-- Surah Bayyinah (in progress) --
After the Rains (8.1 Miles) -- 09/26/14
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday 09/22/14 -- Hoodi route
W. Trail - Nellurahalli - Accenture - EPIP - Basavanagar - Hoodi -
Along the Rail Tracks - Back up along Shantiniketan - ITPL
Time: 1:15:05
Mileage: 8.1 Miles
Wght: 73.2 kg / 161.4 lbs
A late start, around 8:00. I was going to run Chhota rasta, but as
the weather was pleasant and the running comfortable, I lenghtened the
road in stages, to end up with this good run, very welcome after a weekend
of inaction (as Ruksanna is busy at the doukhan). At least I resist the
temptation to run the long loop from Hoodi, because as it is, I reach
work by 9:30!
The trafic at this hour is quite active, particularly around the
schools, and even the smallest galiyan are bustling with motorcycles,
an endless dodging contest. I have been feeling a bit sick lately,
but this improvised run has greatly lifted my spirits.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday 09/23/14 -- Naugondanahalli - Vijay Nagar
Time: 1:00:31
Mileage: 6.5 Miles
My morning ritual now includes 3 rukus of Yassen in Namaaz, which take
me about 15 minutes without rushing, as I get more comfortable with the text.
I have also started an in-dept revision of all Surahs learned so far, intent
on understanding their word-by-word meaning. I am happy that the texts have
not slipped away much, in spite of this lengthy effort learning Yaseen.
My strange illness has revived last night, woken up by an annoying
chest pain and overcome by passina. I guard myself carefully from any fresh
air or wind which seem to cause this, wearing layers of clothing. But the
run has woken me up.
A new road (again) has been blasted through, from Naugondanahalli
to the "mid-hill" temple. Where there used to be a narrow rocky trail
between two stell walls is now a broad alleyway, fit for vehicular trafic.
Through Vijay Nagar, I suddendly jump over a rat scampering under my
feet.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 09/24/14 -- Chansandra route (through ELIM)
Time: 1:03:08
Mileage: 6.8 Miles
Wght: 73.2 kg / 161.4 lbs
Satisfied with my rehearsals, I have started learning Surah
Bayyina, which I was contemplating for a while. On the run, I continue
my rehearsals of Zilzali through Humaza, focused on the understanding of
each word.
As every day, in spite of the early start and the general
exhaustion, I wake up gently into the run.
I have decided to resume running this week, dropping the gym
entirely, running each day at least an hour.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday 09/25/14 -- Thubarahalli
Main road - Thubarahalli - Through BEML Layout - Brookefield main
road to Hoodi: 0:52:34
Main road to ITPL: 0:13:33
Time: 1:06:07
Mileage: 7.1 Miles
Wght: 73.4 kg / 161.8 lbs
The monsoon has been late this year. But last night came a torrential
rain at last, which flooded the streets as rivers, blocking the trafic all
over town.
Imagining that the trails will be impassable with mud, I improvise
this new route which stays entirely on the main roads. The morning meeting
has been cancelled, so I run about an hour later. The BEML layout in
Thubarahalli has a distinctive European neighbourhood flavor, quiet and
pleasant in the morning. The trafic is a little bothersome on the main
roads, but overall, this road turns out surprisingly short, no longer
than the Chansandra route!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 09/26/14 -- Chansandra route, via Prashanth Layout
Time: 1:03:13
Mileage: 6.8 Miles
Wght: 73.6 kg / 162.3 lbs
Very tired, completely exhausted, and irritated by my weight.
But still stubbornly sticking to the one-hour-a-day plan this week.
A slow unpleasant run though. I will suffer through the morning
until the lunchtime nap.
-- Improvised temple, near Nerige --
Late Monsoon Heat (13.8 Miles) -- 09/28/14
Imadihalli - Ajgondanahalli - Muthsandra: 0:51:15
Nerige: 0:23:16
Katiregupa - Halasahalli - Madhuranagar - Vartur: 0:53:06
Time: 2:07:37
Mileage: 13.8 Miles
Wght: 73.2 kg / 161.4 lbs
It's been a long time that I haven't reached exhaustion on a run.
A later start at 8:30, after Ruksanna has left for the Doukhan,
and Sofia is at home with Vahida. I have no set idea of where I'll go,
sort of finding my way. In an all too familiar leitmotiv, the low road
from Vartur has been widened and repaved, this small little village
road now good for three lanes, cutting through the fields. Not sure
exactly who will drive here, unless building are about to be erected,
like everywhere else.
It's hotter today, this familiar pre-october heat, an alternance
of sunshine and passing clouds. I will finish the run unknowingly sun-burnt,
my face red, which irritates Ruksanna.
I start to form wild plans as the run unravels, of looping all the
way from the Hanuman Crossroads, through to Gunjur, crossing the main road
to return through Baligere. Don't know how long that loop would have been,
but I luckily gradually scale back my ambition, cutting from Muthsandra
to Nerige. There, a young boy agitates in front of me one of those
wooden toy snakes, drawing an "oyoooo" from me, which amuses the villagers.
Later on the small trail approaching Vartur, it's a real snake that I have
to contend with, slithering his full length across the trail. I let it
lazily disappear into the bush before passing.
I have only carried a single flask of water, not ready for this.
It's hot and I have been sweating abundantly. From Hasahalli onwards,
I start to struggle, but refuse to stop, settling into a slow but
sustainable pace. I finally yield in Vartur, breaking into a walk through
the village, and stopping to ask for water at a bakery, which I'm
graciously given.
I finish the run slowly, sipping on this tepid water, of a thick
earthy taste. I have underestimated my exhaustion though, and after the
run spend some time lying naked under the running fan, as if in fever.
-- The Kotur (to the left) / Muthsandra (to the right) crossing --
-- Tractors during Dusserah, near Imadihalli --
Dusserah, Naugondanahalli (7.5 Miles) -- 10/05/14
Imadihalli - Trail to Midway Temple - Naugondanahalli -
to River Temple - Back same way.
Time: 1:05:57
Mileage: 7.5 Miles
Wght: 73.1 kg / 161.1 lbs (yesterday, 72.7/160.3)
A quick run before Ruksanna wakes up, shortly after Namaaz.
Beautiful morning light. It is Dusserah, many places are decorated,
still traces of Pujah's on the ground. Passing the slums after Imadihalli,
I wonder if I should take pictures of the tractors adorned with garlands
of flowers, and talk to these slumdwellers who have often said saluted me
from a distance. I pass my way, but resolve to come back the same way. Deciding
for the river temple, I now stop for photos at every opportunity. I document
one of these large roads that has been blasted through the landscape, where
once a pretty remote trail was. And later, the rising sun over the fields,
the little river temple.
But Ruksanna has woken up and calls me. Bed me raho, main jaldi a
raha houn, main chai banaounga. But I'm about 1/2 hour away so I run fast,
just taking the time to stop for the tractors from the morning. I engage
in conversation with the slumdwellers, who fortunately speak Hindi.
This must have been a faster pace, estimated at 8'45" / mile. Could
have been faster, but I the chrono doesn't account for the many photo
stops.
-- To the river temple, Naugondanahalli --
-- In the Doukhan, trapped by a torrential rain --
Under the rains (7.2 Miles) -- 10/08/14
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday 10/06/14 -- Bakreid
Imadihalli - Midway temple - Vijay Nagar, right to Hope Farm - ECC route.
Time: 0:53:14
Mileage: 5.7 Miles
Wght: 73.6 kg / 162.3 lbs
Yesterday evening, we were trapped in the Doukhan by a formidable
storm that poured rain well into the night. I was starting to sleep
on the floor, but finally the rains abated around midnight, allowing
us to leave on the motorbike through the flooded streets, protecting
ourselves with plastic bags. I didn't sleep much...
Run though the same communities as yesterday, wave to
my new friends. Approaching Pattandur, a growing crowd of muslims going
to Namaaz for Bakreid, makes me regret that I am not going as well. I finally
stop by one of them to ask him when is Namaaz? He doesn't know exactly,
but ham log ja rahe hain. I deeply regret not going with them.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday 10/07/14 --
W. Trail - Nellurahalli - Accenture - Sai Baba
Time: 0:39:34
Mileage: 4.5 Miles (8'45" / mile)
Wght: 72.9 kg / 160.7 lbs
A lot of mud this morning, first on the W. Trail, making it hard to pass,
then again on the Nellurahalli/Pattandur stretch, to the point where I
turn back into the village to run the road to Accenture instead, in spite
of the growing morning trafic.
Late start around 7, Ruksanna woke up at 5 and I stayed with her, faster
pace. Good run. Optimism about the Visa is returning, for no objective
reason.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 10/08/14 -- Under the rain
Chansandra Route, via Prashanth Layout
Time: 1:00:00 (0:59:59.56, to be precise :)
Mileage: 6.5 Miles
Wght: 73.3 kg / 161.6 lbs
I wake up at 4 to the sound of heavy pounding rain outside.
It's still raining when I leave at 5:40,
I've packed my phone in a plastic bag,
like we did a few days back when we got stuck in the Doukhan for several
hours by torrential rains. But this time, the rain peters out during the
early stages of the run, leaving very muddy roads. The section near ECC
is actually so completely flooded that a young man tries to cross by
escalating the side wall. I dip the tips of my feet in the water, jumping
on my toes to limit the splash, imagining I look like some funny ballet
imitation, and give a friendly pat on the back to the guy on the
other end.
I reach work to discover that it has been raining inside my office
again.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday 10/09/14 -- BEML / Hoodi route
Siddapura - BEML layout - Brookefield - Hoodi - Main road to ITPL
Time: 1:06:32
Mileage: 7.2 Miles
Wght: 72.8 kg / 160.5 lbs
Another night of formidable rains!
In fact, Ruksanna was stuck in the Doukhan, finally returning at 2am,
even though the rains still hadn't abated.
There is no public lighting through Vartur Kodi, making that stretch
particularly treacherous in the dark. The only part of good open
sidewalk is actually blocked by large concrete pipes, that have been
kept there for some time now. First light doesn't come until Siddapura/
BEML layout. I have elected to run the main roads, to stay away from the
excessive mud. One stretch has a huge deep puddle, a bus runs through
it creating a formidable splash, with no regards for a cyclist who's
throwing one arm in the air.
As last time, BEML layout is nice and peaceful. I try a slightly different
route which leads me to a beautiful temple, and see more possibilities that
could avoid some stretch of the main road. In fact, beyond this "corridor
to the west" are many opportunities for exploration, which I'll definitely
pursue with more time. I run the left side of the road for once, which is
a bit more interesting, going at the edge of village-like neighbourhoods.
My Namaaz was inexplicably unsuccessful this morning, to the point where
I dropped after the 2nd Ruku of Yaseen, dissatisfied. But on the run,
I manage a great rehearsal for Rukus 2 and 3, and continue to progress
in Surah Bayyinah.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 10/10/14 -- Same exact route as yesterday
Time: 1:05:51
Mileage: 7.2 Miles
Wght: 72.4 kg / 159.6 lbs
I repeat yesterday's run, still curious about this new route.
At least it hasn't rained last night. The many side roads along this
Western Corridor continue to pique my curiosity. We've wrapped up
Penguins today, so with a little more time on my hands, I plan to
explore this area in more depth. This morning, I've symbolically
shut off my 4:30am alarm, hopefully for a while. Namaaz was better,
three full Rukus of Yaseen, then learning Bayyina along the run.
The roads are drier, but also a lot dustier and polluted on the
main road from Hoodi. Perhaps I should try to wear a face mask?
-- In the Katiregupe / TC Halli area --
The road to TC Halli (14,6 Miles) -- 10/12/14
Vartur Market - Hasahalli - Katiregupe - Road to TC Halli
Back, detours through dead-end trails.
Time: 2:15:00
Mileage: 14.6 miles
Wght: 72.4 kg /
Not feeling so well this morning, wake up alongside Ruksanna.
Late start around 8:15, after she leaves for the Doukhan, without
stretching or Namaaz.
In spite of overcast weather, abundant sweating and thirst. I
carry a single water flask which I quickly finish. On the way back
in Katiregupe, I stop by the water tank around which is always
gathered a crowd filling colorful Binghis. I first ask a youth in
Hindi if I can drink the water, "nahi" answers he shaking his hand,
visibly not knowing much Hindi. But the women in Kannada invite me
to fill my bottle, and so I do. The water tastes good, and I'll finish
that too.
I've almost reached TC Halli at the hour mark, but decide to
head back. I explore trails on the way, but all end up looping back
to the road. I even venture to the construction of the new Gunjur
Deens School Campus. It will be finished in April I'm told.
I handle this long run much better than two weeks ago, finishing
tired but not exhausted. On the Vartur Lake road, I get into a
rhythm of shouting "Un-Deux!" on exhalation (every two steps),
which carries me nicely through the last effort.
The run has restored my spirits, otherwise greatly affected by
our Visa situation. I needed to venture freely, outside, alone.
-- Chinnappanahalli Lake, the discovery of the day --
Veiled (10 Miles) -- 10/16/14
Thursday 10/16/14 -- The Veil, Chinnappanahalli Lake
Main Road - BEML Layout - Brookefield - AECS Layout -
Chinnappanahalli Lake: 0:44:53
Chinnapanahalli main road - 3rd Main rd - 2nd Main rd
(back of Graphite India) - Y intersection - Hoodi: 0:26:80
Along the Rail tracks - Shantiniketan - ITPL: 0:21:54
Time: 1:32:54
Mileage: 10 Miles
Wght: 72.1 kg / 158.9 lbs
I feel wonderfully rested today, for the first time in a long
while! I take this opportunity, and the fact that there is no morning
meeting, to put my exploration plan in action, along the west side. I
leave around 7. The big concrete pipes are still blocking the sidewalk
near Kodi, but at least it's day-light today.
I try some of the side alleys in BEML Layout, hoping to find a way
to avoid some stretch of the main road, but all unsuccessful. So constrained
to run through Brookefield, I decide to take the road to MK Retail,
a small supermarket where we have stopped going for a long time. If I
remember correctly, this used to dead-end eventually, but now runs into
a large appartment complex, to the right of which I can pass. This leads
to a major surprise: A small lake, which has been landscaped for leisure,
circled by a promenade where people walk and run. I never knew such a
place existed. A sign at the opposite entrance reveals its name:
Lake chinnappanahalli. What a discovery!
On the other end is a busy small road, which probably comes from
the Outer Ring / Marathahalli area. I turn to the right, back towards
Mahadevpura, along a vast empty area, one of the few not in construction.
I try exploring a few side roads, but they either dead-end or take me too
far west, although the area is ripe with other opportunities. But the
truck traffic along the factories, and general business of vehicles
probably trying to avoid the major thoroughfares, make
the pollution and dust such that I'm
finally forced to do something. I take the kerchief that
I use to keep my phone and tie it across my nose and mouth, wondering
how this is going to work. But it holds up just fine, and the breathing
is actually reasonably comfortable, actually better than inhaling all
this dust. What did I not think of this before? Surely this will now
become a routine.
The roads eventually leads me to the Y Junction near Hoodi, from
where I cross the rail tracks to come to ITPL through the back way,
thus avoiding more busy trafic.
A wonderful run...
-- A rare selfie, near the Hoodi rail tracks --
-- Surah Bayyinah --
Surah Bayyinah (9.9 Miles) -- 10/17/14
Friday 10/17/14 -- Surah Bayyinah
Imadihalli back trail - to the North Trail - Detour in the hamlet to
the river - To Chansandra Main Road - Hope Farm - Elim - Lake Trail.
Time: 1:31:33
Mileage: 9.9 Miles
Wght: 72.5 kg / 159.8 kg
-- Imadihalli / Naugondanahalli area --
The opposite of yesterday, I wake up tired and without energy,
after a difficult night of frequent wake-ups. I nevertheless set
out on a semi-long run, without any particular route in mind, today
also around 7am.
Inspired by the pleasant morning air, I unexpectedly decide to
take the Imadihalli back trail. Here too, along the Ozone wall, what
used to be a tiny trail has been widened to where three cars could pass!
It isn't paved yet, but it's probably only a matter of time. What could
compel to make a road here, which leads directly into the fields? Will
all these also disappear?
Well, in the meantime, it's a pretty morning, and I stop several times
for pictures, taking a detour at the little hamlet to the bank of the
river where the trail dead-ends at a small temple. An old man just happens
to be there to whom I ask, "Mandir hai kya?", and since he doesn't seem
to understand "Deosthane?" to which he assents with a smile.
The main road in Chansandra is pretty busy at this hour, especially
drawing a large crowd near the engineering college, but I couldn't find
a kerchief this morning to tie across my face.
I finish the run peacefully, feeling good after all, continuously
reciting Surah Bayyina which I have just finished learning this morning.
-- Along the "North Trail", near Chansandra --
Further Exploration (10.5 Miles) -- 10/20/14
Main Road - BEML Layout - AECS Layout - Chinnappanahalli Lake: 0:38:50
To Outer Ring Road - exploring through Doddanekkundi / KartikNagar
to Main Road / ITPL Main Road: 0:28:46
Basavanagar - Detour by the lake - Main road to ITPL: 0:29:16
Time: 1:36:52
Mileage: 10.5 Miles
Wght: 72.8 kg / 160.5 lbs
I try to explore further to the West, pushing past Chinnappanahalli Lake.
I soon reach the rail tracks, then Outer Ring road, which I try to avoid
with no success. Strangely, I dead-end along this major thoroughfare,
as the road goes under an overpass and my side-road disappears into
the fields. Retracing my steps a little, I cross the rail tracks to
finally reach a smaller road, very busy for its size, which eventually
leads me to the dusty Kartik Nagar area that I had reached the other day.
I again wear the kerchief on my face, but find it much harder to breathe
this time, and periodically take it off to breathe freely, drink and spit.
I cut straighter this time, emerging on the main road near the IPTL road
intersection, from where I take the route through Basavanagar, at least
a little calmer. In a last minute inspiration, I try one more time to
circumvent the lake towards the Sai Baba area, but I am yet again
unsuccessful. Probably such a passage does not exist.
Let's face it, it's exciting to discover new territory, but this route
is actually far too busy and polluted. Perhaps earlier in the morning?
-- Dust --
Tiruvanamallai, Pondichery, Auroville -- 10/23/14
As we leave Pondichery back to Tiruvanamalai on a particularly
rickety bus, I look at my phone which has started vibrating in my
pocket. It's the American Consulate! At last! But I can't hear anything
because of the unbelievable noise of the bus, and have to explain that
I just can't have the conversation now! I think I've heard something
like, "would it be better to call back at some other time?" so I've
sheepishly said yes. This being Diwali, I imagine nothing will happen
until Monday now. Will the terrible wait resume?
-- In Tiruvanamallai --
-- Pondichery --
-- Auroville, the MatraMandir --
Tirupatur, Elaruvi, Pooja for the Rains -- 10/24/14
On the way back from Pondichery, we stop in Tirupatur, then
in Elaruvi.
There, having ventured into the jungle with the peasants,
we attend a Pooja for the rains, as it has been too dry for the
crops this year. Once alone, Ruksanna, Sofia and I lay lazily in the dry
river bed, contemplating the waning sun light filtering through
the foliage. My phone rings. I didn't realize I had reception.
It's the American Consulate again! Finally, after nearly a month
of waiting I get to talk to a human being, an officer by the name
of "Dan", who very politely explains to me the details and decisions
of our case.
"We are granting you the Visas", he concludes!
-- Tirupatur --
-- Pooja for the rains, Elaruvi --
-- Soap overflow from Vartur Lake --
Solitude (11.2 Miles) -- 10/29/14
Vartur - Valepura - Timadahalli: 0:44:45
Ajgondanahalli - Naugondanahalli: 0:20:28
Vijay Nagar - Holy Cross - ELIM/ECC - Pattandur: 0:43:49
Time: 1:49:01
Mileage: 11.2 Miles (estimated at a 9'45"/mile pace)
Wght: 72.1 kg / 159 lbs
I received an obscure email from the consulate yesterday, apparently
stating that we need to appear again in person in Chennai. The mail is
so strange, feeling outdated (its information is not entirely accurate), and
in such blatant contradication with my conversation with "Dan" in Elaruvi,
that I don't know what to believe or do. I will desperately try to contact
the consulate today for clarification, knowing full well that it's a
near impossible task. In the meantime, the worried pain has taken hold
of my stomach again, the glow of the last few days but a memory.
The immediate result is that we don't sleep. In a rare event, an alarm
car went off in Ozone last night, catching me already awake but startling
Ruksanna, who not familiar with car alarms really wonders who could be honking
like this in the middle of the night! When I wake up again at 4, she's
downstairs peeling garlic, having not gone back to sleep.
The roads are wet again. An excess of soapy froth threatens to
overflow from Vartur lake, invading the road, like a glacier. A few men
are helplessly trying to clean it or stop its advance. Given all the
trafic along the lake, I wear again my kerchief, this time finding
one that allows for comfortable breathing, that I need to keep almost
like a fetiche. But I can remove it past Vartur, as I venture into
the beautiful countryside, breathing freely. I practice "spitting through
the teeth", over and over, with mixed success.
I need the long run, the solitude. And the magic of the morning does
lift like a curtain, the mist in the fields,
the beautiful layered silhouettes of
vegetation, the gazes of the peasants and children. In spite of my exhaustion
and body aches (from lack of running), the slow meditative rhythm soothes
me from the sinking feeling of the night.
At the Timadinahalli junction, I meet Ambuja from Harohalli, driving
a scooter to Vartur from where she will take the bus to her college near
Silk Board. She has grown strangely fat, I can't help notice. "Why do you
no longer come to Harohalli?", she asks me.
I have learned Surah Qadr in only two days, practicing to render
it like Sudais.
-- Surah Qadr --
Glory (11 Miles) -- 10/31/14
Similar to last run: Vartur - Madhuranagar - to Ajgondanahalli -
Naugondanahalli: 1:03:58
Vijay Nagar - Holy Cross - ELIM/ECC - Pattandur: 0:43:20
Time: 1:47:18
Mileage: 11 Miles (estimated at a 9'45"/mile pace)
Wght: 72.2 kg / 159.2 lbs
We were unexpectedly called yesterday to the US Consulate
in Chennai, an incomprehensible reversal to the news I had received in
Elaruvi. But Ruksanna is soon treated like a queen there, personally
ushered to the same officer who had interviewed her a month ago.
The woman hands
her over the passports in person, after having had them stamped in front
of her. The Visas are valid for 10 years! It has come true:
We are set to leave for the US and A!
So I run this morning, in spite of not sleeping much from excitement,
floating a few inches over the muddy ground. Very similar run to last
Wednesday, but quite a different mind-set - but same slow pace and body aches.
-- Ruksanna on the beach in Chennai, after obtaining the Visas --
Preparations (10.1 Miles) -- 11/02/14
Balagere road to Pattanur and back -
Time: 1:35:59
Mileage: 10.1 Miles
Wght: 71.7 kg / 158.1 lbs
Start under the rain, which soon dissipates to cool cloudy weather,
good for running. Still under the spell of the extraordinary events,
and preparations for the Party today, and the big departure Tuesday.
Rehearsal of all Surah's but Yaseen.
Ruksanna is still asleep when I return at 8:00. I'm so happy
to find her in bed, we stay contemplating our joy.
Before the Departure (7.2 Miles) -- 11/04/14
PM Hamlet - Borewell rd - Nellurahalli - Accenture - Through EPIP short
way - New way along Windmills, into Basavanagar - Hoodi: 0:47:09
Along the Tracks - Along Shantiniketan to ITPL: 0:21:32
Time: 1:08:41
Mileage: 7.2 Miles (estimated 9'30" pace)
Wght: 72.1 kg / 159 lbs
Last run before leaving to the US tonight.
Uneventful. I was going to run longer, but Ruksanna woke up early and
we stayed together, joyful.
I manage an unexpected innovation, turning left near Windmills, which
leads very easily into Basavanagar, with the benefit of by-passing
the busy polluted main road.
We leave tonight.