Waves of Footsteps: A Run Around Ullal Lake

The morning was fresh, with a promise of another beautiful and memorable run as we gathered at Ullal Lake. We were excited for another run. Suresh and Dwaraki were already chatting away, stretching, and warming up for what they knew would be an exciting run. As they playfully teased each other, Vasudha and I exchanged smiles, both feeling the quiet anticipation of another nature run.

Suresh: "Another lake, another run! Let’s see who can finish first today."

Dwaraki: "I’m sure it’s you, Suresh. I’m here to enjoy all of your company!"

Me: (Laughing) "We’re just here to enjoy the run, right? Nature’s the winner today, no matter who finishes first."

The excitement was clear, reflected in the still water of the lake. As we started moving, there was a natural rhythm to our steps. Suresh and Dwaraki began marching ahead, giving us space to run together, just Vasudha and I, side by side. The early morning light had already begun to transform the sky, bathing everything in a golden glow. The lake, still and reflective, was a perfect mirror of the sky.

Vasudha: (Exchanging a smile as we tried to match our pace) "This golden morning feels perfect. I love how we can enjoy these runs, just the two of us. There’s something about the mornings — they make everything feel so beautiful."

Me: (Nodding, appreciating the view) "Exactly. It’s not about speed or distance; it’s about being here, together, with nature. These moments — the quiet, the colors — they stay with us long after the run."

We kept moving, the soft sound of our feet hitting the trail blending with the gentle rustle of the trees. The path beside the lake was peaceful, with patches of sunlight filtering through the leaves. We passed trees with twisting branches and thick green leaves, swaying in the breeze. It felt like we were running through a living painting.

Me: (Looking out over the water) "You know, it’s strange… I’ve been wondering. Who actually owns lakes like this? The government? Us? It feels like the people come to enjoy them, but what happens when the lake gets neglected? Who really takes responsibility?"

The words hung in the air for a moment, just as a small flock of birds flew overhead, cutting across the morning sky. The lake reflected their flight, ripples forming as if it too was trying to join the conversation.

Vasudha: (With a gentle laugh) "You’re always thinking about these big questions, aren’t you? But you’re right, someone should take care of it. It just feels like something we all need to think about. But right now, let’s just enjoy this moment."

Just as Vasudha brought me back into the present, there was a sudden change in the air — a presence. Maya, like always, appeared beside me, blending seamlessly with the surroundings.

Maya: (Her voice like a soft breeze) "You wonder who owns the lake? It’s not just about ownership in the way you think. The government, the people, the earth itself — they all have a role to play. But the real question is: What are you doing by owning it? Do you need to own a lake to do good things?"

Her words cut through the quiet of the morning. Just like the waves disappearing at the edge of the lake, she too vanished — gone, blending into the earth beneath. Still, her voice lingered, like the echo of the waves on the lake, a ripple that doesn’t fade quickly. Her words, much like the lake’s own rhythms, kept playing in my mind, even though she had disappeared.

Vasudha: (Noticing my distracted look) "What are you lost in now? You’ve got that faraway look. Was it the lake again? Or something bigger this time?"

Me: (Smiling, shaking my head) "Just thinking about what Maya said. What am I doing? What are we doing for the lakes and the environment? There’s always more we can do."

Vasudha smiled, but didn’t press further, letting the moment pass as we continued our run. We both enjoyed the simplicity of the nature around us — the clear sky, the cool breeze, and the soft sounds of the world waking up.

As we finished the loop around the lake, I couldn’t help but glance at the water once more. The light had shifted from golden to soft blue, the ripples faintly reflecting the sky. The birds had moved on, but the lake’s stillness remained, a quiet force beneath the surface.

The sound of our footsteps on the path seemed to blend with the gentle waves on the shore, as if the lake itself was still speaking, its voice persistent but gentle, like the way the water would never stop moving, even if only in small waves.

Vasudha: (Looking at me, with a playful grin) "There you go again, lost in those thoughts. I thought we were just running."

Me: (Laughing) "I guess I do get a little lost sometimes. You know that. But it’s hard not to reflect when you see something like this. The lake, the trees, the sky… it all makes you think about what we have, and how we need to do something for it."

We drove towards breakfast, the world around us moving on, and yet the lake’s quiet presence stayed with me, like the echo of the waves. Maya’s voice, though gone, seemed to float along with the breeze of our happy conversation, reminding me that change starts in moments like these — quiet, personal, and often, in the waves of reflection.

https://strava.app.link/FqhlCz1hzRb

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ಅಲೆಗಳು... Waves — not the kind you see, but the kind that make you think.

PS : Written based on real experience, bit of imagination and with help of AI tools 🤗 

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Notes ...serious notes 🎶 🧐

1. Who owns the lake? Is it the government, the people, or the environment itself? When things go wrong, who should be held responsible for the protection of natural spaces?

2. Are we just here to enjoy nature, or do we have a responsibility to protect it? How do we balance appreciating nature with the urgent need to address pollution and environmental damage?

3. What can we do to make a difference? Is it enough to talk about saving the environment, or should we be actively involved in actions that restore and preserve these places?

4. Why do we reflect on nature’s beauty but often fail to act on its preservation? How often do we stop and think about the long-term impact of our actions on natural spaces?

5. How can we shift from awareness to action? Knowing the issues is one thing, but how do we ensure that we take meaningful steps toward solving them.