Sundar is back at least after wearing down and being
worn down by a cold virus. I can understand the impotence a runner feels for
having to forego running because of a tiny virus causing a running nose.
Biscuit (my six year old Labrador for those who haven’t been introduced to
him!), has found a cosy corner for his diurnal routine and the best part is a
huge dump of sand is near at hand. Once this part is taken care, the inspection
of the various fixed (read trees!) and movable (read vehicles!) assets and
marking them becomes a tension free task. He went through the routine briskly.
The guard (who is normally found sleeping on his chair and refuses to lie down
comfortably!) was not at his seat today. The sounds of plastic containers being
moved, purportedly to distribute the milk of human kindness (?) was in full
swing in the background. The beat policemen were trying to keep awake while the
stroboscopic lights atop the police vehicle competed with the shining finery on
the mannequins outside the ‘Diva’ showroom. Shanmugam was not to be seen nor
were the milk packets at the door. I sent Biscuit to get on with the second
innings of his sleep while I did a 30 sec. plank exercise before leaving to the
door. Sundar was early and waiting at the gate.
We left at 4:03 AM by my watch. I showed him the spot
where I had met Perumal. The run was in silence. Today Hubli Passsenger, after
a day’s rest, was matching the Chennai Express, recovering from a cold, step
for step. The bicycle borne coffee vendor was moving from customer to customer
among the many security guards in the locality. I am amazed at the number of
people working as security guards in that area. Looking to their physique I can
see that they would be no match for an armed robber. They must be only there to
raise an alarm and call for help in case of any untoward incident. A more
economical and humane alternative could be installing of CCTV cameras and
monitoring the same at some central location. The owners of such establishments
could come together to set up such a central facility if Police patrol is not
considered sufficient. The manpower released could be gainfully employed in our
PM’s ‘Make in India’ campaign.
We reached Light house at 4:43 AM. I now seem to have
become a Pro at feeding a cow. The partner I drew today was a huge specimen who
did not believe in watching her calories. She took the offering and the pat on
the forehead which followed nonchalantly, an old man standing next to his posh
car was looking at the entire episode. I was thinking, he would give me some
gyan on why we should not feed stray animals and braced for it, but, he thought
better of it!
The run was in darkness and we were quite swift as
there was not sufficient crowd on the pavement. We have now started taking the
pavement beyond the Napier bridge and almost up to the War memorial. That
leaves us only a short stretch on the War memorial round about where we need to
negotiate the traffic. The pavement was crowded with sleeping forms as the
weather was quite hot and humid today and people had to come open air even if
it meant more mosquitoes. Sundar did mention that I was going strong today,
maybe, charged up after the break. Reached RBI at 5:15 AM. The return trip was
even faster and we hit Light house at 5:44 AM, the entire loop was very
satisfying.
Sundar kept looking for Venkatesan, I told him that
his shift must have switched to night from Monday night, maybe, we would meet
him at the ATM on the way back (if we are fast, or, he would catch us on his
way back from duty!). Today I crossed a person carrying a plastic bag full of
broken biscuits (maybe, wanting to earn blessings at a discount from the
canines!). Here it took so much effort to get them cooked food and now we have
another person starting all over again!
Reached RBI at 6:15 AM, I was sure that I would be
home before 7:30 AM. Sundar took his usual drinks break at the shop opposite
the War memorial, while I caught my breath. Today the distinguished looking
beggar with the white beard was missed, his place was taken by another person.
Hope all is well with him!
I usually cross a person with a weighing machine, who
must be cashing in this age of instant nirvana, where walkers must be checking
their weight before and after the exercise. There is another more sophisticated
person who has a banner saying ‘check your fat %’, I remember @Gerald had said I
would get a negative %. I only remembered the Advertisement, ‘Which shaving
cream do you use (Kapil Dev’s Palmolive Ad!), where a bearded man when asked
this question, turns around stroking his beard and says, ‘Who me’.
Our friend Venkatesan was out with a welcoming party
right on the road outside his ATM. He first inquired about Sundar’s absence
then got to praising us to his friends. He made a statement which made me very
good. He said that I was almost his age and that he can bet his salary that
even P T Usha (The Payyoli express, and his version of Usain Bolt!) cannot
outrun me. After getting this tonic, my pace became better and rest of the run
back home (including the pebble filled stretches!) was done in double quick
time. Hubli Passenger took leave of the Chennai Express promising more of the
same tomorrow at 7:26 AM.
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