Running while the sun rises

This morning I walked out of the apartment to the Champ de Mars, which is a large public green area in front of the Eiffel Tower. On every trip to Paris, I try to pick apartments near it so I can run in the morning before going to work. It’s also very convenient for me for work too.

When I got outside, the sky was a dark blue. Cars had their headlights on and very few people were walking in the street. While I walked down the street to the Champ de Mars, I caught a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, which had only a few lights on, and looked black against the sky. The wide, tree-covered, dirt path that I run down was dark, but I could see figures moving toward me.

I began my run although a bit hesitant: with the path not being lit, I couldn’t see where I was placing my feet. I hoped there wouldn’t be any rocks, mud, or dog poop. The trees overhead were dark too with their leaves almost black against the blue sky. After the first tour around the Champ de Mars, the sun started to light up the sky, which became a lighter blue.

The park suddenly became bright with colors: with each step I took, the leaves appeared yellow, orange, green, and brown. People would pass by me and I couldn’t make out their faces. I’d only recognize them by what they were wearing. I saw a man with a red windbreaker, a woman with a purple jacket, and a couple.

When I finished the second tour of the Champ de Mars, I walked to the middle in front of the Eiffel Tower to stretch out. I love seeing it in front of me with Trocadéro just past it, and the Ecole Militaire behind me. It’s a gift to run in Paris, but to run around the Eiffel Tower in the Champ de Mars is incredibly special to me. Now that it’s winter and the amount of sunlight is limited, I enjoy watching the sun rise during my run in the presence of such beauty.

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