May 05 2007
Running Along the Shores of South Africa
[Saturday April 28, 2007]
I wake up around 7:00am feeling rested and alert.
I need to shake off the last two days of travel.
I need a run.
The rain has cleared up and the day is bright and cool. Perfect.
I gear up: Running shorts. Coolmax top. Visor. Sport glasses. Asics GT 2080s.
Runners get very attached to a particular make and model of shoe and the Asics GT 2080 is my shoe.
I head out to the beach running past homes with high walls and signs warning of “Armed Response.”
I run along a brick road setting off a cacophony of barking as dogs rush towards their gates at my approach. Everyone seems to have dogs and they get them in two sets of two: Two massive deep-chested, jaw-locking type dogs and two yippity-do ankle-biting type dogs.
The two sets work as a team: the large dogs poised and not moving that much, ready to rip your throat out. The small dogs darting in and out between the larger dogs’ legs yapping and snarling and thrusting their small snapping jaws out between the fence openings.
I run on by.
I find my way to the beach taking a small path between homes that gently rises and falls, the crest opening up to the beach.
Hearing the waves, feeling the breeze, seeing the expanse of beach and blurring of ocean and sky – it’s like a breath drawn in deeply and slowly released.
The sand is nicely packed from last night’s rain and I begin to loosen my stride. I run towards the water where the sand is firmer and once there, the real run has begun.
My shoes sigh into the sand.
I feel the sun on my face and the wind on my skin.
I smell the fresh ocean air.
I hear the sound of shorebirds and the wind and the waves.
I feel connected.
I feel as if everything will be just fine.
Wow, that’s simply amazing. The beaches there look very clear…and not even crowded!!
Fan of the Asics Gel line of shoes checking in here.
I don’t enjoy running in the sand. It causes too much strain on parts of my legs that don’t need straining.
I’ve begun running a bit more these days; on a treadmill with a fan blowing on me, a tv in front of me and my iPod on. It’s about the whimpiest form of running you can do without having a machine do it for you. Hey, now *there’s* an idea!
That’s quite a picture you painted. Armed response, big dogs, little dogs … I could picture it all.
My favorite; bright, cool mornings. Nothing like them. They’re the best, in every part of the world.
I’m here via eastcoastlife. Great post, and the pictures add a nice touch.
Business Twins: I guess you could call the beach I run on a “neighborhood” beach – I’ve been seeing what look like “the regulars” people running and walking every morning. I also see the dog walkers. It’s the fall here so the tourists and summer visitors are all gone. I am sure it was more crowded in December and January!
dietrologia: An fellow Asics Gel fan! Yeah, I like my GT 2080s. I have 6 new pairs stockpiled – when they go on sale they are hard for me to resist and like toothpaste and toilet paper, I know I’ll use ‘em!
Shane: bright cool mornings all over the world – you’re so right – they are the best!
Beth: Thanks for visiting and I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
What a great description and photos of S Africa’s beaches.
It helps the rest of world relate to your country.
I’m faving you now.
please visit my blog and comment on something there you like.
http://blog.talesofkingtut.com/egypt/tags/web_design/
thanks,
Rene