[One Thousand Characters a Day] Ordinary Running <5> - From Runner to Marathoner

Editor's NoteThe author, who was far from running, started exercising steadily and challenged a full marathon course after two years, successfully completing it. Why challenge a marathon despite the hardship? The answer was not found during the preparation process, but after finishing the marathon, the author said, "I began to dream a dream that no one can easily give up." Through running, the author gained the stamina to live each day energetically, the confidence to turn the impossible into possible, and a new dream that allows living the present faithfully while envisioning the future. The author wrote this book hoping that someone could empathize with the feelings of an ordinary person running an ordinary run and that it might bring a small change to that person. Word count: 845.

"I could do it, but I just didn't." I saw a cheering sign brought out by a running club. Despite the hardship, a smile escaped. It was true. I could do it. There was no reason not to. If I stopped here, it wouldn't be that I couldn't do it, but that I didn't do it. I kept moving my legs. I high-fived an unknown cheering squad, responded with a strong voice to their cheers of "Fighting," and when there was no cheering squad nearby, I motivated myself and clapped my hands, running like that. Then, far ahead, I saw Lotte World Tower, and I was running on Jamsil Bridge.

(Omitted)

Back on the main road, I moved my heavy legs. I saw runners heading toward the main stadium of the Sports Complex, the finish line of this marathon. Everyone was fighting with themselves. Many who might have competed with others by overtaking or being overtaken in the early stages were now fighting only with themselves. I felt an indescribable camaraderie. I was not running to beat someone. I was not running alone. I was running together with all those challenging the marathon to overcome their limits and the people cheering for them.

Passing Jamsil Bridge, I saw the Sports Complex. Only 2 km left. Normally, it would be a distance I could run with my eyes closed, but not now. It was the longest 2 km in my life. My form was completely ruined, and my legs were as heavy as they could be. There were so many people walking that it was hard to tell if it was a walking event or a running event. I had no confidence to walk. I chose to run slowly instead. I considered stopping briefly to loosen my legs, but I had no strength to stop now. I decided to go all the way in this state. Taking a step was difficult, but I decided not to stop until the end.

- Kang Juwon, Ordinary Running, Biroso, 16,800 KRW

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