Like a walk in the park.

This post is gonna be a little different from what I usually write but it's something I'd like to write too! First attempt so it's pretty raw... So this evening I wanted to go for a run at my usual park with my dad because I'm working on maintaining my fitness regime, which is on the verge of being NON-EXISTENT. The park was really alive at that time, way more people than usual a.k.a Saturday mornings, thus nowhere to park the car except opposite. Walking from the carpark to the park, we did wacky things. Making use of the empty carpark to do embarrassing shuffling moves and random jives, shamelessly doing dynamic stretching moves on the overhead bridge for all the passing cars to see (if they even bothered).
Well, my plans kind of failed because halfway through my route, I got stitches, which is the most annoying thing. This is why I prefer to run in the morning before breakfast. By then, my dad had already gotten way ahead, as usual, so I trudged on a little more until the pain felt a little too close for comfort, then started walking instead. And this was the perfect opportunity to people-watch. The sun was still up but not too bright and I had no electronic devices on me to bury my face in. I walked like a whole round, which became pretty inspiring.
See a teenage boy and a teenage girl sitting on a bench together, leaning in towards each other, legs intertwined, talking. Wonder, are they in love or in the process of falling in love? They seem happy, and it's a great place for a date.
See a boy, a little bigger than most, faded olive shirt, socks pulled up high, carrying his legs up one by one, again and again and again. His face contorted, tired, but he's not gonna stop just yet. I hope you know I'm glad to see you here.
See a group of kids, all decked out in protective gear. They've got their skates on, and they're unstoppable. Some go slow and are extra cautious, dragging themselves across the rough ground, just trying not to fall. Others are like machines, gliding from side to side oh-so-smoothly, faces filled with content.
See tons of families with little kids, playing frisbee, playing soccer, taking a walk, even running (and the kids look real professional). They remind me to do the same if I ever have kids. Because nothing can replace the smell of grass, the muddled chatter of the park goers, the sun that soaks your skin and the adrenaline rush of running for a purpose.
I'm still walking and my eyes are squinted because the sun's right in front of my face, but I feel at peace. I guess watching the world go by takes your mind off your worries. Sometimes, I receive peculiar stares and glances from strangers I pass by and it makes me feel a little vulnerable. Is it because I look weird? Are you wondering why I'm walking and not running? Have you got the feeling that I'm people-watching? Is my outfit kind of strange? It's the ribbons at the side right? Yeah I don't like them too, trying to tuck them in to hide them but they're not THAT bad. But it's easy to brush them off. I'm probably overthinking and exercise makes me feel good anyway.
One of the good things about being at the park is that no one can really feel superior to someone else. No one cares if you have better stamina or anything, because you're all surrounded by something way more superior - all that nature that is the reason why you even came to this place. I think everyone secretly shares this mutual understanding that is, we all have different standards, different purposes for being here. Judge all you want but it's not a big deal. You can just be friendly and get some motivation from one another. Or just mind your own business.
Perhaps I have this unspoken connection with this particular park, though that's very weird to say out loud. I like being here and it's somewhere I would want to take someone special to. There are all sorts of people around here and you can somehow get a peek into their personalities just by watching how they act. A park is just a piece of land, but it's the people that make it what it is.
6:41pm - I snap out of my deep-in-thought state because I finally see my dad. Didn't work up a sweat but it sure wasn't a wasted trip.