I’m a runner and have been for the last 6 years. And there’s nothing I find more relaxing and liberating than going for a run. Although I love running around the streets up here in Auckland there’s one place that will always be my favourite place to run. It’s Christchurch’s Hagley Park in Spring time.
So picture this – it’s Spring time in Christchurch, the weather is starting to warm up, there’s not a breath of wind and the sun is blazing. I’m sitting at my desk at work and gaze out the window and realize I have to go for a run. So much so that my feet start to itch and my muscles start to twitch.
I get into my running gear and head out the door. The air’s brisk but the sun shine is warm on my skin. It’s a 5 minute jog from the office to my stretching tree in Hagley park and by the time I get there I’m puffing slightly and my muscles are warm. I do my stretches – calf, thigh and hamstring (although secretly, my hamstring stretch is actually a bow to the tree to thank it for letting me use it to stretch against.)
Now I’m all ready to run. Right, I’m going to try and describe the visual feast that is Hagley Park in Spring time. I know I won’t do it any justice so you have to believe me when I say that what ever you imagine – the real thing is about 100 times better!
So picture this, to my right, over near the road is a row of magnificent weeping willows, bending down into the Avon river like nanas do to pick up their grand children. Their branches look like dark brown ropes with a haze of brilliant green over them.
Next to the row of willows the Avon river snakes lazily north. It’s clear and full of 10s of mother ducks followed by bundles of fuzzy yellow ducklings all swimming happily down stream. The Avon is a cacophony of quacking and the sight of these cute wee ducklings always brings a smile to my face.
Next to the Avon is a steep green bank. Now this is the coolest thing – the bank is covered in thousands of sunshine yellow daffodils. Their trumpets look up at me and peeking out from between them are old signs (which I swear have been there since I used to walk around Hagley Park with my nana as a child) which say “please do not pick the daffodils the are for everyone to enjoy”
Under my running feet is a grey gravel path that lazily follows the Avon river.
To my left is a row of magnificent oak trees. These trees are massive!
I look up (this is a terrible habit I have and is the reason for all the scars on my knees) and above me the branches of the acorn trees create a slight canopy. Tiny green buds are waking from their winter slumber and are in stark contrast to the dark brown branches. Beyond the canopy is an azure blue sky with out the slightest hint of a cloud.
This amazing landscape is just the beginning – believe it or not the best is still to come!
So I’m running along in this incredible setting. My body is feeling fantastic – I’m in “the zone” – my breathing is perfect, my legs are moving like well oiled pistons and I feel like I could run forever.
Now, I’ve just come to the corner of the park and make a slow left. Ahhhh my favourite part is about to come into view. Finally I see them. The cherry blossoms.
Now, I’m not going to be able to do this scene justice so you’ll just have to bare with me and use your imagination to the max.
Following the now concrete path on both sides of me are majestic cherry blossoms. Their beauty takes my breath away and brings a tear to my eye. The small, spindly usually ugly trees are ablaze in delicate pink blossoms. It looks like some giant child has plopped down candy floss sticks all along the path.
The blossoms are delicate and contrast sharply against the trees’ dark foliage and deep brown branches.
And the smell! I’m breathing deeply because of my running but every breath is a pleasure. The beautiful, sweet and delicate scent surrounds me and for a moment forget I’m running and instead feel I’m a cherry blossom floating along on the breeze without a care in the world.
But just like the cherry blossoms – they don’t last forever and before I know it I’m back under the acorn trees on my way back to the office.
It’s been an amazing run. I’ve been in the perfect running space – I’ve felt like I could run forever but know I have to return to the office and do some work.
It’s been fantastic though – I’ve been treated to a sensual feast. Hazy green weeping willows, fuzzy yellow ducklings quaking happily, azure blue sky, sunshine yellow daffodils and sweet smelling candy floss coloured cherry blossoms.
It’s because of this sensory feast, the tranquility and freedom my running provides me that my favourite place to run is Hagley Park in Spring time.
