Magical Run

One of the big breathing spaces and a place frequented by many joggers, walkers, lovers & dog owners in Bangalore is Cubbon Park. Situated next to MG Road, it’s guarded by bamboo trees which are along the wall and has large trees with lush green ground. There is a nursery, library, small shops selling fresh veggies / fruits etc early. People host yoga, meditation classes, someone teaches exercise which anyone is free to join & there are also Kabir sessions in this place. One such session introduced me to Kabir & Kabir Project and a group of friends who started running in Cubbon introduced me to Running - 7 years back. Since then, both have become my passion projects.

While in Mumbai I ran in Joggers Park which is essentially a track next to the sea and has a nice sea view and benches to sit and gaze. Like most things in Mumbai it is very well maintained but so tiny that it can fit in one corner of Cubbon Park.   

Thanks to an injury and COVID - we have been away from Cubbon for almost 3 years. So last Sunday after much deliberation I decided to go along with our one time ring leader and motivator  MD for our now defunct morning Cubbon run. 

The  Bangalore weather is the best suited for running and last Sunday it was no different from Kodaikanal or Ooty. It was almost dark and the morning light had just started spreading when we started to warm up. We ran on the beautiful roads circling the park. Our routine is to cover all gates which are located on the edges of the park and reach back after 1 round. The total distance is ~ 7+ Km.  

After the 3rd gate it started drizzling but raindrops were almost like snowflakes. This was my first experience of running in drizzle and I just loved it.It was magical to run in this kind of rain. It felt like shinrin-yoko - what the Japanese call tree bathing or taking in the forest with all your senses - but was more literal. 

 

After the run the only statement I made was - You just have to come once & you know you will come again and again and again.

Hidden Gem in Cubbon: https://bit.ly/3p7IIDc 

Day 33: 200 words/day challenge (377 words)