42nd Reading, Monsoon Rains (7.73 Miles) -- 07/04/26
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Monday 06/29/2026, 13 Muharram 1448 -- Miracle Monday
Nahar - Raambagh - Lake Powai - IIT Far Gate - Down IIT Hill - LBS Marg (past Vikhroli Stn, RCity Mall, Dargah) - Andheri Ghatkopar - Khairani Rd - Nahar.
Time: 1:23:06
Mileage: 7.73 Miles - 12.45 Km
Pace: 10'44"/mile - 6'40"/km
Weather: 27C; Humidity 87%
Weight: 70.4 kg - 155.2 lbs (surprisingly high)This is a case of the Miracle Mondays on steroids!
The jet-lag seems to have finally hit tonight: I wake up around 2am, unable to fall back asleep. A storm is bringing heavy rain, and I wonder if I'll be able to run today. But strangely, I feel good and alert, and get up around 3:45, well awake. I continue to advance in relearning Surat al-An'aam, and pray the same in Namaaz. By the time I get out around 6am, the rain has stopped, leaving drenched streets but pleasant humid blustery air.
I immediately realize that I am feeling great today. In spite of the lack of sleep, I feel perfectly alert, my breathing is impeccable and easy, and my body feels fluid (or as fluid as it can feel at my age). This extraordinary fortune, which carries throughout, leads me to lengthen the course in stages, achieving a surprisingly long run, in spite of having already run long on Saturday.
I first set out along the familiar Lake / IIT route, thinking I'll turn back at LBS for an hour+ run. But once there, I decide to take advantage of my miraculous disposition today, and turn onto LBS Marg, thinking that I'll return through Kailash Hill. But there too, with my good form not weakening, I decide to extend again, and staying on LBS return via Andheri Ghatkopar and Khairani road. Unbelievable! This excellent form is completely unexpected! Enjoy it while it lasts...
42nd Tilaavat Dhuhr Surat ash-Shura, Surat az-Zukhruf till v 57; Asr Surat az-Zukhruf till end, Surat ad-Dukhan, Surat al-Jathiyah (Juz 26); Ishaa Surat al-Ahqaf.------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 07/01/2026, 15 Muharram 1448 -- Through the Chawl
Nahar - Raambagh - Lake Platform - Saki Vihar - to Westin & Back - Solaris Complex, to the Chawl: 0:30m [2.7M, 4.34K]
Running Track - Saki Vihar - Khairani Rd - Nahar [2.31M, 3.71K]
Time: 0:53:43
Mileage: 5.01 Miles - 8.05 Km
Pace: 10'43"/mile - 6'40"/km
Weight: 69.9 kg - 154.1 lbs (good)42nd Tilaavat Tuesday Morning Surat Muhammad, Surat al-Fath; Dhuhr Surat al-Hujurat, Surat Qaf, Surat adh-Dhariyat till v 31 (Juz 27), till end; Asr Surat at-Tur, Surat an-Najm; Ishaa Surat al-Qamar.
Another challenging night, I wake up several times, and fear not being able to sleep after 3am, but through excellent discipline do manage to push myself first to the visions then to actual dreams and sleep. I get up around 4:30 feeling very good.
I get out around 6am. It has been raining heavily at night, roads are drenched, but only a light to moderate rain on the run itself. I again feel very good, which has been the case since our return from the US, my breath is easy, my body relatively fluid. With this, I again get gradually more ambitious on the run, and end up exploring a new route: From the chawl along Saki Vihar, I find my way through narrow passages (and asking) to the running track that parallels Marwah. Along this quest, I surprisingly come across the Imaam with the red hair who used to pray Tarawee, whom I salute (to his surprise no doubt) with "Assalam Waleikum"! This route is a great find, which I'll be sure to revisit in the future. The environment is very distinctive, the jogging track traversing impressive sections of the Chawl.
The rain resumes after the run, and I drive to work in Film City under a heavy monsoon downpour.
42nd Tilaavat Dhuhr Surat ar-Rahman, Surat al-Waqi'ah, Surat al-Hadid (Juz 28); Asr Surat al-Mujadilah, Surat al-Hashr, Surat al-Mumtahanah;------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 07/03/2026, 17 Muharram 1448 -- Heavy Rain
Nahar - Raambagh - Lake Powai - IIT Far Gate - Padmavati Devi - Nana Palshikar - Hiranandani Hospital - Main St - Central - SM Shetty - Chandivali.
Time: 0:56:11
Mileage: 5.29 Miles - 8.51 Km
Pace: 10'37"/mile - 6.36"/km
Weather: 26C; Humidity 95%
Weight: 70 kg - 154.3 lbs (excellent)42nd Tilaavat Thursday Morning Surat as-Saff, Surat al-Jumu'ah; Dhuhr Surat al-Munafiqun, Surat at-Taghabun, Surat at-Talaq, Surat at-Tahrim (Juz 29), Surat al-Mulk; Asr Surat al-Qalam, Surat al-Haqqah, Surat al-Ma'arij, Surat Nuh;
Again multiple wake-ups, but I still manage well, and get up around 4:30 feeling good. Good Tilaavat Qur'an at dawn, and good Fajr ki Namaaz, fueled by my anguish over the relentless oppression of new government rules, now around citizenship (could Gulzar lose Citizenship? Could she lose her passport???). I go out around 6:30 under a strong steady monsoon rain, which will not relent throughout the run. But, armed with my cap, I feel good in the rain, as often, and the run is quite good. I am aiming for a large mileage week, marveling that I feel physically particularly good since returning from the US. No trace of wariness, no dizziness or exhaustion, etc., a blessed state that I realize should really be the norm. Difficult to understand what causes this. Enjoy while it lasts...
Later, it is still under a steady rain that I go to Masjid for Jummah ki Namaaz, for once wearing Western clothes to protect from rain and mud.
42nd Tilaavat Fajr Surat al-Jinn, Surat al-Muzzammil; Afternoon Surat al-Muddaththir, Surat al-Qiyamah, Surat ad-Dahr; Asr Surat al-Mursalat (Juz 30), Surat an-Naba, Surat an-Nazi'at, Surat Abasa, Surat at-Takwir, Surat al-Infitar, Surat al-Mutaffifin, Surat al-Inshiqaq.------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 07/04/2026, 18 Muharram 1448 -- Heavy Rain
Nahar - Raambagh - Lake Platform - Saki Vihar - Pipeline WB - Marol Maroshi - Aarey Rd (Up & Down the Hill) - Passpoli - Saki Vihar - Lake Powai - Raambagh - Nahar.
Time: 1:25:34
Mileage: 7.72 Miles - 12.43 Km
Pace: 11'05"/mile - 6'53"/km
Weather: 26C; Humidity 91%
Weight: 70 kg - 154.3 lbs (excellent)Yesterday, I finally did manage to pray Maghrib ki Namaaz, but still fell asleep before Ishaa (which is at 8:45 pm these days). I wake up as usual several times in the night, listening to the relentless rain, fall back more or less asleep with my usual mind tricks, and eventually get up at 4:18, feeling fine, although a bit stiff and sore. As planned though, in spite of the incessant rain, I go out on a semi-long run, at about 6:18.
Like yesterday, a steady rain throughout, very heavy at times, and I wear my cap most of the run. I am as often very hesitant as to the route, but feel inclined towards the Pipeline, longing to escape from the traffic. But there, on a sudden inspiration, I veer left (West Bound) towards Marol, rather than the usual Bhandup. This part is less leasurely, traversing first the impressive Passpoli Slum, then a quiet way used mostly by workers, slumdwellers and laborers - and dogs, very quiet at this early hour. I feel fine although a little stiffer than yesterday, still, my breath well under control.
Once in Marol, a second inspiration, as I contemplate several options to return. I eventually choose the toughest, which is to climb up and down Aarey Hill, under a now torrential rain. This goes well, stimulated by the climb and the downpour, if not for a bus which nearly pushes me into the ditch! I shout and eye the driver with determination, but refrain from a fight. A little further, a fire truck which has passed me has stopped by a fallen tree which is being cleared off the road. I pass the hill fine, and into the descent through Passpoli, and back home passing by Lake Powai, managing the effort fine, and still under this incessant rain. Here for a second time, a bus zooms past within inches of me, without even slowing down!
I have felt good though. In spite of all this water, I still drink from the small flask that I have carried. This wraps up a strong week, in fact my largest mileage since Ramadhan. After returning from the US, I have felt unusually fit, feeling very little of the habitual fatigue which normally plagues me. I wish I could understand (and master) the reason for this.
And later, I complete my 42nd Tilaavat Qu'ran, one that I feared might be impaired by the US trip, but which actually progressed well, particularly during air travel and airport, alhamdulillah!
42nd Tilaavat 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 adh-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.
Smaller Week (6.02 Miles) -- 07/11/26
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Tuesday 07/07/2026, 21 Muharram 1448 -- After the Storm
Chandivali - SM Shetty - Cliff - Central - Powai Plaza - Orchard - Lakehomes - Nahar.
Time: 0:46:31
Mileage: 4.37 Miles - 7.03 Km
Pace: 10'39"/mile - 6'37"/km
Weather: 26C; Humidity 94%
Weight: 70 kg - 154.3 lbs (excellent)43rd Tilaavat Sunday Dhuhr Surat al-Fatihah, Surat Al-Baqarah till v 72; Asr Surat Al-Baqarah till v 121; Monday Dhuhr Surat Al-Baqarah till v 152 (Juz 2), till v 188; Asr Surat Al-Baqarah till v 217; till v 243; Maghrib Surat Al-Baqarah till v 253 (Juz 3), till v 258.
On Sunday night, I again fell asleep inadvertently after dinner, missing Marghrib and Ishaa. But woken at 10pm, I react this time, get up to pray both, to good effect.
That night was full of storms, high winds that rattle our windows. A red alert is in effect Monday morning, schools are closed, I decide not to run, which is just as well, I feel a little fragile from Saturday's run, and perform an excellent gym session instead, from which my body feels hardened.
Last night, similar sleep pattern: I fall asleep inadvertently around 8pm, after Maghrib, wake up at 10pm but do not feel the strength to make up for Ishaa. I wake up another 3 or 4 times during the night, with strong need to pee, but luckily, fall back asleep fairly easily, advancing steadily in the "Mémorial de Saint-Hélène". This has been my sleep pattern since returning from the US, although annoying, I typically wake up well rested.
The monsoon storm has calmed a bit this morning, although the city is still under alert and schools remain closed. I do go out to run, which I intend to be shorter and low-key. The rain has indeed stopped, it is still blustery, but nothing like the crazy winds of the previous days. Many downed trees or branches along the road - we saw a smashed rickshaw under a tree over the weekend - sometimes blocking the way. But I complete this run as intended, at a moderate effort, slightly longer than intended, and continuing to rehearse Surat al-An'aam.
43rd Tilaavat Dhuhr Surat Al-Baqarah till end; Asr Surat Ali-Imraan till v 92 (Juz 4); Surat Ali-Imraan till v 121.------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 07/08/2026, 22 Muharram 1448 --
Nahar - Lakehomes - Orchard - Powai Plaza - IIT near gate - Lake Powai - Raambagh - Nahar.
Time: 0:40:24
Mileage: 3.89 Miles - 6.26 Km
Pace: 10'23"/mile - 6'27"/km
Weight: 69.8 kg - 153.9 lbsYesterday, the SIR process comes to our complex. Gulzar goes, leaves with the officer saying "tumko hearing pakka milega". At least we would have done our best. Also yesterday, a video of a large crocodile being captured and rescued near Powai has been making the rounds.
Yet again this same sleep pattern, which I detail here, as it has repeated regularly since returning from the US: I wake up around 10 or 11pm, with a strong urge to pee, then again around 1:30 or 2:00, again to the toilet, and again around 3am, and luckily am able to sleep back till sometime after 4am, feeling actually quite rested. Today, I take advantage of the early start to continue learning Surat al-An'aam, pray Namaaz, and get out on an early run before trying to reach office by 8am!
The run is fine. It is still blustery and overcast, but the rain has stopped. Aiming for a shorter run, I push the pace a little, which could be the theme for this week. I actually enjoy these shorter brisker runs, yet I too rarely perform them.
And then I drive to office as planned, rushing through my preparations. Skies are darkening ominously, and sure enough, an impressive torrential downpour erupts, transforming the road to Film City into a literal river, leaving to drive cautiously against the current, with streams rushing downhill from the side streets on the left. But I reach with no problem.
43rd Tilaavat Dhuhr Surat Ali-Imraan till v 181; After Dhuhr Surat Ali-Imraan till end; Asr Surat An-Nisaah till v 24 (Juz 5), till v 33; Maghrib Surat An-Nisaah till v 71.------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 07/10/2026, 24 Muharram 1448 -- Lousy Run
Nahar - Lakehomes - Orchard - Lake Blvd - JVLR - Raambagh - Nahar.
Time: 0:32:23
Mileage: 3.04 Miles - 4.9 Km
Pace: 10'38"/mile - 6'36"/km
Weather: 29C; Humidity 81%
Weight: 69.8 kg - 153.9 lbs43rd Tilaavat Thursday Morning Surat An-Nisaah till v 92; Dhuhr Surat An-Nisaah till v 148 (Juz 6); After Dhuhr Surat An-Nisaah till end; Asr Surat al-Maidah till v 51; After Asr Surat al-Maidah till v 83 (Juz 7), till v 87.
A very lousy run!
That odd sleep pattern that had taken hold of me since returning from US has finally been disrupted, I wake up around 3am, and more or less sleep till 4:30. But strangely, like yesterday, that leaves me in a bizzare state, somewhat dizzy. Good Namaaz though, and I am reaching the end of my Surat al-An'aam revision.
And the run confirms my strange state! The rain has completely stopped, clear skies, but my first steps are miserable, like those dreams trying to run from danger but the body just won't move! Today, this bad impression does not dissipate, and I cut the route short, returning feeling rather dizzy and nearly nauseous.
A little later, I get an explanation for this, as the dizziness continues. I have simply fallen a little sick, and sleep deeply part of the morning. This does not prevent me from going to Masjid for Jummah at mid-day, and completing my Tilaavat of the day.
43rd Tilaavat before Jummah Surat al-Maidah till end; After Jummah Surat al-An'aam till v 71; Asr Surat al-An'aam till v 111 (Juz 8), till v 122; Surat al-An'aam till end.------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 07/11/2026, 25 Muharram 1448 --
Nahar - Raambagh - Lake Powai - IIT - Down IIT Hill to LBS - Back same way.
Time: 1:06:41
Mileage: 6.02 Miles - 9.68 Km
Pace: 11'04"/mile - 6'53"/km
Weather: 29C; Humidity 80%
Weight: 69.8 kg - 153.9 lbsI get up around 4:15, probably too early, feeling a bit tired like yesterday, and fearing another sick morning. But I gradually emerge at dawn through my usual rituals, and am relieved to find the run more comfortable than yesterday. I take this to little over an hour on very familiar roads, starting to tire again on the way back, but managing the effort, albeit at a very slow pace. I confirm my knowledge of the last ruku of Surat al-An'aam (before the concluding two that I know well), which I pray in Namaaz, and continue to rehearse along the run. Tentative run, but better than yesterday at least.
Later, we drive to Sawale (a long drive unfortunately). There is no electricity at first (and I wonder how we can sleep without a fan!), but after painfully paying the bill on the phone (which we hadn't received till then), it comes back! The next morning, we drive to the end of Jamburg Valley, which describes a striking cirque de montagne, a bowl shaped expanse surrounded by lush green mountains, steep cliffs and occasional rock minarets. Asking for permission here and there, Gulzar takes us through seemingly private roads to a Talaab opening to impressive views of the cliffs. What a marvelous place!
43rd Tilaavat Dhuhr Surat al-A'raf till v 73; Maghrib Surat al-A'raf till v 88 (Juz 9), till v 127 (in Sawale); 43rd Tilaavat Sunday Dhuhr Surat al-A'raf till end.
-- Jamburg Valley --