And that sir, is why we run…
There are certainly days when the nagging problems of the left knee and right hamstring make me wonder why I continue running. Soon, invariably, comes along a very forceful answer in the form of a day like today.
Our Sunday Funday Runday was canceled because of the rains. I decided to go ahead and keep up with the tradition of the early morning run on Sunday – albeit all by myself. The 5 mile run in rain on Greenway Trail was an absolutely delightful immersion in nature.
It was nature’s pristine beauty at its mesmerizing best. The early morning light struggled to break through the firm grip the dark clouds had over the sky. The verdant spring leaves were even more resplendent with the glisten from the overnight rainfall. As far as I my eyes could go there was the narrow trail snaking thru the tall impressive trees vanishing in the misty white drizzle in the distance.
The drone of the continuous pitter patter of rain on the leaves were interrupted only by the mellifluous chirping from the birds and the occasional darts of rabbits and a particular deer startled by me. Saw a couple of other runners too – reassuring that I was not the only madcap out there!!
Couple of times I ran by and over creeks brimming with muddy water from side to side. The unbridled mind floated back to the days a few decades back, when my sister and myself would make boats from paper and float them down small rivulets made from sharp rains. And go out after rains to check the water puddles for tiny tadpoles. I wondered for a while while I can still make those paper boats… or for that matter when was the last time I saw a tadpole.
Five miles later, I was back to my starting point, dripping wet but with a serenity that probably comes with stepping out of the four walls and being one with nature on a dark rainy day. And as I started drying myself up, I remembered – Indeed, that is why I run. With the hurting knee, hamstring and all…
You should contribute this to Runners’ World, Rajib. With a picture that does justice to nature’s pristine beauty at its mesmerising best!
I knew if you didn’t hear from all the others that they were not coming, you are going to run in Fowler, or at least be there. You at least had some company ( the tail end of the white car visible in the picture). Great description/write-up of your morning experience.
Beautiful writing, Rajib!
Enjoyed your writing. Liberating.
Rajib- keep writing and start publishing..
Rajib da… I have always wondered who clicks these pictures for u. These pictures make up the crux of your writings.
And that sir, makes me convinced that you missed your calling as a writer 🙂
Will wait for your book…You are in the wrong profession!
Very nice! Enjoyed reading it!
I keep wondering the same thing..who clicks all these pictures for you?? do you just randomly go up and ask people to take pictures while u pose? these pics do tell a story and its amazing how u get people to click them for you..:)
Are you the same Rajib we went to Smoky Mountains with all those years back? I still remember all the complaining during the hike 🙂
Extremely well written Rajib, you should seriously think changing your profession!!
School-er essay lekha money porey gelo…..Tor rainy day run -er gota-tai save kore rakhchhi….kintu-key dekhabo boley….or essay lekhatey help korbey……
King and Joyita, I use different tools at different times. In this particular case, I used an app called Cameratimer which will randomly take pictures. I kept the iPhone at an elevated position and then went around stretching and drying up. Half an hour later, I packed my stuff, got the iphone and went home. Looked at about 25 pictures it had taken and picked a few of them for my records.
Raji, my recollection is that I never complained during the hike. But that was because I did not go on the hike. I stayed in the parking lot and you five went for the hike…
I have proof :).
Doctored – is going to be my claim 🙂
Awesome!! Thanks for reminding the paper boats and the tadpoles 🙂