(no subject)
Here is the Introduction i gave for Gi today:
Through the past 3 years I have had the privilege to develop a strong relationship with Gi Hong Lim. In driving Gi to many track or cross country practices and running with him through 6 long seasons, I have been lucky enough to have rare undisturbed conversations with him on topics ranging from his Korean culture and his family, to religion and his beliefs. While this part of my relationship with Gi is by far the most important, I feel that a good introduction, especially for Gi, should include comical stories, not just heart warming tales of McCallie brotherly love.
Gi’s comical misfortune was discovered immediately on his arrival in the states as an official of the exchange program conveniently left out the “T” in Steven on Gi’s forms making Gi’s American name, Seven. Although Seven was traveling into the unknown when coming to McCallie, cross country runners knew about him months in advance. As summer practices were starting, Coach Wood went over new students that he felt would help improve the State Championship roster of the previous year. Coach spoke of others but was most excited about a certain Korean. Coach had our best runner worried with stories of this Korean running everywhere like young boys of Kenya and how he had already run 4 marathons. When that first practice rolled around there was no Korean in sight until this guy came walking up to the track 20 minutes late eating a banana in some metrosexual green pumas and a ridiculous visor.
After a week of denial, the team accepted Gi. To his credit, Gi had run in a few marathons and has provided some amazing performances since that first practice including a sub 5 minute mile and a spot on a competitive state meet roster. While Gi did in fact excel in running, his teammates have enjoyed his presence that much more. From stuffing his shorts to get that perfect bulge for team pictures to accidentally peeing in front of a bus full of GPS runners, Gi has provided more comic relief and distraction from a sport most call punishment than the rest of us combined. I’m sure 5 to the 6 to the Seven will have some words of wisdom today and definitely some good laughs so watch and listen closely to his much anticipated Gi-votional.
Right after this Sholl chewed me out for that sentence about the bulge and peeing. Whatever it was worth it.
Through the past 3 years I have had the privilege to develop a strong relationship with Gi Hong Lim. In driving Gi to many track or cross country practices and running with him through 6 long seasons, I have been lucky enough to have rare undisturbed conversations with him on topics ranging from his Korean culture and his family, to religion and his beliefs. While this part of my relationship with Gi is by far the most important, I feel that a good introduction, especially for Gi, should include comical stories, not just heart warming tales of McCallie brotherly love.
Gi’s comical misfortune was discovered immediately on his arrival in the states as an official of the exchange program conveniently left out the “T” in Steven on Gi’s forms making Gi’s American name, Seven. Although Seven was traveling into the unknown when coming to McCallie, cross country runners knew about him months in advance. As summer practices were starting, Coach Wood went over new students that he felt would help improve the State Championship roster of the previous year. Coach spoke of others but was most excited about a certain Korean. Coach had our best runner worried with stories of this Korean running everywhere like young boys of Kenya and how he had already run 4 marathons. When that first practice rolled around there was no Korean in sight until this guy came walking up to the track 20 minutes late eating a banana in some metrosexual green pumas and a ridiculous visor.
After a week of denial, the team accepted Gi. To his credit, Gi had run in a few marathons and has provided some amazing performances since that first practice including a sub 5 minute mile and a spot on a competitive state meet roster. While Gi did in fact excel in running, his teammates have enjoyed his presence that much more. From stuffing his shorts to get that perfect bulge for team pictures to accidentally peeing in front of a bus full of GPS runners, Gi has provided more comic relief and distraction from a sport most call punishment than the rest of us combined. I’m sure 5 to the 6 to the Seven will have some words of wisdom today and definitely some good laughs so watch and listen closely to his much anticipated Gi-votional.
Right after this Sholl chewed me out for that sentence about the bulge and peeing. Whatever it was worth it.