August 25, 2011

Solitude At Daybreak.

For years, my exercise consisted of a daily morning run on a treadmill located in the basement of my old house. It was easy and it was practical, having my own gym within reach. It also made it harder to have any excuses not to run.

Upon my recent relocation, my old treadmill has been left behind and thus I have adapted a different exercise routine, the one practiced by my new family. A novel concept to me; running outside. Stepping onto a natural ground, finding a rhythm in following the versatile terrain and enjoying (or fighting) the elements.

Thus three times a week, I get up at daybreak and set out on a run through the sleeping neighbourhood, by now on a fairly familiar route, which eventually takes me onto a path around a nearby lake.

I have come to cherish this tranquil time in complete solitude. As I jog along the solitary path, I very rarely meet anyone but the occasional dog walker or elderly couples on their first stroll of the day. As a naturally early riser, I enjoy the stillness of a newborn day, heading outside, inhaling the morning scents and stepping on the dew covered ground. Most of all I love to visit the lake at this hour, when mist still lingers upon its surface and the first sun rays burst from behind the trees.
My morning run has certainly become one of my new found simple pleasures.

(All image in this post are taken with my iPone on a recent run, during a beautiful late August morning.)



36 comments:

lilybets said...

A meeting with nature when we are alone is like to touch God, we can find peace and many answers, more than to talk with another human.Thanks a lot for your comment,I really like your blog and I follow it with big pleasure.

S. Susan Deborah said...

Lovely! I envy that you are a natural early riser and that you have lovely sights while you jog.

Now I know the secret of that beautiful body ;)

Joy always,
Susan

Elizabeth said...

Good morning Sweety,

What a gorgeous pictures you have for all of us today. Running outside has its own allure. Still your treadmill will come in handy as soon as we are snowed in again, haha.

Have fun at the office.

Colleen said...

Zuzana, that sounds positively lovely. I used to love waking up early and going for a walk with our dog, just taking in those beautiful peaceful moments before the rest of the world is awake...I found it to be such a tranquil start to the day. Lately I haven't been getting up as early to go walking (I'm going to blame William:) but I hope to one day get back into that habit! I wish you peace in your new rhythms and routines...You have an adaptable spirit; very inspiring to read of your happiness! Much love to you today!

Becky said...

Beautiful! Im an early riser as well.Even on my days off.The lovely pictures capture the feeling so well.I walk usually 2 to 3 miles a day.But I miss the early morning awakening.I do go when the sun has come up.

Have a beautiful day!

Hilary said...

Staying in touch with nature keeps us sane. I'd much rather walk outside than on a treadmill - no matter the season. Winter will be a challenge, though. This lake looks much like one of my nearby walking areas.

Alberto Hugo Rojas said...

I LOVE YOUR POST AND YOUR PIC.
KISS

Brian Miller said...

beautiful view...sigh, yes i think for that i might just take up jogging...smiles.some routine changes are not a bad thing eh?

Kath said...

Just gorgeous! much better than a tread mill. What you need now is a little doggie companion :-D
Now I know how you stay so delightfully trim x

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Dear Zuzana, what a beautiful route for a run, I am most envious ... sigh.

I'm an early riser too and most days I will walk for at least a couple of miles.

Do you prefer the solitude or will you all run together on weekends perhaps?

Jeanne
xox

Dangerous Linda said...

Lovely post and pictures!

As a professional photographer, this reminds me of an artistic phase I went through chasing sunrises. Unlike you, I am NOT naturally an early riser -- haha! But, I jumped out of bed to capture those beautiful sunrise photos and it was a BEAUTIFUL time of day to be out and alone in the world.

Your words brought it all back perfectly.

Thank you!

Sukanya said...

Lovely pictures of the lake Zuzana!! Walking/Running early morning is something I used to do promptly when I was in my college days, not anymore!! I used to love early rays, smell of the melting dew and ofcourse the cool breeze.

Hope you are enjoying your new exercise routine!!
Stay fit :)

Cheers,
Sukanya

Anonymous said...

Nice place

Snowbrush said...

Wow, you're a lucky girl to have such a beautiful place to run.

Mimi said...

That beauty certainly beats the walls of a basement, even your basement Zuzana!
I've always been a late riser by nature, so summers mornings I might not rise till 11 or 12, except when my kids were small and I had to get up early (grumpily!!).
This summer, i found I liked to be up early, around 8.30! That used to be the middle of the night to me! I now feel a sense of not wanting to waste that precious time, what's happening??

sprinkles said...

I've never enjoyed running. I really wish I did though! My first three classes are close together but my fourth one seems like a zillion miles away. And then my 5th class is waaaaaay far away!

SandyCarlson said...

How you embrace and adapt, adapt and embrace. Beautiful. I got hooked on m elliptical once I got a Kindle--solitary activities. Perhaps that will change for me, too. You are an inspiration.

adrielleroyale said...

Sounds wonderful!! I kind of wish I didn't work so early so I could enjoy the morning more... but I do enjoy the quiet and beautiful drive to work. Thanks to all the construction going on everywhere in MN, I have been taking a much more scenic route to work and I think I may just stick to it! It's so beautiful! Just like your shots here. :)

A Plain Observer said...

ahhh Dear Zuzana, you are running outside!!!
Isn't that just the most beautiful feeling to start your day with?
It makes me appreciate life.

Padharo Rajasthan said...

Beautiful,lovely and fantastic shots !! This is simply awesome !!


Padharo Rajasthan

Anonymous said...

I love the solitude of the early mornings. Your shots are lovely.

Rajesh said...

Wonderful shots. Running in the open is very refreshing.

Donna said...

It sounds wonderful. So happy you found this simple pleasure.

Anonymous said...

Your morning run sounds so peaceful and rejuvenating. The photos of the lake are gorgeous...such a beautiful place : )

Kat_RN said...

How very lovely! I am not an early riser by nature so I usually jog in the late afternoon. Difficult in the summer, but having a lovely place to do it in helps.
Cheers,
Kat

SandyCarlson said...

Stopping by to wish you a good weekend and to share this video of surfers in Surf City. I so wish I were down there. Coming back to CT was a bit like ripping my heart out and tossing it out the window. A big mistake. The video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul31KU4m6Wc

tony said...

A Perfect Way To Explore The New World!

steviewren said...

That lake view is lush! The blues of the early morning sky and the sky's reflection in the lake are marvelous. I think this view is going to take the place of the sky watching you were able to do from your old house on the hill. I wonder what the lake will look like in all four seasons?

Snowbrush said...

Just thought I would check in and see if you had any updates during this time of transition in your life.

Laura said...

"I enjoy the stillness of a newborn day..." I enjoyed your descriptions of your morning run and your beautiful photos Zuzana.

Pierre BOYER said...

Enjoy your day !
Greetings from France,

Pierre

SandyCarlson said...

Thanks for your visits!

Zuzana said...

Lilybets, Susan, Elizabeth, Colleen, Becky, Hilary, Alberto, Brian, Kath, Jeanne, Linda (welcome), Sukanya, Me (welcome), Snowbrush, Mimi, sprinkles, Sandy, adrielle, Myriam, Padharo, ladyfi, Rajesh, Donna, LadyCat, Kat, tony, Stevie, Laura, Pierre (welcome) – very glad I could share the beautiful dawn with you, as it played out in front of my eyes on my recent run.
It is a beautiful track and indeed I run it alone pretty much always, as my man thinks I run way to slowly for his taste.;) And I guess with his training and profession, he is right about that.;)

Thank you as always for your kind words and compliments, I so enjoy all your visits.;)

Xoxo
Zuzana

A Lady's Life said...

my very favorite time of day is 5 am when the world is just awakening.
It smells great.You hear the odd chirp of a bird waking up and the world, like your pics seem at peace.

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

Your view as you exercise is AMAZING Zuzana! I would run too if I had this to look at each time!

Zuzana said...

Lady and Jill, thank you ladies.;) xoxo