Nature Journal Six (NJ6): A Morning around TCU

Nature Journal Six: A Morning around TCU


            Running has never been one of my strong suits. I usually only run for sports or when designated to as I was in my early years throughout PE. Usually, running is a competition, the one who is fastest gets the praise. When that is generally the truth, I decided to take a morning run to clear my senses. Nobody pacing me, no one I had to beat, just myself and my thoughts.

            I begin at my house off campus by stretching my legs through a slight jog. My ankles crack like popcorn with every connection against the cool pavement. The gravel gets stuck in the sole of my shoe with every step. I pause, to take out the gravel and realize the minute details that echo from the rock. While tiny, the rock is strong and malleable, having been here for many years. I can feel the tendons stretch throughout my lower calf as if they were telling me to halt. I took out my headphones and relaxed against the rock. The cool clay of the rock saved my aching muscles from further pain. I turned off my timer on my phone and began to run without guidance. Picking up the sights and smells of TCU’s early morning breeze. The sunrise erupted from behind the BLUU creating an aura of tranquility around Frog Fountain. I continued on my wrenching trip, but as I began to take in the scenes around me the pain clenching my leg was a second thought. The colorful pallet of the TCU gardens, the flow of knowledge dripping from class to class on frog fountain, and the freshly cut grass took over my mind. I turn off my headphones and allow the distance chime of waking birds fuel my fight. I realize, while I might be on a concrete path, nature is all around me. I am running on earth’s path.

            My run concluded as I had to prepare for the day, but it was an eye-opening experience. Not having someone to race or beat in a run allowed me to clear my head and focus on what was around me. Too often our goals in life blind us from the outside and beauty. We have a tendency to have tunnel vision throughout life and this experience has enlightened me. I will now be enjoying morning runs more often, and maybe next time I will not bring any headphones at all and let nature’s soundtrack push me.



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