Biscuit gets his due

Biscuit has slowly adjusted to the big city’s life. He has been getting passing references in my daily dispatches, but, he senses that he is getting insufficient footage and has for competition his country cousins who meet me on my run. I decided to chronicle his progress in adjusting to living in a multi-storied flat.
My biggest fear was whether he would get into the narrow lift where he has to stand along the diagonal to accommodate his long frame. He doesn’t mind company only it should not be his Labrador neighbor (his junior by almost 3 years) from below, Simba, for whom he has taken an instant dislike. He has now started to recognize the lift automated announcement for the floor. He is able gets out only when he hears his floor being announced. Initially, I thought it was a fluke. I did a few experiments with pressing buttons for various floors, we were pleasantly surprised that he boringly looks around on other floors and only gets out when his floor is announced.
Since the rooms are small and cramped because of furniture, he finds it difficult to run fast. He is further hampered because the flooring is slippery. He wants to be the first to get to the main door when he hears the door bell. He has an uncanny sense of time and knows my daughter’s or my arrival. In order to save him from any injury due to his frequent rushing out, we decided that we would give a missed call when we are reaching home so that the door can be opened without him rushing out. We realized to our surprise that he is too smart for that. He has now timed himself to get to the door at the ring of the wife’s mobile or landline when it is time of either of us to get back.
He hasn’t been able to catch any squirrels, but, he scampers around every day in hope. His friendship with crows, which get chapattis in the morning, is blossoming. He is off gluten, but, he selflessly presides over the crow feeding. The single biggest achievement has been his taking to drinking water. We had given up on him and used to get him to take water only by diluting milk. Thanks to his skin allergy, we took him off milk and he has taken to water and it did not come too soon. We could not imagine him getting through Chennai summer without his eight pints a day, if he plans to have a glowing fur!
If he has any regrets of his Hubli days, it must be the unfettered run of the Golf course in the mornings, compared to that the mandatory walks twice a day in the colony here must be boring. His arguments with fellow canines of the colony in Hubli were legend, but, he has found the locals here quite listless and not worthy of a brawl. At best he has had to growl a few times. It is good for him that he can behave his age now! The visits to the Vet here is more fun as he gets a longer ride and the hospital is much bigger and he gets to meet many friends of different breeds and other animals too!
Biscuit having got his, time to detail my run. Woke up in a somber mood. One more year has passed by and seven years to this day, I shall be hanging my boots. Not that I am sad for it, in some sense I am looking forward to it. Come to think of it, it could be a marathon every day without the tyranny of the clock!
I was at the gates at 4:10 AM. Though the outdoors was much pleasant compared to the stuffy room, it was very sweaty and the sweat stayed put even on the run. Felt relieved to shed the upper cloth.
The well dressed employee outside Hotel Taj (somewhere in between the security guard and the Manager with the three piece), his name is Velu, beckoned me for a chat. After getting the itinerary and distance run daily, he wanted to know why I run barefoot. I have promised him a chat on the subject sometime over this weekend.
Met Balu on the TTK flyover after a long time. He addressed me by name confirming that both of us have got into each other’s permanent contact list! Jesudas crossed me near Saravana Bhawan hotel, he was on his bike today.
Crossed a cartman pulling a cartload of firewood, his rippling and sweat drenched rippling muscles seemed to mock my idle sweat. His bare feet much more silent on the black top than my labored thump-thump.
The dog (Biscuit’s envy and his owner’s pride!) had his tongue out a mile and looked enviously at my sweat drenched body. It’s really unfair on the dogs to just have tongue for cooling their whole body while our entire surface is a magnificent heat exchanger.
The clock struck 5 AM just as I crossed the Gandhi statue on the way back from the Light house. The Mount Road stretch was in total darkness today. During the return loop from Napier bridge (counter clockwise), met the bunch of Army recruits, they were only doing a walk today. As I got near Lighthouse, I could see activity among a group of runners. Now I understand Marina Minnals were bidding farewell to one of their team members.
When I was on my second loop, I passed by a young boy and girl who were walking. Suddenly without warning, the girl ran past me. An old man clad in just shorts and barefoot must have challenged her, or, was it my short strides which gave her the impression that she would beat me. I did not try to race her, but, I gently increased my pace and only prayed that she runs long enough for me to cross her. When I crossed her, her breathlessness and my calm controlled breath gave me a satisfying feeling. I felt good that I did not behave like the Aussie cricketers when I crossed them as they were walking back when I returned from the Napier Bridge. My daughter has been telling me about a middle aged man on treadmill next to her in the Gym and how he tries to run faster than her. I told her that I must have done the same in racing the girl on the beach today. There is something in us ageing men, we don’t want to lose to the fairer sex.
Met Ram​ at my water point as he was returning from his coffee break at Saravana Bhawan. He was limping and complaining of bad knees. That reminded me of my aches and pains. All of us have our physical issues, but, once we get running, these are forgotten as pure joy floods us!
Reached home at 7:39 AM, I am getting slower every day. As long as there is time for bath and breakfast before office, who cares!

The troubled weekend

            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!

Gandhiji Tussi Great Ho

            I was amazed at my mature response to India’s loss in the World Cup semi-final. At least running has given me the equanimity to face such situations with calm. Earlier, I would have chewed up all my nails a few days State mourning would have been declared. It was business as usual. I remember the comment somebody had posted that 11 Indians were working and the rest were watching them. When I met my friend, the traffic policeman manning the busy pedestrian crossing near the station today, (he is a die-hard cricket fan and I had asked if he would take off for the all important match and he had said with sadness that he would have to follow it on his Mobile!) I told him it was good that he did not get leave and I did not take leave. At least 13 Indians were working yesterday!  

            Why this sudden reaffirmation of admiration for Bapu? I was recently going through a video by Dr. Michael Greger on why survival rates or longevity of Vegans is not much different from Meat eaters and Vegetarians even though they score much lower on risks on all major diseases. It was proved in an erudite one hour presentation which sounded like a whodunit that the villains of the piece are B12 and Omega 3 Acids. The scary part was that Vegans have a substantially higher risk of neurological and brain diseases. Now Gandhiji before Google and Youtube had cracked the mystery using his experiments with diet and traditional knowledge. His recipe for Omega3 acids was the humble Flax seeds (or Linseed) and as for B12, his wife Ba helped him in seeking the humble Goats help. These issues have been plaguing me since I decided to go Vegan about two years back.

            I have been conscious of failing memory for names and faces (which could just be natural decline with age!), but, I decided to go for B12 supplement and taking Flax seeds (ground). I hope I build enough of B12 to be self sustaining after I finish the one month course of the supplement. Why I narrate this story is how that great man had his fingers in so many pies (there doesn’t appear to be a field to which he has not contributed!) even while leading the fight against the mighty British.

            These were the thoughts which were uppermost in my mind in the morning as I sat at my spinning wheel with Biscuit dozing next to me. As usual, the small inner voice tried bargaining for a break from run so as to conserve for the weekend long runs. For me now, I believe like cricketers, I want to make the form count. I want to put in as many miles as I can. To cut the long story short, I changed into my running dress before Biscuit’s walk and that settles it for me.

            I was at the gates at 4:19 AM. The strip tease point, the intersection of Uttamar Gandhi Salai was steeped in darkness, thanks to COC giving the old man privacy to contemplate the state of his country. Today I had a long discussion with a scooterist with a pillion at the signal before Saravana Bhawan who tried to convince me to run on the left side of the road instead of near the divider. I thought this was a settled issue with the Hubli Pass’r and Traffic police, Chennai would have notified it, but, he said many drunk come during that time. Much to the amusement of another old man who was patiently overhearing us, I explained that with sober people like him, I had no danger and as for drunk, they surely would not know right from wrong!

            The dog with his owner (the one who is my weather vane!) came with his tongue out by a mile scaring me to prepare for fireworks of the kind Men in Blue got from the Aussie pacers.  Profuse sweating I was experiencing even at my relaxed pace corroborated the dog’s prognosis! Clock near Gandhi statue struck the hour of 5 even as I was near the MRTS flyover.

            I have this old distinguished person who seems to be recovering from some stroke and walks with a walker with his attendant. We regularly exchange greetings and I am impressed by his regularity and punctuality. Since I generally meet him at the start of the run on Beach road, I don’t want to take a break. I am actually tempted to get his story as it would be inspirational for many, maybe someday!

            I consciously tried to run at a relaxed pace today so that I am able to keep my mind calm and also wish every runner/cyclist who wishes me, An early start had given me that luxury. There was not much of unusual to report in today’s run as the usual people crossed me and attendance was marked by both the parties.

            Even though I was not thirsty when I crossed the AVM water point, and I had the tea leaves still going in my mouth to keep me salivating, I took the drinks break. I have now been getting good response to my greetings from the COC sanitary workers (particularly, the one I had chided earlier when she had wanted to get some money from me instead of greeting!). I reached home at 7:46 AM, a full 3:27 after start for the 32K. Will try the slow stuff tomorrow also!  Finally two days of running without the tyranny of clock!

To run or not to run was the question

            Sleep deficit and running without a break seemed to get the better of me today. The aching limbs must have chorused ‘Mauka-Mauka’! Discipline ensured I woke up at 2 AM and shut out the alarm on the mobile, but, I fell to the old trick of Morpheus and decided to take a five minute nap. Next I knew it was 3 AM! Axe first fell on spinning, however, half an hour of Facebook followed by some stretching over Green tea kept the possibility of the run alive. I was aware of the fact that (now don’t call me unpatriotic, my saying will not jinx it!) if India lost then getting through the day with no run could mean a few murders in office!

            Biscuit’s walk started at 4 AM, he showed no sense of urgency and decided to do a thorough examination of the grounds. Thankfully, stray dogs were not to be seen. They seemed to have decided to extend their sleep time declaring a holiday from office for the India match! It was 4:30 AM that we finally came back to the hut. When I sat back to complete my third course of tea after putting the milk packets in the fridge, Biscuit started sensing a ‘No run today’ declaration from me anytime. Felt bad to disappoint him and the muted but concerted effort by a little tired body. The fact that I had changed into running clothes before the walk decided it for me in the end.

            I placated my body by promising them that I would run slowly as I walked to the crease (read the starting point outside the colony gates!), time was 4:52 AM. I had messaged my wife about the late departure of Hubli Pass’r and the outer limit of return as 8:30AM so that she doesn’t call the cops!

            If I was expecting empty roads due to the match, it looked like just another day for the tea shops and sanitary workers. The water lorries and hurrying private vehicles (rushing home for match?) meant I had a crowded road to negotiate.

            On the TTK flyover a bunch of noisy youngsters on bikes passed by me. I was treated to gentle ribbing and raucous laughter from across the divider. I gave them a calm smile as I was drunk on Endorphin! The last vehicle slowed down alongside me and I got the ultimate insult from the guy on the pillion, Walkingaaa..? I should have been offended, but, it was delivered with so much sincerity that I could only manage that I could do this pace for 12 hours. I am not sure if they meant to be sarcastic, it could be a case of Tamlish for running being Walking (…as is in other regional languages too!). It would be so much fun if these kids could come for a jugalbandi some day on Beach road instead of burning father’s money and the precious fossil fuel!

            The place around Gandhi statue was fairly crowded with squatters after walk and gossipers, must be my later hour. It was already 5:35AM by the clock. Met my friend Jesudas and his wife as they were finishing their walk. I spent a few minutes unsuccessfully wooing the cows who had settled probably for the preview of the all important match. I had to wait till I reached opposite the Presidency college to find a late luncher cow who did not mind taking a break from the main course of her meal to sample the sweet dish of two plantain peels.

            The loop around island ground was done in pretty lighted condition today. I instinctively looked around for the baby tortoise at the beginning of the loop where an armyman walker and self had tried to rescue him from the middle of the road to deposit him on the mud filled divider. Arranging for his ‘Ghar Wapsi’ would have been a tall ask considering that the beach was about a kilometer off. In fact, when I mentioned this at home, both wife and daughter asked me as to why I did not bring it home. Fresh from a viewing of ‘Kung Fu Panda’, I agree we could have done with his wisdom!

            Today the army contingent in PT whites with whom I had run the last time was coming from the opposite side. They threw all their discipline and reserve to the winds for once and gave me a loud cheer. I met the two lads who had wanted me to race the Indian Army team member running from the opposite direction. They gave me a bright 100W smile! The bridge, the scene of Adam teasing was a beehive of activity and the mixed crowd of both sexes and kids meant safe passage. I got helloes from my young friends. Last, but, not the least was a pair of drunks whom crossed on the Sivananda Salai. One of them passed me muttering ‘Why does he run every day’? In another place another time, it could have sounded ‘What do you do with a problem like Maria’? I get the feeling of Big Brother watching me always!

            Met Mathematician and barefoot runner I befriended yesterday, but, he had finished his run and was walking. Another regular who normally runs in the opposite direction (man with big moustache and who had raced with me one day!) joined me at the Labour statue as I was coming back towards Light house for my first loop. We got talking and it came out that he is from Railways (RPF!). He checked my appetite and informed in return that he does 10Km every day. When I finished my second loop near Gandhi statue, it was a little shy of 7:30 AM (the clock chimed when I was exchanging waves with the policemen guarding the Commissioner’s office).

            Even though the coverage may have started, the crowds on the road was not any less. I took a longer break at the water point (the cooler was not ON today!) and socialized a bit with the guard of the parking lot and the Saravana Bhawan next door. I reached home at 8:11 AM (a 3:19, 32K!) well before the announced arrival time.

The Good run continues

It was a late night on Sunday due to a bizarre incident of our car getting stuck in haphazardly parked cars in the parking lot. It was almost 11 PM when I hit the bed. Due to co-operation from Biscuit and some cheating on time reserved for spinning, I could do the planned run on Monday. The sleep deficit showed up as an even earlier crash on Monday night and also a delayed start today too! The incidents of the two runs are all jumbled in my head.
I must have missed the milkman Shanmugham, when I came out of the door to go for the run, there lay two packets of milk, one sweating in humidity and the other bled white from some pre-existent injury. I immediately took a photo of the scene of crime and informed the suspect. I hope his promise of exchange tomorrow is delivered!
The gnarled and aged tree in the Officer’s club compound seemed to be boycotting the celebration of green by its young neighbours, much like a reluctant Indian Minister in a Pakistan Day celebration!
Biscuit was challenged by the street dog when it saw that Biscuit was trying to woo his mate in the cover of darkness. Biscuit withdrew sheepishly like a kid caught with his hand in the Jam jar. His apologetic cooing was accepted by the benevolent couple!  
I think it was yesterday that I saw a mendicant dressed in saffron coloured clothing looking up to the image of the St. Albert holding a kid in hand on the Cathedral road. I don’t know if it was his way of assuring safe haven or his attempt at seeking some alternate remedy!
You meet a different world in the morning. You have tricycle with their load of firewood and bullock carts frothing with their load when Chukku Kaapi reigns. When I get back, the scene is transformed to big cars and aromatic coffee. It’s like a time travel every day!
I have this pair of a dog (I don’t know his breed, or, I would not address him so!) with his tongue hanging out and its owner who cross me on the R. K. Salai every day. I can corroborate the humidity and heat by the length of the tongue the dog has hung out on any given day! It is my version of the weather vane. I talked to his owner and praised his pet (he told me that they walked for 45 minutes every day) for its discipline. My attempt at getting introduced to the pet was seen as keeping him away from his walk and he growled at me. Must get Biscuit to meet him and get some inspiration from him.
Today during my run on the stretch between Labour Statue and Lighthouse I had the company of another barefoot runner (I did not get his name!). He is a mathematician by profession and we had interesting discussion on running and why mathematicians are rarely prolific beyond their 30’s. He has been running for the last 30 years. Even if the distance or pace is not to his satisfaction (who has ever reached his satisfaction level on these two!), I saluted him for his sheer longevity! Another interesting bit was a lady from among a group of a rustic set coming from the opposite direction broke into a canter with a wide grin as she passed me, much to the merriment of her friends. I was reminded of the three ladies of NH-218 in Hubli. Running with passion does find a resonance and expression or otherwise of the same is dependent on how much of the etiquette has been drilled in!
I have been meeting Sundar Purush​ on most days on the Mount road stretch and again when in my second loop on beach road. Doctor seems to have taken a break or maybe switched to a bicycle.
Though I have not been able to recognize the cyclists under their similar looking helmets, I have started greeting every cyclist I cross in my morning run.
Usually a group of men greet me from their perch of the bridge near the slum at the start of Mount road, but, today a group of women seemed to have dislodged them. In my prim fashion I did not greet them and crossed them without engaging in eye contact. As soon as I crossed them, I heard peals of laughter and a cat call. I got a taste of medicine of what the members of the fairer sex must be regularly going through. So, Adam was teased today, and let me tell you it is quite discomforting.
On the way back, I had a drink from the AVM water spout which I have now made a daily routine. I meet interesting characters filling their daily supply of drinking water from that point. Today I met and had a discussion with the tricycle fellow (who must be trading in waste recycling from his wares!) about if any such water outlets were there anywhere else. He did not know one, however, he was filling up a big Bisleri can which could last him whole day long! I was accosted by a walker from Beach road who having had his refreshments at the Saravana Bhawan came over to check my age, distance run and the usual questions. Finally, I rose in his esteem further when he came to know that I am a native of Namma Tamilnadu (if I can make a casteist statement, he was overjoyed that I was a Brahmin, I am sure Periyar must be turning in his grave!).
I am getting a little tired of my usual circuit and the ache in my left leg is surely just a ploy by my bored mind to instigate the body to sneak a break. Still, I am pleased with the regularity of my runs. I hope the news of the 24 hour run stadium of Bangalore on August 2nd and the 12 hour run on Independence Day at Mumbai keeps me going.

When the clock struck work and other episodes

When Hubli Passenger chugged in to turn right from R K Salai at the Gandhi statue to go to Lighthouse, the clock was showing 12 O’ clock. It looked like the clock after a late night weekend party was having a bad hangover. The first time I was able to see the clock was at the Madras University building and it showed 5:20 AM.
I have been running without a break the last whole week with my usual appetite of 32K on weekday and 42K during the weekend just passed by. However, I have been consumed by the book ‘Running with the Pack’ by Mark Rowlands which I got last Saturday, the 14th of March on the occasion of my birthday. It is a brilliantly written book and gives an entirely new meaning to running and why it is such a joy. I found myself echoing the author’s experience at most places in his book though I may not have gone so rigorously as a Philosopher’s trained mind which the author has to arrive at those insights. I did mention the book to Milind Soman​ who surprised me near Lighthouse yesterday and ran with me for a few kilometers before work called him back.
I have not been regular in posting my experiences in the last few outings. I shall post a few events from my runs in the last week after finishing the today’s run saga.
Today’s highlight was running with a group of Army jawans who asked me to lead them for a part of the loop on Mount road and Sivananda Salai. They humoured me by keeping to my pace till we parted at the foot of the Napier bridge. The run took 3:21 for the 32K today.
Where is your shirt Gandhi
I sometimes do get taunted for going bare top during my morning runs. Yesterday a bunch of youngsters passed me on their bike on the TTK flyover when among the usual cat calls I was asked why I don’t wear a shirt. The youngster on a fast bike did not have the time to wait to hear my answer, but, it set me thinking! Gandhi was once asked by a young boy if he would wear a top cloth if he spins a cloth for him on his spinning wheel. Gandhi is said to have told him that he would have to provide for his brothers and sisters also, and at the boy asking how many shirts would he require, he seemed to have famously said 65 Crore, the population of India then. Well, my reason for going topless is more selfish, a more efficient heat transfer while running. We are a very tolerant country in respecting the wide variety of our sartorial tastes. While one end of the spectrum is brought up by a sect of the Jain religion who never change out of their original birthday suits to the Madisaar Maami a traditional south Indian feminine wear all of nine yards. Hope our kids have the maturity to celebrate the differences for makes us such a wonderful country! I bored Milind with all this while he updated me on his continued successes in Pinkathon Hyderabad and how he is in town for the next edition at Chennai on 12th of April. I told him to read the book by Mark Rowlands and am sure he would relate to most of what is said there! Sundar Purush​ crossed me on the beach road and finally I got to meet him, this was our first meeting after his daughter’s birthday. My wife has been pestering me to find out if his daughter liked and plays with the dog toy which we gave her on her first birthday. It warmed my heart that they have named the toy Biscuit!
In my yesterday’s marathon run, I got to know that the person in white and white who gets greeted by all who pass him was the scion of the famous AVM family. When I got to know this from my friend Jesudas, I made bold to stop and talk to him in my next loop. He evinced interest in the distance I run and I told him that I regularly use the RO treated water spout outside AVM kalyana mantapam and that it was a unique and pleasant effort for this part of the country though not uncommon in the North of Vindhyas.
I had the company of lot of cyclists on Sunday and also met Marina runnerz who were stretching on the flag staff road. The run took me 4:30 hrs for the 42K run.
Soliloquy and Gender equality on Chennai roads
I started the Saturday run early at 3:55 AM as I had a meeting at 11 AM in office and was expecting some important guests at home. That long distance and Ultra running leads one to dialogue with one’s inner self is widely documented, but, I was rudely awakened when I passed a man sitting under the bus shelter on the other side of the divider on R K Salai loudly muttering to himself. The devil may care attitude of his and the Endorphin induced gay abandon of myself only emphasized once again for me that there is but a fine line between madness and passion!
I must have just gone a few hundred meters, that I saw an old man drawing complex Rangoli on the edge of the road which was well swept and water washed. The smiling large poster of Amma seemed to approve the breaking of the barriers.
I ran on the restricted stretch measuring 5K between Lighthouse and Labour statue. To make up for the full marathon, I had to do six loops of the shortened stretch.
On the way back just as I crossed the Saravana Bhawan coffee stall, a scooter came very close to me and as I was preparing to take evasive action, the rider said that he has seen me for last many months and wanted to talk to me. The long walk with me glued to the phone directing to resolve the botched up reception of the guest which cost me half an hour meant that it took me 4:35 hrs for the run of what could have been a super pacy marathon!
Coming back to today’s run, I got to socialize at the water break with a middle aged man with whom I regularly exchange waves in my daily run as he walks on the beach road. He collected information on the length of my runs.
The rest of the last week have been the usual 32K runs ranging from the fastest 3:08 to 3:21 of today.

Why should girls have all the fun?

            We had a carpet of dried leaves for us during our morning walk today. Reminder that summer is fast approaching. The trees looked fresh in their summer crew cut. The moon just a sliver of its glorious rotund past. A mild breeze and slightly cooler air meant the inmates were sleeping peacefully. The Chukku Kaapi guy had the unpleasant task of having to wake up the guards from their slumber. The strays were curled up in the cool sands. Even the mild whiff of stink from the Cooum was tolerable. Tiggy was asleep. The alert guard outside the DRM’s bungalow invited Biscuit’s wrath (Biscuit has a problem with the RPF guards even from his Hubli days, maybe, he associates them with the trainer from their service who had unsuccessfully tried to train him when he was young at Delhi!) and not so friendly growls. Shanmugham our milk delivery man was returning as we were getting into the lift after the walk.

            Started off at 4:14 AM. All the guards on Haddows road and the guy and his canine friend at the petrol bunk were fast asleep today, maybe, making best use of the last few days of fair weather. When I had crossed the Gemini flyover and before the TTK flyover, I saw a bullock cart parked with the driver having his morning cuppa of the cup that cheers. The bullock was frothing at its mouth and I felt that I should feed him the banana peels (Yes, why should girls have all the fun!). It must be tough being born a male in the bovine world. What with infanticide and no right to life and in between the few survivors condemned to hard labour on city roads. The picture perfect images of bullocks in lush green fields looks now like an advertisers hoax!

            Today also I encountered many runners coming from the opposite direction on R K Salai, they must be starting very early! I was at the Gandhi statue while on my first loop when the clock struck 5 AM. A walker (he is found more gossiping under the Gandhi statue than walking actually!) commented in desperation as to what I must be getting by running so much every day to the tune of ‘Why this Kolaveri! I was in half a mind to stop and have a debate on benefits of running, but, I did not want to lose my rhythm in the early part of the run.

            I had another encounter on Sivanada salai with a scooter rider with a pillion who wanted to advise me against running along the divider in the middle of the road. I cut him short and earned his wrath (he must be thinking how ungrateful I am!). I told him to be careful while driving and I shall take care of myself (I also tried to tell him why I avoid the edge of the road!). He gave a suggestion that I should wear shoes if gravel bothers my bare feet, now that’s sacrilege to a barefoot runner. It’s like saying ‘If they can’t have bread Let them eat cake’!

            Today also I did the second loop in the reverse direction. The loops between Napier bridge and Lighthouse were done on a very crowded platform today. I had to stop at many places to give way to bikes and cars coming from the inner road. It was 6:52 AM when I finally reached Gandhi statue for the return trip. I have now made it a routine to stop for a drink of water at the AVM kalyana mantapam so as to not risk dehydration. Reached at the colony gates at 7:31 AM, today would count a relaxed 3:17, 32K!