-- Gopalan settlements, Nellurahalli --
Naugondanhalli, Whitefield, Nellurahalli (11.5 Miles) -- 04/23/11
Hagadur - Imadhalli - Naugondanhalli, to the end of the road: 0:36:36
Up Whitefield Hill - Through Pattandur Agrahara - ITPL
ITPL - Pattandur - Nellurahalli - back: 1:07:11
Time: 1:43:17
Mileage: 11.5 Miles
-- Near Naugondanhalli --
(Link to complete photos on Flickr)
I have decided to go to work today. After a night of torrential
rains, the morning is relatively clear, although all trails are
very muddy. In Hagadur, I run by a group of children carrying various
things on their heads, water jars, baskets. They salute me warmly, but
for some reason I don't stop for them, a decision that I immediately
regret. In the early days, I would have undoubtedly engaged them...
Feeling particularly relaxed in the run (this has been
a theme recently), I decide for some detours, run past Naugondanhalli
into the fields, but am soon stopped by an unfordable river, which
has overflown its small rock bridge.
I turn back up the Whitefield hill, past the cemetery. Two Hindi
speaking children run the last leg with me, making it up the steepest
section. From there it's an uneventful run to ITPL, although wading
through thick mud nearby the Lake Community.
My office has flooded again from all this nocturnal rain. The guards,
with whom I now only speak in Hindi (both to their enjoyment and mine),
help clean the mess, protect the
electronic equipment.
-- Whitefield, cemetery area near the top of the hill --
Later, I run back home through Nellurahalli, where I meet several of the slumdwellers, Malikarjun and co. I can't resist spending a little time in their presence. Madhevamma, whom we've heard has not been keeping well, has nonetheless gone to work.
-- Gopalan settlements, Nellurahalli --
Hossa Mane (I), Chansandra (10.8 Miles) -- 04/24/11
E. Trail - Nellurahalli - Gopalan settlements - Madhevamma's: 0:25:13
Through Nellurahalli - ECC route - Pattandur - ITPL: 0:24:35
ITPL - Main Road - Through Chansandra - Trail to Imadhalli -
Hagadur - Forum Mall: 0:47:29
Time: 1:37:17
Mileage: 10.8 Miles
Wght: 152
Woke up feeling tired, unable to shake off dreariness.
But I have promised Madhevamma that I would visit her today, trying
to bring Jayanti with me. The run barely dissipates my weariness.
Jayanti and I spend some time at Madhevamma's, joined by the Muslim
woman from next door whom I met yesterday, and Madhevamma's husband.
She offers us tea, which we insist on not being too sweet. I follow
the conversation as best I can, understanding parts, lost in others
(the way they mutter their Hindi proves difficult at times). I ask
Jayanti to only speak in Hindi even to me, but she somehow can't
quite bring herself to it, which frankly irritates me. After all,
encouraged by the endless conversations with Kadugodi people, I know
I can do this, and am frustrated by any setback, particularly if
people start catering to me. I understand a lot more than they think!
This ill placed pride puts me in a sulky mood.
I nonetheless appreciate Madhevamma's father newfound friendship,
as the old man seems to have taken a liking to me.
Leaving Jayanti to her car, I run from here to ITPL, where I
work for a short while. No rain in office today!
Contrary to what I've said this morning, I try a quick detour via
Chansandra, in the remote hope of finding Ruksanna's new house.
I kind of remember the area, but fail to meet her of course.
A loud speaker has gathered a small crowd. I briefly explore
some of the small streets - to no avail.
On the way back, I feel increasingly exhausted, dehydrated,
make it on energy conservation mode back to the Mall where I stop
for a juice. I only have enough for a small size...
I welcome a short sleep at home, before the rest of the day.
Hossa Mane -
Sinistre lassitude -
-- Ruksanna and Sophia, Chansandra --
Hossa Mane (II), Chansandra -- 04/30/11
Hagadur - Imadhalli - Trail - Detour to Naugondanhalli -
Chansandra - College ke samne: 0:36:00 (approx)
Back same way, staying on the road: 0:33:09
Time: 1:37:17
Mileage: 7.7 Miles
-- Ruksanna in her kitcken - Sophia drinking from
my bottle --
(Link to complete photos on Flickr)
Ruksanna's house in Chansandra.
On the trail, a large snake.
Pooja. Large procession. Chariots. Swords. No time to stop
unfortunately, make my way through the crowd. Ruksanna later
tells that this has been going on for three days, last night,
no one could sleep.
Meet Ruksanna on the main road, in front of the college.
Takes me to her house, a tiny abode, barely the size of my
room, a kitchen and a room where they all sleep on the floor.
The rent is 1200 rs. / month.
Two bulbs, electricity.
She has brought a few things few things from Kadugodi,
kitchen utensils, kapre. From a large suitcase, she takes
a stack of photos, most of them mine, but also a few from
her childhood, her family. Papers, her account at Canara
bank. Because she hasn't been able to keep the minimum of
1000 rs, the bank has kept charging fees of 20rs., so the
account has gone empty.
Her electoral card.
Shazia, Shayed and Sophia.
Idlis, rice.
Sends the kids to get the kapre.
Ask for tea. Sends Shayed again to store to get ingredients,
milk, chai, shakar, and two gutkhas. She cooks on the stove,
the smoke, which they're used to, makes me cough.
Now milk for Sophia is 40rs.
Sophia playing. Pees on the floor. Then is put to sleep in
her cradle, like in the tent, a cloth hanging from the ceiling.
She pees in there too, in her sleep.
They drink from my flask.
Shazia is sewing. Ruksanna herself has been sewing last night
as she couldn't sleep, three pillows.
Shazia wears her namaaz outfit.
-- Shazia sewing in Namaaz outfit --
Ruskanna explains Bakreid. They don't kill the animals
like the Hindus do for the festivals.
I read her a story, about a musulman preparing for Eid.
Surprised by a detail, she points out that our people don't
mend shoes.
I let them go outside with the camera, they bring back
many pictures.
The children run with me to the but stop. I leave them
there on the main road, return same way. The Pooja activity
has died down.
Bahut kasht... -
Sophia - -
Mene marne ki koshish ki... -
-- Sophia at the door --
-- Ruksanna and Vahida (with Sophia) on their way to Tirupathur,
where they've gone to further preparations for the marriage --
(Link to Ruksanna's complete photos on Flickr)
De retour de Tirupathur -
Sans sommeil -
-- Manni (extreme right) with Ramaka's children,
Patalamalevet --
Patalamalevet, Kadugodi (10.6 Miles) -- 05/14/11
Hagadur - Imadhalli - North trail - "Snake" trail -
Patalamalevet: 0:50:03
Kadugodi: 0:07:42
Dinur - Elim/ECC route: 0:37:58
Time: 1:35:43
Mileage: 10.6 Miles
(Link to complete photos on Flickr)
It's been a long time. In spite of that, running feels ok,
my breath surprisingly easy.
I first meet Deivani in Patalamalevet. They haven't gone
to Tamil Nadu after all. A woman is sleeping outside at their
doorstep, fast asleep, not reacting to us as we sit beside her,
"My friend", explains Ubagarimary, "she lives here". Baby Vijay
is in great shape, fat and healthy. They haven't left since
SaundraPandiyan beat Deivani, she tells me. Later, Sampa tells
me that one of Vijay Kumar's friend beat Pandiyan in return with
a hammer, such that the youth had to beg for forgiveness, promising
to never beat Deivani again. From across the street comes Manni,
still living in horrible conditions with his mother Sampa, brother
Chet and sister Sangita who apparently has come back. Their tent
isn't even standing any more.
We spend some time here, although I have to push back Deivani's
constant begging for rice, money, etc. Ubagarimary, although in
relatively good spirits, looks older again, her mouth particularly
gnawed by the paan, blood like wounds on her lips. From a near distance,
we hear horrible screams. Ubagarimary laughs. Vo admi, ekdam
pagal hai...
-- Rebuilding Lakshmi's tent, Kadugodi --
In Kadugodi, the recent torrential storm has taken down a few
of the tents. Sampa has already rebuilt hers, but Lakshmi's
is still under construction, an effort that several of the
men (including Suresh) are helping with.
Needing to dispell the rumors that I know are floating
in the community, I justify to Sampa my prolonged absence
by explaining my situation to Sampa in some
detail, the sickness, the trip to Europe, and mostly my family
situation. She understands well, doesn't understand why things
could turn out this way. Lakshmi arrives and Sampa proceeds
to explain to her in Tamil as well, which of course I can't
quite follow. Sampa invites me into her tent, which is neatly
arranged today, to continue the conversation. She recommends
that I marry my daughter right now, or otherwise beat her, or
beat up those friends that could be a bad influence on her.
Why would she do all this, she asks, she's a great girl, she
adds, remembering having met her at the hospital during Deivani's
delivery (although in her imperfect Hindi
she keeps using accha admi, litterally meaning "good man".
Who cares, I understand her better than just about anyone here...)
I have been warned that I'd be asked about Vahida's wedding.
Sampa broaches the subject first, and I act ignorant. She's
actually rather confused, first mistakenly stating that it will
happen in eek saal (one year), than as I correct her
thinking it'll happen next month (both untrue).
We look together
at some old photos that I've brought with her younger sister
Velangani, who has now moved back with her. Sampa exits to
bring back some coconuts. Velangani, who hardly speaks any Hindi,
asks me if I've met Ruksanna in Chansandra. Indeed, I once ran
into her children and visited her house once. Tum, Cheating,
she affirms pointedly, but I can't clarify what she means.
Sampa comes back with the coconuts, followed by a band of hungry
children. She shows me how to extract the pulp with my fingers,
then laughs that I've left so much, finishing it off with an
expert motion of the thumb. Rosie appears at the entrance.
I spend a short time at Rosie's house, who insists on feeding
me some rice with a particularly delicious mix of Bainjan. Here
comes the Shadi talk again, and here too, I act dumb, as she
asks me to offer food for the event. Dekhte hai, Dekhte hai,
I respond...
-- Kuttima and husband Manni --
-- Rice preparation, in Roopa's house, Harohalli --
Paan, and a game of Barachakka (Harohalli) -- 05/15/11
Hagadur - Imadhalli - Ajgondanhalli - Timandhalli - Beautiful
trail to Harohalli: 0:47:06
Trail to Ajgondanahalli - Low road to Varthur - Vartur Kodi:
0:43:39
Time: 1:30:46
Mileage: 10.1 Miles
Wght: 151
(Link to complete photos on Flickr)
I haven't gone to Harohalli in a long time. Neethra's wedding
is set for next week.
The dogs are strangely aggressive today, in fact, for the first
time in months I end up picking rocks to threaten them back (no
problem though). On the beautiful trail to Harohalli I am called
a few times by children who know my name. On one of these occasions,
my phone rings. It's Ruksanna, calling from Tamil Nadu where she
is still arranging her sister's wedding. The youth doesn't understand
why I push him away to take the call. It turns out that the two sisters
having forgotten Vahida's mobile number don't know how to recharge it.
I misteriously write it on the dirt trail with a stick before sending
it to them as a message. The boy asks me "Some problem is there?".
I reassure him.
They've waited for me a long time in Harohalli. How many weeks
has it been that I haven't come here, like I used to every Sunday?
Seeing the children, Roopa, brings tears to my eyes.
Roopa invites me inside, where several of the women are busy
preparing rice, shaking it in baskets to separate the rocks from
the grains. Neethra as usual offers me a delicious meal in the next
room, sitting on the floor. I decide to confess to Roopa the reasons
behind my absence. In silence she seems to understand. She has been
fearing that perhaps I wouldn't even come to Neethra's marriage,
which would be a terrible blow to marvelous friendship. I reassure
her that I will make every possible effort to come, especially since
it seems like most of it will happen between next Sunday night and
Monday morning, near Hoskote. She hands me over an invitation, all
in Kannada. They show me the clothes that they've bought for the
occasions, rolling two suitcases full of Sarees and dresses for
the women and children.
Her aunt notices my Taviz. I ask Roopa that I've noticed that
I've noticed Hindus also wearing this Muslim amulet. She confirms
this custom, saying that people will seek these if there health
is failing, obtaining them at Muslim cemeteries or mosques.
They contain some parchment, which can be offered for good or
bad she warns, depending on who's giving it.
She remains pensive. If my friend is
sad, I feel sad too... I don't let her dwell on these thoughts.
The Grandmother offers me Bida (Paan), which the other women
now gathered around me eat also. They have so far refused to give
me any of the Kadipudi, a mixture of sunflower seeds which
I suspect is actually tobacco, as it would give me too much
Chakkar. But upon my pleading Tayamma finally offers me
a small pinch of the seeds, recommding that I keep them carefully
to the side of my mouth with the Paan, without swallowing. This
actually doesn't produce any effect at all, clearly not as potent
as Gutkha. With Tayamma gone, I stealthly grab another handful,
the women laughing in connivence. Still no effect.
-- Food preparation, Ambuja's house --
I spend a little time at Ambuja's house, then as I'm about to leave
join a group of women outside who are playing a game on the ground.
Manjula gives me her turn. The game is called Barachaka,
played with four shells and little stones on a chalk drawn board.
I try again and again to obtain a Bara by throwing the shells
upside down, but fail every time. Finally Manjula takes over, making
me somehow win, even though I don't understand anything about how
the stones are moved based on the disposition of the shells.
We eat more Paan, to my great surprise Renuka even gives some
to baby Manish!!
In spite of the midday dhoup, and against everyone's
advice, I finally run back home.
-- A game of Barachakka, Harohalli --
De retour de Chennai (Usse zor se mara) -
Un an déjà, souvenir de Buma -
Uski Masti, Mujhe Soulana... -
Souvenirs d'enfance, Agarbatti... -
Téléphone et Ration Card -
Gurumurti Levet, Ramamurtinagar, K.R.Puram, Lalbagh, Hoskote - -
Belu aa raha hai... -
Hame ji nahi dete... -
Avant le marriage -
Ruksanna in Chennai -- 05/29/11
Wed 05/25/11 --
Siddapura - Nellurahalli - Pattandur - ITPL
Time: 0:27:25
Pace: 8'30" / mile
Mileage: 3.2 Miles
Ruksanna has left yesterday afternoon rather unexpectedly to Chennai,
finishing touches to the wedding. She asked me if I could drop her
at KRPuram but I refused, especially since I was embarking on a painful
quest for medical attention for my degrading finger (First, Manipal,
which was so horrendous that I ended up walking out, then later RXDX
where things turned out great). Coming back from this, and with Ruksanna
away in Chennai, I briefly collapse in Vanitha's office, sobbing before
recomposing myself. Towards 8:30pm is when Ruksanna calls me having
just reached Chennai before calling her brother to pick her up, and
interrupting a phone call on the other line with Cecile (I've been
instructing people to call me on the Blackberry to keep the mobile
free for her).
Anyway, storms through the night, unusual, in fact, still barish aur
garaj this morning, reduced by the time I come out, although still a
steady rain and distant thunder. It actually feels good, and I finally
feel rested and clear with Ruksanna away, much better than yesterday.
I produce a surprisingly fast'ish pace. As usual these days, I'm still
chewing my morning GUtkha on the run, which I spit before reaching ITPL.
Thursday 05/26/11 --
ECC route, detour through Whitefield Circle.
Time: 0:33:01
Pace: 8'30" / mile
Mileage: 3.9 Miles
Ruksanna still in Chennai. Was bored all yesterday, alone at home,
her brother at work.
I meet Sonu Khan on the way, since a very long time. He's leaving for
Bihaar next month to attend to his sick father. His brothers in Saudi
Arabia or Dubai are also helping, he does not have much money to
contribute towards medical care. He invites me for Sunday for Biryani.
Upon parting, I tell him "Main kissi se pyaar karta houn..."
Sunday 05/29/11 --
Vartur - gunjur - katerigupa - neriga: 0:58:67
(Walk break to Muthsandra) - Kotur - Harohalli: 0:19:57
Time: 1:19:04
Mileage: 8.8 Miles
Wght: 154
Today is Vahida's wedding, hence will not be able to see Ruksanna at all.
I decide to run to Harohalli taking a somewhat longer way, but I've
overestimated my strength. My breathing is difficult, clearly affected
by the excess of Gutkha, and this morning feels particularly hot. Past
Nerige, I take a long walk break to Muthsandra, finishing my two water
flasks. I replenish in the village, invited in a house by a young man
where I'm offered food as well - which I refuse. I resume this painful
run to Harohalli where I'm quite late (I was supposed to meet Roopa's
father around 10). We eventually drive all together to Polanhalli (near
Devanhalli) where Neethra is staying with her husband. A week after
wedding, they're offering a big non-veg meal to which I've been invited.
After the meal, we eat Paan in excess, having not much else to do. I
unfortunately fail to connect with the many Telugu speakers, my mind
captured by my love. We eventually start back around 4, feeling drowsy
and disheartened from the excessive food. Ruksanna won't call tonight
before 10, the Shadi successfully completed. A lot of work for her that
day...
-- Serving Ragibol --
Small runs -- 06/03/11
Tuesday 06/07/11 --
ECC route - detour through the Circle (x1)
Time: 0:35:36
ER Pace: 8'40"
Mileage: 4.1 Miles
Wght: 152.5
Ran again for the first time in a while, later start at work, and Ruksanna lets me go. In spite of various small muscular pains (I haven't been stretching much either), the run itself feels good, breathing much easier now with the reduced use of Gutkha, down from the recent excesses to two a day.
Wednesday 06/08/11 --
Straight route
Time: 0:26:02
Pace: 8'40" / mile
Mileage: 3 Miles
Wght: 152.5
Left Ruskanna at home, waking her up just before I go, after her night of
pain. I buy Gutkha on the way, it has indeed increased to 2.50, what an
inflation in such a short time! I ate one Chupke this morning while doing
my stretching while Ruksanna and Sophia were asleep. I contemplate her in
her slumber, the warmth of my love overwhelming my body.
Again being out running feels good, overcast weather and wind. I try to hurry
back to see her between morning meetings, barely make it because of frustrating
misunderstandings with Xavier. It turns out he has asked her as well about
his children's tuition, for some reason, so that "uska kaam asan hoga", she
thinks. He has also been questioning her as to why we meet her so far from
her house in Chansandra. I continue to worry about his possible defection.
After hesitation, she decides to leave with me at 9:15, asked to be dropped
on the road to Dinur to go to Kadugodi. Fear...
-- In Paris (Gay Pride) --
Paris -- 06/26/11
Sat 06/25 --
Jardin des plantes - Bastille - Richard Lenoir - Canal St Martin -
Stalingrad: 0:33:31
Gare de l'Est - St Denis - Notre Dame - St Jacques -
Pantheon: 0:35:37
Time: 1:09:08
Mileage: 7.7 Miles
Apres que Ruksanna ait dit que son mari lui avait confie Shayed (et que de ce fait, elle gardait le telephone eteint), elle demeure desesperement injoignable. Journees difficiles.
Sun 06/26 --
Blvd Montparnasse - Rue de Rennes - Raspail - Assemblee Nationale: 0:21:51
Quais de Seine - Cardinal Lemoine: 0:27:48
Time: 0:49:40
Mileage: 5.5 Miles
C'etait mon telephone qui ne marchait pas! Elle a attendu jour et nuit,
pendant que j'essayais jour et nuit! Nous concluons encore que nous ne
saurions vivre l'un sans l'autre.
Do din baki hai...
The start of Ramzan -- 08/02/11
Monday 08/01/11 --
Siddapura - Nellurahalli - ECC route - Lake Trail
Time: 0:42:19
Mileage: 4.7 Miles
Wght: 151
This weight loss, if correct, seems unlikely, given how much Ruksanna
has been feeding me.
Today is a day of grave crisis, possibly at its apex, while Ruksanna
will go into Kadugodi to finally confront her husband.
Tuesday 08/02/11 --
Straight route.
Time: 0:24:35
Mileage: 3 Miles
Fast pace: After having gotten up at four to start Ramzan, I was thinking
I wouldn't run, but unable to reach Xavier, I'm forced to run at the last
minute. I make it just in time...
Gutkha -- 08/10/11
Wednesday 08/10/11 --
W. Trail - Nellurahalli - Borewell Rd. - ECC route - Lake Trail
Time: 0:37:43
Mileage: 4.2 Miles
Wght: 155
Having abandonned Gutkha for 3 days now, breathing starting to get
better. Met Sonu Khan on the way. Explained a little more family situation
and relationship with Ruksanna. Asked him about passport, he says he'll
try to find out and call me back (gave him a missed call).
In Chansandra (7.9 Miles) -- 08/21/11
W. Trail - Borewell rd. - Whitefield - Imadahalli: 0:34:45
Trail - Bottom of Hill - Vijay Nagar - Holy Cross - ECC, shortcut trail -
Lake Trail - ITPL: 0:36:11
Time: 1:10:56
Mileage: 7.9 Miles
The first semi-long run in a long long time.
A terrible wake-up, after a night where Ruksanna, staying in Chansandra,
called me a few times, desperately unable to sleep. I wake up depressed,
hopeless. I decide to run neverthless, after she has assured me that she
won't come in the morning anyway. I have to be at work by 11, and we hope
to somehow meet later, although that seems uncertain. I don't see a solution
to all this, and doubt that I can face my yearning for her.
The run feels surprisingly good though, relatively easy given the
circumstances. In spite of my resolve, I have still eaten one Gutkha
in the morning, but it hasn't dipped me down where I was on Friday. I buy
15 towards the end of my run.
Back to the villages (13.7 Miles) -- 08/28/11
Chansandra - Naugondnahalli - Ajgondanahalli - Timadahalli -
Harohalli: 0:31:41
Kotur - Muthsandra - Trail - Katiregupa: 0:49:04
Gunjur road - Trail to Varthur - Back: 0:42:39
Time: 2:03:24
Mileage: 13.7 Miles
Ruksanna had to work at Didi's house, then go to Kadugodi to take
pictures in front of her puranavalla Ghar so that the govt might
grant her a new one, so we drop her on the road to Dinur around
10. I then ask Xavier to drop me near Chansandra to run from there.
The weather is pleasant with intermittent sunshine and rather strong
winds. My running is much better than expected, my breath relatively
easy, and hardly much pain in the limbs. I purposefully avoid Harohalli
where I haven't gone in so long, not wanting to be stopped, and somewhat
fearful that the villagers might have rejected me by now. I consequently
don't meet anyone on the way, just friendly bypassers who wave at
a distance. I am carrying a single flask of water (in my hand), which
I replenish along the trail from Muthsandra to Nerige, where I meet
a man from Koramangala whose farm is here. He offers me "warm" water,
meaning it's been boiled I guess.
I experiment with a few new trails, sometimes to dead-ends. I do find
a nice shortcut which bypasses Nerige. For some reason, from that point
on, I am unable to find drinkable water, in Katerigupa denied by villagers
who state it's unfit for drinking (although I've had it from here before)
or later by people who uncharacteristically stare at me. I find another
good trail which leads me straight back into Varthur.
There, I spot a familiar figure among the crowd: An old man carrying
a handmade sign picturing rats. It's Ruksanna's father, probably selling
his services in the village. I stop on the side to buy her a garland
of flowers as promised. By then she has called so I hurry back home.
From Ozone (6.8 Miles) -- 09/02/11
Ozone - imadhalli - ajgondnahalli - up - Madhuranagar - Vartur.
Time: 1:01:27
Mileage: 6.8 Miles
We have moved to Ozone.
Ruksanna has gone to KRPuram to take care of Saddam who's been abducted
by a neighbor after complaints that they were beating the child to death.
So I go for a run, for the first time from Ozone, revisiting these roads
for the first time in a while. As I approach Madhuranagar, I run into Shilpa,
who greets me beaming (I was worried that they wouldn't talk to me after
so long). She invites me for food but I refuse. Her new house, still in
construction, has advanced quite a bit, a two-storey concrete structure,
still with no paint. Little Shrikrishna has grown. They are keeping like
last year an altar for the Ganesha, ask me for a contribution.
It's very windy today, intermittent sunshine. I buy Gutkha somewhere near
Varthur, although the weight of its consumption in my chest is bringing
me down. I should stop and so should Ruksanna.
Vijay Nagar (7.9 Miles) -- 09/10/11
Ozone - Imadhalli - Trail - Vijay Nagar (no hill) - Holy Cross -
Lake trail shortcut - ITPL: 0:45:14
ITPL - nellurhalli - Borewell road - Main rd -
Ozone hagadur entrance: 0:25:36
Time: 1:10:50
Mileage: 7.9 Miles
On the way out, I think this is the shortest way to cut the
Hill route (about 45 minutes). Other routes are definitely
shorter than from Palm Meadows.
Muthsandra (9.7 Miles) -- 09/18/11
Varthur - upper rd near market - Nerige / Muthsandra jct: 0:38:54
Muthsandra: 0:7:39
Low road - Imadihalli: 0:40:37
Time: 1:27:10
Mileage: 9.7 Miles
Wght: 155
For 5,000 roupies (9 Miles) -- 09/25/11
Imadihalli - trail - naugondanhalli - vijay nagar hill: 0:40:33
Prashanth layout - main rd - itpl main gate: 0:15:23 (0:55:55)
Pattandur - Nellurahalli - Borewell - PM hamlet - trail shortcut: 0:25:14
Time: 1:21:09
Mileage: 9 Miles
Again, blistering sunshine.
Ruksanna went to chansandra this morning to recover her 5000 rs.
Illness -- 11/06/11
Wednesday 10/26/11 --
Ozone - Main Rd. - Borewell rd. - Nellurahalli - Pattandur
Time: 0:28:26
Mileage: 3.1 Miles
Wght: 149
Have lost further weight due to illness and lack of exercise. But things are a bit better, apetite slowly returning. I decide to run last minute not giving much prep time early morning. Although this is slow and somewhat uncomfortable, it's still nicely energizing to be out there.
Sunday 11/06/11 --
Hagadur - imadihalli - ajgondanhalli road - vartur - back.
Time: 0:51:38
Mileage: 5.7 Miles
Wght: 147
(I don't know if I should trust this unbelievable weight loss!)
Quite painful, actually. The day opened to miraculous blue sky (after days
of heavy rains) and a clean wake-up, but 1/2 hr into the run, exhaustion
sets in and I need to take frequent walk breaks on the way back. Obviously,
I have now become completely detrained, in addition to whatever recent
weakness and strange digestion (basically, eating food exhausts me).
-- Near Imadihalli --
Recovery (6.7 Miles) -- 11/15/11
Tuesday 11/15/11 --
Hagadur - Imadihalli - Trail - Upervalla rasta (hill): 0:26:51
Holy Cross - Elim / ECC - PM hamlet - trail shortcut: 0:33:30
Time: 1:00:20
Mileage: 6.7 Miles
Wght: 68 kg / 150 lbs
Last minute cancellation of early morning mtg. Ruksanna allows me to go for a run anyway and come back. Wonderful weather again. Run feels pretty good, able to run the 1 hour in relative comfort.
Friday 11/18/11 --
Main Road - Siddapura - Nellurahalli - Sai Baba route.
Time: 0:41:52
Mileage: 4.6 Miles
Ok run, here too coming back to a very long abandonned route.
The landscape has changed a bit, mostly because construction
is progressing fast (even in the Nellurahalli corridor), and
some worker settlements have been dismantled (e.g. the big
colony in Nallurahalli), replaced by smaller ones.
Unfortunately new signs of exhaustion. Not sure if I'm still sick
or not, or if this could be TB. General weakness, heaviness in the
chest (but no cough) and most importantly lack of apetite, heavy
digestion.
Nerige (8.2 Miles) -- 11/27/11
Vartur - gunjur: 0:30:35
Road to Nerige - 1st valid dirt rd to the left,
before Banyan jct: 0:10:31
Dirt road - Tippasandra - vartur - back: 0:33:03
Time: 1:14:08
Mileage: 8.2 Miles
Drizzle, wet & muddy from 3 days of rain, but good!
Return to Chansandra (6.6 Miles) -- 12/02/11
Hagadur - imadihalli - trail to Chansandra: 0:23:47
Main rd to Hope Farm: 0:10:26
Upervalla rasta - Whitefield small streets and alleys
(got lost several times) -
hagadur rd by chicken doukaan.
Time: 0:59:33
Mileage: 6.6 Miles
Returned to Chansandra for first time in a long time. There making
out people among the crowd, but no familiar faces (although was
I seen?).
Early winter mornings -- 12/25/11
Tuesday 12/20/11 --
Main rd - Siddapura - Nellurahalli - Sai Baba - ITPL
Time: 0:40:04
Mileage: 4.5 Miles
Actually, a great run, breathing feels very easy in the morning chill (a 6:30 start so for once it's not night). I have not been able to run for some days due to Ruksanna's illness. But a terrible new alert has surfaced: She has started developping ulcers in her mouth.
Wed 12/21/11 --
Hagadur - Imadihalli - Borewell rd. - Nellurahalli - Pattandur - ITPL
Time: 0:40:06
Mileage: 4.5 Miles (but this is probably a faster pace).
Another start at 6am, this being the shortest night, in full darkness,
especially since a lot of street lights are off.
A lot of activity by the temples, ApamaSwami (according to Ruksanna).
All this week, black clad men, and separately, orange and red clad
women have been out in force. Today, cross a couple colorful loud
buses of such pilgrims, and many bajan / poojas in the streets in
spite of the early cold dark morning. Running generally feels good,
good breath.
Thursday 12/22/11 --
Siddapura - Nellurhalli - Sai Baba
Time: 0:39:56
Mileage: 4.5 Miles
Wght: 70 kg
Another dark start at 6, particularly since there is a lot of fog.
This is actually one of the coldest mornings I can remember in India...
Friday 12/23/11 --
Hagadur - Imadihalli - Trail - Vijay Nagar - Upervalla rasta (hill) -
Holy Cross - "Dog's alley" - ITPL side.
Time: 0:42:24
Mileage: 4.7 Miles
Again surpringly cold weather, and bad dogs (but no real problems).
I carry a couple rocks through "dog's alley" (the shortcut behind
the main road leading to IPTL).
Sunday 12/25/11 -
main entrance - shortcut - pm hamlet - ecc route - elim - upervalla rasta
- down to trail - imadihalli / hagadur.
Time: 0:57:32
Mileage: 6.4 Miles
Wonderful weather!
-- San Francisco Beach --
Golden Gate Park to the ocean (9.3 Miles) -- 12/31/11
Panhandle - GG Park W. Side - Great Highway: 0:39:14
Back E. Side - Haight: 0:44:28
Time: 1:23:42
Mileage: 9.3 Miles
Beautiful clear weather, but cold. Body aches, but excellent effortless
breath. Adjustment to jet lag quite good. Later, frustrations with rental
car and skype and lost ICICI card...
-- San Francisco --
Golden Gate (9.8 Miles) -- 01/01/12
Masonic - Presidio - Crissy Fields: 0:31:10
Golden gate bridge: 0:16:46
Through presidio via Lincoln - Washington - Arguello - GG park - Whole
Foods at Haight: 0:44:06
Time: 1:28:07
Mileage: 9.8 Miles
Started sore and a bit tired, but got better as the run went on. Another
race on Crissy field. Semi-lost on the way back, but actually found a good
route. Pictures for Ruksanna along the way.