-- Haji Ali Dargah --
Police Verification (3.09 Miles) -- 10/05/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday 10/01/24, 27 Rabi al-Awwal 1446 -- Back
Raambagh - JVLR - Saki Vihar - Raheja Vihar - Chandivali - Nahar
Time: 0:35:26
Mileage: 3.45 Miles - 5.55 Km
Pace: 10'16"/mile - 6'23"/km
Weather: 27C; Humidity 92%
Phone Time: 1h02m (Monday 0h44m)
Weight: 70 kg - 154.3 lbs
27th reading Monday Dhuhr Surat Yusuf till v 52 (Juz 13),
Asr Surat Yusuf till v 104, Maghrib Surat Yusuf till end.
Wake up at 3:30, able to push myself to vague somnolence, but no
sleep. Up around 4:45.
A nondescript run, not bad, but a bit tired, kept it short.
Sharp contrast in heat and humidity with Bangalore, abundant sweat.
Yesterday, resumed tilaavat Qur'an, all of Surat Yusuf throughout
the day.
We've gone to the police station in Shangarsh Nagar to finish
the passport verification, but the constable never came, after well
over an hour, we give up. On the way back, Gulzar has the idea of
taking "blackey" home (a tiny black kitten who was born in our parking)
to see what our cats will do. This is hilarious! Our cats are terrified
by the tiny creature, who bravely puffs his fur and growls at them.
At some point, it approaches sniffing Kismat, who finally hisses
like a dragon and runs away. The other two are hiding under the
almari!
27th reading Dhuhr Surat Ar-Ra'd,
Asr Surat Ibrahim.
-- Blackey and Daulat --
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 10/02/24, 28 Rabi al-Awwal 1446 -- Miserable Intervals
Raambagh - Lakehomes OP: 0:11:44 [r.3'12"] [1.11M, 1.79K]
Interval 1, OP to IIT Main Gate (1.07M, 1.72K): 9'47".85 [r.6'31"]
--- Pace: 9'08"/mile - 5'41"/km
Interval 2, IIT Main Gate to Wall (0.51M, 830m): 4'53".41 [r.4'01"]
--- Pace: 9'27"/mile - 5'53"/km
Interval 3, Wall to OP (0.55M, 887m): 5'11".93 [r. ??]
--- Pace: 9'25"/mile - 5'51"/km
Intervals Time: 0:19:52
Intervals Mileage: 2.13 Miles - 3.44 Km
Intervals Pace: 9'17"/mile - 5'46"/km
Age Graded Best Interval: 1.07M in 8'00", ie. 7'28"/mile pace
Raambagh, to Chandivali Rd: 0:06:13 [0.61M, 987m]
Total Time: 0:37:49
Total Mileage: 3.85 Miles - 6.21 Km
Total Pace: 9'47"/mile - 6'05"/km
Weather: 29C; Humidity 86%
Weight: 69.9 kg - 154.1 lbs
Phone Time: 0h52m
This is a miserable session!
I wake up around 4:20, unable to sleep back. Not feeling well,
I hesitate to do a speed session as planned.
But today being Gandhi Jayanti, I imagine that
things will be completely empty,
so I decide to proceed with Mile Intervals, hoping that
it will wake me up, like in the old days. But it does not.
The weather is terrible today, first onset of October heat. A
thick gray haze chokes the landscape, with a heavy humid heat, that
causes overabundant sweat. I feel tired, perhaps psychologically
defeated, do not find the strength to complete the intervals as
planned, and even come walking back from Chandivali road.
A run to forget!
Gulzar has decided to go to Haji Ali, on this chhouti ka din.
It is low tide today, exposing many rocks, and drawing a sizable
crowd by the water. After performing her ritual, we also hobble
barefeet on the rocks behind the Dargah, by the water where we
sit, contemplating families and crabs, and then listen for some
time to a group of Kawali performers. As we walk back, meals
are being distributed, Gulzar takes three parcels of Biryani
which we'll eat in the evening. On the drive back, many chariots
on the road displaying the Goddess Durga. We stop
the Taxi at Saki Naka and finish on foot on Khairani road. On the
side of the road, a young paralyzed man rolls over from side to
side, somehow carrying a steel plate for alms. I
barely miss Maghrib, but then go back out for Ishaa ki Namaaz
to the Masjid.
27th reading Dhuhr Surat al-Hijr v 1 (Juz 14), till end.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday 10/03/24, 29 Rabi al-Awwal 1446 --
Dmart -- Hiranandani Hospital - Nana Palshikar - Padmavati Devi -
IIT far gate - Lake Promenade - Platform - Saki Vihar - Raheja Vihar -
Chandivali - Mhada
Time: 0:49:30
Mileage: 5.02 Miles - 8.08 Km
Pace: 9'51"/mile - 6'07"/km
Weather: 28C; Humidity 87%
Weight: 70.3 kg - 155 lbs
Phone Time: 1h10m
The weather has been so hot and humid ("October Heat") that
my shoes and socks are still damp, unpleasant to put on.
But the weather, although still warm, is a little better this
morning, with clearer skies. I do end up feeling better than
yesterday, although still tentative, and take a short break
at the entrance of Raheja Vihar. Helped by the generally
downhill route, I run a better pace. Along the lake, a man
recognizes me from Royal Palms, I stop and chat a minute, somewhat
proud.
Later, we attempt the Police Verification for the third
time, but again, the man is not there. When he finally does
come, with this haughty tired tone that officials tend to take,
vaguely annoyed and pretending to not understand our case,
he tells us that the file is no longer with him, directs us
to the bigger police station on Chandivali road. Once there,
discovering a full office with a room dedicated to Passport
Verifications, I realize to my dismay that this is where
Gulzar should have come to in the first place, rather than
asking around, to end up in the tiny post at
the Shangarsh Nagar post. But then why
was she not correctly redirected in the first place?
Anyway, we need to restart from scratch, will return tomorrow
with Sofia. We have lost several weeks in this.
27th reading Dhuhr Surat an-Nahl till v 50,
Asr Surat an-Nahl till end.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 10/05/24, 01 Rabi al-Akhir 1446 -- Quasi Tempo
Khairani E. - Bhatwadi Loop - Back to Rahat Hotel
Time: 0:29:44
Mileage: 3.09 Miles - 4.98 Km
Pace: 9'36"/mile - 5'58"/km
Age Graded: 4.98 Km in 0:24:16; ie. 7'50"/mile
Weather: 28C; Humidity 82%
Weight: 70.1 kg - 154.5 lbs
Phone Time: 1h09m (Friday 0h57m)
27th reading Friday Fajr Surat al-Isra till v 60;
Before Jummah Surat al-Isra till end, Surat al-Kahf till v 31,
After Jummah Surat al-Kahf till v 74 (Juz 16), till v 78.
This morning, we get up at 4am, to drop Sofia at Mumbai
Central for the train to Gujarat, where she will play in a
Basketball tournament. I woke up around 2am, struggled to
sleep back with all that's going on, but managed it eventually,
to one of those dreams you'd like to return to. I actually
enjoy the early morning drive, to clear roads, much much faster
than it would have been during the day.
Back home, realizing it's still early enough, inspired
by the vision of the rising sun along the road, I go out for
this run, keeping in extremis to my Saturday routine. Not
knowing what to expect, I settle in a relatively energized
pace, and decide to treat this as an improvised tempo run,
cutting the route short, but at a sustained pace. This works
out quite well, although I am somewhat disappointed by my
actual pace. Still, a good way to end this shorter mileage week.
And finally, after that, we return to the police station
(5th iteration),
with all copies in hand. Luckily, the bureau opens a little
early, and we are first in, submit our documents, sign...
It looks like everything is completed properly, insha allah.
Let's see what happens next.
27th reading Dhuhr Surat al-Kahf till end,
Surat Maryam till v 40, Ishaa Surat Maryam till end.
-- Sofia in the train to Gujarat --
The 30th Roza (8.10 Miles) -- 10/13/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday 10/08/24, 04 Rabi al-Akhir 1446 -- Recovery
Chandivali - Raheja Vihar - Chandivali - Nahar
Time: 0:29:18
Mileage: 2.82 Miles - 4.54 Km
Pace: 10'23"/mile - 6'27"/km
Weather: 26C; Humidity 81%
Weight: 69.6 kg - 153.4 lbs
Phone Time: 0h25m (Monday 0h54m)
NEW SHOES --
27th reading Monday Dhuhr Surat Ta-Ha till v 76,
Asr Surat Ta-Ha till end (Juz 17).
Sunday evening, after returning from Sawale, I start having
stomach cramps, eventually shortening Ishaa ki Namaaz, and
feeling very uncomfortable in bed. Strangely, this gives me
repeated hiccups, which prevent me from sleeping on the side.
I sleep very poorly under these conditions. In the middle of
the night, diarrhea starts, not very abundant, but very liquid.
In the morning, Gulzar brings back a nariel and davai, I skip
most morning meetings to recover. Sadly, I can no longer
boast about my exceptional digestive system (I used to never
fall sick even in India), with age it
has become vulnerable, like anyone else.
Today, feeling better but still recovering from the
indigestion. I take this run easy and short, feeling quite
weak, and the movement tends to rekindle the stomach pain,
yet I manage to find an acceptable comfortable pace. It
does again feel very hot.
27th reading Dhuhr Surat al-Anbiya,
Asr Surat al-Hajj till v 48,
Maghrib Surat al-Hajj till end (Juz 18).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 10/09/24, 05 Rabi al-Akhir 1446 -- Recovery
Raambagh - Lake Promenade - Powai Plaza - Central - Ridge -
Orchard - Raambagh
Time: 0:45:00
Mileage: 4.38 Miles - 7.04 Km
Pace: 10'16"/mile - 6'23"/km
Weather: 26C; Humidity 92%
Phone Time: 0h40m
Similar to yesterday, a little better and longer. The run is
hampered by persistent stomach cramps, especially down or uphill,
which I do my best to control through relaxed breathing. I am
also dealing with ankle pains, resulting from praying Namaaz
directly on the ground, without the help of a pillow (this
typically happens in such cases). I do manage the run somehow,
helped by a very light sprinkle this morning
which tempers the heat slightly. But I do feel weak at first, and
do take two short breaks. Strangely, I seem to find my breath and
a good rhythm in the last third, finishing energized,
at a good pace.
27th reading Dhuhr Surat al-Mu'minun.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 10/11/24, 07 Rabi al-Akhir 1446 -- Sunrise
Khairani Rd E. - Andheri Ghatkopar - Golibar Rd - Amrut Nagar -
Vikhroli Park Site - Kailash Complex Hill - Hiranandani - Main -
Central - SM SHetty - Chandivali
Time: 1:04:02
Mileage: 6.32 Miles - 10.17 Km
Pace: 10'07"/mile - 6'17"/km
Weather: 28C; Humidity 80%
Weight: 70.2 kg - 154.8 lbs
Phone Time: 0h58m (Friday 0h47m)
27th reading Thursday Dhuhr Surat an-Nur till v 57,
Asr Surat an-Nur till end, Surat al-Furqan till v 20 (Juz 19).
Yesterday, the stomach pain was receding, and is virtually
gone by now. In the evening, I go with enthusiasm to Ishaa ki
Namaaz, cementing my decision for the days to come. On the way
back, a few sparse rain drops, followed by a violent storm,
once I am home. I feel energized!
This morning, I wake up too early at 4:30, fear that I'll
be too tired. I eat a Paracetamol which will seem to help
more than I would have thought. Regaining yesterday's mood,
I recite a focused Surat Yaseen in Namaaz. For once I have kept
the curtains open at dawn, and witness the beautiful coloring
of the landscape, warming up towards sunrise. Inspired,
I set out on this run, not knowing what to expect.
I embark on Khairani road towards Bhatwadi, knowing I may
get views of the rising sun over the hills, and am inspired to
this route as I go, taking on Golibar, and back through the
Vikhroli Park Site slums. Here, I do get the view that I had
promised myself: the morning sunlight touching the slums on
the hills, glistening on its many facets. It's a good, challenging,
varied, hilly route, which I pass keeping the effort under control,
reciting Surat al-Isra, with increased satisfaction. On the way
back, an Eagle swoops right near my feet, lifting some piece
of food, impressive.
An excellent run, especially after a difficult start to the
week. I feel ready for tomorrow's Rosa, insha allah. Later, to
Masjid for Jummah, an excellent emotional namaaz. Gulzar has not
given me "das-das" (10rs notes) for the poor. After Namaaz,
I have noticed every week a group sitting on the floor counting
the proceeds of the day (from the donations bag). I go to
them, among whom my friend Jamal Malik, ask him for the change.
So I am able to
give to the poor on my way out, particularly those who I
recognize every week. Strangely, they have been pushed by a policeman
out of the courtyard towards the street, forbidden to come in.
27th reading before Jummah Surat al-Furqan till end,
After Jummah Surat ash-Shu'ara till v 68,
Asr Surat ash-Shu'ara till end.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday 10/13/24, 09 Rabi al-Akhir 1446 -- Pipeline, Bhandup, Quarry
Raambagh - Lake Platform - Saki Vihar - Pipeline - Bhandup Gate:
0:45:15 [4.43M, 7.13K]
Through Bhandup - St Anthony Church Rd - Tembipada - Jangal Mangal -
Quarry Rd - LBS Margh - IIT Hill - IIT Main Gate: 1:22:53 [8.01M, 13.04K]
Time: 1:22:53
Mileage: 8.10 Miles - 13.04 Km
Pace: 10'13"/mile - 6'21"/km
Weather: 28C; Humidity 86%
Weight: 69.8 kg - 153.9 lbs
Phone Time: 2h12m (multiple phone conversations) (Saturday 0h48m)
27th reading Fajr Surat an-Naml till v 44,
Dhuhr Surat an-Naml till v 59 (Juz 20), till end,
Surat al-Qasas till v 28,
Maghrib Surat al-Qasas till v 50.
After yesterday's Roza, I have fallen prematurely asleep
in the evening, but then wake up around 1am to a tenacious
insomnia and resounding headache. I eventually do fall back
asleep, wake up before 5am, feeling that I have slept for days,
for once a clean energized wake-up, in contrast with the
anguish of the night. I feel the call of the wild,
need to go out...
Determined, after good learning and Namaaz, I set up on
a potential long run, choosing the Pipeline, and possibly
into Bhandup. This proceeds as planned, pleasant here as
usual, and I embark on the impressive Bhandup section, through
the hill slums, in the early morning. I have taken a Yoga Bar
and a flask of water, which I stop occasionally to eat and
drink. The descent through Tembipada road is pleasant, and
I do find my way through Quarry road back to the main road,
feeling overall quite good. Many traces of yesterday's
Dusserah festival are still present in the streets,
banners, stalls, colored powder on the ground, trash, etc.
But back on the main road the return gets monotonous and less
exciting, which also starts to wear me down. I make it very
slowly up IIT Hill, and soon after decide to call it a day,
taking a Rickshaw at the IIT Main Gate. This is fine. Given
how the week has started, I am very satisfied with today's
run, and didn't need to prolong it any further.
27th reading Dhuhr Surat al-Qasas till end,
Asr Surat al-Ankabut till v 44 (Juz 21).
Royal Palms, Aarey (7.57 Miles) -- 10/19/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday 10/15/24, 11 Rabi al-Akhir 1446 -- Royal Palms, Aarey
DNeg - Royal Palms Rd - Cross Aarey Rd - Straight -
Up the Hill - NZ Hostel - Talaab - Cross Aarey - Aarey Dairy -
Royal Palms Road, to Entrance.
Time: 0:43:29
Mileage: 4.32 Miles - 6.95 Km
Pace: 10'03"/mile - 6'15"/km
Weight: 69.7 kg - 153.6 lbs
Phone Time: 1h02m (Monday 0h40m)
27th reading Dhuhr Surat al-Ankabut till end,
Surat ar-Rum, Surat Luqman;
Asr Surat as-Sajdah, Surat al-Ahzab till v 9;
Maghrib Surat al-Ahzab till v 30 (Juz 22), till v 34.
Yesterday evening, a long walk through the Khairani / Asalfa slums,
which leads us to Pipeline, where we explore the tiniest
Gallien to find the boy's house, which Gulzar cannot locate
at first. We turn in circles a few times, landing back at
the same telltale blinking light and the same sign, I point out to
her. Finally, after the nth attempt on this cycle, we do find the
place (but noone home). It has been another deep exploration
into the tiniest corners of this fascinating maze of
one-person wide alleys and motley structures, revealing
occasional openings for a temple or something, like clearings
in a dense forest, where
people gather, all this with incessant activity. I enjoy
this greatly, although my shirt is wet with sweat. We return
at night, having missed Maghrib ki Namaaz, through an
equally challenging maze of alleys, in the dark, stumbling
at one point on Durga celebrations, as if hidden in the depths
of the chawl ---
Today will be the first time that I run from work,
the Dneg office in Royal Palms. I have made ample preparations
and thought it through, leave around 6:30am to avoid Aarey
road traffic, pack ahead of time, and generally plan to reproduce
the routine I had while at 88 Pictures. But yesterday
evening, following further emphasis on work from office
in the months to come, I feel very unsettled. I attend
Ishaa ki Namaaz, expressing my anguish. The Imaam after
Namaaz announces somebody ka intakaal, and then
prays for "Jamal Malik ki Maghfirat". Could it
be that my friend has passed away? Without confirming
the information, I am taken by a wave of nostalgia for this gentle
man who has talked to me at the Masjid, and given scent to
me week after week.
I have made thorough preparations for tomorrow, packing
in the evening as if I were leaving on a trip. But in the
night, I am once again struck by a terrible insomnia -
predictable, unfortunately. Impossible to sleep after 1am!
Around 3am, Gulzar helps me calm down, and I do finally
fall asleep, woken up by the alarm at 5am, funnily, to
a difficult dream where I struggle to pack my stuff in
multiple bags (some which aren't mine) as I prepare
to run to office! I wake up feeling very challenged,
but thankfully somewhat rested.
In spite of the bad night, I feel quite clear, returning
to studying Surat ali-Imraan and reciting it in Namaaz. After
stretching, I leave around 6:30, exactly as anticipated,
expecting clear roads.
But you can't win this!
Aarey road is again BLOCKED
before the Picnic Point!! I can't believe this, the trafic
has come to a complete halt, even at this hour! I ask, and
am advised to turn back, as a bus has broken down across
the road. What an unbelievable turn of events! I do turn
back, imagining the loooong way around through JVLR and WEH,
thinking my beautiful running plans are over. But then, as I'm
driving down through the shawl I suddenly
remember the back road. A second U-Turn on Aarey road,
and I embark to the right, on this difficult road
through the slums which is in such
disrepair as to be barely passable. I do manage it though,
with great caution, opting this time to pass the eery
"Imperial Palace Hotel", and finally do reach DNeg around
7:15. Phew! That was some morning adventure I hadn't
anticipated.
From there, I proceed exactly as planned: Drop my
bag in a 4th floor office, and embark on the run, first
a steep downhill through the decrepit buildings of Royal
Palms, then down the infamous slope (where I had gotten
nearly stuck driving last month, although it has now
been repaved), and out the main entrance. There, among
the morning activity along the road, a sudden dog attack
jolts me. I guess the dogs here aren't familiar with runners,
this was a close call, but I have reacted in time, helped
by a biker behind me (who proceeds to discipline further
dogs). Unimpressed, I continue down the way, which gets
increasingly peaceful after it crosses Aarey road, rural
settings with occasional hamlets. I reach the familiar
junction where Gulzar and I walk often, take a right
to climb up the hill along the Mohammed Dairy, reaching
the top near the New Zealand Hostel, feeling quite good
with my running. It is peaceful here, a few walkers like
on Sunday's, and luckily no traffic (not yet). Beyond
the Talaab, I easily make my way back through the back
roads, crossing Aarey road a second time (luckily still
light traffic), and finish the run back at the entrance
to Royal Palms (with no dog incident) where I choose
to stop, judging the slope too steep to run.
All in all, this has all worked out!!
27th reading Dhuhr Surat al-Ahzab till end,
Asr Surat Saba till v 30.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 10/16/24, 12 Rabi al-Akhir 1446 -- Royal Palms, Aarey
Dneg - Royal Palms - Cross Aarey - Straight - Hill -
NZ Hostel - To Talaab: 2.85 Miles - 4.59 Km
Back same way, to the Royal Palms Entrance: 2.67 Miles - 4.29 Km
Time: 0:55:57
Mileage: 5.52 Miles - 8.88 Km
Pace: 10'08"/mile - 6'18"/km
Weather: 28C; Humidity 80%
Weight: 69.8 kg - 153.9 lbs
Phone Time: 0h59m
Very similar to yesterday.
I wake up at the dreaded 3am. With an obstinate concentrated
effort, valiantly, I do finally manage to sleep briefly shortly
before 5am, just enough to feel ok. Having packed my bag in advance,
I again head out at 6:30am, this time, no significant traffic,
finally!! Even so, it takes me 1/2 hour to reach Royal Palms...
Repeating the same routine, I head out after having eaten
a Yoga Bar. Near the entrance to Royal Palms, I get barked at
by the same dog, although this time I expected it (and am
confident I will tame him with time). There are many other
dogs along the way, but those let me peacefully pass by.
I repeat yesterday's route, up the hill with a good
measured effort, but this time, decide to return the same
way, for a longer run. This works well, keeping the effort
in control, enjoying the forest, with warm morning light
occasionally peeking through the foliage. Like yesterday,
the horrible traffic has not yet taken hold of this
peaceful forest road. On the way back, approaching Royal
Palms, I am surprised to cross a woman runner, dressed
in Western Style. I thought noboby was running here but
me...
This concludes my two days in office, and I'll admit
that, after all the fear, I am quite thrilled by the
experience. There is talk of eventually coming to work
three days a week, but those plans remain tentative.
27th reading Asr Surat Saba till end, Surat Fatir.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 10/18/24, 14 Rabi al-Akhir 1446 -- Bagheera
Raambagh - Lake Promenade - Powai Plaza - Central - Main -
Orchard - Lakehomes - Chandivali
Time: 0:41:28
Mileage: 4.04 Miles - 6.51 Km
Pace: 10'15"/mile - 6'22"/km
Weather: 27C; Humidity 88%
Weight: 69.9 kg - 154.1 lbs
Phone Time: 0h35m (Thursday 0h37m)
27th reading Thursday Dhuhr Surat Yaseen till v 21 (Juz 23),
till end,
Surat as-Saffat till v 74; Asr Surat as-Saffat till end.
Yesterday, after waking up at 3am, I have managed to
push myself into an amusing dream, which exemplifies my fears
of exhaustion linked to resuming office life:
In office, Namit (the CEO) wants to
show me an old project on his phone, I huddle with him,
grabbing him around the shoulder.
But then, for some reason, he's no longer there,
I find myself standing alone at the same place, and
conclude that I must have fallen asleep, while watching
on his phone, holding him! Oh well, it was bound
to happen, one day they would have to realize that I am
simply not fit for the job!
Today, up at 4:30, after ok sleep. A low intensity run, feeling
a little tired actually, and legs heavy from the hills earlier
in the week. As I run through Raambagh, the usual dog
barks at me. I stop to tame him, and ask his name: it is
"Bagheera" (Leopard). I am happy about that, how many
years has it taken me to learn his name.
27th reading before Jummah Surat Saad till v 64,
After Jummah Surat Saad till end, Surat az-Zumar till v 31 (Juz 24).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 10/19/24, 15 Rabi al-Akhir 1446 -- MIDC
Nahar - Chandivali - Saki Vihar - Marwah - Military Rd - Marol
Maroshi - Vijay Nagar Bridge (old Masjid) - Cross MIDC - 23rd Rd -
Subhash Nagar Rd - Mahakali Caves (left) - MIDC - Cross Rd B -
5th Rd - RK Mandir - Kondivita - Andheri Ghatkopar - Airport Rd,
Marol Naka, Saki Naka - Khairani Rd - Nahar Jain Mandir.
Time: 1:20:53
Mileage: 7.57 Miles - 12.18 Km
Pace: 10'41"/mile - 6'38"/km
Weather: 27C; Humidity 88%
Weight: 69.6 kg - 153.4 lbs
Phone Time: 0h50m
I have woken up at 3:30, unclear whether I've slept back
at all. Gulzar is up too, uncharacteristically.
I feel very tired, to the point where I might renounce running. But an
exploration idea motivates me: Where does that road lead to,
past MIDC? So here I go.
It must have rained in the night, freshening the air a bit.
I am clearly tired, adopt a conservative pace, trying to find a
rhythm I can sustain. I stop briefly at the MIDC junction to
drink water, then on I go, straight, into the unknown.
It's a small road, relatively
busy with Autos and vehicles (schools?), which climbs gently, but to
my surprise ends rapidly. As I had suspected, it reaches Mahakali
Caves road, providing great access for future runs.
I return
through MIDC, taking a few short water breaks, and back along
the Metro line and Khairani road. A somewhat mediocre run, but
about as good as I could hope for given my state of fatigue.
I have continued to rehearse the 9th Ruku of Surat Ali-Imraan,
and reciting it in Namaaz, and over this run, carrying me.
27th reading Dhuhr Surat az-Zumar till end, Surat al-Mu'min,
Asr Surat Ha-Mim Sajdah till v 46 (Juz 25).
-- Walk in "Oxygen Park" --
Imperial Palace, Beautiful Lakshmi Road (10.52 Miles) -- 10/26/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday 10/21/24, 17 Rabi al-Akhir 1446 -- Broken Watch
Nahar - Chandivali - Mahindra Alcove - Saki Naka - 90 Ft Rd -
St Judes HS - Kajupada Pipeline - Kale Marg - LBS - Nari Seva Sadan -
Khairani Rd - Shangarsh Nagar
Time: 1:00:37
Mileage: 6.13 Miles - 9.86 Km
Pace: 9'53"/mile - 6'08"/km
Weather: 26C; Humidity 85%
Weight: 69.2 kg - 152.5 lbs
Phone Time: 1h01m (Sunday 0h48m)
27th reading Dhuhr Surat Ha-Mim Sajdah till end,
Surat ash-Shura.
Ok sleep this time, to a disquieting dream, up before 5am.
After revising Surat Ali-Imraan, I am inspired to start learning
the 1st Ruku of Surat al-Mu'minun, which has been in my mind for
some time. I am somewhat tired, a little hesitant to run.
But once out, I find fresh air, clear skies, the moon fully
visible in the morning sky, cooler temperatures, which inspires
me to a more ambitious run. I quickly imagine this loop, through
90 ft road, many muslims, and great activity by the St Judes School,
along the Kajupada Pipeline, with planes passing overhead, and finally
back up the hill through Asalfa, pleasant morning activity, returning
through Shangarsh Nagar since a long time, where the dirt road (still
under construction) having dried up after the rain, is now passable.
All in all, a very good run, at a better pace than expected,
although it could also be that my watch is (finally) broken after
all these years. I throw it away once back home, having luckily
memorized my time. After a few weeks of stagnation, I am tentatively
planning on longer mileage for this week.
27th reading Dhuhr Surat az-Zukhruf,
Asr Surat ad-Dukhan, Surat al-Jathiyah (Juz 26).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 10/23/24, 19 Rabi al-Akhir 1446 -- Imperial Palace Hotel
Dneg - Royal Palms Road - Imperial Palace - Aarey Powai Rd - Trail -
Lakshmi Road - Aarey Road - Talaab - Aarey Dairy - Royal Palms Entrance
Time: 1:00:01
Mileage: 5.66 Miles - 9.1 Km
Pace: 10'36"/mile - 6'35"/km
Weight: 69.9 kg - 154.1 lbs
Phone Time: 0h52m (Tuesday 0h20m)
27th reading Dhuhr Surat al-Ahqaf, Surat Muhammad till v 19,
Asr Surat Muhammad till end.
Second week going to office in Royal Palms. I wake up at 4:30
(after being awake part of the night), but feeling roughly ok. With
extra time, I prepare a sandwich for lunch. Today, I drive the small
WagonR (Eeco is still in the shop), wondering whether it'll be able
to climb the Royal Palms Slope. Leaving before 6:30, no traffic
today, and the car makes it just fine, I reach in less than 1/2 hour,
unknowingly circumventing a road closure on Royal Palms road.
Today, I decide to explore the other direction, rather than
repeating last week's route. I start with a steep climb to the
fascinating Imperial Palace Hotel, a majestic over-the-top
luxury hotel which looks like a cruise ship, perched near the top
of the hill, but which, caught in the demise of Royal Palms, never
seems to have functionned. The roads are so bad here that it is
wonderfully quiet, no traffic, and views of Aarey and the distant
urban landscape. Several people walk or run here, a man walking
his dog asks me how long I'll run (about 10K), and how old I am
(60 years old), a slight exaggeration in both cases. At a cautious
warmup pace, I feel fine up the climb, before shifting into the
descent (steeper still), following a young couple of runners,
who stop at the bottom to pay hommage to the rising sun.
From here, the landscape changes, through small slum villages.
The road is in such disrepair that even running is a little
tricky, with several large puddles masking potential holes.
No one here other than villagers. I then take a right onto the old
trail, which after a sharp turn leads me through pastures to
Lakshmi road, passing a few morning saluters. I do pass
my friend, this gentle man who is still walking here
every singly day, at the same hour, and a little further the Muslim
man, another habitual,
performing Tasbeeh on the walk, whom I also salute.
It is as ever peaceful, beautiful here, in the morning light.
I have loosely decided to run a full hour again today.
Coming back through Aarey road (another climb), with increasing
traffic (although still tolerable), I decide to pass by the
Talaab, a break from the main road, and to lengthen slightly.
As it turns out, I reach the entrance to Royal Palms almost
exactly after one hour, very very satisfied with this run!
I am running with a new watch, which only cost me rs. 650,
and works perfectly for what I need.
Efforts to bring people back in office yield mixed results.
Only few have showed up, and most have experienced problems with
the commute. I sit in the morning mostly alone on the near
deserted floor. At lunchtime, I decide to implement an obsessive idea
of mine: I head out to the Masjid for Dhuhr. I imagine Namaaz
should be at 1:30, but when I reach shortly after 1:00, I find
the place empty, in sharp contrast with the crowd I had seen
on Jummah. I don't know exactly where the actual Masjid is
(I had stayed that day outside on a large platform), nor where
to keep shoes. One man sitting there informs me, Adhan should
happen in another five minutes, and he shows me the door
to the Masjid, further up nearly concealed among the small chawl dwellings.
I walk away briefly, contemplating
the life of the village, many goats etc., till I indeed hear
the Adhaan. I follow a few men who start to gather, realizing
that I can walk up across the platforms with my shoes and
up the stairs, where I find another smaller Wudhu place,
and leave my shoes on the steps to the Masjid, imitating others.
It is a surprisingly small Masjid, relatively narrow, in
contrast with the large crowd that was outside on Jummah.
I had guessed it right, Namaaz starts at 1h30. The rituals
before and after differ, but of course, the core of the Namaaz
(silent for Dhuhr) remains the same, and I find my place
with confidence.
I walk back with great satisfaction, my goal accomplished,
the second time today. On the way back, I explore a narrow alley
shortcut through the chawl, fascinated. In spite of my initial
reluctance to return to office, I'll admit that I have been
enthralled by these incursions into a different world,
as if I had traveled very far.
27th reading Asr Surat al-Fath, Surat al-Hujurat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 10/25/24, 21 Rabi al-Akhir 1446 --
Raambagh - JVLR - Orchard - Lakehomes - Chandivali
Time: 0:36:16
Mileage: 3.6 Miles - 5.79 Km
Pace: 10'04"/mile - 6'15"/km
Weather: 23C; Humidity 80%
Weight: 69.5 kg - 153.2 lbs
Phone Time: 0h35m (Thursday 0h38m)
27th reading Thursday Dhuhr Surat Qaf,
Surat adh-Dhariyat till v 30 (Juz 27), till end, Surat at-Tur;
Asr Surat an-Najm, Surat al-Qamar.
Today Fajr Surat ar-Rahman, Surat al-Waqi'ah till v 74.
Up too early at 4am (and Gulzar too), a bit tired, but
a good shorter run nonetheless, at a good pace. It is fresher
this morning, although I still get drenched in sweat. I stop
briefly to salute Bagheera the dog in Raambagh, who is in a
playful mood.
Later, following Jummah ki Namaaz at the Masjid, the Imaam
gives a tearful Du'ah, making the audience cry with him.
After Jummah Surat al-Waqi'ah till end,
Surat al-Hadid (Juz 28).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 10/26/24, 22 Rabi al-Akhir 1446 -- Lakshmi Rd, Pipeline
Raambagh - Lake Platform - Saki Vihar - Aarey Road - Picnic Point -
Lakshmi Road - Trail to Sunrise point - Back - Marol Maroshi - Pipeline -
Saki Vihar - Lake Powai - Raambagh - Back.
Time: 1:49:42
Mileage: 10.52 Miles - 16.93 Km
Pace: 10"25"/mile - 6'28"/km
Weather: 24C; Humidity 66%
Weight: 69.7 kg - 153.6 lbs
Phone Time: 1h19m
I wake up at 5, after a good night sleep at last, where I am
able to sleep back multiple times effortlessly. Feeling good
for once, I embark on a potentially longer run, at first
setting Bhandup through the Pipeline as a goal. Out at exactly
6:30am, I am greeted again by a beautiful clear morning, fresher
temperatures, the moon crescent clearly visible in the pristine
sky. Like yesterday, I stop briefly to salute bagheera the dog,
but this will be my only stop of the day!
In a good mood, I eventually decide to climb up into
Aarey, passing the impressive Passpoli slum, to visit again
beautiful Lakshmi road, like earlier in the week. Past the hill top,
I feel miraculously relaxed, a blessed state that will not
leave me till I reach back home.
It is as ever peaceful, beautiful, on Lakshmi road, with
hardly any traffic, and several morning walkers, come to greet
the rising sun. I turn on to the trail, till it ends right onto
the rising sun, and turn back. I find my friend again, as ever
faithful to this place.
I decide to return via the Aarey Pipeline, which I imagine
will be longer but ends up being roughly the same distance. Here
too, it is calm without traffic, I pass a line of slumdwellers
walking in the other direction, mostly men. It is peaceful here
too, and incredibly, my running does not weaken today. I have
not stopped once, sipping occasionally on my flask, but not
touching the Yoga Bar I am carrying. I finish up the slight
hill back to Lake Powai, still relatively quiet at this hour,
and from there easily back home.
A miraculous run, clearly among the best this year, which
seems to contradict my lack of fitness this season. Perhaps
the hills in Aarey and Royal Palms have finally kickstarted
my strength. I have continued to learn Surat al-Mu'minun
along the way.
27th reading Dhuhr Surat al-Mujadilah, Surat al-Hashr,
Asr Surat al-Mumtahanah, Surat as-Saff, Surat al-Jumu'ah.
Red Carpet, Green Carpet (5.57 Miles) -- 11/02/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday 10/28/24, 24 Rabi al-Akhir 1446 --
Nahar - Lakehomes - Orchard - Central - SM Shetty - Chandivali
Time: 0:40:55
Mileage: 4.01 Miles - 6.45 Km
Pace: 10'12"/mile - 6'20"/km
Weather: 24C; Humidity 82%
Weight: 70.1 kg - 154.5 lbs
Phone Time: 0h48m (Sunday 0h35m)
I wake up in the night, assaulted by the recent
events, in a near state of panic, precluding sleep. The
Sakinah experienced among the trees in Sawale has left me,
I yield to panic, unable to find rest.
I do sleep eventually, but rapidly wake up to some nightmare, where
in despair I take refuge in the bed of my mother(!), like a child,
lamenting how I will do once she is no longer there to
console me. In spite of all this, I do sleep back, to another
dream where I explain to Namit our CEO the shortcomings of the Royal
Palms office, and wake up, actually feeling ok, around 4:45.
With a clear mind, and clear fresher skies (but alas
a thick polluted whiteish haze), I head out for this run.
I feel surprisingly tired actually, struggling to find my
breath, perhaps a normal recovery after Saturday's
extraordinary run.
27th reading Dhuhr Surat al-Munafiqun, Surat at-Taghabun,
Surat at-Talaq, Surat at-Tahrim (Juz 29);
Asr Surat al-Mulk, Surat al-Qalam, Surat al-Haqqah, Surat al-Ma'arij.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 10/30/24, 26 Rabi al-Akhir 1446 -- End of the Book
Chandivali - SM Shetty - Cliff - Central - Hiranandani Hospital -
Nana Palshikar - Padmavati Devi - IIT - Lake Promenade - Raambagh.
Time: 0:57:20
Mileage: 5.57 Miles - 8.96 Km
Pace: 10'17"/mile - 6'23"/km
Weather: 27C; Humidity 77%
Weight: 69.9 kg - 154.1 lbs
Phone Time: 0h52m (Tuesday 0h32m)
27th reading Tuesday Dhuhr Surat Nuh, Surat al-Jinn,
Surat al-Muzzammil, Surat al-Muddaththir, Surat al-Qiyamah,
Surat ad-Dahr, Surat al-Mursalat; Asr Surat an-Naba,
Surat an-Nazi'at, Surat Abasa, Surat at-Takwir, Surat al-Infitar,
Surat al-Mutaffifin, Surat al-Inshiqaq.
Gulzar wakes me up at 2:45, making it a second day with
severe insomnia. In spite of my best efforts, I am unable to
sleep back, and eventually yield to anger, getting up in great
frustration around 4am. But I then realize that Gulzar is sick,
which abates my frustration.
Very tired, I think I'll renounce running today, but I am
granted with a good Namaaz that lifts my spirits, so I do go out
around 6:30am. On a beautiful clear morning, somewhat fresh, my
run is surprisingly comfortable, finding my breath well. Streets
are quiet at the approach of Diwali, and I enjoy the morning after
all.
And then later in the day, I complete the reading of the book,
moved by the last Surahs.
27th reading Dhuhr Surat al-Buruj, Surat at-Tariq,
Surat al-A'la, Surat al-Ghashiyah, Surat al-Fajr, Surat al-Balad,
Surat ash-Shams, Surat al-Lail, Surat ad-Duha, Surat ash-Sharh,
Surat at-Tin, Surat al-Alaq, Surat al-Qadr, Surat al-Bayyinah,
Surat az-Zalzalah, Surat al 'Adiyat, Surat al-Qari'ah,
Surat at-Takathur, Surat al 'Asr, Surat al-Humazah, Surat al-Fil,
Surat Quraish, Surat al-Ma'un, Surat al-Kauthar, Surat al-Kafirun,
Surat an-Nasr, Surat al-Lahab, Surat al-Ikhlaas, Surat al-Falaq,
Surat an-Naas.
Surat al-Fatihah, Surat Al-Baqarah till v 5.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 11/01/24, 28 Rabi al-Akhir 1446 -- Diwali
Chandivali - SM Shetty - Cliff - Central - Powai Plaza -
Lake Promenade - Raambagh.
Time: 0:44:34
Mileage: 4.34 Miles - 6.98 Km
Pace: 10'16"/mile - 6'23"/km
Weather: 27C; Humidity 73%
Weight: 70 kg - 154.3 lbs
Phone Time: 0h39m (Thursday 0h45m)
28th reading Thursday Dhuhr Surat al-Fatihah,
Surat Al-Baqarah till v 59, Asr Surat Al-Baqarah till v 103.
A second good night's sleep! What a relief!!
A low intensity relaxed run, on this Diwali morning, the
roads are very quiet, litter and debris from last night's
festivities.
Later, for Jummah ji Namaaz at the Masjid, the carpet
has been put back, a beautiful red carpet, more comfortable
than sitting directly on the marble floor. Later for Maghrib,
I will find out that the other Masjid (Rahat Hotel) has also
displayed its carpet, a beautiful green carpet, whose design
I even prefer. This morning, Gulzar and I returned to Haji
Ali (she wants to go there every month on Amavaaz), and bought
a flask of scent. So today, when Jamal Malik offers me scent,
as he always does, I hold up my finger, producing my own bottle
with a smile. We both chuckle silently, as this seems to hardly
produce any fragrance at all.
With no meeting to rush to (today is Diwali), I meet
our Imaam after Namaaz, take the opportunity to ask him for
a Qur'an small enough to carry to office. He
invites me to the small streetside shop, climbs up the shelves,
produces several books of various sizes. He recommends the
last one he finds, which indeed feels perfect.
He insists on giving it to me even though I can't pay now,
even reluctant at first to say the book's
prize (I'll pay the Dhai-Sau later).
I walk back along Khairani book in hand,
elated by this small victory, solving the problem of how to
not interrupt Tilavaat once we get called back to office,
which had been troubling me for some time.
28th reading before Jummah Surat Al-Baqarah till v 141 (Juz 2),
Asr Surat Al-Baqarah till v 163.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 11/02/24, 29 Rabi al-Akhir 1446 --
Raambagh - Lake Promenade - IIT Far Gate - Padmavati Devi -
Nana Palshikar - Hiranandani Hospital - Main St - Orchard -
Lakehomes - Chandivali.
0:53:15
Mileage: 5.3 Miles - 8.53 Km
Pace: 10'02"/mile - 6'14"/km
Weather: 26C; Humidity 72%
Weight: 69.8 kg - 153.9 lbs
Phone Time: 0h55m
Woken up before midnight by an incredible row of patake blasts
right by our window, I then wake up again at the cursed 3 am!
But after some concentrated effort, I do sleep again to dreams,
and get up shortly before 5, feeling very thankful.
I deliberately keep this run quite short, along a classic
route, at a slightly higher pace. Like yesterday, roads are
very calm, littered with debris from the Patake.
This run feels appropriate to conclude the week, which I have
deliberately planned lighter.
28th reading Dhuhr Surat Al-Baqarah till v 188,
Asr Surat Al-Baqarah till v 216,
Maghrib Surat Al-Baqarah till v 228.
-- Promenade in Aarey --
Customs Colony, Mahakali Caves (9.39 Miles) -- 11/09/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday 11/04/24, 01 Jumada al-Ula 1446 -- Galli Exploration
Nahar - Chandivali - Saki Vihar - Marwah - Bamandayapada, to slum -
Customs Colony Galli, then Road - Marol Maroshi - Lok Bharti - Marol CHS
- Andheri Kurla - Khairani Rd - Nahar
Time: 0:59:36
Mileage: 5.93 Miles - 9.54 Km
Pace: 10'03"/mile - 6'14"/km
Weather: 25C; Humidity 63%
Weight: Forgot!
Phone Time: 0h54m (Sunday 1h12m)
28th reading Sunday Dhuhr Surat Al-Baqarah till v 252 (Juz 3),
till v 257.
I start the run a little tentatively, but gradually get into
it. I have headed through Marwah to the slum near Mithi River. There,
I notice a small road to the left, inviting. On the way back, I try
it, but it soon dead ends into a property. While turning back, I ask
a guard, "rasta nahi hai?". There is, he tells, "Galli, left". I
return and indeed find a narrow pathway, only fit for walking, that
climbs the hill. This continues for some time, pressed between dwellings
and occasional openings, till I reach the familiar road to Marol. This
is such a fantastic find!
Buoyed by the discovery, I finish the run very well, coming back
through Saki Naka and Khairani road, at a good pace. It's another
pleasant morning, although I still feel very sweaty. I continue to learn
from Surat al-Mu'minun, and revise Surat ar-Rum.
28th reading Dhuhr Surat Al-Baqarah till end,
Surat Ali-Imraan till v 41, Asr Surat Ali-Imraan till v 91 (Juz 4).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 11/06/24, 03 Jumada al-Ula 1446 -- Royal Palms
Dneg - Royal Palms Rd - Cross Aarey Rd - Straight - Rickshaw test area -
Western Express Hwy - Aarey Rd - Right - Left - Cross Aarey Rd (4.8M 0:48:30??)
- Royal Palms Rd, to Entrance
Estimated Time: 0:57:04
Mileage: 5.67 Miles - 9.12 Km
Likely Pace: 10'06"/mile - 6'16"/km
Weather: 27C; Humidity 57%
Weight: 70 kg - 154.3 lbs
Phone Time: 2h02 [US Elections] (Tuesday 0h49m)
28th reading Tuesday Dhuhr Surat Ali-Imraan till v 129,
Asr Surat Ali-Imraan till v 171.
Today, another "work-from-Office" day. I felt great anxiety
last night, in anticipation of this perhaps, and for the looming
election, the world is holding its breath. I go for Namaaz
on the green carpet, which appeases me somewhat. But I wake up in
the night agitated, and then again at the evil 3am, push myself
to vague somnolence, but no actual sleep, and eventually
get up at 4:30. With
extra time, I can afford long preparations for this new day in
office (packing, lunch, etc). I get out at 6:30 as planned. But
then, the Eeco's door handle breaks in my hand, impossible to
open the car! Back up and down for the keys to the
WagonR, which I drive instead,
luckily, with no traffic, I still reach Royal Palms around 7am.
I feel better than anticipated after such a bad night,
although tired. I decide for a new route, in an effort to
find some variety in the area, and looking for a flatter
alternative. I pass unheeded by the bad dog, then proceed straight
after Aarey road, continue that way past the Auto-Rickshaw
testing spot (where indeed many vehicles are aligned). I have
not been here in some time, so as the alleys disperse I ask
my way, given as always very nicely. I slow down to a walk
through a small hamlet, then come out as planned on the
Western Express Highway, where I run along the Service Road
to connect back to Aarey road. It's another clear day, relatively
fresh, and my running seems to improve as I go, gaining in
relaxation and fluid motion, especially after I head back
into the smaller roads of Aarey, to return via our habitual
walking route to Royal Palms, a peaceful pleasant return.
I have however mishandled my watch at the Aarey road crossing,
so I have to estimate my final time, likely quite accurate,
just about an hour as I wished. This opens a new route from
office, a flatter alternative to the steep hills.
After all this, I can finally get an update on the election,
which will unfold throughout the day. Incredibly, I had predicted
exactly what actually happened: That Trump would not only win,
but that he would win decisively! This unusual prediction from
me, and the success of my run, put me in a buoyant mood.
Later,
I return to Ghausiya Masjid for Dhuhr ki Namaaz, which I perform
well, although I make two mistakes: Arrived early and feeling
impatient, I
perform Wudhu while Adhaan is being given, and 2), I have
kept my sandals on the first step to the Masjid rather than
on the ground, which becomes evident as I exit, seeing other shoes
properly kept. This small incident troubles me, but
I now know that Adhaan is given at 1:15, so I will
not rush in the future. That said, this, and later Maghrib
ki Namaaz at Rahat Hotel Masjid, complete my sense of accomplishment
for the day, while pondering outstanding world events.
28th reading Asr Surat Ali-Imraan till end,
Maghrib Surat An-Nisaah till v 22.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 11/08/24, 05 Jumada al-Ula 1446 -- Big Pooja
Raambagh - Lake Promenade - Powai Plaza - Central - SM Shetty -
Chandivali
Time: 0:40:36
Mileage: 4.03 Miles - 6.48 Km
Pace: 10'04"/mile - 6'15"/km
Weather: 22C; Humidity 67%
Weight: 69.8 kg - 153.9 lbs
Phone Time: 0h55m (Thursday 0h52m)
28th reading Dhuhr Surat An-Nisaah till v 23 (Juz 5),
till v 50; Asr Surat An-Nisaah till v 87;
Maghrib Surat An-Nisaah till v 112.
After reasonably good sleep, get up around 4:40, to continue
learning Surat al-Mu'minun, and Surat Yaseen in Namaaz. Once
outside, clear weather and fresh temperatures. I start the run
somewhat unmotivated, but gradually find pace and pleasure.
By the lake, a body on the ground, half naked, sex visible,
a fleeting vision of a man, or a woman, or a Hijra(?), laying
there unconscious. A little further, large Pooja by the lake,
sound of firecrackers, colorfully clad women, devotees carrying
their devotions walking barefeet. This is again repeated at the
end of the run, in the public park by Nahar.
Just the right run for today, in anticipation of a longer
run tomorrow. Funnily, at the Masjid, my friend touching my cheek
thinks I should grow a beard. "Chhoti", he mitigates, as if to
make it more acceptable. Because of a Nikah, I cannot meet the
Imaam, to pay the rs. 250 for last week's Qur'an.
28th reading Morning Surat An-Nisaah till v 141,
Before Jummah Surat An-Nisaah till v 147 (Juz 6), till end,
Asr Surat al-Maidah till v 26.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 11/09/24, 06 Jumada al-Ula 1446 -- Mahakali Caves
Nahar - Chandivali - Saki Vihar - Marwah - Military - Marol
Maroshi - Vijay Nagar Bridge - Across MIDC Central - Subhash Nagar -
Mahakali Caves, to the top -- Back Same Way - Under Vijay Nagar
Bridge - Along the Pipeline - Passpoli - Saki Vihar - JVLR -
Lake Powai - Raambagh - Nahar.
Time: 1:38:10
Mileage: 9.39 Miles - 15.12 Km
Pace: 10'27"/mile - 6'29"/km
Weather: 24C; Humidity 61%
Weight: 69.8 kg - 153.9 lbs
Phone Time: 1h27m
I wake up again at the evil 3:40, push myself to vague visions,
but no real sleep. Still, as previously this week, this seems
barely enough to get me going.
I am out by 6:30 to fresh temperatures. I have been very
hesitant on the route today, but once out shift back to my
original plan: To access the Mahakali Caves via the newly
discovered route through Seepz.
I start very slow, feeling uncertain as to my shape.
But the slow start must have served me well, as I gather
increasing comfort along the way. As I hopes, I reach Mahakali
Caves after about 45 minutes, feeling good on the climb of
increasing steepness, and passing through a crescendo in
the landscape (particularly, the giant sculpture atelier
near the top). Feeling good by now, I head back into the
descent, tempted by side roads which I'll save for another
occasion, but do spice up the return by following the Pipeline,
peacefully feel of traffic, among the slumdwellers walking
in the other direction, till I reach the impressive slum
at Passpoli. By now, the run feels like a near perfect
effort, that I could sustain longer, and I comfortably
make it back home. All along, I have continued to learn
Surat al-Mu'mimun.
Later, I return to Al-Husainya Masjid for Maghrib,
pray among a group of boys from the Madrasa, gathered
to the left, am able to meet the Imaam and pay my debt
of rs. 250.
-- Surat al-Mu'minun, 1st Ruku --
Surat al-Mu'minun (8.85 Miles) -- 11/16/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday 11/11/24, 08 Jumada al-Ula 1446 -- Al-Mu'minun
Chandivali - SM Shetty - Cliff - Central - Hiranandani Hospital -
Nana Palshikar - Padmavati Devi - IIT - Lake Promenade - Marine
Overpass - Raambagh - Nahar.
Time: 1:03:23
Mileage: 6.12 Miles - 9.85 Km
Pace: 10'21"/mile - 6'26"/km
Weather: 23C; Humidity 62%
Weight: 69.9 kg - 154.1 lbs
Phone Time: 1h05m (Sunday 1h29m) [Ivan Crisis]
28th reading Sunday Dhuhr Surat al-Maidah till v 56,
Asr Surat al-Maidah till v 82 (Juz 7).
I wake up for once "late" at 5:15. I gently hurry my morning
preparations, and still get out shortly after 6:30. I have
finished learning the 1st Ruku of Surat al-Mu'minun, and recite
the same in Namaaz.
Feeling stiff from Saturday's long run and Sunday's walk in
Aarey, I intend for this to be a shorter recovery run. But after
a painful first few 100 meters with burning in my leg
muscles, I start feeling amazingly good,
a case of the "Miracle Mondays" such that I haven't
seen in months! The air is particularly fresh today (so fresh
that my eyes keep watering up), winter
like, and my stride feels light and effortless. So I decide
to prolong this run, in an unexpected state of bliss.
28th reading Dhuhr Surat al-Maidah till end,
Asr Surat al-An'aam till v 50.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 11/13/24, 10 Jumada al-Ula 1446 -- Aarey
DNeg - Royal Palms - Aarey Dairy - Road to the right - Aarey Road -
Taalab - NZ Hostel - Down to JCT - Back up - Same way - Aarey Dairy -
Royal Palms - DNeg
Time: 1:01:22
Mileage: 5.88 Miles - 9.46 Km
Pace: 10'26"/mile - 6'29"/km
Weather: 23C; Humidity 62%
Weight: 69.9 kg - 154.1 lbs
Phone Time: 0h53m (Tuesday 0h31m)
28th reading Dhuhr Surat al-An'aam till v 110 (Juz 8),
till v 140; Asr Surat al-An'aam till end.
Again to office, on this Wednesday.
Unfortunately, I have woken up at 2:45, unable to find
real sleep, and get up at 4:30. I am still revising Surat
al-Mu'minun, which provides me solace in Namaaz. After driving
out at the usual 6:30, I reach office around 7am.
Today, I take the Aarey Dairy road to the left (where
there are several walkers and runners), and explore the small
road to the right, a pleasant windy descents through the woods,
which unfortunately joins Aarey main Road (from where I have
to climb back up). After a sore start, I actually feel GREAT,
increasingly comfortable with the terrain, very easy up the hills,
nearly effortless. I climb back up the NZ Hostel Hill with
poise, and head back through Aarey Dairy again. For once,
I even climb back up in Royal Palms to the DNeg entrance,
a steep section which on this excellent day feels quite
manageable after all. Again, today temperatures are excellent,
winter-like.
What an extraordinary reversal from a few months earlier.
I find myself in excellent shape, pleasantly completing these
runs. Perhaps my heart condition has improved?
Later, I return again to Masjid Ghaushiya for Dhuhr ki
Namaaz. This time, I arrive at the proper time (with the Adhaan)
and no mistakes! In spite of my desire to be inconspicuous,
I get pulled into the 1st row in the formation of the Saffat, right
behind the Imaam. As I see people routinely do, I take a few steps
back to pray the Sunnat Rakhat, fleeing the proximity. This has
been a good session, may it continue this way insh'allah, and
I return walking through the now familiar chawl.
28th reading Asr Surat al-A'raf till v 53.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 11/15/24, 12 Jumada al-Ula 1446 --
Chandivali - SM Shetty - Central - Suverna Temple - JVLR - Raambagh
Time: 0:38:58
Mileage: 3.96 Miles - 6.37 Km
Pace: 9'50"/mile - 6'07"/km
Weather: 25C; Humidity 71%
Weight: 69.5 kg - 153.2 lbs
Phone Time: 0h48m (Thursday 0h43m)
28th reading Thursday Fajr Surat al-A'raf till v 87 (Juz 9),
Asr Surat al-A'raf v 129.
Yesterday evening was difficult, feeling tired physically
and morally. But after a good night sleep, I wake up "late" at
5:15 (I hadn't realized alarm was off). This is meant to be a
shorter run, but turns out quite nicely, with schools off and
fresh temperatures, I surprise myself with a relatively brisk
pace, feeling quite good.
Later at the Masjid, much talk of the upcoming elections
on Wednesday. In the Masjid courtyard, a kid gives
me a prospectus in Urdu,
then in the street, another boy asks me "Hindi me chahie Uncle?"
and I pick that up as well, to give Gulzar, whom I encourage
to vote.
28th reading morning Surat al-A'raf till v 157,
Before Jummah Surat al-A'raf till end,
After Jummah Surat al-Anfal till v 28,
Asr Surat al-Anfal till v 40 (Juz 10), till end.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 11/16/24, 13 Jumada al-Ula 1446 -- Bhandup Lake Road
Raambagh - Lake Promenade - IIT - JVLR - LBS Marg (N) -
Past Quarry Rd - Lake Road (Maruti Mandir) - Gaon Devi - Anthony
Church - Pipeline - Past Bhandup Entrance - to Saki Vihar
Time: 1:33:22
Mileage: 8.85 Miles - 14.24 Km
Pace: 10'32"/mile - 6'33"/km
Weather: 27C; Humidity 59%
Weight: 69.4 kg - 153 lbs
Phone Time: 0h15m
I feel a bit tired, go out not sure whether I'll run long or not.
I end up improvising a new route, following LBS Marg further than
usual, and eventually turning into Maruti Mandir road, or Lake
Road, which leads me to explore new ways in Bhandup,
through increasingly small gallis
up the hills. I am not feeling great today, contrary to earlier in
the week, still pushed by curiosity I continue to follow the deepening
maze through the Chawl, finishing on a steep narrow road past
St Anthony Church, eventually to the familiar Pipeline in Bhandup!
But quite tired, I have taken a few stops to eat Khajur
and drink, feeling increasingly that I will not complete the run
all the way till home. I do feel better on the gentle descent along
the pipeline, pleasantly away from traffic, revising again Surat
al-Mu'minun along the way which appeases me. I still decide to stop
at the Chawl rather than forcing my way back home,
where I buy a Thumbs Up, talking for a while with the
shopkeeper who has seen me many times - and again with the Rickshaw
driver, delighted with my fluency in Hindi (and so am I).
-- Election Prospectus, in Urdu, and in Hindi --
Imperial Palace, Fatima High School (7.58 Miles) -- 11/23/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday 11/18/24, 15 Jumada al-Ula 1446 --
Dneg - Royal Palms - Straight - Autorickshaws - Back - Entrance
Time: 0:41:15
Mileage: 4.01 Miles - 6.45 Km
Pace: 10'17"/mile - 6'23"/km
Weight: 70.1 kg - 154.5 lbs
Weather: 25C; Humidity 54%
Phone Time: 0h36m (Sunday 0h30m)
28th reading Fajr Surat at-Taubah till v 29.
After returning from Sawale yesterday, I start a little later,
reaching work around 7:10 (this week I will be in office nearly
every day). I have declared this week a lighter running week,
starting with this purposefully shorter, peaceful and flat route
to the AutoRickshaw testing site and back. It is nice again, with
a fresh wind. Incredibly, probably just in time for the election,
the road to Royal Palms has been flattened at least, although
it is still kaccha rasta, stirring high volumes of dust.
The run feels ok overall, slightly heavy perhaps.
As usual, I wash and change in the men's toilet. But today,
after undressing, I realize the toilet is clogged, full of someone's
shit, like in my recurring dreams when I am unable relieve myself.
Already naked, too late to change stall, so I do wash there,
managing as I can my disgust.
28th reading Asr Surat at-Taubah till v 80.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday 11/19/24, 16 Jumada al-Ula 1446 -- Imperial Palace Hotel
DNeg - Detours through Royal Palms - Imperial Palace Hotel -
Aarey Powai rd - Kheti Trail - Lakshmi Road - Aarey Road -
Aarey Dairy - Royal Palms - DNeg
Time: 0:58:01
Mileage: 5.6 Miles - 9.01 Km
Pace: 10'21"/mile - 6'26"/km
Weather: 24C; Humidity 54%
Weight: 69.7 kg - 153.6 lbs
Phone Time: 0h42m
28th reading Fajr Surat at-Taubah v 93 (Juz 11), till v 110.
A difficult night with multiple wake-ups, but I manage to
sleep back till about 4am, get up at 4:10, strangely feeling
quite well. I take my time through Tilaavat Qur'an and Namaaz,
and preparations for the day in office, to drive out at 6:30.
Like yesterday, a cool day with gusts of wind. I unexpectedly
decide to head up to the Imperial Palace, get somewhat lost
searching for a shorter way, through the meandering ups and downs
of Royal Palms. I do make it to the steep climb, which I accomplish
with poise, enjoying the clear morning and clear views. I opt again
to return by Lakshmi road, where I meet my usual people, and
head back through the main road, the only unpleasant part of
this run, due to some traffic. I find calm again near Aarey Dairy
(how soothing!!) and enjoy the way back, in spite of the dust.
This run, very pleasant, has turned out much longer than I
anticipated, so much for short runs this week. As yesterday, I
go to Gausulwra Masjid for Dhuhr ki Namaaz, gradually
getting used to different small rituals there.
28th reading Asr Surat at-Taubah till end.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday 11/21/24, 18 Jumada al-Ula 1446 -- Imperial Palace Hotel
Dneg - Royal Palms Rd - Climb to Imperial Palace Hotel -
Down Aarey Powai Road - Lakshmi Trail loop, back through Khet -
Back Climb up Imperial Palace, Royal Palms road same way
Time: 0:40:09
Mileage: 3.57 Miles - 5.75 Km
Pace: 11'15"/mile - 6'59"/km
Weight: 69.7 kg - 153.6 lbs
Phone Time: 0h48m (Thursday 0h37m)
28th reading Wednesday morning Surat Yunus till v 92,
Asr Surat Yunus till end.
Up at 4:20, I feel tired, after going to office every single day.
Yesterday, Gulzar voted, an easy process which happened at the
Singham Institute in Mhada. She proudly shows me the ink line on
her finger, confirms that she has voted for "The Hand".
In spite of being tired, I follow my work-from-office routine,
reach work around 7am and go on this run, planning to keep
it short. But again I decide to repeat the ascent to Imperial Palace
Hotel, which is very steep, and return the same way, which
is even steeper, after a nice loop through the fields and trails
near Beautiful Lakshmi Road.
I handle the climbs reasonably well, reminding me
of the glorious cycling days in California (finding the climbing rhythm,
etc.). To further the impression is this continued fresh air,
feeling almost cold this
morning, and pleasant winds. I return in almost exactly 40 minutes,
fulfilling my goal of the day!
I have returned yet again to Gausulwra Masjid for Dhuhr ki Namaaz.
I notice this time a funny ritual after Taslim:
the men, reciting "la ilaha illallah",
forcefully throw their heads side to side, then up and down,
with comical intensity (Gulzar will laugh heartily about
this later!). I have fulfilled my wish, attending the
Masjid each day spent at Royal Palms this week,
affirming my obstination against any and all obstacles.
28th reading Fajr Surat Hud till v 5 (Juz 12), till v 39,
Asr Surat Hud till end.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 11/23/24, 20 Jumada al-Ula 1446 -- Fatima High School
Nahar - Chandivali - Mahindra Alcove - Saki Naka - Magan Nathuran -
Kale Marg - LBS Marg - Naupada VidhyaVihar - Nathani Rd - Fatima HS -
Kirol Rd - Camalane - Ghatkopar Market MG rd - Ramchandran Kadam -
Bhatwadi short - Khairani Rd - Nahar.
Time: 1:17:29
Mileage: 7.58 Miles - 12.21 Km
Pace: 10'13"/mile - 6'20"/km
Weather: 22C; Humidity 71%
Weight: 69.8 kg - 153.9 lbs
Phone Time: 1h08m (Friday 0h45m)
28th reading Friday before Jummah Surat Yusuf till v 42,
After Jummah Surat Yusuf till v 52 (Juz 13), till end;
Asr Surat ar-Ra'd.
I intend this to be a short run, to recover from a tiring week,
especially since once again we woke up at 4. I leave under
under a clear sky featuring a perfect half moon, a week
is left in our month, and for me to reach half the Qur'an.
I improvise this route, but gradually feel better and better,
well relaxed, and carried by the fresh winter-like air. So I
lengthen the run as I go, cautious to keep the distance and
effort reasonable. As often, along the backside of the airport,
I see a plane landing almost directly overhead. Then, on LBS
Marg, in an inspiration, I take the detour through the Fatima
High School area, which I haven't visited in a long time. Here,
a road is partially blocked by police barriers, and a crowd
around an official building. This must be the election count
in process. I return finding my way to Ghatkopar Market, then
through Bhatwadi to Khairani road and back home, feeling very
good about this run.
Later, we learn that the BJP has overwhelmingly won the
Maharashtra elections.
28th reading Dhuhr Surat Ibrahim,
Asr Surat al-Hijr v 1 (Juz 14), till v 79.
-- Exceptional Run --
Aarey Guest House, Further into Bhandup (11.19 Miles) -- 11/30/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday 11/25/24, 22 Jumada al-Ula 1446 --
Nahar - Lakehomes - Orchard - Main St - Hiranandani Hospital -
Nana Palshikar - Padmavati Devi - IIT - Lake Promenade - Raambagh
Time: 0:54:31
Mileage: 5.25 Miles - 8.45 Km
Pace: 10'23"/mile - 6'27"/km
Weather: 22C; Humidity 68%
Weight: 70.5 kg - 155.4 lbs (this is too much!)
Phone Time: 0h30m (Sunday 0h45m)
28th reading Sunday Dhuhr Surat al-Hijr till end,
Surat an-Nahl till v 50.
I keep this run purposefully easy and pleasant, enjoying the
unusually cool weather, focused on relaxing into what promises to
be a difficult week.
28th reading Dhuhr Surat an-Nahl till end (Juz 15);
Asr Surat al-Isra.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 11/27/24, 24 Jumada al-Ula 1446 -- Aarey Guest House
Dneg - Royal Palms Rd - Cross Aarey - Straight -
NZ Hostel Hill - Lotus Pond - Aarey Guest House Hill -
Aarey Rd - Aarey Dairy - Royal Palms - Dneg.
Time: 1:01:17
Mileage: 6.03 Miles - 9.71 Km
Pace: 10'10"/mile - 6'19"/km
Weather: 21C; Humidity 58%
Weight: 70 kg - 154.3 lbs
Phone Time: 0h43m (Tuesday 0h40m)
28th reading Tuesday Dhuhr Surat al-Kahf till v 74 (Juz 16),
till v 82; Asr Surat al-Kahf till end, Surat Maryam till v 65,
Maghrib Surat Maryam till end.
A bad night of many wake-ups. I wake up again around
2:45am, after yesterday's difficult meeting regarding work
from office, I fear it will be impossible to sleep back, but just
like the previous two nights, with formidable mental discipline,
I push myself to the visions then to short dreams, and feel
"cleaned" by these short episodes. Miraculous!
After continuing to revise Surat al-An'aam, I drive
out at the usual 6:30, start the run from DNeg around 7:10.
The weather is particularly fresh this early morning, and
the Royal Palms dogs have gotten used to me quickly. I feel
surprisingly good, which inspires me to climb the New
Zealand Hostel Hill. I feel extraordinarily good actually,
perfect breath, and manage the climb so well that I
decide to attempt the Guest House Climb (on which
I used to perform Hill Repeats). This is a challenging
climb, with steep parts and a steep kick to conclude, but in the
same miraculous form, I pass it well, charmed by the
deep forest and the clement temperatures. I return to
DNeg (yet another steep climb!) having completed one
of my best runs this year, a complete reversal of mood
from last night.
28th reading Asr Surat Ta-Ha till v 89,
Maghrib Surat Ta-Ha till end (Juz 17).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 11/29/24, 26 Jumada al-Ula 1446 --
Nahar - Lakehomes - Orchard - Suverna Temple - JVLR - Lake Blvd -
Main - Central - SM Shetty - Chandivali
Time: 0:40:43
Mileage: 4.13 Miles - 6.65 Km
Pace: 9'51"/mile - 6'07"/km
Weather: 20C; Humidity 59%
Weight: 69.8 kg - 153.9 lbs
Phone Time: (Thursday 0h30m)
28th reading Thursday morning Surat al-Anbiya till v 93;
Dhuhr Surat al-Anbiya till end, Surat al-Hajj till v 25;
Asr Surat al-Hajj till v 57.
This phase of good sleep continues, this time, at virtually
no effort, I sleep several times till getting up around 4:50, and
to multiple dreams. I do feel sore in stretching from Wednesday's
exceptional run, to the point of considering dropping today.
But outside, the wonderful cool temperatures continue. It's
another clear crisp day, unusually fresh for November. And the
run actually relaxes all aches, pains and tensions, I am surprised
how easy it feels, so I just enjoy the morning. Indeed, my pace
has been faster today, at no particular effort. Later, to the
Masjid for Jummah, even at midday I am charmed by mild temperatures
on Khairani road, and a pleasant fresh wind.
28th reading before Jummah Surat al-Hajj till end (Juz 18),
Asr Surat al-Mu'minun, Maghrib Surat an-Nur till v 26.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 11/30/24, 27 Jumada al-Ula 1446 -- Further along the track
Raambagh - Lake Platform - Saki Vihar - Pipeline - Bhandup Gate -
Through Bhandup - Past Anthony Church Rd - To the end of the track
(Mulund Goregaon rd) [5.6M - 9.01K] -- Back same way
Time: 1:53:22
Mileage: 11.19 Miles - 18.01 Km
Pace: 10'07"/mile - 6'17"/km
Weather: 17C; Humidity 65%
Weight: 69.8 kg - 153.9 lbs
Phone Time: 0h36m
Another night blessed with excellent sleep, I easily fall back
asleep several times to dreams, and wake up shortly before 5am.
I am planning on a fairly long run towards the Flamingoes, but
once out, in a sudden inspiration, change plans: I will return
to Bhandup, to explore if the track has been extended past
St Anthony's Church (which I think I've spotted last time).
It is once again amazingly fresh this morning. I start
feeling a bit sore again, but at a low intensity, soon find
a relaxing comfortable motion, and an impeccable breath, which
will not leave me the entire morning. As usual, turning into the
traffic-free galli that leads to the Pipeline provokes an
instant sense of silence and peace, highlighting the unbearable
noises of the city that drain us unaware. As I progress, I notice
an increasing number of people, particularly on the Bhandup side,
this place is getting popular. I am as often saluted by a few
habituals.
I continue straight into the fascinating section through
Bhandup, a straight line through the slums, perched on the
hills to the left, and descending into the urban valley on the
right, into the sunset, which some people ritually salute.
Beyond the St Anthony Church road, I find that the track has
indeed been extended, and I step into the unknown.
For some reason, it is nearly deserted after this point.
The track continues, but hardly anyone there, except a few
dogs, and occasional slum-dwellers, some whose Jhopra is
along the trail itself. This is otherwise a gentle downhill,
almost mirroring the other side. Dogs and people let me pass,
mildly curious. Eventually, after some sort of water station
on top of which a few men are loitering, I recognize the overpass
of the Mulund Goregoan road (which I had reached only once before,
from the other side of the Pipeline). From here, the trail soon peters
out until a few meters before the road, overcome by wild vegetation,
and this is where I turn back. I could surely find a way up to the
road and attempt to finally reach the Dargah (my main goal for
this season), but about 57 minutes into the run, I decide to
turn back, saving that big event for a later occasion.
I return very peacefully. My running continues to be
nearly perfect, particularly my breath, which will be smooth
and relaxed till I reach back home. I do start feeling soreness
in my left hip and lower back, but still, my motion continues
fluid and relaxed, now running mostly on a gentle downhill.
I make it comfortably back home, at a fairly good overall pace,
still under a fresh pleasant wind even as the morning advances.
Clearly, this run, and this week, are among my best this season,
a great recovery from my struggles earlier in the year.
And later, as I open Google Maps for my ride report, I realize
that I was less than a kilometer away from the Dargah. I could
very easily have fulfilled my goal!
28th reading Dhuhr Surat an-Nur till end;
Asr Surat al-Furqan till v 20 (Juz 19), till end.
-- Daulat helping me on my "push-the-wall" stretch --
Konkan Vikar Mahamandal (5.09 Miles) -- 12/07/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday 12/02/24, 29 Jumada al-Ula 1446 -- Recovery Run
Raheja Vihar short - Saki Vihar - Lake Platform - Raambagh
Time: 0:35:07
Mileage: 3.48 Miles - 5.6 Km
Pace: 10'05"/mile - 6'16"/km
Weather: 22C; Humidity 77%
Weight: 69.8 kg - 153.9 lbs
Phone Time: 0h42m (Sunday 0h25m)
28th reading Sunday Dhuhr Surat ash-Shu'ara till v 68,
Asr Surat ash-Shu'ara till v 140,
Ishaa Surat ash-Shu'ara till end.
This period of excellent sleep continues. I wake up multiple times
as usual, but very easy to sleep back to dreams. I can't explain
these cycles, which must be linked to some biologic rhythm, but
what triggers them completely eludes me.
A purposefully short recovery run, to open what I intend to
be a short easier week, insha allah.
28th reading Dhuhr Surat an-Naml till v 59 (Juz 20),
till end; Asr Surat al-Qasas till v 28, Surat al-Qasas till end.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 12/04/24, 01 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446 --
Dneg - Royal Palms Rd - Aarey Dairy - Talaab -
Konkan Vikar Mahamandal loop - Back same way - to SRA rd
Time: 0:50:11
Mileage: 4.83 Miles - 7.77 km
Pace: 10'23"/mile - 6'27"/km
Weather: 28C; Humidity 70%
Weight: 70.2 kg - 154.8 lbs
Phone Time: 0h35m (Tuesday 0h41m)
28th reading Tuesday Dhuhr Surat al-Ankabut till v 44 (Juz 21),
Surat al-Ankabut till end; Asr Surat ar-Rum till v 40.
Unfortunately, both my sleep and the clement weather
abandon me today. Many wake-ups throughout the night, and
unable to sleep after 4am. I drive out at 6:30am, now in total
darkness, and start the run around 7:10 from Royal Palms.
I have decided to try one of our walking loops today,
a flatter easier route. I feel sore and tired, and with an overcast
cloud cover, heat and humidity have returned, oppressive. In fact, to
my surprise, I feel a brief light rain on the way, which has the
advantage of settling the abominable dust a bit. In spite of
my exhaustion, I manage the run ok, enjoying what I can,
the route ends up a bit longer than I had anticipated, but
provides yet another great option in the area. I stop at
the Chawl alley and walk back that way, continuing straight
for the first time through the Shangarsh Nagar type buildings,
several of them incomplete and abandonned, through the slums.
It feels peaceful, with some small commerces, morning activity.
This will surely be my way now,
in fact, I take this road again while coming from Dhuhr ki Namaaz
at Gausila Masjid later in the day.
28th reading Asr Surat ar-Rum till end, Surat Luqman;
Maghrib Surat as-Sajdah.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 12/06/24, 03 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446 -- Exhausted
Chandivali - Lakehomes - Orchard - Ambrosia Garden -
Back Orchard - Raambagh
Estimated Time: 0:32:24
Mileage: 3.22 Miles - 5.19 Km
Estimated Pace: 10'04"/mile -
Weather: 27C; Humidity 77%
Weight: 70.2 kg - 154.8 lbs
Phone Time: 0h30m (Thursday 0h41m)
28th reading Thursday Dhuhr Surat al-Ahzab till v 30 (Juz 22),
till end; Asr Surat Saba.
Unfortunately, a terrible insomnia again! I wake up at 3:30,
this time impossible to sleep back, among other things a late meeting
last night is spinning in my head regarding Return-to-Office! I get
up very frustrated around 4:30 (Gulzar is awake too). Luckily, the
reading of Surah Fatir before dawn calms my anxiety, and I feel
a little better than anticipated. I decide to run after all, but
short and easy.
But I start feeling very dizzy, wondering if I should turn back. I
patiently find some sort of rhythm, and take a relaxed loop through the
park on Orchard street. I've managed the run, but still, this
exhaustion worries me. I hope to recover later in the day. How will
this work once I am astrained back to office???
I recite Surat Yaseen in Namaaz (following my personal
tradition on a Friday), and later, before going to
Masjid for Jummah, read it again as part of Tilaavat. Today, the
Bayaan is entirely devoted to the "Assalamu waleikum warahmatullahi
wabarakatu" greeting, which I tell Gulzar since she articulates
it often in such excellent manner.
28th reading Fajr Surat Fatir;
Before Jummah Surat Yaseen till v 21 (Juz 23), till end;
After Jummah Surat as-Saffat till v 101,
Asr Surat as-Saffat till end.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 12/07/24, 04 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446 --
Chandivali - Lakehomes - Orchard - JVLR - IIT Far Gate -
Main Gate - Lake Promenade - Raambagh
Time: 0:51:01
Mileage: 5.09 Miles - 8.19 Km
Pace: 10'01"/mile - 6'13"/km
Weather: 24C; Humidity 69%
Weight: 70 kg - 154.3 lbs
Phone Time:
A better night's sleep. Alhamdulillah!
I intend for this to be an easy moderate run, to conclude
an easy moderate week. I even choose a routine familiar route
for this, all about relaxation. And this works, the weather is
pleasantly cooler again, and I find an acceptable pace, neither
stressfull nor too slow, and celebrate this peace along the way
by giving to the Budi at the Temple near Lakehomes.
I run around 50 minutes, exactly on target, and conclude
the week with less than three hours of running, that too
exactly on target. Hope to recover for what has otherwise been
a challenging week.
28th reading Dhuhr Surat Saad.
Vikhroli Railway Station (8.78 Miles) -- 12/14/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday 12/09/24, 06 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446 -- Cold
Raambagh - Lake Promenade - IIT Far Gate - Back - Orchard -
Heera Pana - JVLR - Raambagh
Time: 0:52:01
Mileage: 5.19 Miles - 8.35 Km
Pace: 10'01"/mile - 6'13"/km
Weather: 16C; Humidity 68%
Weight: 70 kg - 154.3 lbs
Phone Time: 0h45m (Sunday 0h24m)
Yesterday, I had a bad day in Sawale. For once, I slept
poorly in the tent, and unable to sleep back in the
morning (as a side note, the fascinating cry of an owl
at dawn...) I get up very dizzy in the morning, foggy,
but unfortunately unable to find sleep. This increases
as the hours pass, I am forced to lay down till Komal
helps us cook some meal, my breakfasts unable to dispel
my malaise. I finally find sleep after that, but that
only repairs me enough for the drive home. On the way
back, in the last kilometer to our home, we stay stuck
for 45 minutes on Khairani road, the chaotic
traffic tied into a series of knots, that local men
work hard to untangle! I take this typical Mumbai incident
with patience in good humor, but it does not improve
my ill-being of the day, I collapse early once home.
I wake up again at 3am, but this time, I courageously do
push myself first to visions, then to full dreams and sleep,
and wake up shortly before 5, relieved, yet still in a dark
mood. Before the run, I again feel dizzy, but after eating
a banana, I set out.
And it turns out the opposite. It is remarkably fresh
this morning, cold even, and after an awkward start, I find
an energetic pace, which seems to increase as I go. I come
back feeling physically better, but still in a pessimistic
mood. I am now reciting the 5th ruku of Surat al-An'aam.
28th reading Dhuhr Surat az-Zumar till v 31 (Juz 24),
till end; Asr Surat al-Mu'min till v 37;
Maghrib Surat al-Mu'min till v 60.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 12/11/24, 08 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446 -- Aarey
Dneg - Aarey Dairy - Lotus Pond - Konkan Vikas
Mahamandal Loop - Back same way - Dneg climb
Time: 0:52:57
Mileage: 5.06 Miles - 8.14 Km
Pace: 10'28"/mile - 6'30"/km
Weather: 21C; Humidity 67%
Weight: 70.5 kg - 155.4 lbs
Phone Time: 0h40m (Tuesday 0h23m)
28th reading Tuesday Dhuhr Surat al-Mu'min till end,
Surat Ha-Mim Sajdah till v 46 (Juz 25), till end;
Asr Surat Ash-Shura, Surat az-Zukhruf till v 67;
Maghrib Surat Az-Zukhruf till end.
Up around 4:30, but feeling surprisingly good! Following
my routine, I drive out at 6:30am, again in full darkness, start the
run from DNeg around 7:15.
I keep this very peaceful, very relaxing. It is still fresh,
but not as cold as Monday. I repeat the same route from last
week, with only moderate rolling hills, and enjoy this comfortable
pace, and comfortable landscape. I am a little sore, but overall
manage this very well, good pleasant breath.
My weight seems to escape my control. But often feeling
dizzy, I have to eat frequently, no solution to this...
As always when working from office, I return to the small
Gausulwra Masjid in Royal Palms. Funnily, in my exceedingly slow
progress, I have finally figured out how to perform Wudhu without
splashing water over my legs: simply by keeping my elbows together,
so the water drips in-between my legs. Also, I am cautiously trying
to sit properly while keeping my right foot propped up on my bent
toes, a position that will take me time to master (and perhaps I
never will).
Separately, I had a client visit in Royal Palms today. But
my guest got stuck in office while trying to leave, no Uber would
actually make it there. Eventually, someone walked down to the Royal
Palms entrance to bring back an auto-rickshaw, only way for him to
get out. A funny small incident which does confirm people's reluctance
to come here for work.
28th reading Asr Surat adh-Dhuha, Surat al-Jathiyah (Juz 26);
Maghrib Surat al-Ahqaf.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 12/13/24, 10 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446 --
Chandivali - Lakehomes - Orchard - Central - SM Shetty - Chandivali
Time: 0:40:36
Mileage: 4.08 Miles - 6.56 Km
Pace: 9'57"/mile - 6'10"/km
Weather: 21C; Humidity 60%
Weight: 70.2 kg - 154.7 lbs (trying to regain control)
Phone Time: 0h20m (Thursday 0h38m)
28th reading Thursday Dhuhr Surat Muhammad, Surat al-Fath;
Asr Surat al-Hujurat; Maghrib Surat Qaf.
Up at the evil 3:30am, but after reading further into La
Nouvelle Héloïse, I fall back asleep to three
or four distinct dreams, all of which I remember with surprising
clarity. I get up feeling quite well around 5am.
After revising the 6th Ruku of Surat al-An'aam, I recite
Surat Yaseen in Namaaz, to great effect, and embark on this
low intensity, pleasant run. Temperatures are still fresh,
but not too cold.
28th reading Morning Surat adh-Dhariyat till v 30 (Juz 27),
till end, Surat at-Tur, Surat an-Najm till v 32;
After Jummah Surat an-Najm till end, Surat al-Qamar;
Asr Surat ar-Rahman, Surat al-Waqi'ah, Surat al-Hadid (Juz 28).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 12/14/24, 11 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446 -- Vikhroli Station
Raambagh - Lake Promenade - IIT - JVLR - Tagore Nagar - Padmakar
Ramchandra Kangutkar - Buddha Vihar - Past Sunni Masjid Vikhroli -
Right, past Shree Siddhi Vinayagar School - Namdeorao Patne - Along
the railway - Through Vikhroli Railway Station - Station Rd - LBS Marg -
Hiranandani Link rd (Kailash Hill) - Main - Central - SM Shetty -
Chandivali.
Time: 1:30:40
Mileage: 8.78 Miles - 14.14 Km
Pace: 10'19"/mile - 6'24"/km
Weather: 17C; Humidity 66%
Weight: 69.9 kg - 154.1 lbs (nice recovery, but to confirm)
Phone Time: 1h07m
I get up shortly after 4am, unable to fall back asleep, feeling
foggy. Discovering the near full moon throning in the sky, I call
Gulzar who thinks some emergency has happened! Feeling tired, I
do embark on this run, but feeling very tentative. In fact, on
the all familiar Lake Promenade, I am tempted to turn back and
call it a day.
But I manage just enough to continue down along the JVLR,
hoping that the descent will help me. I head out towards Tagore
Nagar / Vikhroli, funnily motivated partly by which name to give
to this week's training entry. I feel slightly better once
into the chawl, and even opt for a new exploration there, turning
right into new roads. I find another street at first, it too
with a street market, then another right into an alley which
as often gradually reduces in size, deep into the chawl, to a
mere pathway along the railway, that eventually leads me to
the northern end of Vikhroli Station. After crossing the overpass,
I run down the train platform to the main entrance, from there
join LBS Marg on the other side. This has been a very satisfying
exploration, in spite of my lack of shape.
I return through the steep Kailash hill, handling my pace
effectively. This hasn't been a great run, but I have managed
just enough to make a new exploration, rewarding as always,
and finished in almost exactly 1h30, my goal for the day,
just shy of a 4 hours running week.
But later, I will continue to feel dizzy and weak. What
is going on? Is it my heart acting up again?
28th reading Maghrib Surat al-Mujadilah.
28th Reading, Vidya Vihar (8.71 Miles) -- 12/21/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday 12/16/24, 13 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446 -- Moon and Sun
Nahar - Chandivali - Saki Vihar - Marwah - Military - Bamandayapa -
Customs Colony - Marol Maroshi - Lok Bharti - Marol CHS - Andheri Kurla -
Saki Naka [0:45:50 - 4.61M, 7.43K] - Khairani Rd - Nahar.
Estimated Time: 0:56:38
Mileage: 5.71 Miles - 9.19 Km
Pace: 9'55"/mile - 6'10"/km (to Saki Naka)
Weather: 19C; Humidity 45%
Weight: 70.1 kg - 154.5 lbs (good weight)
Phone Time: 0h39m (Sunday 0h41m)
28th reading Sunday Dhuhr Surat al-Hashr, Surat al-Mumtahanah.
An excellent run!
I wake up rested shortly before 5am after several episodes of
sleep, although Gulzar tells me I was moaning in my sleep around
midnight. It's another beautiful fresh clear day, with the moon
in full display!
I am indeed feeling good, and decide to head through Marwah then
Bamandayapa, to climb for the second time the narrow alley along
Customs Colony, traversing small slums and dwellings, quiet in the
morning. I eventually come out on Marol Maroshi then to the metro
line. I admire the full moon proudly seated in the Western sky,
while the rising sun illuminates its warm light from the East.
This is an excellent run.
28th reading Dhuhr Surat As-Saff, Surat al-Jumu'ah,
Surat al-Munafiqun, Surat at-Taghabun, Surat at-Talaq,
Surat at-Tahrim (Juz 29); Asr Surat al-Mulk, Surat al-Qalam.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 12/18/24, 15 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446 -- Imperial Palace
Dneg - up Royal Palms rd - Imperial Place Climb - Descent -
Aarey Powai Rd - Trail - Lakshmi Rd - Aarey Rd - Talaab - Aarey
Dairy - Royal Palms - Dneg
Time: 1:02:26
Mileage: 5.85 Miles - 9.42 Km
Pace: 10'40"/mile - 6'37"/km
Weather: 19C; Humidity 52%
Weight: 69.8 kg - 153.9 lbs (good)
Phone Time: 0h42m (Tuesday 0h49m)
28th reading Tuesday Morning Surat al-Haqqah, Surat al-Ma'arij,
Surat Nuh, Surat al-Jinn; Dhuhr Surat al-Muzzammil,
Surat al-Muddaththir, Surat al-Qiyamah;
Asr Surat Ad-Dahr, Surat al-Mursalat (Juz 30).
After several good nights, unfortunately unable to sleep after 2:45!
In spite of that, my mind feels relatively clear, and
I have reached revisions of the 8th ruku of
Surat al-An'aam.
I drive to DNeg, but the Raambagh is closed (finally, finally,
the road is being repaired!!),
so I have to drive through Marwah and Marol, which actually
doesn't take much longer, but in darkness I am
repeatedly bothered by the high beams of
incoming traffic, versus "other things" on the road
that have no lights at all! I reach DNeg
at the usual 7am.
Not sure how I will do today,
I nevertheless stick to the plan of climbing the steep road
up to the Imperial Palace Hotel. Along the way, I look for
an overture along the foreboding wall to the left, which
would lead to the slums behind where there is a Masjid whose
Adhaan is clearly audible - but no access is found, reinforcing
the ever deepening mysteries of Royal Palms (are these grounds
part of the "forbidden" Film City?).
At a slow cautious pace up the steep climb,
I quickly find a pleasant rhythm,
which will not leave me today, miraculous! Overseeing a
cool low mist in the
valley below, I am greeted by the rising sun once past
the summit into the descent, through the hamlets, and into the beautiful
trail to Lakshmi road. Feeling extraordinarily comfortable, excellent
breath and an increasingly energetic stride, I've decided for a relatively
long route today, head back via Aarey road and the Talaab
(which by now is entirely dry), including
the final steep climb back to DNeg. Amazingly, after such disrupted
sleep last night, this has been a near perfect run!
And as a reward, the guard at the entrance tells me a little
secret: There is a shower in the building after all!! (It is
Namit Malhotra's private shower!). No more
washing in the toilets ......
Asr Surat an-Naba, Surat an-Nazi'at, Surat Abasa, Surat at-Takwir,
Surat al-Infitar, Surat al-Mutaffifin, Surat al-Inshiqaq.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 12/20/24, 17 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446 -- Sick
Nahar - Lakehomes - Orchard - Ambrosia Garden - Forest St -
Central - SM Shetty - Powai Vihar Complex - Lakehomes - Chandivali
Time: 0:33:49
Mileage: 3.46 Miles - 5.57 Km
Pace: 9'46"/mile - 6'04"/km
Weather: 17C; Humidity 90% (??)
Weight: 70.2 kg - 154.7 lbs
Phone Time: 0h58m (Thursday 0h33m)
28th reading Thursday Dhuhr
Surat al-Buruj, Surat at-Tariq, Surat al-A'la,
Surat al-Ghashiyah, Surat al-Fajr, Surat al-Balad, Surat ash-Shams,
Surat al-Lail, Surat ad-Dhuha, Surat al-Inshirah, Surat at-Tin,
Surat al-Alaq, Surat al-Qadr, Surat al-Bayyinah, Surat az-Zalzalah,
Surat al-'Adiyat, Surat al-Qari'ah, Surat at-Takathur, Surat al-'Asr,
Surat al-Humazah, Surat al-Fil, Surat Quraish, Surat al-Ma'un,
Surat al-Kauthar, Surat al-Kafirun, Surat an-Nasr, Surat al-Lahab,
Surat al-Ikhlaas, Surat al-Falaq, Surat an-Naas;
Surat al-Fatihah, Surat Al-Baqarah till v 5.
Unfortunately, I am sick. I wake up in the night to an
acute throat pain, and repeated coughing. I continue to advance
in La Nouvelle Héloïse (which after some initial
struggle is getting increasingly fascinating). In spite of this,
I sleep well, and wake up "late" at 5:30. I imagine I won't run in this
condition, but do decide to venture out after all, quite late around
7:15am. As a "pretext" to go out,
I take money to give the "Budi" in Lakehomes,
also arguing with myself that I need
to create a running diary entry for today to record the finishing of
the Qur'an. It is still a questionable decision to run,
especially since the landscape is wrapped in a thick milky haze
of pollution.
But amazingly, this run turns out perfectly fine! My breath is
actually quite good, and without pushing, I achieve a surprisingly
fast pace, while relaxing in the posh streets of Hiranandani. Time
will tell whether this was the right choice after all.
Yesterday, I complete the 28th Tilavaat Qur'an, as planned to
reach reading 30 by this Ramzaan, inshallah. I have also finished
revising the 8th ruku of Surat al-An'aam, as ever of powerful effect
in Namaaz.
29th reading before Jummah Surat al-Fatihah,
Surat Al-Baqarah till v 39; Maghrib Surat Al-Baqarah till v 61.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 12/21/24, 18 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446 -- Vidya Vihar
Khairani E. - Bhatwadi long - Jogger's Park - LBS Marg -
Naupada Vidhyavihar - Premier Rd (Don Bosco) - Kohinoor City -
Vidya Vihar (along Kurla Car Shed) - Nathani rd - Fatima HS -
Kirol Rd - Camalane - Navroji - LBS - Jogger's Park - Bhatwadi long -
Khairani rd.
Time: 1:27:00
Mileage: 8.71 Miles - 14.01 Km
Pace: 9'59"/mile - 6'12"/km
Weather: 19C; Humidity 81%
Weight: 70.2 kg - 154.8 lbs
Phone Time: 0h44m
I am still sick unfortunately, I cough uncontrollably in the night.
I had hoped to accomplish the "Great Run to the Dargah" today
(a tentative goal for this season), but renounce given my illness -
a sound decision.
To make matters
worse, like yesterday, a dense milky haze asphyxiates the landscape,
clearly visible, heavy pollution. I think long before choosing
which direction to take,
decide to run down Khairani road through Bhatwadi, hoping
for a new exploration
in the Kurla area. While not feeling exactly bad, my shape is
tentative, and I'm glad I didn't
embark on a 2 hour ordeal today! A youth runs behind me playfully on
Khairani road. I do feel a little weak, especially in the uphills, and
contemplate turning back, to return after no more than an hour.
But step by step,
I get drawn to my initial plan, turning left from LBS Marg towards the Don
Bosco college, and from there,
another left turn, into the unknown.
This starts along a series of modern housing complexes "Kohinoor",
complete with Gym Club, etc. Then, with hardly any transition, along an
impressive series of buildings "a la Shangarsh Nagar", tall, congested,
hardly maintained, feeling like a canyon that light rarely penetrates,
trash littered around, falling from its vertical walls. I turn left
along this breathtaking assemblage
which continues for some time, while on the right are typical small
chawl structures, followed by the railway tracks. In awe of this
fascinating landscape, as if I had discovered a new geologic formation,
my running has gotten easier.
I eventually reach familiar grounds, finding the Fatima High
School and returning back through Bhatwadi as I had come. Weakening
a bit, I stop at LBS to eat half a Yoga Bar, which indeed fuels me
enough to make it back home. In spite of the illness, I have completed
just about 4 hours of running this week, and visions from today's
run will stay
with me for some days, as glimpses caught fugitively like in a dream,
making me want to return.
29th reading Dhuhr Surat Al-Baqarah till v 82.
Beyond Kadav, Beyond Kashele (9.12 Miles) -- 12/29/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday 12/23/24, 20 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446 --
Chandivali - SM Shetty - Cliff - Central - Hiranandani Hospital -
Nana Palshikar - Padmavati Devi - IIT - Lake Promenade - Raambagh -
Lake Rd - Lakehomes - Nahar.
Time: 0:59:59
Mileage: 5.99 Miles - 9.64 Km
Pace: 10'00"/mile - 6'13"/km
Weather: 23C; Humidity 76%
Weight: 70.6 kg - 155.6 lbs (unexpected)
Phone Time: 0h54m (Sunday 0h40m)
29th reading Sunday Dhuhr Surat Al-Baqarah till v 121,
Asr Surat Al-Baqarah till v 141 (Juz 2),
Maghrib Surat Al-Baqarah till v 167.
Last night, another uncontrolable coughing fit around 10 / 11pm,
but I am able to sleep after that (I have reached an impressive letter
in Rousseau which pleads in favor of suicide.) I get up well around
4:40, and embark on this run. After 6:30, it is still dark.
I feel fine along this classic route. The cough, as draining as
it is, doesn't affect my running much, although running perhaps
prolongs its effect. Not helping matters is the same milky pollution,
thick in the landscape. But the run is fine, I feel good and relaxed.
29th reading Morning Surat Al-Baqarah till v 188.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday 12/24/24, 21 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446 -- REST, To Jambulwadi
Weight: 70.5 kg - 155.4 lbs
Phone Time: 0h17m
29th reading Morning Surat Al-Baqarah v 221.
After several days postponing, we drive to Sawale, unfortunately,
through heavy traffic getting out of Mumbai. We eat on the way, a Thali
too abundant and too oily, which will knock me out for the rest
of the day! Still feeling sick, I lapse into uncomfortable bouts of sleep
once on the property, heavy with digestion.
Our first night in the tent, temperatures get cold at night,
but this year I am prepared.
In the evening, especially during Maghrib, it is the usual assault
of mosquitoes, which a new spray tempers somewhat. We sleep
shortly after nightfall. Around dawn, the cry of the owl
impressively dominates the waning night, Whoo, Whoo!.
Later we hear the
death of Tayamma, Gulzar relates the two events.
She boils water on the Chula, we drink hot coffee. I embark
on this cautious run to Kadav along the main road, feeling
relatively good. Later though, I again feel sick, dizzy, coughing,
chest heavy with wheezing sounds. I fall into uncomfortable sleep
again, several times.
Later, our simple Christmas meal, which she has prepared
on the Chula. We make arrangements to bring water to our
new toilet, with a contractor named Yogesh who Mamma has brought.
-- Christmas Meal --
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday 12/26/24, 23 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446 -- REST
Phone Time: 0h05m
Finally, that morning, we explore the country road nearby.
It is something I've wanted to do for some time. And
it holds its promise!
Starting through rural landscapes and forests, we make
way towards the gentle mountains of Pune, whose silhouettes
cut the rising sun. We occasionally follow a creek, along
which are several crematoriums. The route is mostly empty,
until we pass a sparse villages or hamlets. At some point,
we come across a large round well, to which flock several
women, either carrying three steel pots of diminishing sizes
on their heads, or an odd plastic "rolling drum", that is
pushed along the road with a handle. Gulzar wants to stop
at the well, but having passed it we continue ahead.
One of the villages frames an orange colored temple
against the mountain backdrop, then, still further, we
come across an unexpected large event (a field has been
outfit with tents, seating arrangements and sound systems),
odd in this remote place, which we link mistakenly to the
upcoming New Year. Also unexpected, towards the end of the
road, we find a rather large university.
The road eventually ends at another small village,
majestically framed by a sort of cirque montagneux,
mountains surrounding us from nearly every angle, one
whose singular shape mirrors a temple below, another that
stands out as a square tower. The atmosphere is too hazy
to fully distinguish the exact features of this extraordinary
find.
We stop, and Gulzar walks into a large nursery, where
a man eventually sells us various plants, among which an
unusual "double coconut tree", an anomaly that no-one
has seen before. Nicely, he takes us through his house
to show us his field, various plantations. Through him,
we learn that the "event" seen previously on the road
is actually for the Birthday of some famous Guru,
drawing in a sizable crowd every year.
On the way back, we stop at the well. Gulzar draws
water, helped by one of the women. This is what we will
drink, it reveals to be excellent. We do witness along
the villages difficulties with water, queues of pots
lined-up at the water points.
We sleep again early in the tent, soon after darkness.
But for some reason some local men have gotten into the habit
of talking on the phone on our road, waking me up around 10pm,
from which I struggle to sleep back (this will be a theme
throughout). My cough and wheezing sounds have abated
somewhat, although return in full force in the morning.
-- Along the road to Jamburg Valley --
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 12/27/24, 24 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446 -- REST
Phone Time: 0h07m
At night, again, we sleep early, but I am woken up yet again
around 10:30, this time by a car
going down our road continuously blowing the horn! Why? Why? Why?
There is nothing here to even blow at! Furious
at this, I again struggle to sleep back. At least I make good
progress reading Rousseau.
I pray Namaaz outside on the Hasir, all except Ishaa.
I master the right foot position with increasing ease (and
a little pride).
On this Jummah, I drive to the Masjid in Kadav, happy that
here too I understand the Imaam's Bayaan quite well. I am
re-learning the Ibrahim verses from Surat al-An'aam, which
fit our stay particularly well.
Gulzar had has the idea to build a place to perform Wudhu
on the property. We explain at length
to Yogesh (our contractor) who is Hindu, I demonstrate the position
for the ablution. The plumbers, who happen to be Muslims,
also help.
-- With the "Cricket Team" (children of Jambhulwadi) --
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 12/28/24, 25 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446 -- Beyond Kadav
Jambhulwadi - Kadav - 3 bump village - Shaadi ground (Markewadi) -
Corvus Academy - Small River - Wall in field - back same way
Time: 1:34:15
Mileage: 9.12 Miles - 14.66 Km
Pace: 10'20"/mile - 6'25"/km
Weather: 23C
Phone Time: 0h18m
At night, in a familiar unfortunate ritual, I am again woken
up at the evil 10'ish by someone on the phone walking up and
down our alley, from which I really struggle to sleep back.
Later, I wake up around 4am, not feeling so good, still quite
sick. I embark on this tentative run, again along the main road,
pushing past Kadav for the first time, although the road decreases
in interest there. I turn back shortly after passing a river,
fearing that I'll struggle to make it back, but do manage.
The nights are moonless. I pray all Namaaz as usual, with the
exception of Ishaa. Maghrib is among swarms of mosquitoes, although a
new spray is helping quite a bit. I obstinately continue to
perfect my "foot technique", propping up my right foot on my
toe with increased ease, to the point where I feel I've mastered
this difficulty, and marvel that it has taken so little
time. I will be disillusioned next week when I return to the hard
floor of my Namaaz ka Kamra!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday 12/29/24, 26 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446 -- Beyond Kashele
Kashele - descent - Nahdele - river - back
Time: 1:21:04
Mileage: 7.96 Miles - 12.82 Km
Pace: 10'10"/mile - 6'19"/km
Weather: 21C
Phone Time: 0h12m
Strangely, running the day following yesterday's struggle,
I feel great!!
I continue the road beyond Kashele, where it gets wilder and
quieter, the descent to the beautiful valley, turn back at
a significant river, and unlike yesterday, I feel great throughout.
This side is much nicer than the Kadav side, the road evolving
through a wilder landscape, less populated.
Like last year, a "friendly"
dog in Kashele barks at me, but is tamed with ease.
Yogesh has brought a man and two women to build the Wudhu,
and I admire the "ballet" of the women, dressed in Saree, carrying
their loads with extraordinary elegance. A falling rock though
injures the man's hand, which will prevent this group from
continuing the work tomorrow. We are also helped by "Cricket
Team", the boys of Jambhulwadi wearing various sports jerseys,
assembling bricks into a pile, and we share a meal. They later
return, shouting "Pesa" from outside for more money.
I sit several times to demonstrate the exact mode of Wudhu to
confirm the dimensions of our contraption, but in the evening,
Yogesh will actually destroy the day's work, claiming that
"it is not straight".
-- The Wudhu Place --
-- At the Well --
To the Well (7.88 Miles) -- 01/01/25
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday 12/30/24, 27 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446 -- REST
Phone Time: 0h11m
We return this morning to Jambur Valley, discovering the
sunrise cut by the hills, stopping a few times along the way
to admire the morning light.
We notice a corpse still burning at one of the several
crematoriums by the creek. The large event from last time
is over, most arrangements have been packed. Today, we
explore a small road to the right, also headed towards
the cirque montagneux. I want to park at the entrance
of a hamlet to continue exploring on foot towards the
majestic landscape, but strangely,
Gulzar prefers to head back to a roadside tea stall that
we've passed. There we drink Chai while several school
girls stop on their walk to get treats for the day.
We stop again at the well on the way back, Gulzar has brought
one of our Bisleri bottles to fill, but being mostly closed,
it won't dip in the water. As before, we are helped by one
of the women, who fills our bottles using her bucket. This time,
we do explore the way to Kashele, a somewhat desolate road
along barren fields and small forests, in disrepair. As we
are nearing the village, we glance at a metal gate on the side,
and stop. We have been looking for a gate for several days,
including on Khairani road, to no avail. What fortune,
that we would find our gate here, fruit of our explorations.
This is indeed a welding shop, arrangements are made.
Back on the land, two black and white dogs often visit us,
the male is a thief, while looking me right in the eye in near
defiance, he carries away a plastic bag with the remains of
the workers's lunch. The female, much smaller, is getting increasingly
friendly, as Gulzar feeds her leftover food. I love her stare,
with her nose down, eyes glancing up, as a sign
of respectful friendship. I have named her "Diamond", as she displays a
characteristic diamond shaped black marking on her forehead.
We have often thought we would return to Mumbai, but every
day we postpone. Today is no exception. In fact, certain that
we would leave, I have folded the tent in the morning. But
our gate installation is delayed. The Kadugodi Hazrat has
recommended that no metal work should be enterprised on Amavaaz,
or for the next three or four days. We plan to leave now, and
return on the weekend to complete the gate installation. But
again our plans change, as the
Wudhu place isn't quite finished, and perhaps the gate could
be installed tomorrow after all. So in the evening I remount the tent,
actually quite happy to stay, knowing I'll miss our communion here.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday 12/31/24, 28 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446 -- Kashele
Jambhulwadi to Kashele and back
Time: 0:41:59
Mileage: 4.08 Miles - 6.56 Km
Pace: 10'17"/mile - 6'23"/km
Weather: 24C
Phone Time: 0h13m
A smaller simpler run to Kashele, not in particularly good form.
The gate installation is delayed. She calls the Hazrat
repeatedly for advice on how to set up the house, the rooms -
this irritates me somewhat as he recommends tearing down our
new bathroom, as it shouldn't be on that side. This all complicates
planning with contractor Yogesh, and several times, we project
on the ground the location of the future house. My irritation
culminates when she calls in the Muslim plumbers to voice
their advice, but I regret this later. Where is my insouciance
of old? The men have come to help and I've nearly disrespected them,
leaving me very frustrated with myself.
Later, we go for an evening walk to escape the sunset mosquito
assault. This takes us surprisingly far up the road, though
occasional hamlets, a road that we should continue to explore too.
On the way back, she buys
biscuits, actually to feed a trio of dogs that have run to us.
This saves me too, as I was getting increasingly dizzy!
In the evening, on this New Year's Eve, we drive to Kashele,
and settle for A1 Biryani, a small roadside shop, today
bustling with orders. We eat abundant food. Back in the tent,
I feel very hot!
-- The New Gate --
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 01/01/25, 29 Jumada al-Akhirah 1446 -- To the Well
Jambhulwadi - Jamburg Valley rd - past village intersection -
past Green Valley rsrt - to the Well - back same way
Time: 1:20:37
Mileage: 7.88 Miles - 12.66 Km
Pace: 10'13"/mile - 6'22"/km
Weather: 21C
Phone Time: 0h13m
I woke up shortly before 12am. I wake her up, as we hear fireworks
in the forest. She chooses to stay in the tent though, our small
nest, and this is where we celebrate the New Year. Amazingly,
unlike last year, there has been no unbearably loud music from the
nearby resorts!
I am woken up again by an extraordinary cry around 3:30am,
twice, quite loud, Ooooo, ayayayayay!! Is it the owl
again, or a different animal? I am up before 5am, in darkness
(no moon), drink the coffee with cold water. During Fajr ki
Namaaz, an owl cries right above me, this time the classic
Whoo!, that dominates the end of the night. Will we
learn of some other death?
Today, feeling quite good, I return to the Kashele side.
And finally, I embolden myself, take the country road to
Jamburg Valley for the first time! It really delivers!!
This is the same road we've driven twice now, and I set
Gulzar's well as a tentative destination, not knowing how
far it might be. I was held back taking this road by the
fear of local dogs, but this proves largely unfounded.
The road is quiet, with
sparse traffic. A man on a scooter slowing down talks
to me, this must be the same man from whom we bought plants on
our first trip, at the end of the valley. I run towards
the rising sun, cut by the mountain silhouettes, as the
landscape becomes increasingly remote, fields and forests,
occasionally following a stream, punctuated by occasional
crematoriums. Here are gentle rolling hills, mostly through
woods, with periodic openings towards the mountains, and
sporadic houses or villages. I first reach the intersection
towards Kashele, feeling in great shape, decide to continue.
I finally do find an aggressive dog near a farm-house, but
easily discipline it at a safe distance. The road becomes
deserted again, increasingly remote, till after several
rolling hills I reach with great joy my goal of the day:
The well !! As usual, a few women are gathered around it.
I return the same way, choosing to leave exploring the road
to Kashele for another occasion, returning along the same
quiet road, passing on the way back some sort of police
or army training in one of the fields. My running, fueled
by the extraordinary novelty of the day, has been impeccable
today, and I return home in great comfort. This reminds
of my very first running days in Bangalore, where for
a time, I had been scared to leave the main roads, till
I finally gathered the courage to venture on country roads.
I imagine that now, just like then, having successfully
made this first step, I will continue to explore deeper
and deeper into the country, rarely returning to the
busy road. Not to get overdramatic with today's run, but
it feels like a historic date of sorts in our
discovery of the area.
Later, the guys from Kashale come to fix the gate, and
the Wudhu is also complete. We spend our last night in the tent,
so well used to the cold by now that I cannot wear any warm
clothes. We've often considered returning home on this trip,
but now that it is actually imminent, I know I'll miss our
stay with melancholy, which will probably stay linked in my memory
to the frequent recitation of the Ibrahim
verses from Surat al-An'aam.
-- Along Jamburg Valley --