Hello, everyone.

This is Enta.

I was in South Korea from last weekend through the beginning of this week.

Well, when you say "South Korea," it sounds like a vacation, but it's actually serious work lol

 

But my plan is to go there over the weekend, work at the start of the week, and then come back—so I'm heading to the mountains this weekend!

I went trail running.

At this place called Kanaiyama Castle,

 

It was located about an hour by bus from downtown Busan, so it was a relatively easy mountain to reach.

As expected of a major metropolis, South Korea has a very well-developed transportation infrastructure.

As a result, even first-time visitors can easily take the bus or other forms of public transportation and reach their destination with ease.

 

I was a little confused at first, too, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a breeze.

It's really convenient because the infrastructure is set up to make getting around the country a breeze.

Personally, though, I find it too urban and not very interesting.

 

I’d be excited if there were a place to stay for 500 yen, but it’s just your average, clean place—nothing that makes you go, “Whoa!”

It doesn't seem all that different from Tokyo anymore.

 

So, we took the bus for just under an hour and headed into the mountains from there.

At the summit, there was a spot called “Kanaiyama Castle Watchtower No. 1.”

 

It is a relatively low mountain, with an elevation of about 650 meters.

It seems there used to be something here, but it was apparently blown away by a typhoon.

 

And then we stood on the stairs there and took a commemorative photo lol

So, I'll be heading to the mountains this weekend, lol.

I could even see a magnificent bridge from the mountain lol (I have no idea where it is lol)

 

I’ve been thinking lately that I don’t go out to job sites much anymore; my work has mainly shifted to preparing estimates, cost calculations, design, and management.

It really feels great to get moving and do something like this, doesn't it?

I do go to the gym about two or three times a week, but there's really nothing like the mountains, is there?

 

That said, when I go hiking, I can’t help but look at the mountain slopes and boulders—it’s just an occupational habit.

Amid the dense trees, there was a spot where granite had crumbled.

Even though it’s surrounded by forest, there’s a section about 50 meters wide and several hundred meters long with no trees—just granite.

 

I wondered, “What is this?” and spent a while there taking all sorts of photos, but,

Apparently, I look a little strange to ordinary people, and a Korean passerby laughed at me as he approached me.

I guess they were telling me something like, "That's probably dangerous," lol.

---

 

It’s only because I’m healthy that I can go to all sorts of places and have fun like this, isn’t it? (Am I an old man or what? lol)

I’ve been having quite a few health issues lately, and just as I was thinking, “Health really is important,” I came across this book.

 

It's a pretty old book, but to put it simply, it says that doing about 30 to 40 minutes of aerobic exercise two or three times a week can help train your brain!

There's a long list of clinical trials based on Harbor University's clinical results.

Basically, it means you need to get blood flowing to your brain.

Apparently, even just 15 minutes of exercise that raises your heart rate to 160 or higher can get your blood flowing rapidly.

 

It is said that doing this can help improve mental agility and decision-making skills, as well as alleviate or improve symptoms of conditions such as depression and ADHD.

They said that exercising—even if it means pushing yourself—is more effective than taking medication, and that it produces better results than medication without any side effects.

Apparently, if you go for a quick run before studying, it helps get blood flowing to your brain, which makes studying more efficient.

 

What I'm doing right now makes perfect sense!

Since I started running in the mountains, I've been feeling better, and my body is moving more freely.

 

So that means...!!?

I think slope workers are the best—both for your health and for your brain!!!

I end up panting and gasping quite a bit.

There are times when your heart rate really goes up, right? lol

That means we're always exercising our brains.

 

That’s why, conversely, when I hear stories about people who’ve quit working on slopes, I see that they’ve been rapidly declining ever since.

Last year, my former boss retired, but a month later, he suffered a stroke.

Fortunately, it was only a minor injury, but...

It’s said that physical decline isn’t caused by aging, but rather by a lack of exercise, so that definitely means you shouldn’t stop exercising.

Well, I suppose the same could be said for any profession, but,

What this means is that you have to keep moving right up until the very moment you die to keep the blood flowing to your brain!

 

I've come to realize that slope construction is one of the best (long-term) jobs in the civil engineering field.

If I don't keep running in the mountains, I'll start going crazy, so I'm going to keep running lol

Director-type stuff is especially crazy, right?

It’s not so bad for the players since they’re used to using their bodies all the time, but the coach’s retirement would be a real bummer, so let’s be careful, lol.

 

Conclusion: Don't quit your job as a slope engineer!

 

See you later.