-- Madeleine, Jeremie and Nuptse --
Twin Peaks -- 01/05/12
Wed 01/04/12 --
Buena Vista Park - Randall Museum - Twin Peaks
Time: 0:49:42
Mileage: 5.5 Miles
Thurs 01/05/12 --
Up to the Top from Delmar: 0:20:59
Down to Portola: 0:10:03
Back up to the Top, via trails & detours: 0:13:48
Back Delmar: 0:13:09
Time: 0:57:58
Mileage: 6.4 Miles
-- Up on Twin Peaks --
Sunny again, but cold. After a horrible night of insomnia,
dark thoughts. Ruksanna has gone to her village (tirupatur?) And is
not calling. I called her once through the night, but hearing many voices
around her, only asked her once if she was ok.
Next day:
A better night sleep. I managed to talk to Ruksanna on the phone
during the night. I caught her very happy, in her native village,
somewhere by the water where she was enjoying (immensely) a
Hampi-like scenery. Her phone wasn't working from here which is
why she wasn't calling.
Mood overall is better compared to the last few days' concerning despair.
-- Madeleine, ready for a party --
Golden Gate and Marin Headlands (12.3 Miles) -- 01/08/12
-- Approaching the bridge --
Lincoln blvd at Lobos Creek - Down and up Battery Bluff trl -
Coastal trl to Bridge - across the Golden Gate - Down under
the bridge and back - up into Marin Headlands,
up to intersection: 0:57:23
Back down - Vista pnt - back across bridge - looking for Lincoln Blvd
(construction work) - Lincoln blvd back to Lobos Creek: 0:53:00
Time: 1:50:23
Mileage: 12.3 Miles
Superb run. A classic.
-- Along the Bay --
Redwood Shores Peninsula (7.1 Miles) -- 01/10/12
Time: 1:03:55
Mileage: 7.1 Miles
Cold early morning, but beautiful clear skies.
It's been a while that I haven't been here, this area
that remains tied to the last days before my departure to India.
But it seems that I've moved on now, immune from that time as
I run around the peninsula. A new section has opened actually,
where there used to be this field with sheep, a bizzare sight
in this developping suburbia. Now it's all villas.
-- Redwood Shores --
Back to Patalamalevet (10.1 Miles) -- 01/29/12
Hagadur - Imadihalli - North route - Snake trail - Patalamalevet: 0:36:04
Chansandra - trail - uppervalla rasta - hill: 0:22:16
Holy cross - Elim - ecc road - PM hamlet - shortcut to Ozone: 0:32:40
Time: 1:30:59
Mileage: 10.1 Miles
Wght: 72.7 kg / 160 lb
In a questionable decision, I decide to go on the Patalamalevet side,
using the old "snake" trail. I've been up early enough that I can leave
around 7, hope to be back by 9 before Ruksanna wakes up.
The Snake Trail has been cleared of most of its trees, making it far
less dark and ominous. I've decided to pass by Patalamalevet on the
Chansandra road, right by where Ubagarimary used to live. Sure enough,
even though it's been a while, I'm called from afar, "Uncle, Uncle..."
It's Mani and his little brother. His parents are living outside by
the road in the same spot I last saw them, with one major addition:
Sathia is back. I can't help but stop briefly. They seem to be waking
up, Sathia in particular staring at me with an unreadable expression,
while her father complains about "jwara" (fever). I explain to them
that I've been away "videsh", but these people hardly speak any Hindi.
Manni asks for biscuits than photos, both of which I refuse, as I'm
(truthfully) carrying neither camera nor money. Gesturing at my watch,
I resume the run.
Ubaragarimary former shack has indeed been vacated. The roof is gone,
vegetation invading the place. I am called from the other side of the
street but pay no heed. Running up this main road elicits its usual
deep rooted feelings, at the sight of the many abysmal characters that
litter the street. Will I be recognized or stopped?
The run proceeds uninterrupted, crossing Chansandra into the back trails
and up the Vijay Nagar Hill, back to the posher ECC area.
I admit to Ruksanna that I've met Sathia and Manni this morning. She
controls her frustration. You've been to Patalamalevet she asks, and
seeing right through my timid erroneous denial, she insists: I've
stopped going there, so why should you? If you want to lose me, then
keep going there. Surely people will talk now. Ubagarimary still lives
there, right by the theatre, with some man. If you meet her, she won't
let you go, surely you'll have to return to Kadugodi.
I humbly accept how foolish I've been, and promise to not go again.
Madeleine -- 02/23/12
Main road - Siddapura - Nellurahalli - Sai Baba - ITPL
Time: 0:39:46
Mileage: 4.4 Miles
Wght: 71.9 kg / 158.5 lbs
Exhaustion again, after a terrible night of insomnia, fueled by Madeleine's
renewed disappearance, and a pesky mosquito. I cry like a child to Ruksanna,
main nahi so sakta, et elle me masse gentiment. Le matin (Madeleine n'a
toujours pas reparu), elle se leve pour une fois peu apres moi, je lui
montre un peu plus d'optimisme, et m'excuse de mon comportement la nuit
derniere. J'apprendrai plus tard que Tyler a quitte Madeleine, et Cecile
me rappelle aux Etats-Unis avec une vigueur renouvellee. Ruksanna plus
tard m'avoue qu'elle a en pleure d'inquietude. Elle qui avait rona
band kia, la voila qui pleure plus frequemment.
Golden Gate Park (7.3 Miles) -- 02/29/12
Golden Gate Park, to polo fields and back.
Time: 1:06:09
Mileage: 7.3 Miles
Cold weather. Arrived yesterday. Looking for Madeleine in the Park,
but to no avail.
Was thinking of running other days as well but moka nahi mila.
Back -- 03/04/12
Imadihalli - Trail - Ajgondanahalli - Timandihalli -
Beautiful route to Harohalli: 0:30:54
Back via smaller trail - same way: 0:29:13
Time: 1:00:06
Mileage: 6.7 Miles
Wght: 71.7 kg / 158 lbs
Straight off the plane, arrived that morning at 3am. Pretty good
run though, around 9:30. Very hot weather. Careful to avoid Harohalli,
or meeting people. In spite of that, Rahman calls my name and waves to
me (I wave back but don't stop, shrugging my shoulders), and on the
trails a tall boy from Harohalli on a bike also calls me by name.
-- Nina, Pattandur Agrahara --
Longer Commute (6.5 Miles) -- 03/09/12
Hagadur - Trail by Hanuman Temple - Northern Route -
Naugondahalli: 0:25:14
Vijay Nagar - Uppervalla rasta - Top of Hill: 0:14:23
Holy Cross - ECC - Lake Trail - Pattandur - ITPL: 0:19:12
Time: 0:58:49
Mileage: 6.5 Miles
No morning meetings, hence a 7:40 start. I slept well last night,
after another day of critical exhaustion yesterday (these continue
to be dangerously concerning).
Beautiful day, decide to experiment with a longer route. Meet a family
on the northern trail who asks me for photos. They happen to be the
family from the last house of that little hamlet on the way, whose
photos I had taken once or twice. I deny them.
I'm bothered by dog in Naugodanahalli, but handle it nicely, with calm
and poise. Later, I decide to take the shortcut to the Lake Trail. I am
called by one of the familiar men here, and his family. I decide to stop
finally, take pictures of Nina and other children, like in the old days.
I let them play with the Iphone touchscreen, which of course after
the initial hesitation fascinates them.
The man, eating half naked his plate of rice, engages in conversation.
He remembers my frequent visits, the clothes distributions, my family.
They speak Orissa Bhasha, but are fluent in Bengali and Hindi as well.
I allude to the fact the I "love another woman" here, which makes him
laugh a lot and piques his curiosity. I leave them happy of the
incident, remembering fondly how this used to be my daily routine.
Back to Dunmore House (4.8 Miles) -- 03/27/12
Main Road - W. Trail - Dunmore House (short way) - Nellurahalli -
Borewell rd. - Ecc Route - Lake Trail
Time: 0:43:27
Mileage: 4.8 Miles
Wght: 72.4 kg / 159.6 lbs
Later start, nice, but breath difficult.
Decide last minute to take the Dunmore House route after such
a long time, but I don't venture near any of the familiar
dwellings. Here too, development is carving out whole sections,
the bumpy dirt trail that cuts straight to Nellurahalli has been
paved because a new apartment complex is being built there!
Meet Sonu Khan in Pattandur, such a long time. I tell him that
"she doesn't let me run". We laugh.
Nerige Muthsandra (8.8 Miles) -- 04/01/12
Vartur - rd at the police station - Nerige / Mutsandra cross: 0:39:14
Mutsandra - low road - Ajgondanahalli - Imadihalli: 0:40:27
Time: 1:19:41
Mileage: 8.8 Miles
Wght: 71.5 kg / 157.6 lbs
Longer than I planned for. Tired on the way back, heat, walk breaks.
Ruksanna calls me to come pick me up, but still I finish by foot.
Through Naugondanahalli (7.2 Miles) -- 04/09/12
Monday 04/09/12 --
Hagadur - Hanuman Temple Trail - North route - Naugondanahalli -
Uppervalla Rasta - Hill: 0:41:02
Holy Cross - Elim - Pattandur - ITPL: 0:23:34
Time: 1:04:36
Mileage: 7.2 Miles
Wght: 71.6 kg / 157.8 lbs
Tuesday 04/10/12 --
Same as yesterday, but with Lake Trail:
Hagadur - Hanuman Temple Trail - North route - Naugondanahalli: 0:25:25
Uppervalla Rasta - Hill: 0:14:51 (0:40:16)
Holy Cross - Elim - Lake Trail - Pattandur - ITPL: 0:22:11
Time: 1:02:27
Mileage: 7 Miles
Great, although very hot. Really felt like running after a whole weekend
spent indoors at home!
Next day: Same hour (8am start), hot weather (peak at 35C during the day).
A little more tired than yesterday but overall good.
-- Coconut climbers, near Ajgondahanahalli --
Harohalli (8.5 Miles) -- 04/14/12
Hagadur - Trail - Ajgondanahalli - Dead End Trails - Timadihalli -
Beautiful route to Harohalli: 0:45:18
Back via shorter trail - Same way: 0:31:38
Time: 1:16:56
Mileage: 8.5 Miles
Ruksanna sends me running, as I'm crying from hearing
about Madeleine, and she's worried that
staying home I'll just brood. It's 8:30 and already hot
(peak at 35C today), but the run is very
pleasant. I explore new trails that end up being dead-ends,
meeting coconut tree climbers
along the way. Later, a boy asks me if I have stopped at
Rupa's house. No, sadly, I don't
go there any more.
The end of the run is a bit tiring in the heat, but overall ok.
KRPuram (6.6 Miles) -- 04/24/12
ITPL - To the Rail Tracks - Left - Hoodi - Ayappanagar -
ChikkuDevasandra - to some temple - Back.
Time: 0:59:53
Mileage: 6.65 Miles
A first: I run *after* the morning meeting (around 7:30) from ITPL.
This is an opportunity to explore some new roads for the first time
in a while. I had been curious about what lies after the Hoodi railroad
crossing, so here we go. But it's not as rural as I thought. I end
up venturing in the KRPuram area (which must be quite large), and the
roads, although small, are busier than I'd like, so I eat a lot of
pollution. Even this early, the temperature is very hot (highs of 36C
during the day), but nevertheless, this is a good run, coming after
another night of unbearable anguish that Ruksanna barely manages to quell.
Madeleine in the wild, Lehi, Utah
Redwood Shores (8.4 Miles) -- 05/02/12
Redwood Shores: Sofitel along Bay Area Trail into Foster City,
until good view of San Mateo Bridge (beyond mile marker 5).
Time: 1:17:34
Mileage: 8.4 Miles
Sample miles: 9'25" 9'40" 9'07"
Pace: 9'15" / mile
Some sample miles taken on mile markers along the way seem to
indicate that my pace has slowed down in the last few years.
Not 100% sure how much I can trust those measurements though.
In any case, a pretty good run. Breathing is particularly good,
as usual when coming to the lower altitude Bay Area.
Cisco building, Redwood Shores
San Mateo Bridge (10 Miles) -- 05/03/12
Sofitel Redwood Shores to San Mateo Bridge and back.
Time: 1:33:07
Mileage: 10 Miles
Sample Miles: 9'06" 9'10" 9'09" 9'42" 9'21" 9'16"
Pace: 9'15" / mile
As yesterday, very good breath, but many body aches.
This confirms my slow down in pace. The discrepancy
in timings are mostly due to wind direction. I reach
the bridge in about 45 minutes. It feels great to run
in this much cooler weather compared to Bangalore, that,
and altitude, explain that endurance is much better here.
The plot thickens -- 05/10/12
Main road - Siddapura - Nelurahalli - Pattandur - ITPL
Time: 0:30:51
Mileage: 3.35 Miles
Wght: 71.8 kg / 158.3 lbs
Ruksanna a decide de m'envoyer courir apres tout, contrairement
a son interdiction prealable. C'est effectivement une bonne
decision, car la peur m'a tenu le ventre toute la journee hier,
et je sens que me cacher ne fait que la renforcer. Je doute que
quoique ce soit arrive dehors de bon matin, et ressens le besoin
d'un retour a quelque normalite.
Mais la nuit est a nouveau terrible, sommeil fragmente. La journee
a ete mauvaise. Une reflexion de Ruksanna a propos de ces Gundas
qui tenteraient de me "marna" a raviver mes peurs incontrolables.
Je ressens la peur au plus profond de mes tripes, incapable
de controler la sensation, me sentant plus que jamais inadequat.
Quand je suis rentre, Ruksanna a bien remarquer ma distance.
Helas, la peur s'avere plus puissante que mon amour, et je
ne peux a peine la toucher. La nuit, durant
un de mes episodes plus agites, Ruksanna comme souvent tente de
m'apaiser en me massageant les pieds.
Au matin, je me reveille tout de meme a l'heure pour courir.
Je suis descendu faire mes preparatifs que Ruksanna vient
me rejoindre. Il s'avere que je suis entrain d'ecrire un email
a mes parents pour les rassurer: En vacances sur une ile sans
communication telephonique, ils s'inquietent enormement de la
description laconique que je leur ai faite des evenements recents.
Entendant cela, Ruksanna explose de colere: Pourquoi parles-tu
de tout cela a tout le monde!? Ceci est une petite affaire! Tout
a cause de moi, ils vont me detester! Je devrais te quitter pour
ne plus te causer de trouble!! Elle s'effondre en larmes.
Je la rassure. Je me sens mieux ce matin, la peur ventrale
a disparu, et je me sens bien a l'idee de courir, croyant
que cela continuera a retablir mon courage. Elle m'encourage
encore a partir, comprenant bien que cela ameliorera mon humeur
(elle commence a connaitre ces acces de depression), mais elle
se demande si elle devrait mera piccha karna hai. Je la en
dissuade. Rien ne se passera ce matin, je plaisante, a cette
heure, les "goundas" dorment tous... Cela lui arrache
enfin un rire. Elle repond: Ils se levent plutot a
quatre heures du matin, pour attrapper les gens...
Le trajet se passe bien. Suivant les conseils de Ruksanna,
je ne m'aventure pas sur les petits chemins, me confinant
aux routes plus frequentees. Les chiens sont etonnament
aggressifs ce matin, d'ailleurs, une petite meute
m'intimide plus que de normal en traversant Nellurahalli,
s'approchant plus qu'a l'habitude. Je les dompte sans grande
encombre, mais se peut-il qu'ils sentent l'effet de cette
peur hideuse qui m'a saisit le ventre hier?
Adi a des nouvelles pour moi. Hier, Smith, le patron de la
compagnie de transport qui emploie Xavier, ayant eu vent
de l'affaire est venu au bureau agite: Il ne comprend pas
qu'on ne l'ait pas officiellement notifie, alors que ce
sont ses gens, et qu'il a tout les moyens pour arranger
l'affaire. Et de plus, il ne veut pas perdre notre business.
Du coup, il appelle Xavier devant eux, le violente au
telephone pour ses actions inconsiderees. S'il avait besoin
d'argent, pourquoi ne le lui a-t-il pas demande? (Il s'avererait
que Smith aurait aussi aide pour le Lease de Xavier, ce meme
argent que Jayanti et moi lui avions donne!). Smith propose
de nous fournir un security driver qui serait completement sur...
Plus tard, encadre de policiers, Smith s'est rendu a la maison
de Xavier, l'intimder plus fermement.
Mais une autre revelation a fait surface: Shrinivas pretend
maintenant que, s'etant rendue a KRPuram, Ruksanna serait
revenue a la voiture precipitament, ordonnant a Shrinivas
de demarrer vite et de ne pas s'arreter quoiqu'il arrive,
car il se pourrait que son mari accompagne de quatre
hommes la poursuive. ceci porte une nouvelle dimension
a l'affaire qui nous embarasse tous. Je sens particulierement
le poids d'entrainer la boite dans cette affaire privee,
mettant potentiellement la vie d'autres en danger. Mais
le soutien de la boite est inflexible, du reste, l'affaire
est monte droit jusqu'a Joe Aguilar qui a decide de nous
offrir toute precaution necessaire.
Katiregupa (7.6 Miles) -- 05/13/12
Vartur - Tipasandra - trail to Katiregupa rd: 0:29:12
Towards Katiregupa: 0:06:12
Back via last rd on the left (Hasahalli), now newly paved: 0:35:27
Time: 1:10:52
Mileage: 7.65 Miles
Wght: 71.8 kg / 158 lbs
Rendu boueux par les recentes pluies. Il semble que le temps
s'en trouve rafraichi (maximum de 31C), tempere par un vent
agreable, mais je transpire neanmoins en abondance.
Slow pace, but pleasant in the end, managed to stay under control.
Decline (4.8 Miles) -- 05/15/12
Varthur Kodi - W. Trail - Dunmore House - Nellurahalli - Borewell rd. -
ECC road - Pattandur Agrahara.
Time: 0:44:41
Mileage: 4.85 Miles
Wght: 72.2 kg
My running has considerably declined, feeling so short of breath that
I have to take a walk break at the entrance of ECC road (or it could
be that I'm not digesting Marie Annick's bread, which I've been trying
to interrupt). I feel better after that, but still run slow.
This morning's meeting has been cancelled, but I neverthless got up
early, spending precious loving time with Ruksanna before leaving.
Yesterday was awful, so this is better. Mosquitoes through the night.
Even though temperatures should have come down with the rains (around
31C), this still feels hot, and I'm sweating profusely.
Since the Events (4.0 Miles) -- 05/16/12
Hagadur - Whitefield - Outer Circle - ECC - Pattandur Agrahara
Time: 0:37:14
Mileage: 4.00 Miles
First time running through here since the "events". As expected,
nothing happens, even through GandhiPuram.
Some violent storms have agitated the area since yesterday afternoon,
and through the night. Even this morning, distant thunder is still
heard, and halfway through the run the rain starts falling heavily,
creating large areas of mud. In a way, this makes the run pleasant...
Through Pattandur, a familiar voice calls my name, "Uncle, Uncle!!".
It's Manni, who has been sleeping outside on the street. I don't
stop...
Through GandhiPuram (6.0 Miles) -- 05/20/12
Hagadur - Forest trail - Northern route -
Small trail to Naugondahalli - Temple: 0:35:13
Upervalla rasta - Whitefield through small alleys
in VijayNagar, GandhiPuram - Back to Hagadur: 0:19:46
Time: 0:55:00
Mileage: 6 Miles
Very hot again, after the recent rains, return to clear
skies, dhoup. It's about 9:15 when I start. My mood has
been so mad this morning, seeking quarrel with everyone,
that I feel forced to run to calm down, which Ruksanna
happily authorizes, preferring to send me away rather
than keep me home in such a foul mood.
The trail behind Ozone is still recovering from the
recent torrential rains. Areas are barely passable,
and I wade through mud a little, drawing an "oyu"
from a peasant lady. My running is still pretty bad,
suffering from heat, shortness of breath, heavy digestion.
But still it's nice to be out, and the heat is tempered
by a good wind.
I explore a few new small trails. I decide on the way back
to go through VijayNagar/GandhiPuram, as RUksanna had
advised me: Go by Xavier's house, show him you're not
afraid! As I'm finding my way through the small alleys,
I actually run into his daughter, we briefly acknowledge
each other surprised... I have to ask my way to a Bhurkha
Pehenvalli, who sends me through an narrow alley (the size
of our toilet) between houses, safely to GandhiPuram.
Ramping back (7.0 Miles) -- 05/25/12
Monday 05/21/12 --
Hagadur - Imadihalli - Temple trail - Upervalla rasta - Vijay Nagar -
Hill - Holy Cross - Elim / ECC - Pattandur Agrahara.
Time: 0:49:32
Mileage: 5.35 Miles
Wednesday 05/23/12 --
Roughly same as Monday, with straight road to ECC and Lake Trail.
Time: 0:48:06
Mileage: 5.2 Miles
Thursday 05/24/12 --
Short cut - PM Hamlet - Nellurahalli - Pattandur Agrahara
Time: 0:27:15
Mileage: 2.95 Miles
Friday 05/25/12 --
Hagadur - Imadihalli back trail to Ajgondanahalli - North route -
Trail to Naugondahalli: 0:27:51
Up to Vijay Nagar - top of Hill: 0:13:38
Holy Cross - Elim - ECC - Pattandur Agrahara - ITPL: 0:23:00
Time: 1:04:28
Mileage: 7 Miles
After a night of terror.
But the run ends up being ok. It was Ruksanna's idea to send me,
to clear my head. Surprisingly, by breath is better, and I work
through the humid heat (this morning is cloudy, heavy but somewhat
windy).
On the Upervalla rasta, a small fight, a yelling woman is hitting
a young man, standing by the corpse of a dog. Later, from a tent
slum, a little girl, having probably seen me pass many times, has
mustered the courage to call "good morning" while her dad looks
with kindness. A few months back, I would not have left such a
perfect opportunity to establish a new contact.
Very good, actually. Running is pretty easy, at a slow but
comfortable pace, good breathing. As (too) often, Ruksanna
put me back to sleep in the middle of the night. In the morning,
I thought for a second Vahida had disappeared from our house.
A peaceful night's sleep, for once!
Easy, pleasant, running has become pleasant again.
A man is standing along the road, strangely talking to a snake.
Not sure if the animal is alive or dead.
Pleasant gusty wind. Vahida walking energetically around the
fountain when I leave.
Chansandra (7.1 Miles) -- 06/16/12
Tuesday 06/12/12 -- W. Trail - Nellurahalli - Pattandur
Time: 0:28:55
Mileage: 3.2 Miles
Wednesday 06/13/12 --
Hagadur - Imadihalli - Whitefield Inner Circle - ECC route - Lake Trail
Time: 0:35:59
Mileage: 3.9 Miles
Thursday 06/14/12 -- PM Hamlet - ECC road - Pattandur Agrahara
Time: 0:32:28
Mileage: 3.5 Miles
Wght: 72.5 kg / 159.8 lbs
Saturday 06/16/12 --
Hagadur - Imadihalli - Trail - Chansandra: 0:24:16
North route - Ajgondanahalli - Trail - Ozone: 0:41:12
Time: 1:05:27
Mileage: 7.1 Miles
In a hurry, after another bad night's sleep, woke up at 4,
Ruksanna tried in vain to put me back to sleep. I frustrated
to tears by this exhaustion, but luckily manage a quick nap
around 9am.
Another night of severe insomnia! But miraculously, Ruksanna
manages to finally put me back to sleep within an hour of
when the alarm rings, so I feel better than expected.
The run however is quite bad. Sluggish, painful, bad breathing...
Morning meetings cancelled, so a later run, and finally
a good night's sleep! But my running is still very bad,
feeling tired and particularly bad breath. I struggle
to complete even such a short run (this could be digestive
too, as I'm still wondering what the perfect pre-run
breakfast could be).
In Pattandur, une bruyante altercation conjugale draws
a small crowd.
I looked for the "black Jamum bechnevalla" from Kadugodi
that Ruksanna has spotted a couple times, but no one.
Saturday: Slow pace, longer run. Gradually finding a comfortable
rhythm, better than the last few days.
Katiregupa (7.3 Miles) -- 07/01/12
Varthur - Tippasandra trail - To Katiregupe rd.= 0:29:56
Back first trail to the left - Tippasandra - Varthur = 0:37:36
Time = 1:07:32
Mileage = 7.3 Miles
Felt really good, especially as the run went on, a welcome relief from this
week's exhaustion. Pleasant weather, windy and relatively cool, partly cloudy.
Saw a rabbit for the first time I think, on the trails completely
deserted at this early hour.
Bought a garland of flowers for Ruksanna on the way back in Varthur.
Exhaustion (5.2 Miles) -- 07/09/12
Hagadur - Shortcut - Main road - W. Trail - Nellurahalli - Borewell rd.
Outer / Inner circle loop - Ecc road - Lake trail.
Time: 0:48:08
Mileage: 5.2 Miles
Wght: 73.1 kg / 161.1 lbs
Running brings an intoxication to the mind, which becomes hard to
do without.
Nearly lost my mind after spending most of yesterday at home, strong
depression followed by partial insomnia. So it's a good thing that
I'm able to run today, taking my time, leaving around 8:15, and feeling
quite comfortable after last week's critical exhaustion. It's rather
hot, but still pleasant. Across the small trail among the coconut trees,
a man is lying down, either sleeping or dead, one of his feet wrapped
in a cloth. Not quite sure whether I should pass by, stop, or take a
picture, but keep running. A motorbike behind me doesn't stop either.
The priest from Nellurhalli salutes me in the Whitefield Circle.
Nerige (11.3 Miles) -- 07/22/12
Vartur - Tippasandra trail - Katiregupa - Nerige: 0:48:09
Road to Muthsandra - halfway - trail to Madhuranagar - Vartur: 0:56:03
Time: 1:44:11
Mileage: 11.3 Miles
First long run in a long time!
Inside Sonu Khan's shack
Long commute (8.6 Miles) -- 07/30/12
Varthur - low road - Ajgondanahalli - Shortcut - Naugondahalli: 0:43:27
Up Vijay Nagar Hill: 0:14:53
Holy Cross - ECC road - shortcut Lake Trail: 0:21:09
Time: 1:19:28
Mileage: 8.6 Miles
Wght: 74.1 kg / 163.4 lbs
Experiment with this new road (or rather concatenation of roads),
not quite sure how long it's going to take. It's actually not as
long as I feared, providing a suitable way to work for Mondays.
The run is pretty good, slow but in control. I meet with Sonu Khan
after such a long time, who happens to work on that construction
site on the shortcut to the lake. He calls me for a function on
Friday evening.
Sonu Khan and children
The Beautiful Road (12.8 Miles) -- 08/12/12
Vartur - Tippasandra trail - "beautiful road": 0:31:39
Katiregupe - Nerige: 0:18:13
Mutsandra: 0:19:07
Madhuranagar - Vartur: 0:49:33
Time: 1:58:32
Mileage: 12.8 Miles
Wght: 72.9
The big beautiful tree on the first trail has been taken down, still
a mess of scattered branches.
Running back on this road for the first time in a while, I am stopped
on several occasions, by Shilpa at first, than by Anjan's family calling
from their chicken shop. In both cases, I answer their smiles by waving
to my watch without stopping. I pass by yesterday's Madrasa, door open,
but no one in sight.
Cool windy cloudy. Needed a long run, the longest in a while. Surprisingly
good, struggled a little bit towards the end, but overall ok.
Solitude (8.1 Miles) -- 08/26/12
Vartur - trail to beautiful road - back via Halasahalli
Time: 1:14:43
Mileage: 8.1 Miles
Wght: 72.2 kg / 159.2 lbs
In spite of Ruksanna's initial reluctance, I go out running
to clear away from the tension at home, with Abba and Banou
at home. Choose a deserted trail, pining for solitude.
Black Water (3.6 Miles) -- 09/07/12
Shortcut - PM hamlet - Shortcut trail to Nellurahalli - Sai Baba
Time: 0:33:44
Mileage: 3.65 Miles
Je me risque finalement sur ce chemin qui parallele a Borewell rd mene a
Nellurahalli. Le chemin en est bloque par un egout asse profond delimite
par deux murets. Episode amusant, ou je contemple en Hindi la possibilite
de sauter l'obstacle avec deux ouvriers. L'un d'eux, jetant d'abord son
binghi, demontre le saut, mais apres plusieurs preparations avortees je me
degonfle, craignant de me heurter la jambe sur l'autre bord et tomber dans
l'eau noire de crasse, traverse a gue en descendant sur quelques pierres
qui emergent de la fange. Nous rions bien de ma couardise.
Le chemin, court mais agreable, traverse droit des camps de travailleurs,
une experience a repeter.
The Beautiful Trail (9.0 Miles) -- 09/09/12
Imadihalli jungle trail - Ajgondanahalli - Timandhalli -
Beautiful trail to Harohalli: 0:38:00
Small trail back - Lower road - Vartur - Detours to Ozone: 0:45:36
Time: 1:23:36
Mileage: 9.05 Miles
Wght: 72.6
Tried to find some new trails to shortcut back to Ozone from
Vartur lake, but all dead-end at the river.
Some people allow me to cross their construction site.
With Arin (8.9 Miles) -- 09/16/12
Trail behind Ozone - Ajgondanahalli - Timandhalli -
Beautiful trail - Harohalli: 0:47:36
Small trail - Back same way, then Imadihalli / Hagadur: 0:34:57
Time: 1:22:33
Mileage: 8.9 Miles
A great run, very relaxed, slower pace.
The trail behind Ozone has been partially blocked (as they're digging
up irrigation and dumping mud to the sides), and by Harohalli, the
small woods have been chopped down to make way for what seems to be
a construction site.
Rain, rain (8.2 Miles) -- 09/30/12
Hagadur - Imadihalli - road to Chansandra: 0:25:46
Main road to Hope Farm - ITPL: 0:22:27
Pattandur - Nellurahalli - Borewell rd. - PM Hamlet: 0:27:33
Time: 1:15:47
Mileage: 8.2 Miles
Wght: 72.5 kg
Lots of rain. And a difficult run, I am clearly out of shape.
But happy I went out.
Arin and Samantha (7.9 Miles) -- 10/07/12
Imadihalli trail - back through Hagadur to Ozone - Vartur - low road -
Ajgondanahalli - Imadihalli - Hagadur - back.
Time: 1:13:19
Mileage: 7.9 Miles
Wght: 72.3 kg / 159.4 lbs
I was supposed to take out a bunch of people due to the cancellation
of the Mysore 10k because of the Bandh. But in the end, only Arin and
Samantha show up. The weather isn't as beautiful as these last days.
We start on the trail behind Ozone, but it's in a relatively bad state
as the irrigation is being redone. Samantha, in spite of training for
this weekend's race supposedly, can't run, to the point that she asks
to return to Ozone. We accompany her all the way back, either running
extremely slowly or walking. From there we pick up the pace and do a full
loop through Varthur, low road, and back via Imadihalli. Arin and I
are both quite tired by the run, I feel better but not fully recovered.
Redwood Shores (7.1 Miles) -- 10/23/12
Monday 10/22/2012 -- Redwood Shores
Time: 0:56:28
Mileage: 6.1 Miles
Stormy, rain, heavy at times.
Tuesday 10/23/2012 -- Redwood Shores
Time: 1:05:41
Mileage: 7.1 Miles
Nicer weather.
Friday 10/26/12 -- Redwood Shores
Time: 0:50:36
Mileage: 5.5 Miles
Snow on the Bonneville Shoreline trail, Jordan, Utah
Utah Snow! (9 Miles) -- 10/27/12
Bonneville Shoreline trail, Jordan, Utah.
Time: 1:23:23
Mileage: 9 Miles
By luck ran into this trail, which borders the mountain range.
A lot of snow left over, take great pictures for Ruksanna.
But on the way, I sprain my ankle on a sidewalk! (Not on the snow!).
Later, as I go visit Madeleine at Turnabout, and particularly
when she goes rock climbing, the pain comes, and I can barely walk.
I buy ankle strap and pain cream at Walgreens.
Along the Bonneville Shoreline trail
Draper, Utah (9.7 Miles) -- 10/28/12
Bonneville Shoreline trail, to Draper and back.
Time: 1:30:07
Mileage: 9.7 Miles
My ankle does feel better in the morning, and having nothing better
to do until afternoon, decide to run again. I this time go directly
to that trail I found yesterday, first run in the other direction,
but have to turn back finding it way to steep (and probably too
deserted for comfort). I turn back and complete the run in yesterday's
direction, all the way to Draper (where there is a big Mormon Church).
From yesterday, a lot of the snow has melted. I feel great overall,
very little ankle pain. This contreversial choice will prove to
be the right one.
Dumbarton Bridge
San Mateo Bridge (12.1 Miles) -- 11/02/12
Thursday 11/01/12 -- San mateo bridge
Time: 1:29:40
Mile laps: 9'26" 9'11" 8'58" 9'10" 9'06" 8'59"
Pace: 9'08" minutes / mile
Mileage: 9.9 Miles
Friday 11/02/12 -- 1 mile beyond the San Mateo Bridge
Time: 1:54:46
Mile laps: 9'46" 9'45" 10'07" 9'36" 9'31" 9'29" 9'31"
Pace: 9'31" minutes / mile
Mileage: 12.1 Miles
Feel good. Not much ankle pain. After a low start, feel very easy.
Meet Philippe Denis on his bike along the way, along the cat trail.
Not feeling quite as good as yesterday, but still pleasantly extend
the run to the other side of the bridge. Feel very comfortable, even
on the way back.
Samethanahalli (8.1 Miles) -- 11/25/12
Imadihalli - Northern route - right into the fields by naugondahalli -
Samethanahalli: 0:36:10
Back via Naugondahalli - Temple halfway up the hill: 0:38:24
Time: 1:14:54
Mileage: 8.1 Miles
Wght: 174.2 kg
Fantastic run, after full recovery from illness.
This is not completely a first, I'd been in this area once, but pushing
into this village is new, and illustrates how profoundly invigorating it
is to explore unchartered territory. I ask my way around the village to
make my way back, am directed through someone's back alley, through cows
and gober, to a tiny trail. Usual great response from villagers, especially
once I speak Hindi.
Stop once to take photos of particularly dense spider webs covering
trees with a thick snow-like coating, playing in the morning light.
River temple (7.3 Miles) -- 12/02/12
With Arin, Anand, Manish, Parimal.
Ozone trail - North route - Temple by the river - Naugondahalli - Temple
at the base of the hill - Imadihalli - Hagadur.
Time: 1:07:29
Mileage: 7.3 Miles
Slow pace with stops. We drop Manish who can't follow in Naugondahalli.
This is a great run, very relaxing. Beautiful morning, crisp sunshine
with rays in the jungle mist. People are delighted, now knowhing such
places existed so close to their homes.
Festivals (6.5 Miles) -- 12/21/12
Imadihalli - Whitefield Circle (*3) - Back roads - Borewell road -
Nellurahalli - W. Trail - Main Road
Time: 1:01:23
Mileage: 6.5 Miles
Afternoon Gym: 0:33:30
Total time: 1:34:53
ER Mileage: 10.3 ER Miles
Wght: 73.2 kg
Felt good for about 45 minutes, but then so exhausted that I had
to stop a couple times. My breathing is difficult, especially
on the right side. It could be sheer detraining, or pollution,
or the effect of mosquito spray (which we've been spraying too
much in the evening).
Other than that, lots of festivals today, loud temples, and
christians singing christmas songs in the churches. Was
hoping to buy flowers from Santoshamma, but didn't see
her today.
Balagere road (9 Miles) -- 12/26/12
Varthur - Balagere Road: 0:40:52
Back: 0:41:50
Time: 1:22:42
Mileage: 9 Miles
New road! Feeling better, less short of breath. Have slept a lot,
unnatural exertion. But today is better.
VijayNagar Hill (8.3 Miles) -- 12/28/12
Imadihalli - Vijay Nagar Hill: 0:29:48
Holy Cross - ECC - Lake Trail - Pattandur - Nellurahalli -
PM Hamlet: 0:46:45
Time: 1:16:33
Mileage: 8.3 Miles
Wght: 73.2 kg
Difficult, but made me feel a bit better. Very slow sluggish pace,
warmed up somewhat about 40 minutes into the run.
Met Ikram's brother on the way back in Varthur. I'll go with Ikram
later today.
Pattanur (13.2 Miles) -- 12/30/12
Vartur - Balagere road - to Pathnur, near OOR: 0:47:31
Back to Pathnur rail tracks: 0:05:04
Road to the right - through villages - Gunjur: 0:26:07
Back through "beautiful road" - Kaccha Rasta through Tippasandra -
Vartur: 0:43:45
Time: 2:02:27
Mileage: 13.2 Miles
Wght: 73.7 kg (which, in spite of my best efforts, stubbornly
refuses to come down!)
Good run, at last, a long run. Slow pace through new roads,
but sustainable throughout. Intermittent rain, muddy roads.
Ask my way back to Gunjur, and surprised to find myself there
so fast. Through one village I battle with a great number of
dogs, bravely chasing them away, exchanging friendly smiles
with the villagers.