Kim Eun-nam (48), a teacher at Saesol Elementary School in Seoul, participated in the 30km women’s division of the 15th Happy Trail Run Festival to help pediatric cancer patients, starting from Suseo Station in Seoul on November 17, running through Daemosan Mountain, Guryongsan Mountain, Inreungsan Mountain, and Cheonggyesan Mountain and finishing at Maeheon Bridge in Yangjae Citizen’s Forest.He won in 4 hours, 40 minutes and 55 seconds. I even won a competition I entered to enjoy mountain climbing.
Teacher Kim is an ‘ironman’ who entered triathlon in 2012. So far, I have completed the Ironman course 10 times, which includes swimming 3.8km, cycling 180km, and marathon full course 42.195km. the highest record is 11 hours, 18 minutes and 34 seconds set at the Gurye Ironman competition last year. he said, “When I cross the finish line of a triathlon competition, my body feels fatigued, but I feel more proud and happy than ever.”
“I started swimming when I was pregnant wiht my eldest son, so it’s been over 20 years. even when I was pregnant with my second child, I took swimming classes and took care of my health. As I started going to the swimming pool early in the morning,I was able to do more. At that time, iron man 3 caught my eye. “I had never ridden a cycle or run a marathon before, but my desire to do so soared.”
In 2012, he competed in the Olympic course (1.5km swimming, 40km cycling, 10km marathon) and barely finished the race in 3 hours. If you didn’t have an Olympic course record, you couldn’t compete in the ironman course. Not long after, he also participated in the Ironman course and finished the race in 15 hours. He said, “Everyone around me said I was reckless, but I just competed. And I finished the race,” he said with a smile.
![“The life of an ironman: swimming, cycling, running… “I’m so happy.”[양종구의 100세 시대 건강법]](https://dimg.donga.com/wps/NEWS/IMAGE/2024/11/30/130537237.1.jpg "“The life of an ironman: swimming, cycling, running… “I’m so happy.”[양종구의 100세 시대 건강법]")
In terms of participating in the competition, it was actually my first time in all three events. Although I have been swimming for the longest time, it was my first time doing open water swimming outside of a pool, and I also started cycling with someone holding me from behind. In the case of the full marathon course, I started in the 5 hour range and became an ‘expert’. I completed the ‘sub-three’ (complete the full course in under 3 hours) three times, which is the ‘dream record’ of Masters marathoners. He recorded a personal best of 2 hours 57 minutes and 44 seconds at the 2019 Donga Marathon and Seoul Marathon, a personal best of 2 hours 56 minutes and 46 seconds at last year’s Donga Marathon, and 2 hours 59 minutes and 20 seconds at this year’s Donga Marathon. I also completed the 100km ultramarathon in 9 hours and 44 minutes.
He also achieved notable growth in triathlon. At this year’s gurye Ironman Competition, she placed second in the women’s 45-49 age category with a time of 11 hours, 34 minutes and 26 seconds, allowing her to participate in the Ironman World Championships to be held in Hawaii, USA in October next year. The Hawaii World Championships are a ‘dream stage’ for iron men. He said, “I qualified to compete last year, but I couldn’t go because it overlapped with classes this year. “Next year, fortunately, there is the Chuseok holiday, so I can go,” he said.
“The feeling of accomplishment when I complete the Ironman course cannot be expressed in words. My whole body aches and hurts, but I am filled with pride for having done it again. I feel confident that I can take on any challenge. To be honest, I’ve done things like this, but I’m wondering if there’s anything I can’t do. Stress goes away in one fell swoop. People ask me if I’m tired, but I feel full of energy when I compete in a competition or train with a team on the weekend. “I’ll be energized next week with that energy.”
He said he now has more leisure in his life.
“Well, in the past, I was somewhat hesitant when someone asked me something, but after completing the Ironman course, I became more lenient, perhaps as I had peace of mind. As my self-esteem has grown, I do not hesitate to volunteer when people around me are having difficulties. “As I became a bigger vessel, I became more accepting of everything.”
In fact, at first, I had a hard time with all the items. In 2014, I joined the ‘Neo Tri Team’, a triathlon club, as a founding member and was able to learn systematically through activities. It was only about 4 years after I started triathlon that I was able to enjoy it.
“There is something like this. Swimming in open water can be a bit traumatic. The water itself is scary,and I actually avoid it because I have to fight with other people. When I cycle, I’m afraid of falling and getting hurt. That’s why I like marathons the most, where I run with both feet on the ground. “The reason my record is the best is because I run a lot.”
Now, I go to Mokdong Marathon Class in Seoul every morning, run for 1 hour and 30 minutes, and then go to work. Swimming is done on Tuesdays and Thursdays after work at Seon Chang-yong’s swimming class at Korea National Sport University. On weekends, I train with the neo Tri team.It was said that it was individual training during the week and team training on the weekend. On weekends, depending on the program, you cycle between 130km and 180km. Some run marathons longer than 30km.
Teacher Kim prefers team training.
“I definately have to do personal training alone, but it’s less difficult to do it together. If you run and ride a bike together, you can easily cover long distances. Although it is an individual sport, it is easier when played together. “We also give each other strength.”
“Thay are applauding. Actually, I usually exercise early in the morning. I wake up at 3 or 4 a.m., so I get home on the weekends before my kids or husband wake up. The children are all grown up now and have their own world. Of course, when I participate in a competition, I take off for 2-3 days, but usually there is no problem at all with doing household chores. Also, as I do what I love, I try to be nicer to my family when I’m at home. “My husband is also very helpful.”
“Often the upper grades, especially the male students, are often difficult to deal with, but as news spread that I was successfully completing the Ironman triathlon, they became cautious around me. Well, I don’t even care anymore when my kids fuss. “I have confidence that I can handle it well at any time.”
The best thing about doing triathlons is cardiorespiratory endurance. No matter what you do, it is not difficult. He said, “When I get a health check
up, the doctor makes me look more than 10 years younger. While exercising, I clearly feel that my actual age and my body’s age are separate. “You can only feel young if your body is healthy,” he said.
In 2017, when I was at the peak of my interest in triathlon, I refrained from participating in competitions after falling and injuring myself while cycling. He said,“I wasn’t broken anywhere,but after the accident where my helmet was damaged and my cycle flame was broken,I was so scared that I couldn’t ride my cycle.” At that time, I focused on the marathon and was able to achieve sub-three in 2019.The accident became an opportunity to upgrade my marathon skills.
In early 2020, when the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spread, I went to the mountains. With competitions gone, the option training I found was trail running through the mountains. Although driving on the road was not prevented, riding a mountain was relatively less burdensome during the COVID-19 era. That made him stronger. he began participating in triathlon competitions again in 2022, and set a personal best record for the Ironman course last year. At the time, she was ranked 1st in the women’s 45-49 age group, 2nd overall in the women’s division, and 93rd out of 863 women and men.
“Honestly, I don’t compete for records or rankings. Then you won’t be able to enjoy it for long. I enjoy participating in the competition itself. In order to have fun in competitions, you have to train a lot. That way,you won’t have a hard time during competitions. If you neglect your training even a little, it will be noticeable right away. And because I worked hard,I ended up in the top ranks.I don’t compare myself to others. This sport is not about comparison. It’s enough for me to just finish the race and be satisfied. “If your record is good because you worked hard, it’s only better.”
Teacher Kim said he was happy with the life of running, swimming, and pedaling every week.
How can participating in sports like triathlons and marathons enhance a teacher’s relationship with their students?
Ing triathlons and marathons, I noticed a change in my students’ attitudes. They began to look up to me, and my achievements inspired them. I think it has helped build a stronger bond with my students and made me a more relatable teacher.”
Kim Eun-nam’s journey into competitive sports has profoundly impacted her life, both personally and professionally. it expanded her confidence, improved her health, and deepened her engagement with her family and students. kim’s story serves as a testament to the transformative power of setting goals and pursuing passions, demonstrating that age and experience are no barriers to achieving newfound ambitions and enjoying life to the fullest.
With her upcoming participation in the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii, Kim is excited for the future. “Every race is a new adventure,” she explains. “I show my students that hard work and determination can lead to great accomplishments, both on the track and in life. I hope to continue inspiring them to chase after their dreams, no matter how big or small.”