Running every day is a routine that some may find insane. Running 6,000 miles — approximately 230 full marathons — is a goal that some may think is impossible to accomplish. However, this is exactly what senior Nelson Kang has done over the past four years.
From a young age, Kang possessed a palpable love for running and the outdoors, a passion that even the COVID-19 lockdown could not stop him from pursuing. In the throes of the pandemic, on Dec. 21, 2020, Kang committed to a daunting goal of running 5,000 miles. He began his mornings early, at 6:30 a.m., and would only allow himself two minutes to stay in bed before getting up to run either the neighborhood route he had mapped out or a nearby track.
Whether or not it was raining or his physical condition was not ideal, Kang still pushed himself to run each morning. While he does not recommend others to follow his example, this demonstrates his unparalleled self-discipline and dedication. Said Kang, “I feel like being in the outdoors is something that’s kind of underrated, and just exercising in general […] there’s something about that feeling of doing something you love that makes you want to do it more.”
Last year, Kang incorporated evening runs into his routine to adjust to his increased goal of 5,000 miles to 6,000 miles. He wanted to venture beyond his comfort zone and attain his goal faster, as his pacing was better than he had initially expected. Yet, he still managed to sleep by 11:30 p.m. every night to ensure that he had enough sleep to power him through his run the next morning. During breaks throughout the school year, he ran more than usual — running as much as 13 to 18 miles, without breaks, in one session, compared to his average of three to four miles.
As a student actively involved in school activities, Homecoming season was always a challenging time for Kang. Ever since his freshman year, he has participated in mandatory morning Homecoming practices while simultaneously maintaining his workout ritual. He sometimes woke up as early as 5:30 a.m. to fulfill both commitments. Despite this, he maintained a positive attitude.
Though he faced inevitable physical and mental challenges that came with working towards his goal, Kang received unwavering support from his friends, who sometimes ran and chatted with him. Kang’s strong support system and his zealous attitude eventually led him to success.
The morning of Oct. 10, 2024 marks the day that Kang finally achieved his long-term goal of four years. He had just finished running his typical neighborhood route when he realized he reached 6,000 miles. Although he was thrilled, his family was still asleep, and he did not want to wake them up, so to commemorate this special moment alone, Kang spent his time where he was most happy — outside, at a park.
“I laid down and looked through some of my old pictures. I remember each day I run by either [taking] a good sunrise picture, or just a general nice picture of the sky. I have a lot of pictures to remind me,” said Kang.
Reflecting on his journey, Kang believes he has gained more determination and confidence. Now that he has accomplished his goal, Kang looks forward to setting more ambitious future goals. He plans to run as much as possible, and his next mission is to reach 7,000 miles, then eventually 10,000.
“I originally thought that people would just judge me, but because I ended up going through the process, I realized [it is important to] do the things you love, and even if people judge you, it’s more about what you enjoy,” said Kang. “Don’t let others shape how you are.”
