I just got back from a night run to the park. I love the feeling I get sometimes where I just want to run. I could run forever. Kind of like Forrest-"I just felt like runnin'" (good job if you said that in the correct voice). Luckily, for my body, the park is only a few blocks away. It was not raining when I began, but it started to down pour on my way there. It was such a cathartic feeling-running through the rain, just me and my iPod and the darkness. (Side note: West Lafayette has a serious lack of street lights, about one every 5 blocks, give or take. But I used to live over there and I've been that way so many times that my fears are for the most part squelched).
I was soaked by the time I got to the park. I have and probably always will love parks. Perhaps it is due to the high standards of parks I was privileged to whilst growing up (Leaper Park, Turtle Park, Valplayso, Soapy Soap) or the fact that I've sustained more than one head injury at parks over my lifetime. Either way, I hope there will always be a park near wherever I am that will make me feel like I am seven again.
The park is right next to a soccer field, the outdoor community pool, and a huge hill. I ran all over the place like I was being chased in tag or racing the boys in my class to prove I was faster (and I always was). I ran up the hill. I absolutely love it on top of that dang hill. Being up there tonight was probably the first time this summer I have felt peace. You can see all the surrounding neighborhoods and beyond the trees you can somewhat see parts of Lafayette. I spread my arms out and felt like Leo in Titanic (and I may or may not have shouted "I'm king of the world!").
It had stopped raining, but the wind was blowing the trees behind me to the point that it sounded like rain. I could have stayed there all night just looking at everything and letting that feeling of peace surround me. I felt content. Although there was a small part of me that wished I could share that moment with someone. And a small part of that was nostalgic and sad because I have shared that park with people. One whom I know would have happily joined my jovial rompings tonight had she not run away to Germany this summer :)
The other person and I, however, probably will not be sharing any more moments together. I miss him so much sometimes. Especially in West Lafayette because there is something around every corner that reminds me of him. It's really hard to let yourself just feel your feelings. Do not push them away, do not ignore them, do not mask them with any activity-just allow them to wash over you. To me, that sounds awful and an activity I attempt to avoid because my emotions can be intense and overbearing at times. Yet tonight I did not push them away but rather let them come. And while it did not feel good, it did not hurt as badly as I imagined either. Again, I felt peace.
I ran down the hill, through puddles of water, to the swings (I would have rolled down had it not been so wet and my partner in crime was not in Germany). I got my butt soaking wet on the swing. The swing has always been my favorite park activity. If I were to guess, I would say it's because of the feeling of coming down after you've reached peak height-your stomach drops and for a split second you are weightless.
I took the long way home and want to give a sincere thank you to Puma for designing running shoes that, even when soaking wet, provide enough traction on the road to keep me from biting ass down the massive hill by my apartment.
Also, one of my new favorite songs to run to: Paris (Ooh La La) by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Total girl power song.
No comments:
Post a Comment