Never
outrun the joy of running;
The
run on Saturday was sheer bullheadedness to continue the running streak of more
than two weeks. The only saving grace was that there was no pressure of time. I
started the run at 4:23 AM. I was ambling along and reached Lighthouse after
the break for feeding a cow. I was asked by a middle aged person stretching
near Lighthouse about my age. He seemed satisfied with just that statistic, not
surprising in a country where everybody seems to swear by GDP growth rate. We
sure are given to over simplification (My own organization has its gold
standard called the Operating Ratio!). Wish life could be so simple! The clock
was showing ten minutes past five AM when I crossed Gandhi statue.
I
was surprised by Kakinada express coming from the opposite direction on
Sivananda road. The Doctor joined me from there on. He informed me that he was
away on official work. In the next instant onwards without exchange of another
word we fell into a rhythm and ran. I was reminded of the song ‘Tere Bina
Zindagi se…’ of the movie Aandhi where one song bridges years of absence! We
did three loops of the Island ground. Today the greetings were distributed with
the bulk going to the Doctor. I also seemed to be getting a share of the Army
brothers affections!
We
did one loop from Napier bridge to Lighthouse and back before he parted taking
leave of absence for Sunday for his cycling expedition.
As
I returned back for the second loop, @Ram coming from opposite direction turned
around and joined me. We had had a steady run and he informed me that he is
planning to do an Ultra 75K. He broke off at Lighthouse, leaving me to the
grind of facing the wrath of the Sun in the last loop.
I
was deadbeat when I reached the Gandhi statue. None of the water sprinklers
were working on the way and at one place where it was working there were a
Corporation employee and some elderly morning walkers in whose presence I did
not feel confident of dunking my head in the spray. I lived to regret that
during the run from Gandhi statue to my water point.
I
had an interesting discussion with the Auto driver who was filling his supplies
of water from the tap next to mine. He asked me how much I ran and why. I could
tell him the ‘how much’ part, but, as I was struggling for the why part, he said
that he used to think of me as mad and now has immense respect. I asked him if
it was my attire which put me in the mad category, he sheepishly said ‘Yes’. I
have a new friend in the Auto wallah community!
I
had to take a stretching break after the TTK flyover as my left thigh was
playing up. Thankfully it held for the rest of the run. I reached home deadbeat
at 8:52 AM and the Sun would have me believe it was mid-day. Must prepone my
start if I plan a full in Chennai!
The
Black Sunday
The
combined tiredness of the last two weeks and my rigidity of nothing less than a
full marathon if it’s a holiday made me take a break on Sunday. After the usual
hour of spinning, Biscuit was told to go back and continue sleep and the
morning walk was rescheduled to 5:30 AM. The onslaught of mosquitoes in the stolen
extra time in bed made me wish I was out running.
I
gave Biscuit a leisurely walk. I dutifully settled before the TV in time for
the match to cheer for the black caps! The only good news was their winning the
toss. McCullum, the hopes of all Anti Aussie forces fell before we could say
Jack Robbins! Three wickets in a tumble and my misery was complete. I did not
feel so much even when the Aussies took us to the cleaners in our Semi final
match (in some corner of my heart, I was hoping we would chase it down!). Hats
off to the indomitable Elliot.
It
took the combined heroics of Saina and Srikant in the evening to lift my
spirits. The clinical performance from Saina against a visibly tired opponent
and the fearless and aggressive display by Srikant warmed our hearts. The behavior
of the crowd was very immature and they displayed total lack of knowledge of
the game or any etiquette while raising ken even when play was on. We must
seriously think of keeping audience in a sound proof cage lest players refuse
to play in India.
Runs
resume
Suitably
chastised after the bunk and the guilt, Biscuit and I were before time for the
walk today, like two drunkards outside the TASMAC (the State liquor vend!)
before opening of the same after a dry day. I was therefore at the start point
at 4:07 AM.
I
was surprised by a rough voice calling out to me from the shadows within a few
hundred meters into my run. I went bubbling with anger to confront the person.
His tone was of a policeman quizzing a culprit. After patiently listening to
him, I realized that even though he was rough in his tone, his intent was to
tell me to be careful of the traffic. It sure broke my rhythm.
Today
seemed to be a day of counseling. The policemen usually napping at the entrance
of Poes garden road, were up and I overheard one of them loudly complaining
about my running in the middle. I took a break and put him wise about the
reason. He was not fully convinced, but, preferred to give up and get back to
getting his full quota of beauty sleep rather than extending the argument.
There
were few more mumbles from people waiting at bus-shelters about my regular
running and I decided to stop convincing them of my ways. The only soul who
seemed to accept me as normal was the weather vane Dog, who went past with his
tongue fully out. He seemed to be sympathising with my effort!
The
break which came on the return trip at the water point was taken out of habit
rather than any physical distress. I was also accosted by a motorcyclist who
slowed next to me and the usual routine of my age, run distance was enacted. He
announced this to his team of riders in Telugu. This does buoy up one’s spirit.
This was a fitting finale to doubters who seemed to dot my onward run today. I
finished at 7:29AM. Considering the number of ‘run pe charcha’ on why I run,
the timing should be taken as decent! I must remember to give some more footage
to Biscuit in my tomorrow’s post, he must be feeling low!
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