Running Through the Odors and Fragrances of the World

By: Ugur Akinci
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:25:56
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

There are many things I truly love about running. It's a long list.

But the pleasant and sometimes unexpected smells, odors, aromas and fragrances that I inhale on my common route is one that's pretty high up on that list.

In our normal daily lives we live trapped either inside our cars, our homes, offices, or shopping malls. It's not too common that we are exposed to the natural ambient smells of the world without the intervention of walls and air conditioning systems which deaden our sense of smell.

When I run around the 5K loop in my neighborhood there is nothing that comes in between the world as it is and my olfactory bulb.

The warmer the air, the more smell particles find their way to my grateful nose.

It's always an experience of comfortable recollection (“ohh, yes, fresh laundry!”) or a puzzling inquiry (“after shave? or burnt grass?”).

The game of olfactory hide-and-seek never ends.

Here are some of the odors and fragrances I encounter on a fairly regular basis on my running route:

  • Freshly laundered clothes, Tide, and clean steaming water.

  • A hot car engine that's shut off just minutes earlier, its manifolds still ticking as they cool off, the faint smell of gas and oil dropping on some invisible hot metal surface.

  • Soft asphalt, yielding to the authoritarian summer heat.

  • Onions and burgers on a grill, sizzling. Children's happy laughter in the background.

  • Freshly cut sweet grass, mixed with the exhaust gas of a noisy two-stroke engine.

  • The sharp and bitter whiff of pesticide, insecticide and fertilizer.

  • The unmistakable signature of diesel fume.

  • The musky and stale odor of cat litter and urine.

  • Amorphous signal of black trash bags piled up right around the corner.

  • Pure burning fragrance of fresh oxygen after the first snow of the season.

  • Wet metallic smell of fresh rain mixed with rich gorgeous fragrance of divine earth. This combination makes me feel like kneeling down and kissing the ground tenderly each time.

  • Honeysuckles, honeysuckles and more bales of honeysuckles, cascading over the garden walls and fences, broadcasting their fragrance like a sea of sopranos in mad love.

  • The expensive perfume of a woman who was where I happen to be just a minute ago.

  • Sickeningly sweet strawberry shake or bubblegum.

  • Joyful fresh smell of axed firewood, piled up high on the side of the road.

  • Coffee and donuts.

  • Fresh paint.

  • Curry?

    The hide-and-seek, the false clues, friendly memories and occasional surprises continue...

    Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a Creative Copywriter, Editor, an experienced and award-winning Technical Communicator specializing in fundraising packages, direct sales copy, web content, press releases, movie reviews and hi-tech documentation. He has worked as a Technical Writer for Fortune 100 companies for the last 7 years.

    In addition to being an Ezine Articles Expert Author, he is also a Senior Member of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), and a Member of American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI).

    You can reach him at writer111@gmail.com for a FREE consultation on all your copywriting needs.

    You are most welcomed to visit his official web site http://www.writer111.com for more information on his multidisciplinary background, writing career, and client testimonials. While at it, you might also want to check the latest book he has edited:http://www.lulu.com/content/263630

    Article source: Expert Articles

    • Most Recent Articles in Running category

    • Base Building for Runners - By: Bidz dela Cruz
      This can happen: after three years of long runs, races and lots of speed work, you find out that you are getting fed up with doing a session 'because it was on the schedule', or because everyone else was doing it. If you already have two disappointing marathons, try considering base-building. It will open up a whole new lease of life for you. Then you will know why you are doing each run, and if you're an inquisitive type, this will give you more pleasure and motivation
    • What Happened to the Fastest Man Under Any Conditions? - By: Bidz dela Cruz
      Last August 16, in Beijing, we saw a massive upset in the semifinal heat of the 100-meter sprint when one of the pre-race favorites, Tyson Gay, failed to qualify by 0.02 seconds. It was supposed to be the scene for the biggest race of the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the sprint to see who will be crowned the world's fastest man.
    • Running And Back Pain: Check Your Technique For A Likely Cause - By: Roy Palmer
      Running and back pain are mentioned in the same sentence more often than they really should be. Running is an excellent activity for staying in shape and for many it provides a lifetime of enjoyment, challenges and purpose. For others it’s either a short-lived activity or a stop-start routine due to injury.
    • The Best Way to Develop a Treadmill Exercise Plan - By: Mark J Emslie
      A treadmill is a good investment to make but you want to be sure that you have the right treadmill exercise plan for you. Early treadmills were made almost entirely of wood and whilst today’s machines now offer a vast array of features to keep you occupied, let's not forget that walking or running on a treadmill is still a very effective way to workout.Developing your Treadmill Exercise PlanWhen developing your treadmill exercise plan, do not forget the fun factor.
    • Speed Training - Maximum Velocity Running - By: Patrick Beith
      Training speed is more then just working on acceleration and trying to sprint as fast as possible. You must actually coach your athletes how to run and stay relaxed, especially when they are running at top speed.Maximum Velocity is another way of saying running at full speed.
    • Why You Should Run - By: Daniel Watson
      Too many people have the misconception that running has to be hard work. This tiny detail prevents many people from taking up the sport and leading a much better, healthier life. Afterall, we would all like to lose a bit of flab and live a little longer and running can help you do this.
    • Top 10 Greatest Sprint Races in History - By: Alex Ray
      1. Atlanta 1996. Men's 100-meter Olympic final. It was the most exciting 10 seconds in sports history.
    • Match Your Running Shoes To Your Foot Type - By: Peter Somerville
      Choosing a running shoe that is engineered for your particular type of foot can help you avoid some common running injuries. It can also make running more enjoyable and let you get more mileage out of your shoes.Shoe manufacturers are aware that, anatomically, feet usually fall into one of three categories.
    • Weight Loss - Why Do Runners Stay so Slim? - By: David Snape
      I see them almost everyday. They appear at the park where I meditate. Runners, joggers, or whatever designator you want to give them, they are there.
    • Running for Beginners: Start with the Right Kit to Increase Your Chances of Success - By: Roy Palmer
      It would be so easy to put on a pair of your old trainers and kit you used to wear at the gym and shoot straight off for a run. However, you would be following in the footsteps of many a failed runner before you! You will increase your chances of successfully becoming a regular runner if you make a commitment by spending your hard earned cash on specialist running gear.