-- Elaruvi --
BasavanaNagar (8.3 Miles) -- 10/22/15
Inner Circle - Whitefield - Vartur Kodi - Siddapura - Dunmore House -
Accenture - EPIP - Basavananagar - Hoodi - Along the tracks.
Mileage: 8.3 Miles - 13.4 Km
Time: 1:20:45
Pace: 9'43" / mile
Wght: 71.7 kg / 158.1 lbs
Focused on easy comfortable pace. Beautiful morning, foggy at first, cool.
Running feels easy and pleasant.
Violent Yaseen Namaaz this morning.
Still advancing in Surah Waqi'ah.
Knee was perfect yesterday, but slightly bothersome today, probably due
to sitting cross-legged at dinner, which seems to be what still irritates
it.
The Terrible Memories (7.7 Miles) -- 10/27/15
Inner Circle - Whitefield - Kodi - Siddapura - BEML Layout -
Brookefield - RxDx - ITPL Road - Windmills - Sai Baba - ITPL.
Mileage: 7.7 Miles - 12.4 Km
Time: 1:12:01
Pace: 9'21" / mile
Wght: 72.9 kg / 160.7 lbs
Another sleepless night. Like in the Palm Meadows days, Ruksanna puts
me to sleep, but than she herself can't sleep. In spite of having turned
off the alarm, I still wake up at 4:30, eager to study the Qur'an, but
she soon wakes up as well, and sits besides me during Namaaz. Then, as
we're mulling over our plans with the lawyer, she is overcome by a
particularly violent memories of her days of suffering, some of which
I had not heard and are difficult to bear.
Troubled, I run long this morning, missing the meetings. I'll see her
again at 9:30 anyway, we're going to the dentist.
Years of Torture (6.5 Miles) -- 10/28/15
Home Gym: 0:45:00 -
Run: Outer Circle - Borewell Rd. - Nellurahalli - Accenture - EPIP -
Basavananagar - Hoodi - Rail Tracks - Shantinikethan
Mileage: 6.5 Miles - 10.4 Km
Time: 1:01:35
Pace: 9'28" / mile
Wght: 72.9 kg / 160.7 lbs
Up at 3:45, tired of waking up numerous times during the night, finally
get up. A good home gym session followed by an extraordinarily intense
Namaaz, on Surah Waqi'ah, where the verses on women evoke to me the
Ruksanna's rebirth from her years of torture, as if she would be cleansed
in the afterlife from the formidable hardships, restored to the purity
of a girl, her hopes intact.
I expect to be exhausted after all this, but no, the run is very pleasant,
feeling easy. This is shaping to be a big traning week.
Naïa Rasta (5.4 Miles) -- 10/31/15
Home Gym: 0:12:00
Whitefield - Hope Farm - Kadugodi: 0:22:35
Bridge over the rail tracks - Through Kadugodi - Along the railroad -
Over the tracks to Shantinikethan - ITPL: 0:28:38
Time: 0:51:13
Mileage: 5.4 Miles - 8.7 Km
Pace: 9'29" / mile
Wght: 72 kg / 158.7 lbs
We are working this Saturday, in fact, there is a 7am meeting.
I take that opportunity to finally try this for the first time: Going to
ITPL by crossing the bridge in Kadugodi, right by the entrance of the slum
community.
It all works out great. I was up at 4, but feeling ok. It's pretty peaceful
on this Saturday morning even on the main road. I meander through the buses
at the Kadugodi bus stop, but again, do not meet anyone I know from the slum.
The pedestrian bridge is not too busy at this hour, so I'm able to run
throughout (counting 2 zig-zags on the way up and three on the way down).
Through Kadugodi, on that road we had travelled many times, morning
activity, notable travelers gathering around autos with much luggage, etc.
But still I don't meet anyone. A group of about eight dogs has surrounded
a pig on the side of the road, barking and threatening,
but all to their quarrel, they don't
seem to even notice me pass by. Other imposing packs of dogs as I progress
towards the villages and fields along the rail tracks, but I handle
them beautifully, sort of nipping their aggression in the bud, as my courage
has been returning.
This route turns out to be a perfect commute option. It could easily be
shortened or lengthened, leading to further exploration in the Kadugodi area,
now that it's open again.
This concludes my first good week of running (>5 hours) in three months.
I hope I haven't overdone it though, and that my knee won't relapse. It's
been again a little tender, so some recovery would be wise.
I am two verses away from completing the 2nd Ruku of Surah Waqi'ah.
-- Surah Waq'iah, Second Ruku --
The 2nd Ruku of Surah Waqi'ah (5.8 Miles) -- 11/04/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday 11/03/15 --
Dodsworth - Borewell - Sai Baba.
Mileage: 3.5 Miles - 5.6 Km
Time: 0:31:54
Pace: 9'06" / mile
Wght: 72 kg / 158.7 lbs
Pfff, got up at 4:15, really tired unfortunately.
Ruksanna wakes up soon after, bothered by mosquitoes (rare in Rustique).
I still pray an appropriate Namaaz, but let go of all other plans to
spend time with her.
Have reached the end of the 2nd Ruku of Surah Waqi'ah, but it will need
patient confirmation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 11/04/15 --
Inner Circle - Borewell Rd - Accenture - Windmills - Basavananagar -
Hoodi - Main Road - ITPL.
Mileage: 5.8 Miles - 9.35 Km
Time: 0:56:05
Pace: 9'40" / mile
Wght: 72.2 kg / 159.2 lbs
Up at 4am.
Have finished learning the 2nd Ruku of Surah Waq'iah, in fact, I pray
it in its entirety in Namaaz this morning, although the end is very
imperfect and will need more rehearsal. Nonetheless a good slow
deliberate Namaaz... I leave without waking up Ruksanna, at 5:40.
It has rained a lot. I choose this road hoping to avoid deep mud,
but even as it is, it's a bit of an obstacle course.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Near Ajgondanahalli --
Khabarstan (10.7 Miles) -- 11/08/15
Whitefield Circle - Whitefield - Hagadur Shortcut - Along Ozone -
Imadihalli trail - Ajgondanahalli - Khabrastan: 0:31:52
Trails and fields to Timandahalli - Harohalli - Kotur: 0:25:20
Towards Valevpura - Ajgondanahalli - Imadihalli - Whitefield -
Circle - Back: 0:45:57
Time: 1:43:09
Mileage: 10.7 Miles - 17.2 Km
Pace: 9'38" / mile
Wght: 72.6 kg / 160 lbs
Haven't run this long in some time, but this felt easy and comfortable.
Ruksanna has missioned me to hang a Nimbou on a branch by a Hindu
cemetery. I remember of one nearby Ajgondanahalli, so that will be
my destination for the day. As it happens, I haven't run the way of
the fields in a long time, since moving from Ozone. In a last minute
inspiration, I actually do take the old route through Hagadur, and
the beautiful trails through the fields and jungle, bordering the
Ozone back wall. It hasn't changed too much, and the trees bathed
in morning mist are as beautiful as ever. At one point the trail
becomes a little uncertain, and I mostly worry about stepping on a snake,
taking comical precipitated high steps, but all is fine. I reach
the Ajgondanahalli / Imadihalli road.
There, I stop by the Khabarstan, check that there aren't
too many onlookers, and quickly go hang the nimbu on a thin branch overlooking
the tombs. Mission accomplished.
I retrace my step towards Ajgondanahalli, circumventing the village
by the trails, which have changed a bit through the ever morphing fields,
but I still find my way to Timandahalli, and from there the classic
route to Harohalli. I struggle with aggressive dogs both in Harohalli
and Kotur, forced to break into a walk, although they still keep a little
distance, and the peasants reassure with their hands to not mind. Indeed,
I make it through with no incident and in good humour. "Naigullu",
I beam at the villagers.
On the low road to Vartur, someone calls my name. It's little Rakesh
from Harohalli, who has actually become really big! He stops the motorcycle
to greet me. I later pass the Khabarstan again, the nimbu is still there.
And from there it's a straight shot to Whitefield, I have mostly avoided
traffic throughout the run, and enjoyed the cool windy temperature, ideal
for running.
-- Elaruvi through Diwali, transformed by incessant rains --
In the Mud (7.5 Miles) -- 11/18/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday 11/10/15 -- Heavy Rain
Inner Circle - Whitefield - Kodi - Siddapura - Nellurahalli -
Accenture - Sai Baba.
Mileage: 5.75 Miles - 9.25 Km
Time: 0:51:06
Pace: 8'53" / mile
Wght: 72.6 kg / 160 lbs
Very unusual rain throught the afternoon yesterday, and all through
the night. In fact, it just barely stops in time for the run.
We woke up in the middle of the night, maybe from the chatter of the rain,
and Ruksanna did not sleep back till morning, I find her watching some old
Hindi film. Consequently, my Namaaz feels botched today.
I suddenly decided to put aside Surah Waqi'ah's last Ruku for some time in
order to learn Ayatul Kursi.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday 11/17/15 --
Outer Circle - Borewell - Whitefield Main Road - Kodi -
Siddapura - Nellurahalli - Sai Baba.
Mileage: 5.75 Miles - 9.25 Km
Time: 0:53:09
Pace: 9'14" / mile
Wght: 72.5 kg / 159.8 lbs
Continuous rain for the last week. Extreme mud, which in spite of my
best efforts, I can't avoid entirely, wading through briefly in
Nellurahalli. I decided to dress in layers and wear a kerchief
on my head, wondering whether this will prove to be excessive, but
not at all, it drizzles constantly and feels chilly in the wet breeze.
We spent the long Diwali weekend in Elaruvi, where it also rained
continuously, creating lakes, rivers and waterfalls where there were none,
actually bringing much needed water reserves, and creating a very loud concert
of frogs at night, right behind our house.
Taking a break away from Surah Waqi'ah, I have learned all of Ayatul Kursi
over the weekend.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 11/18/15 --
Outer Circle - Dodsworth Enclave - Borewell rd - Nellurahalli -
Siddapura - Main Road - BEML Layout - Brookefield - RxDx -
BasavanaNagar - Shortcut to Windmills - Sai Baba - ITPL.
Mileage: 7.5 Miles - 12.1 Km
Time: 1:10:47
Pace: 9'26" / mile
Wght: 72.5 kg / 159.8 lbs
Like yesterday, manage to mostly avoid the mud, except for ONE PLACE:
The little crossing from Basavananagar to the Windmills road, which
is heavy heavy in the thickest mud, and cannot be avoided.
Like yesterday, walk into office really dirty, sheepishly carrying my shoes
in hand.
Good run though, relaxed pace, trying to get back
into things. The trafic is a problem, but for some reason doesn't bother
me that much today. I try to wear the polution mask, but for whatever
reason it completely blocks my breath this time, so I have to discard it.
I confirm my knowledge of Ayatul Kursi all along the way.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Ayatul Kursi (Surah Baqarah, 255) --
More Mud -- 11/23/15
Monday 11/23/15 -- More Mud
Gopalan - Outer Circle - Borewell - Kodi - Siddapura -
Nellurahalli - Sai Baba - ITPL.
Mileage: 5.65 Miles - 9.1 Km
Time: 0:52:52
Pace: 9'21" / mile
Wght: 72.5 kg / 159.8 lbs
Things are rather gloomy.
Yet another wet day, the roads are in a horrendous state, it feels like
constantly wallowing in the mud. Near Kodi, I get almost attacked by
a large dog, perhaps a Saint-Bernard(!), which fortunately is kept
under leash by a fat maid, who does her best to retain him. I discipline
her in Hindi to control the dog, realizing that I should actually have
thanked her for handling it properly.
The mud is approximately ok
until the Nellurahalli crossing, which is horrible, not only deep in
thick wet mud, but the small road is locked in a traffic jam. I pass
narrowly on the side of a bus, narrowly avoiding to fall in the black
sewage water. A little later, I nearly get taken down by a motorbike
who took the turn from the EPIP zone way too fast and way too close.
To further add to the woes, my knee pain is inexplicably back in full
force, in fact, I'm wearing a knee band for the first time, uncertain
of its effect. I don't feel good on the run, heavy from digestion,
breathing uncomfortably, and sore.
I arrive in office filthy. The knee band is dotted with drops of
mud, like something by Pollock. Someone the mud drips on my leg
for a tattoo.
Yesterday, we walked for hours in the Kadugodi area. The bus dropped
us right in front of the community in Kadugodi, so we drank Chai at
BhaiMaa's stall, and walked right in! The place is mostly deserted
(Suresh still lives there), and only the low walls are left of
Ruksanna's former house.
-- The Kadugodi community now ...
... and what's left of Ruksanna's former house --
Crying for the Women -- 12/04/15
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday 11/24/15 --
Home Gym: 0:20:00
To Ganesha Temple - Main Road - 4 Points Sheraton (near Hope Farm) -
Loyal Supermarket - Main ITPL Road - ITPL.
Mileage: 2.9 Miles - 4.6 Km
Time: 0:26:16
Pace: 9'03" / mile
Wght: 72.6 kg / 160 lbs
Try this new route because 1) I'm late, and 2), to try to escape the mud.
(it rained again heavily last night!). But this is hardly much better,
and I end up just about as dirty as yesterday.
My knee continues to be bad, in fact, it appears swollen after the run.
Namaaz Surah Waqi'ah this morning. Still trying to re-capture the quality
of Namaaz, my ability seems to have disappeared since the Paris attacks.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 11/25/15 --
Home Gym: 0:34:00 -- 1st time using new weight set -- Set of 40 push-ups.
Run: ECC - Pattandur - ITPL.
Mileage: 1.35 Miles - 2.2 Km
Time: 0:12:20
Pace: 9'08" / mile
Wght: 72.6 kg / 160 lbs
Mostly a weight session this morning, followed by this short run, to
manage my knee (which is back to its worse!).
At last, a sunny morning in Bangalore!! And this route avoids most
of the residual mud, in spite of the excavations in Pattandur, is
much more passable than I feared.
Last night, we finally received a new draft from the Lawyer, which
has raised our spirits again. (Although we still didn't sleep very well).
I have resumed progress on Surah Waqi'ah, after a 2 week interruption.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday 11/29/15 -- 3 Miles at the Circle (Semi-Tempo)
To the Circle: 0:06:19
3*3: 9'17" [8'35"/mile] - 8'51" [8'11"/mile] - 8'34" [7'55"/mile]
Back from the Circle: 0:06:21
Mileage: 4.55 Miles [3.18 + 1.37]
Time: 0:39:23
Pace: 8'39" / mile
Wght: 72.2 kg / 159.8 lbs
Knee has swollen, but I still decide to run. I am wearing a knee
band bought (owing to Ruksanna's insistence) at Decathlon.
Another long walk in the Hoskote Road area later in the day.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 12/02/15 --
Home Gym: 0:14:00 -- Light session
Run: ECC - Loyal SuperMarket - Main Road - ITPL.
Mileage: 1.85 Miles - 3 Km
Time: 0:17:46
Pace: 9'36" / mile
Wght: 72.3 kg / 159.4 lbs
It has rained yet again last night! And the road has been dug up yet again,
in an unbelievable chaos! In fact it's closed by a large excavation near
the Supermarket! Protest in the streets!
My knee is not really improving. In fact, it appears swollen on the outer
side.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 12/04/15 --
Home Gym: 0:52:00 -- Emphasis on speed today.
Run: Dosworth Layout - Borewell Road - Nellurahalli - EPIP - Sai Baba.
Mileage: 4.25 Miles - 6.9 Km
Time: 0:38:40
Pace: 9'05" / mile
Wght: 72.7 kg / 160.3 lbs
Up at 4:15.
I recite Surah Waqi'ah for Fajr ki Namaaz.
The great Surah does not yet yield the same power than Surah Yaseen,
whose recitation is varied and intense throughout. Waqi'ah, perhaps because
I don't master it as well, struggles more to be found, especially through
the first Ruku, but seems to build up in crescendo as I progress further,
to throne majestically from about halfway through the Surah to the
end. Today, as once before, I am seized by the verses about the women
of Jannat, thinking of Ruksanna purified from her hardships, as re-born
like a child, body and hopes intact. I weep for the women, slowly reciting
those verses.
I have grown so tired of Chhota Rasta, that I decide to run a little
longer, uncertain about the effect it will have on my ailing knee. The
reduced running time has also curtailed my ability to progress learning
the Qur'an, my progress is much slower, no longer having a set time
to rehearse.
It is sunny and beautiful this morning, cool, and the mud
has largely diminished. Still in Chennai the news of the floods
are terrible, and more rains are announced. The run feels good actually,
but we'll see what effect it will have in the days to come.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- In Elaruvi
The End of the Run? (0 Miles) -- 12/08/15
Walked to work again this morning.
I've decided to give my knee at least a full week's rest. It is not
only painful (although not horribly), but also somewhat swollen - a
first for me - and my mobility has been impaired such that I can no
longer sit properly in Namaaz.
Not being able to run should be a bitter blow. I've often
experienced the well-known fact that
endurance athletes depend on the practice for psychological balance,
and its interruption frequently leads to depression. It's silly,
but I depend on it for mind and body to function, just like a smoker
to a cigarette. And without getting pompous about it,
it consciously expresses my revolt every day
against the dreadful industrialised modes of transportation. In
short, I despise cars! I will now walk, and if unable to walk,
crawl, I protest with sarcasm!
But I refuse to be intimidated.
First, I consider myself very fortunate to have enjoyed such a long
period of running virtually injury free, particularly
since coming to India. And then, perhaps this is indeed the time
prescribed to move on to something else.
I have to admit that the wonder of the old days is largely gone
anyway. It's not that I don't enjoy running any more, but the power
of discovery, incredibly strong in my first years here, has largely
eroded. And in many ways I've already re-purposed running
to other focuses - mostly Quranic studies - as if the fascination
of the great outside having waned, I had
decided to rather focus inside. (As for
the great Double Centuries, I still cherish their powerful memories
with big bursts of nostalgia,
that of being lost alone in the wild,
but clearly they now belong to the past, doors of
a former life that are closing one by one.)
I still cherish being
outside, the fascination of nature, but the Whitefield area
has been so defaced, and feels daily so familiar, that the fascination
is just about gone. I don't even bother to look around sometimes,
focused on the learning of the verses. The landscape is systematically marred by
construction, the air poisoned, and the mechanised trafic pouring
into every possible smallest alley with such aggression that the human
feels undesired, a paradox as runners are now growing in numbers.
I guess I miss the days when it was only me.
But I also see great
opportunities in the fact that my body is finally telling me to
stop. Is this truly the end of another personal era?
What possibilities might now be ahead, part of me rejoices in
anticipation...
-- Last Ruku of Surah Waqi'ah --
Surah Waqi'ah -- 12/16/15
I have completed the study of Surah Waqi'ah.
I had started on 06/30/15, with a single detour to learn
Ayatul Kursi. The Surah offers me now a powerful alternative to Surah
Yaseen for the long version of Fajr ki Namaaz. Constituted of three
Rukus, I split the second one to form the four Rakaats, a very natural
separation, which organises the Surah in a sort of Crescendo. I have
sometimes with the Surah in Namaaz, not feeling at first the same
intensity as provided by Surah Yaseen, but as my knowledge has progressed,
and I've ventured into the extraordinary second part, the power of the
Surah has hit me in various places on various days.
-- Surah Waqi'ah, in full --