had to use a rope to walk up an incline wall, slippery feet and all!  I was surprised that I didn't slip and fall!

We get off the wall- and look at each other and say, "Let's finish this together!!"  We take off running and jump over the smoldering ashes!   As we finish the race, we have mud all over and are completely drenched, but the sheer feeling of accomplishments, put us on an excited high!  We get our medals, food and give each other high fives with smiles all around!

"Tae-Kwon-Do: High-Middle-Low"

Since living here in Korea, we have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to have so many options available for kids activities. When we arrived, we heard about the options for the girls to learn martial arts, such as JuJitsu and Taekwondo. After reviewing the options, we felt that Little A would benefit the most in Taekwondo.

Little did we know that the instructor for this class, Master Mun, is the son of the same Master Mun who trained Chuck Norris!  Norris was stationed here back in his early days in the Air Force, and the Senior Master Man started him on his course to become a third degree black belt, his famous fighting style. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?!?

Little A has now been taking Taekwondo for the last 2 months, and the level of dedication and discipline has been so very impressive for someone so shy and timid. She attends 4 days a week for an hour each day, and has already progressed through her first belt and is soon testing for her yellow belt. It has been so special to view her dedication. She takes the class very seriously, and each class is full of reviewing the fighting sequences that you need to remember for every belt, plus developing you in the next fighting sequences that are a part of your upcoming belt test. Little A is so dedicated to it, but her effects have had additional consequences: 

1) Little A has learned multiple Korean words and numbers as part of the sequences she has to memorize. 

2) Our little monster, who is just learning to speak, hears his sister constantly practicing statements like "Songtan, Mushgee, Low, Block!" and "Ke-ya!" that Heather and I could simply start on the first words and that little monster will finish the sentence in perfect parroting manner. The best result of it though is that he will yell "Ke-ya" in the best places: in his crib at bedtime, in the middle of sacrament meeting at church, showing that Little A's effort in practicing has directly influenced a little boy who already takes martial arts seriously - at 18 months! Super fun.

We are so proud of her! Little A is a very special girl, and we love that she has grasped on to something that teaches her discipline, respect, pride in accomplishment, self-defense and hand-eye-coordination. All a mere 1 mile away from home! So neat.

When little A tested for her white stripe belt, she had to break a board with her hand for the first time.  Kevin held the board as she concentrated so very hard on that board.  With all the intensity that her little body could muster up, she brought her hand down as hard as she could and screamed "Ke-ya" and broke the board into three!  The look of utter shock, amazement, gratification, and surprise had everyone laughing.  It would be safe to say that Little A's confidence soared!  Putting her in Taekwondo was the best thing we could have ever done!

Korean Apple Orchard

After the Fortress, we drove 30 minutes to the Apple Orchard.  Someone had mentioned this amazing orchard where you can make apple pies and pick your own apples, and we were excited to find out that it was still apple picking season.

We went to the apple farm with some great friends! We went with the Morgan's, Arny's and the Rust's.  Altogether, we had quite the crew of kids.  When we got to the apple farm we first went to a large room.  We were instructed here on how to make the apple pies.  Each person was able to make their own, personal apple pie.  They demonstrated how to roll the dough, put it in the pan, add the apple mixtures, then roll the top crust and add it to the bottom.

The back of the room was set up with tables and all the material needed to make the apple pies.  Each family had their own table.

They had everything prepped so well, and the instructions were done so good, that I didn't even need to help Little A.

The three girls went straight to work on making their own apple pies while Little Monster just wandered around or picked up the rolling pin and helped me roll out the dough.

Once the pies were made, we put them on a cookie sheet where they would cook them while we went to pick apples.

To get to the apple orchard, we went on a short tractor ride.  The kids were each given their own apple basket, and told to take a seat.  The wagons each had their own benches and canopy.

When we got to the apple orchard, we were told we can't pick anything until we were given instructions.  The kids listen very patiently as they were shown how to correctly pick an apple- hold the apple and pull up.  The last instructions we were given was that any apple that is picked or falls off the tree we have to buy.  All apples are 2000 won a piece.  (That's about $2.00).  Yikes!  I pulled my kids aside and told them they each can get one apple.  They had to look all around and call for me when they find their apple BEFORE they pick it.  Then I set them free to find their perfect apples.

The kids each took their time and each of them found gigantic apples, which I didn't mind.  They all hollered for me and were able to pluck the apple off the tree all on their own.

The Korean tractor driver found a bunch of super small apples that he picked and gave to the tiny kids- like the Monster.  He gestured not to eat the apple because it would make them sick and we needed to wash them first.  By the time I got through the gesture game, Monster had already taken a few bites.  Whoops, mommy fail there.

All the kids were very pleased with their apples!  They ran around the orchard and were commenting on all the different color of reds of the apples.

Once everyone had their apples all picked, we loaded back on the tractor for our ride back to the main building.

We bought our apples, I washed little Monsters already half-eaten-going-to-make-him-sick apple, and then went in search for our apple pies.  All the pies were cooked and cooling on the porch.  The smell was so amazing!  Since Little A had taekwondo, we couldn't stay any longer, so we got our pies to go. We ate the pies on our way back home.  We saved the apples for later, so Kevin could see how big the apples were.  They were the yummies and most juiciest apples I have ever had.  I am sad that we didn't get more, because they were totally worth the  $2 an apple!

Haemieupseong Fortress

The kids didn't have school today, so a group of us made plans to visit the Haemieupseong Fortress and the Apple Orchard.  The first stop was the Fortress.  It took about an hour to get to the Fortress.  When we got there, there was a hug wall surrounding the Fortress.

The gate had an entrance that had one guard.  Above the entrance was a small room with a drum inside.  These rooms are considered sacred and shoes must be removed to enter.  The beautiful traditional Korean paintings were so detailed.

After we got all our front gate pictures, we picked up a map from the visitor center.  None of us had any idea of the history of this particular fortress, we were just told it was a gorgeous fortress with beautiful grounds and would be on our way to the Apple Orchard.

To our surprise, we found that this fortress was a prison and torture place for Catholics in the 1800's.  Say what?!?  The first stop was at the Pagona Tree, where it was reported that the tree is over 300 years old and the place where they would hang the Catholic believers during the time of Byeongin Bakhae.  At this point, I was beginning to wonder what we just walked into.  Looks like today would be a history lesson.

The next stop was at the Prison House where it was reported that countless Catholic believers were kept to await their tourture or hanging.  There were even crosses in front of the prison that explained their torture.  Here's Little A smiling away in front of the prison.  Now you can't see it, but inside was a bronze statue of a person who looked very much in pain and as if they were in prison.  Just smile and nod.

We then came across an area of grass that had lawn toys.  The games depicted Korean games of the time.  There was a neat arrow game where the kids had to try to toss the arrows into one of three slots.  There was a ring game and a rolling hoop game.  I was flabbergasted that the games were in such pristine condition and that none of them were broken.  They were just laying there in the open.  In America, the games would all be broken, stolen, or missing parts.  I love how Koreans have a sense of pride in their things.  The Koreans take care of all things around them and are extremely respectful. We made sure to leave the games as we found them, just as a Korean would.

Our next stop was at the Dongheon, which is the central administration building, or the governor's house.  This was the building where the trails would take place.

Next we made our way up a super steep stairway to the Cheongheojeong.  This was where the soldiers would rest, take a break or train in martial arts.  We were expecting a huge building, and by the time we made it up the forever stairway, we found it it was rather small.

The kids were a little frustrated.  They didn't understand why we walked up all those stairs just to see a building that looked the same as every other building we had seen.  Going down the stairs made up for the trek up.  There were water gutters on either side of the stairs, and the kids slid down the gutters, like a slide.

We were running out of time, because we had an appointment at the Apple Orchard, so we had to hurry and leave.  It was a great history lesson and a sacred place.  I am glad we came, and wished we had more time because we only saw about half of the fortress.  But I went with some amazing women. Here are two of them:  Kara Morgan and Siboney Arny.  Holly Rust came too with her family.  It was a great group and the kids had some great friends with them.

Everland

For Labor Day, we found out that Everland was offering a foreigner discount.  We also found out that it was NOT a Korean Holiday, just an American Holiday.  Since we pretty much avoid all things Korean on Korean Holidays due to the massive insane crowds, we were excited to go the Everland in hopes of less lines and less crowds.  Kevin had the day off and the weather wasn't too blazing hot, so we left the house about 8:30 to make it to Everland before it opened at 10:00.  We were expecting traffic and getting lost, but we did neither and found ourselves there about an hour early.  We took the time to lather on sunscreen, get snacks organized and take pictures.

Now, you are probably wondering what it Everland?!?  Everland is like a Korean Disneyland.  (Think Walmart instead of Sam's Club).  The park has rides, shows, parades, fireworks, beautiful gardens, lights, animals, Pandas, decorations and more.  It's like a zoo in one section, a fair in another, a botanical garden, and throw in a few wood rickety roller coasters.  With the day already being bright and hot, we figured the animals would be more awake in the evenings, so we saved that for last.

With Halloween being next month, the park was decked out in Halloween decorations.  Beautiful and amazing decorations were everywhere.  It really confused me, because Koreans don't celebrate Halloween.  I asked my friend about this and she said they do it for the Americans.  

We went straight to the children's area of the park.  It is filled with rides that Little A can ride for sure.  When we got there, only a few rides were up an running.  

Most of the signs said 'Open at 12:00'.  That's something I have learned about Koreans, they will open or close a store whenever they want regardless of what the store hours are.  I guess with it being a Monday and not a holiday for them, the workers just opened a select few rides.  It was really frustrating because there wasn't much to see or do.  The kids were able to ride on a few rides, and I found a ball house that Monster had a blast in.

Another super crazy thing about Everland, was the height restrictions.  Most of the rides allowed infants and toddlers as long as an adult was with them.  Monster joined his daddy and sisters on the pang pang ride that jumped up and down.  I was so worried he would jump right out of the seat!  Kevin kept a firm grip on the Monster and he was laughing during the entire ride.

I got lost in the Rose Gardens!  I absolutely loved the gorgeous flowers and lights.  There were so many gardens. At the very end of the garden was a huge castle covered in lights.  In front of the castle was a flower heart.  I definitely wanted a picture with my love there!  The love of my life.

 I absolutely love parades!  Everland had two parades.  One parade was around 2:00 and the other was a light parade at night.  We got seats early and in the shade for the 2:00 parade.  It reminded me of the Disneyland Parade.  There were beautiful floats with Everland's mascots and generic Fairy Tale creatures.  There were amazing street performers with music and dancing.  At one point a street dancer grabbed M&M and had her dance with her in the parade.  That was defiantly a highlight for M&M.

 The older girls wanted to hit up some of the more adventurous rides that Little A was too small for, so Little A, Monster and I walked around and went exploring.  We found a petting zoo.  I'm pretty sure Koreans don't understand the concept of a petting zoo.  There were only three small areas with animals in the gigantic petting zoo area.  There were sheep, rabbits and hamsters.  All three animals had a fence surrounding them with big signs showing a picture of touching the animals with a big X.  Basically a non-touching petting zoo????  Little Sis was super disappointed about that.  We did find a gorgeous bog that had real water lilies!  It was so amazingly gorgeous and one of the neatest things I have seen.  I've never seen real water lily before!

 It was getting closer to 5:00, so we went to the animal section of the park.  The first stop was at the bird house.  Inside you can pay 3000 won for a tiny thing of bird food so the little parakeets will eat from your hand.  When the kids started begging to buy the bird seed, I said no way.  But then daddy rescued them and got two bags for them to share.  He said it was part of the experience.   In the end, it was pretty cool.  Little Monster got a huge kick out of the birds and kept trying to swat at them.

The next ride was an African Safari ride.  There was about a 40 min wait, but we were told it was worth the wait, and you better believe it was. We saw so many lions and tiger and bears, Oh my!  There were more lions then I have ever seen in my life.  The bears would come straight up to the bus and the driver would throw them food from his window.  The bears would clap, or blow kisses and do other well trained moves.  It was something to behold!

After the Safari ride we were super excited to see what other animals the park had, and to my utter horror, all animal exhibits were closing and locking the gates!  Even though Everland was open until 9:00, all animal exhibits closed at 5:00.  Say what?!?!?  I was so sad and felt so bad!  We were all so disappointed that we didn't get to see more of the animals of the park.  I apologized profusely to the kids and then we made our way to a restaurant in the park for dinner.

After dinner, the kids went back and rode their favorite rides.  We also saw the light parade.  It was significantly more crowded then the day parade, and we ended up not having good seats for that one.  We did pull a Korean though, and had our kids just shove their way to the front.   After the parade, we made our way back to the gardens to see the garden lights.  The castle had lights that were set to music.  We watched the light show, sang along to the songs and danced.  I'm sure the Korean thought we were more a spectacle then the lights themselves.  Next to the castle was a shadow box for taking pictures.  What a fun way to end such a fun day, kissing the man I love!