23 February 2009

Sunday Morning Jog

Last Sunday, I finally had the chance to do something which I wanted to do for a very long time (err.... 3 years to be exact).

To jog at the Gelora Bung Karno complex.

A friend of mine told me that it's the place where many Jakartans go for their weekend morning jog. It was also recommended by one of the magazines I read.

I wanted to ask a friend of mine to join but realising that it won't be easy to drag anyone out of their bed at 6.30 am on a Sunday to be drenched in sweat, I killed the idea and decided to go alone.

So, the much awaited day came. I arrived at the complex about 7-ish. The large crowd caught me by surprise. Obviously, I was late.

Initially, I planned to jog along the pedestrian footpath within the complex. Then, my attention was drawn by this loud music coming from the Senayan Stadium.

So, I jogged my way into the stadium. The atmosphere was almost like there was a Sunday morning carnival. Thousands of people from all ages, could be seen brisk walking, jogging or just casually strolling around the stadium.

Luckily, all were going in a counter-clockwise direction. Why not clockwise? Don't ask me. You can do so if you find it pleasurable running into others.

However, by going counter-clockwise, it doesn't mean your path is obstacle-free.

First, you have to be alert of the slower joggers or those who are simply strolling around. Then, you have to avoid the group of people who are doing aerobics right before your path. Then there is the bunch of crowd gathering around what seemed to be a live telecast TV program. In the end, you'd find that you'd have zig-zagged more in 45 minutes than an entire decade of your life.

And need I mention about the spit on the tarmac? If you're persistent enough to avoid them, then you'd look like a ballet dancer in tank tops and sweat pants.

If you're planning to jog at the complex, my advise is to stay away from the main stadium. It is much too crowded. Jog along the pedestrian footpaths within the complex.

Jakarta is badly in need of a park. I don't understand why the early city planners didn't allocate a space for a huge park with a lake and lots of trees.

Closing Jalan Sudirman and Thamrin can't in anyway substitute for a great park.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was told there's a decent park at Menteng, true? But yes, I agree Jakarta, for the population and the pollution, really needs a big green lung but where will that be? Perhaps they should convert Ancol into a non-fee public park.

Anonymous said...

acually we have a decent park....taman yang bagus...yes...u r right gadho...taman lawang...jogging malam2 tambah seru loh...tambah rame...but dont forget to bring your high heels babe....

Anonymous said...

Salam Pak,

Jogging kat Pondok Indah Golf, a lot of ppl jog kat sana, very green, no traffic.

inderjeet

gadhogadho said...

50-50 - yupp. i heard abt the nice park at menteng. planning to go there next two sundays. i believe there isn't any more space for a huge park. if there's any, somehow in the eyes of the powers that be, it'd be better off (for them) to be given to commercial developers.

PNS - high heels gue ada roda.. easier to run away waktu razia.

Hi Inderjeet! U mean i boleh jog masuk ke situ? if so, that's great. not far frm my hse.

Anonymous said...

Salam,

You can jog around Bukit Golf hses,
that's what most ppl around P.I. do,try one day lah. Ini mak cik
nak sibuk sikit, are you a member of MCJ(Malaysia Club Jakarta)? Their members play futsal in Pondok Indah Futsal, last i heard they were looking for players.

Inderjeet

Kurt Kuden said...

aku rasa aku kene start joging jugak ah.. *sambil tgk perut sndiri*

thelaughinggas said...

aku skrg jog kat desaparkcity...gilababas cantik tempat ni..

Tapi jog 4 round sehari pun perut tak jugak kecik2nya..Nak je aku bela ikan pirana suruh depa makan lemak perut aku ni...

yazrie said...

waaaaaa...dah 2 minggu jogging non stop..sure tinggal rangka kan?? Opsss

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