-- Surah Yaseen (continuation) --
Goat Bazaar in ChikkaTirupathi (Cycling) -- 01/03/15
Imadihalli - Valepura - Muthsandra - Jct, to the right -
Hanuman Crossroad temple - to the left - Mugalur - NH207
to ChikkaTirupathi: 0:59:42
Back to Mugalur - Road to Muthkur - Back same way
via Muthsandra: 1:02:26
Time: 2:02:08
Estimated Mileage: 28.5 Miles (46 km)
Wght: 72.9 kg / 160.7 lbs
Second attempt at cycling. Better than the first!
I have prepared better, gave the bike a tune-up, carrying
water, proper pants, glasses, etc. And today, no flat!
But it takes me a while to get into it. Another chasing
dog in Ajgondanahalli, much more aggressive than when running
(luckily, it will be the only one). And I feel strangely tense
on the bike, not able to relax into the environment like I would
running. Again this impression that this is not the same, I feel
like I'm zooming through the landscape, unlikely to stop or
engage in any way. But I am covering more ground, a welcome
relief against potential boredom, after over six years of running...
I take the other way out of Muthsandra Jct, then turn left
into the road that comes from Gunjur. This leads me to Magalur
again, roughly equivalent in distance.
But this time, I turn to the left on NH207, unsure of what
I'll find. On this bigger road, but with little traffic, I finally
start feeling better, enjoy the wind. Having removed that stupid
bell from the handle-bar, I'm able to hold with a narrower grip,
in the smooth position that I used to favor.
To my great surprise, the road indicates Hoskote,
Devanahalli. And me who thought I was headed towards Hosur!
I later find out on Googlemaps that indeed, this leads straight
back towards Chansandra! I was completely disoriented.
Anyway,
I eventually reach a village called ChikkaThirupati, where a big
goat market is being held, much like I had seen in Tirupatur. I make
a note to tell this to Ruksanna, if we wanted a goat, we could
perfectly get it here (as long as I hid somewhere to prevent the
price from hiking up!).
A new sign to Hoskote, which doesn't seem all that distant. But
at about an hour into the ride, for once reason sets in, and I decide
to turn back, leaving further explorations for another day. Two hours
seems like the reasonable ride for now, and I should make it a
discipline to stick to it. So I head back on NH207, but turn towards
Muthkur at Magalur.
My decision to turn back was probably wise. Along with the
cycling sensations that are starting to return, also come the
various pains that used to plague me (oddly much more so then
while running): I feel both my knees, and that stinging pricking
needle-like point in the lower back.
Sigh, it had been a long time,
I guess I am back on the bike...
The Winter Sun (12 Miles) -- 01/11/15
Imadihalli - Midway Temple - Naugondanahalli - North Trail -
to Chansandra Road: 0:33:30
Chansandra Road to the East - Koralur -
Saukya road to some big factory: 0:24:00
Back roughly same way: 0:53:30
Time: 1:50:59
Mileage: 12 Miles
Wght: 71.9 kg / 158.5 lbs
Something new! Incredible, after 6 years, to still find new
possibilities...
Today early morning is wonderfully beautiful, clear of fog,
but unusually cold by Bangalore standards! Luckily, I'm wearing
long sleeves, and haven't
followed my first hunch to go out on the bike.
I've made surprising decision of exploring towards the NE of
Chansandra, where I hope to find open roads, although I fear traffic.
Luckily, it's early morning that the roads are more or less clear.
I feel unusually good today, running in complete freedom, an easy
flowing movement.
After the intersection in Koralur is where unknown begins. A road
marked "Saukya Rd" looks blocked by a barrier, but luckily, following
instinct, I still try that way. It's a beautifully paved road, just
about desert at this hour. Low lying banks of fog cover the fields,
which will disappear as I come back, as the rising sun dissipates
the unusual chill. I pass some health holistic center. The road
seems to go on with no specific goal, roughly parallel to the rail
tracks, so I finally decide to head back at some large factory. I had
planned to run 1.5 hours, but I've already reached the hour mark.
It seems that this would be an ideal road for cycling, and I promise
myself to return soon. I'm apparently not alone in thinking that,
on the way back, I cross a surprising number of lone cyclists,
in full gear!
The decision to return was well founded, as I start to tense up a bit
on the way back, keeping nevertheless an equal effort without stopping.
The sun has warmed up the air, the traffic increased enough to
make the air heavier. Still though, one of the best runs in a long time,
following a week of apparent lack of interest.
Today's learning sequence was comprised of Surah Burooj, Bayyina,
and about half of the 4th Ruku of Yaseen.
The Night -- 01/16/15
Tuesday 01/13/15 -- Chansandra Night Route
Time: 0:57:52
Mileage: 6.4 Miles (est 9'00"/mile)
Wght: 72.5 kg / 159.8 lbs
Ruksanna is in Chennai. I wake up early at 4:30, like in the Penguins
days, and after long Yaseen, set out at 6:10.
It's very foggy again this morning, and quite cold. Right at the side
entrance of Ozone, I think I hear my name called out. The road is just
about desert, except for a couple people by a small truck. As if to
confirm that I haven't dreamt this, I hear it again, this time in a
sort of funny shriek, "Philiiiippe!!". Who could it have been? Members
of the slum? Unlikely with a truck... Probably people from Harohalli.
Whatever it is, I've passed already passed my way.
The fog stays today, diffusing the sun rise. I am cautious through Chansandra,
especially near the "quarters". But no it's quiet, but for whatever reason,
I keep getting "greeted", by anomymous people saluting me. Incredibly,
even at this early hour, the Hope Farm traffic signal is already jammed!
I am running at a faster pace, resulting in under an hour. And I've learned
yet another verse of Surah Yaseen.
-- The Lake by the Palm Meadows Hamlet, foggy morning --
Wednesday 01/14/15 -- Intervals
Home Gym: 0:28:00
Run: Imadihalli - Whitefield - Inner Circle: 0:22:55
Inner Circle Intervals: 2'32" [3'28"] - 2'34" [3'31"] - 2'30"
Borewell Road - PM Hamlet - Around the Lake - Vartur Kodi: 0:24:45
Time: 1:02:21
Interval Pace: 7'36"/mile
Mileage: 6.9 Miles (0:54:39 @ 9'15" + 1)
Wght: 72.5 kg / 159.8 lbs
I have not done any kind of speed work in a long long long time,
so this is a timid "test the water" attempt at it. The Inner Circle
seems like a good place to do it. I try to find a reasonable pace,
but careful not to overdo it. I end up with this 7'36"/mile pace,
which happens to be roughly my Marathon pace in 2001! But this is
good for now, it would be great to repeat.
It's been yet another cold foggy day. On the way back, I decide to
circle around the PM Hamlet lake, which continues to evolve and
develop. It's now easier to run around it, to the point where I
cross another runner, all runner-like,
who asks me "you running Mumbai this weekend?"
-- Same lake, different morning --
Friday 01/16/15 -- The Night
Chansandra Night Route, with detour to the railway track.
Time: 1:15:26
Mileage: 8.1 Miles
Wght: 72.8 kg / 160.5 lbs
Argh, another mosquito night!
I don't know if it's a single mosquito, or a group, but we've been
regularly woken up for the past several days by the pesky sound of
this pest, and unable to kill the damn thing. The minute we open
the light, it seems to vanish! I'm particularly sick of this,
and dump like a baby on Ruksanna who does her best to track it down,
in vain.
So after an insufficient night, I wake up again at 4. By some miraculous
"caprice du sommeil", I feel wonderfully alert! Who would have thought...
I have a 6:30am today, but I take advantage of this early start to
still sneak in a semi-long commute, leaving around 5.
I start off in the night, but not as cold as these past several days.
Feeding on the good energy this morning, I feel great comfort in my
clothes, the long sleeves I've chosen to wear, the cloth I've tied
around my head, I feel strangely snug. The streets are mostly desert
at this hour, just a few dogs, but their occasional barking leads
to nothing. Because of the unusual hour though, I'm still holding
a rock just in case, like in the old days. The sides of the road
seem alive with rattle. I finally catch site of a fat rat, disappearing
into the brush.
I have the time for the detour towards the rail tracks in Chansandra.
The road there is illuminated for a few yards to a consctruction site,
from where it nearly disappears into darkness, barely painted by the
dirty orange glow of the city night sky. In spite of that, there are
a few runners and walkers on this section.
I feel unnaturally good on the run. I even manage, in spite of
the early morning, to fulfill my 4 hours running goal for this week,
in spite of not being able to run this weekend.
But I am distracted in my "on the run Qur'anic studies"
by the world events.
I am not Charlie. I am not a Jihadist either, and hope the proud
tenants of free speech will alow me my dissidence. "Ni Charlie,
Ni Jihaad!"
Is that really it, the sacrosanct combat for democracy,
we fight for our right to draw dicks everywhere? And our privilege
to insult the poor, and call them middle-aged if they rebel? We
however, when insulted, have much sounder argumentation, we
are civilized. And more money for the lawsuits. The amount of indignation
seems inversely proportional to number and fairness of skin of the victims.
If they're few and white, millions show up in the street. If they're
in the thousands and black, nobody really cares.
I am alarmed at what I see as a growing chasm between the West and
the rest of the world. A complete mutual misunderstanding, so deeply
rooted that I don't see it solved other than by force. I bristle
at these people who so assuredly judge the world from the comfort
of their sofas in Paris or LA. Hey, come over, among the poor! And
not in one of your touristic "adventures"! How often have I heard
the word adventure describing my stay in India, as if it were all
a game for the bourgeoisie. The West strikes me as mistaking the
world for its playground,
where one can do as one fancies, inconsequential, the errance
of the rich, looking to fill the indolence of their Sunday afternoons.
Kodigehalli loop (9.3 Miles) -- 01/20/15
PM Hamlet, around the lake - Nellurahalli - Accenture - Epip Zone -
BasavanaNagar - Hoodi - Kodigehalli loop.
Time: 1:28:47
Mileage: 9.3 Miles
Wght: 72.8 kg / 160.5 lbs
(My efforts at losing wait have been foiled over the weekend. Back
to square one, almost. Grrr...)
A blah morning. I seem to have forgotten everything in study or Namaaz,
and feel no motivation to run - or for anything.
But after a late start around 7:15 and a slow pace, I relax into the run,
a "wait and see" take on the route.
Things do get better and better actually,
so I decide to extend at Hoodi with the Kodigehalli loop. Here too, the
roads have become like a war zone, partially excavated, gutted out,
as if returning to their native dirt state. The traffic though lessens
through this section in spite of some school and water trucks).
My running by now has become so comfortable (but very slow), and my memory
has come back, successfully rehearsing Surah Yaseen.
As often,
I've rushed through most of Yaseen 4th ruku, to then be held back in the
last few verses. But I've stabilized till the "al'yaouma nakhtimu..." verse,
and am ready again for more.
In pursuit of the Rising Sun (8.8 Miles) -- 01/22/15
Chansandra route - Detour to Rail Track - Detour on Dirt Trail
Time: 1:21:29
Mileage: 8.8 Miles
Wght: 71.7 kg / 158.1 lbs
(At last some good traction, but we need to maintain that, and
stay under the 72kg bar)
A relatively early morning. In Chansandra, even though I might end
up being late, I take the time for the railroad detour, in keeping
with my "4 hours on weekdays" goal. I notice to the side of the road
the red disk of the sun, slowly emerging over the dusty haze. This
might make a good photo, and so I decide to turn into the dirt alley
that ventures into the worker camps, heading straight towards the
rising sun. I'm eventually blocked by a group of three aggressive
dogs coming out of a house. A lot of barking and probably no real
threat, but as I'm late anyway, I decide to turn back here. It wouldn't
have made such a good photo anyway.
More Charlie Hebdo thoughts -
Now that passions have come down by a quarter notch (maybe), I'll
make the mistake of opening my mouth. I am not Charlie. I hasten
to say I'm not a Jihaadist either, before the proud defenders of
free speach send me to jail. No, seriously, if I were to have a slogan,
it might be "Ni Charlie, Ni Jihaad!". But I don't like slogans. We're not
a brand of soup, for fuck's sake!
But still, what I see is a growing chasm between the western bourgeoisie
and the rest, the impossibility to understand each other's circumstances.
I bristle when I'm told what to think from people sitting in the comfort
of their sofas in Paris or LA. It's a little lazy to scathe the
down-trodden in the name of freedom of expression, insult their
faith even when it might be the necessary strength that carries
them in a much harder world, and label them with "obscurantism", "middle-age",
if they dare react. But nobody dare touch the values
of the Republic! Can someone take the time to explain the logic of freedom
in "Le Pays des Droits de L'Homme"? Admit at least that it's not so
obvious to follow.
The indignation seems to be inversely proportional to numbers and
color of skin. If they're few and white, the streets are sure to erupt.
But they could die by the thousands and be blacker that no one seems
to care much. It's true that the Media has failed to find a
face for them, a suitable image they could sell to our good consciences.
The End of PDI -- 01/23/15
Chansandra Night Route.
Time: 1:05:05
Mileage: 6.5 Miles (estimating a 10'/mile pace!)
Wght: 71.5 kg / 157.6 lbs
Barely slept at night, and neither did Ruksanna. We know something
is coming. During the night is the Dreamworks Company Update, we will
know what was announced in the morning. She does Namaaz with me today,
up for once at this early hour.
I run at an extremely slow pace. In spite of the night start, it's
not as cold today, and I'm strangely drenched in sweat. I feel sluggish,
and the rare car headlights seem to have printed a white glare into my
vision, as a foreshadowing of a migraine. I haven't eaten that much either,
but slowly and dizzily, I nevertheless complete the run, more or less
remembering those last verses of Yaseen that I've learned.
I soon find out the news. PDI is being closed. I spend the whole
day staring at Facebook, looking at the images from old times,
une ère révolue...
-- Along the Imadihalli back trail --
Republic Day (12.8 Miles) -- 01/26/15
Imadihalli back trail - Ajgondanahalli - Timandahalli - Small trail to Harohalli -
Kotur - Muthsandra: 1:00:34
Towards Nerige - Trail through jungle and fields - Village () -
to Madhuranagar - Vartur - Back: 0:58:09
Time: 1:58:42
Mileage: 12.8 Miles
Wght: 72 kg / 158.7 lbs
-- From Kotur to Muthsandra --
I was all ready for a bike ride, but fate seems against it. I've not
even reached Ruksanna's old Doukhan in Hagadur that PFFFfffff...,
another puncture, this time front tyre. Unbelievable! Why did I get
a mountain bike again? So I walk back home.
But having tasted the delicious morning air, particularly crisp
today, I can't just stay home, so decide for a run. (Ruksanna is still
sleeping and won't even notice all this activity.) I haven't gone the
back trail in long time. It's beautiful as often, in the morning haze.
I reach Timadanahalli through the field trails, and from there the
small trail to Harohalli. But oh surprise, a large swath of land has
been deforested and converted to agriculture, to the point where I wonder
if I somehow got lost! But no, here's the familiar road to Harohalli,
which has also been widened, but not yet paved.
After Muthsandra, on the way to Nerige, I take a new dirt trail to
the right, along which I greet a group of peasants in Kannada. The trail
evolves deeper into the growth, increasingly remote and mysterious, but
a few tyre tracks indicate it must lead somewhere. It eventually clears
into a charming little village, which I must have visited a long long time
ago. By the small village school, childen are assembled in a line,
in beautiful festival clothes, lead by a boy with a Dhol. They ask me
my name which they all repeat in a chorus. Amazingly, I don't stop to
take pictures, which I'll regret all the way home. I however ask directions
to Vartur, but as usual am sent towards the paved road. I should have
followed my instinct and followed that promising dirt trail...
My muscles tense up a little on the way back, but overall, what
a fantastic run, easy and flowing, breathing is perfect, encouraged
by the nice semi-cool weather. Perhaps yesterday's intervals at the Inner
Circle have helped loosen my gate.
Ruksanna is still asleep when I return. She wasn't able to sleep
until 3am last night. Why did you not wake me up?
I have completed this morning the fourth Ruku of Surah Yaseen,
even though the last few verses will need patient consolidation in the days
to come.
Surah Yaseen -- 01/28/15
Siddapura - Nellurahalli - Accenture - Windmills - BasawanaNagar - ITPL Main
Time: 0:58:38
Mileage: 6.3 Miles
Wght: 72.1 kg / 159 lbs
Another mosquito night! Not sure why, in spite of the relatively
cold climate, we keep getting pestered like this. The murmur of the
buzz is just enough to wake up, and sometimes, you hear the insect land
on the bed cover over your face, that you've been hiding carefully. Even
with a pillow on my head, the voice is enough! And then, you start hearing
it in all subtle murmurs in the night, waiting for it to grow near your ear.
I'm not sure whether I got this one with the racket. But here I am reading
Surah Yaseen at my desk. I've strangely kept a Ganapathi Putla on the manuscript.
Nina comes in, and without asking, proceeds to put it away. I appreciate the
intention, but I am reading, I object! I wake up, I must have fallen briefly
asleep after all. It's now 4:30.
Ruksanna wakes up with me for once. She joins me for Namaaz, installing
her Janimaaz next to mine but a step behind. I choose
Surah Alaq and Qad'r, fearful that Yaseen might be too long.
But later in the run, I regret not having parh Surah Yaseen (I've started
since yesterday reciting all 4 rukus during Fajr ki Namaaz). After all,
she listens to it often on her phone, why did I not take the time to recite
it for her? On the run, I rehearse it with greater inspiration. The progress
on the text satisfies me.
A great run, at which seems like a faster pace. It looks like my
pace has naturally increased, at little effort.
-- Cricket fields near Outer Ring Road --
Panattur, not Pattanur (11 miles) -- 02/01/15
Main Road to Kundanahalli - Under the Maratahalli Bridge: 0:28:57
Left at the rail tracks,
Small streets and alleys to Outer Ring Road: 0:07:06
Outer Ring Road, to Panattur jct: 0:07:30
Panattur - Balagere road: 0:23:21
Balagere - Vartur - Home: 0:26:50
Time: 1:33:45
Mileage: 11 Miles (estimating 8'30"/mile pace)
Wght: 71.3 kg / 157.2 lbs
Yet another Mosquito wake-up!
But this one I got with the racket. It doesn't seem like I'll be
able to sleep again, but here I am in a small Masjid. Contrary to habit,
the rows, instead of being called forward to be neatly arranged, are pushed
towards the back wall, where I end up being awkwardly squeezed. How will we
pray Namaaz like this, us in the back row? Someone should say something,
but I certainly won't. I wake up to find that I did sleep after all, just
enough for this brief dream.
I have just gone downstairs to start my morning rituals that I hear
Ruksanna's voice: Janou... The early morning hours belong to me
and sometimes I don't welcome the interruption. Especially since she's been
spending all her time at the Doukhan, locking me at home over the week-end.
For once, I do not lie with her, nor do I prepare the Chai! Voila! She
let's me go out, deciding to head out later to the Doukhan, knowing full
well the dangers of restricting my urge to get out (the Call of the Wild,
as you could call it...)
The run is unplanned. I had first thought I would run intervals
at the Circle, but with a little more time on my hands, and an apetite
for some sort of novelty, I end up heading out on the main road towards
Maratahalli, which of course is tolerable on a Sunday only. I run to the
rail track under the bridge, and turn right along the rail tracks for the first
time, cross the railroad to seek my way through the dirt alleys of Maratahalli.
I do eventually read Outer Ring Road, actually faster than I would have thought.
Instead of taking any shortcut, I run all the way to the junction to Pattanur,
well what I thought was Pattanur. A sign spells it PANATTUR,
later confirmed by a yellow post in Kannada. Turns out I'd mistaken the name
all this time.
The place has changed quite a bit, like everything here. It's no longer
a dubious muddy road, sometimes nearly impassable, but now neatly paved, and
bordered by a few modern building, others under construction.
I feel that I'm running with energetic vigor, and can make it through
this loop in around 1h30, returning in time for Ruksanna.
A couple close dog attacks, repelled with aggressive vigor and no
harm. I decide to
time myself from Balagere, which I know typically takes about 30 minutes.
Today, it will be under 27, without putting any disproportionate effort.
It's amazing what a few interval sessions seem to have done to my form.
The only draw-back is a sort of permanent back pain, although that might
be from sitting too long in my office now that Penguins is over.
I do indeed make it right back on time, very satisfied with this run.
I have learned two verses from Surah Ibrahim, a better way to conclude
Namaaz...
-- Du'ah, from Surah Ibrahim --
The long walk home -- 02/08/15
Bike Saukya Road
Time: 0:31:23
Mileage: 7.2 Miles
Then puncture, and the long walk back home!! (1h30???)
Wght: 71.5 kg / 157.6 lbs
Energy to go on the bike this morning. Leave Ruksanna sleeping.
But as I'm about to leave at 6, all dressed up, notice front brake
rubbing against the wheel. Frustrated, I tinker and go anyway.
Tension. I am not enjoying biking. I have repaired with a new tube.
Chansandra main road painful, even early on a Sunday. But as I reach
Saukya road I start to relax, getting into the rhythm on this well-paved
less frequented road. I pass the factory that I had reached running, to
discover several retailer wharehouses, Flipkart, Amazon... I'm starting
to enjoy the morning when comes the horrendous sound, "pffffffffffff"....
I cannot fucking believe this! Yet another flat! And I have nothing
to repair!
I'm angry at first, call Ruksanna. No Prithvi today, who went to temple,
and yesterday's substitute driver isn't available either. She first thinks
she can send Ayjas, but she has the motorbike at home. I start my way back,
the road is just about desert, just scooters, and occasional people who
I talk to in Hindi. A group of cyclists passes by, the generously offer
to help but there tubes do not fit my frame, and all we do is lose more
time. I resume my walk, thinking I'll eventually catch a Rickshaw, at
the main road at the latest. I start to finally accept my fate, taking
some mild enjoyment in the walk, using this time to conduct a thorough
rehearsal of the "other Surah's", the last ones.
But at the main road too, in spite of the traffic, no ride. Now fully
resigned to my fate, and feeling this walking with the bike after all
not so bad, I don't even bother to reach Chansandra, and take the
North Trail shortcut instead. More and more enboldened in this plan,
I finish on the small Imadihalli back trail, always beautiful, carrying
sometimes my bike on the shoulder (inviting peasant's questions). I think
I'll cut through to Ozone through the side fallen wall, but it has
finally been rebuilt. When I finally reach home, I have rehearsed all
the Surah's, finding a few spots that need mending.
It's actually no later than 9 o'clock. Not that bad after all. But Ruksanna
says this is my punishment for having gone out like this, secretly.
She definitely won't let me take the bike, main tauroungi!,
she menaces :)
Perhaps it's just as well. This attempt at coming back to the
bike thus comes to a close.
-- Along the beautiful Imadihalli trail --
Morning Splendor-- 02/17/15
Tuesday 02/17/15 -- Beautiful morning
Imadihalli back trail - Ajgondanahalli road - Naugondanahalli through
shortcut trail - Mid-Way Temple - Vijay Nagar Hill - Holy Cross -
Elim - ECC - Lake Trail.
Time: 1:09:10
Mileage: 7.7 Miles
Wght: 72.2 kg / 159.2 lbs
Wake up at 5:30 with the wonderful feeling of having slept late!
Long Namaaz, all I know of Yaseen, well into the last Ruku...
It's getting late, but I can't resist the desire to wake up Ruksanna
and spend some time with her. It's a good morning, and it should go
to her. She has dreamt of the children, a tearful dream. I have made
a silly dream about our birds, which offsets the mood from the tragic.
We spend tender time together, loving.
It's 8 by the time I start, I should be running Chhota Rasta, but the
morning is so beautiful that I take to the fields, away from any trafic
even at this hour. The beautiful Imadihalli trail continues to hold
its promise, even thought it continues to slowly erode to development
(some portions have been widened and flattened). How much longer before
this all disappears?
The temples are loud and alive in preparation for ShivaRathri.
Wednesday 02/18/15 -- After Shivaratri
Chansandra Night Route
Time: 1:01:47
Mileage: 6.5 Miles (Pace: 9'30"/mile)
Wght: 72.2 kg / 159.2 lbs
Another early wake-up at 4:15, after the usual multiple wake-ups.
I prepare shaadi photos for Ruksanna, that carefully arrange by the bed
for her to find when she'll wake up. I set out in the night at 5:45.
I was expecting activity from ShivaRatri but all is actually really
quiet, except for the dogs who perhaps have been agitated by the night
or prayer, and the many left-over lights around the temples and in
village centers.
A bit tired today. First light on Chansandra main road.
-- Surah Yaseen: To the seventh and last Moubine --
The last Moubine (8.7 miles) -- 02/19/15
Imadihalli trail - Ajgondanahalli - Naugondanahalli with small detours -
Midway Temple - Vijay Nagar Hill, from the North - Holy Cross - ECC -
Pattandur - last detour through back alleys.
Time: 1:22:20
Mileage: 8.7 Miles (9'30"/mile, but probably even slower)
Wght: 72 kg / 158.7 lbs
It's a perfect morning.
Waking up early and clear, and attaining my desired weight of 72 exactly.
Namaaz consists of a good rendition of two full rukus of Surah Yaseen, and
in study during stretching, I have reached the 7th and last Moubine, with
only a few verses left to the end of the prestigious Surah.
I wake up Ruksanna gently before leaving.
The weather is gradually warming up, but mornings still carry enough
freshness to wake up the mind, and fall into the perfect rhythm. A slow
enjoyable pace, the crisp air, encourage a vagabond mind, causing several
stops and curious detours. The Imadihalli trail is as beautiful as ever in
the morning mist, strangely once of the most scenic areas just behind Ozone.
But for how long?
I stop for a few pictures there, and again along the North Trail.
Men and Cows laboring the fields, unified in warm morning colors. But
I also pause to capture the new buildings and "sites", eating away the
fields.
In Vijay Nagar, I turn right towards the North side of the Hill,
which I haven't climbed in a long time. But how has the place changed!
The dirt trail is flanked by a metal fence at first, opening to an open
land where the little forest once was. Passage is blocked, except by a
small trail limited by fences, through which school children, motorbikes
etc. press through, leading to a narrow passageway to the hill through
a barn, squeezed between cows. From there, I now have to follow the line
of dwellings where the dogs bark furiously to the northern alley up the
hill.
The small houses are now suffocated against a tall concrete bar
of apartments, tragically pressed against the grey constructions
that have risen here.
In spite of the aggressive dogs, I seek for a good vantage point that
could tell the story, but do not find a photo that could.
On the other side of the hill is familiar territory. But I stop once more
in Pattandur for a quick picture of the "slum cinema",
that boasts broadcasts of the Cricket World Cup, a photo I had missed yesterday.
-- Near Naugondanahalli, along the "North Trail" --
-- Construction --
-- "Slum Cinema", Pattandur Agrahara --
-- Fields leading to Samethanahalli --
Samethanahalli (9.1 miles) -- 02/20/15
Friday 02/20/15 -- Samethanahalli
Imadihalli - Trail to Midway Temple - Naugondanahalli - Straight through
the fields to Samethanahalli - Main road towards Chansandra - North
trail backwards, through Chansandra, trail through "Kotress" -
Back to Midway Temple - Vijay Nagar - Right along North of the hill to
Main Road - Main Road through Hope Farm to ITPL.
Time: 1:26:38
Mileage: 9.1 Miles (9'30"/mile, but probably even slower)
Wght: 72 kg / 158.7 lbs
Wanted to run at least an hour. But following a last minute idea, I take
a detour through to Samethanahalli, crossing the crops and fields.
I even hesitate to take the dangerous road through Patalalevet and Kadugodi,
but eventually renounce, settling nevertheless for some sort of risk:
Tired of the traffic on the main road, I roll back on the North Trail, and
for the first time in a while, run by the "Kotress" in Chansandra. This is
the "Quarters" where the Kadugodi Slumdwellers have been given living
quarters by the government. But passing the prison-like buildings, no
sign of life, no encounter, and I make it safely to the Midway temple,
having described a sizeable loop.
From there, up the Vijay Nagar hill, and like yesterday, right at the
Khabarstan, this time to the main road. It's incredibly dusty here, deep
dust painting my legs, and even though the trafic is sparse, I cover my
face with the kerchief. Things get worse on the main road, especially
since I make the questionable decision of running the main road all the
way to ITPL.
This run fulfills my 6+ hour goal for this week (6:18:16 to be exact),
in only five days. We're leaving to Kerala tonight, where I expect to
give much needed rest to my back and knees, which have been increasingly
sore.
-- Early morning Pooja, Hagadur --
Closer to the Slum (10.5 Miles) -- 02/27/15
Kodigehalli extended loop.
Hagadur (through Hanuman Statue) - Whitefield - Borewell road -
Nellurahalli - Accenture - Epip, short way to Basavananagar -
Hoodi: 0:50:21
New way through Hoodi Alleys - Kodigehalli loop - to the left and
towards Kadugodi - To the Kadugodi Jct - back along the tracks -
Shantinikethan - ITPL: 0:54:51
Time: 1:45:13
Mileage: 10.5 Miles (estimated at 10'00"/mile)
Wght: 72.8 kg / 160.5 lbs
A good start to the day with a heartfelt rendition of all I know
of Yaseen (nearly complete by now) in 3 rakhats. Something felt right
about Ishaa ki Namaaz yesterday evening as well. But this requires an
effort of concentration which has left me with a solid headache.
I try to wake up Ruksanna as she had asked - in vain. She even
refuses the Chai I offer her, and goes right back to sleep. As it turns
out, she couldn't sleep through the night.
The 7am meeting having been cancelled, it becomes evident that this
would be a perfect day for a long run - and new exploration, long overdue.
So I set out around 6:30, at a slow leisurely pace, determined to enjoy
the day unemcumbered by any specific plan.
I first run through Hagadur's main Plaza (where the tall Hanuman
statue is) to see the leftovers of the recent village fair, but nothing,
it has all been cleaned up. Reaching Accenture, I stop for some time
to write down deep thoughts on my phone, and confirm my knowledge
of the new verse of Yaseen I'm trying to learn today. The end of the great
Surah is now plainly in sight, and I wonder what will happen once the task
is complete. In any case, as I'm doing all this, I realize the simple
pleasure of not having to rush.
There are a few people running on the road near Windmills, but none
venture into the BasavanaNagar semi-slum as I do. I try a new way through
the alleys of Hoodi, avoiding just a little more of the main road. It looks
at first that I might be traversing some private property, but a suitable
passage is found. The segment towards Kodigehalli is as usual very dusty,
the road returning to its native dirt state, busy with school buses and
water trucks, causing to briefly wear the scarf. But soon, at the turn,
things clear enough for a pleasant run. At the intersection, finally,
instead of turning right back to the rail tracks, I veer left into
the unknown. The run has completely dissipated the morning's headache.
The road starts squeezed between the walls of two new villa
properties that are under construction, but a turn soon reveals
an open landscape of wide fields, somewhat nondescript. It's being
built here too, sporadically, and in the foggy distance the taller
buildings of Kadugodi. Some trails on the right seem to cut back
to the railway.
I stick with my road, low trafic, wondering how close I can safely
get to Kadugodi. I eventually take the first paved road to the right,
soon realizing the I had underestimated the distance back to the railway.
A man (police?) and his son wave enthusiastically at me. We make it
together to an intersection that I recognize all too well: This is
the road that leads straight into Kadugodi, less than a kilometer
away! So many memories here, the school we would cross, the doukan
and the "ration", Valli saving me from the electrical wires hanging
too low... I know the way back along the tracks perfectly well,
although here too some buildings have risen here and there.
Did this get too close to the Kadugodi slum?
-- Marathahalli --
Urban Exploration (9.5 Miles) -- 03/08/15
Main Road - Kundalahalli - Flyover to Marathahalli: 0:32:16
Marathahalli to HAL Police Station: Approx 43' till here (I had stopped
my phone instead of recording a lap.)
Back to Marathahalli: 0:11:28
Back same way: 0:33:16
Time: 1:28:00 (approx, but accurate. I know I left at exactly 6am)
Mileage: 9.5 Miles
Wght: 72.1 kg / 159 lbs
In the eternal quest for novelty, I try this unusual run along the main road.
I had never thought I would, but as I try to envision a road for the day,
I can't picture myself going through the same, as beautiful as it might
be, and this solution appeals to me: How far can I get on that side?
Besides, who knows, perhaps in the Marathahalli area I could find the
children?
At 6am, traffic is still reasonable, although I will run mostly with
the scarf on my face. I go over the Marathahalli fly-over, notice a small
staircase leading down that could by-pass some of it. I continue
past Marathahalli into new
running territory, to the HAL police station. Strangely, there's a group
of runners on the other side.
The way back is starting to get busier, unpleasant. There are side
roads that could be worth exploring, as long as I leave early enough
in the morning. A man on a cycle says hi, I take off the cloth of my mouth
to show off my Hindi.
I rehearse the last Ruku of Surah Yaseen, with the end ever closer
in sight.
Reaching the End -- 03/12/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday 03/09/15 -- Wght: 72.4 kg / 159.6 lbs
I have advanced again in Surah Yaseen, only two verses left!
And I have also completed the reading of Surah Baqarah this morning!
(And started the 3rd Movement of the Wanderer Fantaisie!)
But I started feeling a little sick again last night, either a sudden
revival of last week's illness, or the effect of running in polution.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday 03/10/15 --
Main Road - Borewell - Outer Circle - ECC - Lake Trail
Time: 0:27:30
Mileage: 3.2 Miles (estimated 8'40"/mile pace)
Wght: 72.1 kg / 159 lbs
Yesterday evening mediation until 10pm.
Have felt sick. Woke up at 3:30, but wonderfully went back to sleep
before getting up at 4:30, and end up feeling great through the run!
Have again recited all of Surah Yaseen except for the last two verses.
I am almost fearful of completing my learning. It feels big.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 03/11/15 --
Chhota Rasta: Hagadur - Outer Circle - ECC - Pattandur
Time: 0:29:14
Mileage: 3.5 Miles (Pace 8'20"/mile)???
Wght: 72.1 kg / 159 lbs
Not particularly interested in running, and still a little sick.
But the run actually feels great and very loose, a faster pace.
Temps have cooled down again, in fact, slightly foggy today.
A bigger than usual dog alert in Pattandur, three dogs don't
back out (but still stay at some distance). A couple boys on
a bike say "don't touch them" - I know, I never do.
I staid with Ruksanna longer, after an excellent Namaaz of a different
kind, where eyes open I let the plan for the day materialize.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday 03/12/15 --
Imadihalli - Chansandra - Hope Farm - Main road to ITPL
Time: 0:47:36
Mileage: 5.3 Miles
Wght: 71.4 kg / 157.4 lbs
Early wake-up at 4:30. Started reading Surah Imraan.
The moment approaches, I am almost done with Surah Yaseen.
In fact, this morning I deliberately postpone finishing the Surah at first,
seeing that the last Aayat is very straightforward, but saving it for tomorrow.
In Namaaz, I recite rukus 4 & 5, except for that last verse. The near completion
of the great Surah moves me to tears. And during the run, I realize that the
last verse is so natural that I have actually completed my learning!
After all, it would be a wonderful thing to recite the entire Surah tomorrow,
on Jumah-ka-din. I look forward to it with great expectation, and have
the day to firm up my knowledge of the last Ayaats.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- The end of Surah Yaseen --
The Completion of Surah Yaseen (9.6 Miles) -- 03/13/15
Hagadur - Whitefield Inner Circle - ?? Layout - Borewell rd - Nellurahalli -
Accenture - EPIP Long Way - Basavananagar - Hoodi - Kodigehalli Loop.
Time: 1:36:36
Mileage: 9.6 Miles (guessing a 10'00"/mile pace)
Wght: 71.6 kg / 157.8 lbs
4:20. Opportunity. Yesterday, was scared. Last revision during stretching.
Immediately feel good, very clear diction, and my mind doesn't wander.
Slow down as the Surah goes, finish very slowly, looking for words, but
finding them, with unusual ease. I cry through the last verses. There it is,
I have recited all of Yaseen in Namaaz for the first time!
-- Wearing pollution mask through Basavanagar, Hoodi --
Run: Tired. Try to rehearse again, but anti-pavlovian, I lose it, and
more and more as the run progresses. Pollution mask. Fantastic at first,
but as the cloth loosens, and heavy with perspiration, it starts to clog
around my mouth just like the scarf often does, and feels no better. It
takes too much effort to breath through it, probably further weakening
the resistance of the shape. A cup around the mouth was great. Back
to the drawing board I guess. Selfies near Hoodi. Unfortunately,
the run has revived my coughing once again, which could be pollution
or simply a tenacious cold.
Although trying to resist superstition, I was wondering if something
big would happen on my completion of the Surah. The only thing is as
I reach work, I find a mail from Cecile accepting my mediation terms.
"Really, that's all the miracle you got?" I think laughingly!
-- Surah Yaseen (Complete) --