-- The last Iftaar meal on Sunday --
In Search of the Dry Lake (4.4 Miles) -- 06/27/17
Tuesday 06/27/17 -- In search of the Dry Lake
Back Gate - Sadarmangala - Kodigehalli - Loop through the fields -
Back to Sadarmangala.
Mileage: 4.4 Miles - 7.1 Km (not 100% sure)
Time: 0:47:02 (vo bhi, not 100% sure)
Pace: 10'41" / mile (seems plausible)
Wght: 69.6 kg - 153.4 kg
First after Ramzan Roza.
Have not progressed much on Surah Imram.
Nice windy cool weather, as it has been all month.
Weight dropped this much only in the very last days. I bet you it will
kick right back up though, as activity resumes.
In spite of not skipping a single Namaaz and reading through much
the Qur'an, my learning of Surah Imraam has come to a virtual standstill
through Ramzan, and I pick up the pieces on the run.
As a last minute inspiration, looking for a way to the drying
Sadarmangala lake, explore through the trails. Run through
isolated workers' settlements and fields, (and threatening dogs
at a safe distance), but cannot reach,
(in spite of asking talaab ka rasta a couple times), so end
up looping back to Kodigehalli road.
Overall, good. Right hamstring will really tense up though,
as should be expected.
My phone died but came back on, and I'm not sure of the exact
route, hence this doubt about measurements, but they do certainly
feel in the ballpark.
Soon to leave for the US. Both happy and anguished to leave
Ruksanna for some time.
NEW SHOES
-- Madeleine and Terra on the Crescent City beach --
Crescent City (6.2 Miles) -- 07/02/17
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 07/01/17 -- Crescent City, along the Beach
Penny Saver - 7th - Pebble Beach, to Keller Ave. - back by 3rd.
Time: 0:51:10
Mileage: 4.6 Miles - 7.4 Km
Pace: 11'07" / mile
First run for some time, barely had time to warm back up after the fast, and here we are. I'm careful to not overdo it, thinking I'll run 30 to 45 minutes, and barely overdo it. Feeling generally good, although hamstrings as usual very tight. It's overcast and much colder than I would have expected, but beautiful, and feeling good.
-- Stewarts Point --
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday 07/02/17 -- Crescent City, to Stewarts Point
Pebble Beach, at Pacific Ave. - to Stewarts Point: 0:29:18
Trail to beack and back: 0:03:27
Back: 0:07:39
Second trail on the coast, out to cliff: 0:07:20
Back: 0:22:51
Time: 1:10:35
Mileage: 6.2 Miles - 10 Km
Pace: 11'23" / mile
Very foggy, drizzly. Up early as Ruksanna woke me up around 5am
as the electricity was cut supposedly because we hadn't paid,
yet we did. I feel nevertheless good.
Why is it that running is so much easier here ? Lower attitude,
cleaner air, spectacular scenery ? Whatever it is, my breathing
feels really fine, and even my muscles don't tense up as much
as I feared, running feels comfortable. I hear loud seals but
too far to see. I take the trails twice in the Point St George
area for a better view of the spectacular coast-line.
I've started advancing in Surah Imraan again.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Terra and I in the Smith River --
-- Hidden Beach --
Along the Pacific (8.5 Miles) -- 07/04/17
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday 07/04/17 -- Coastal Trail, Klamath Overlook to Lagoon Creek.
Requa road Klamath Overlook, Coastal Trail North to Hidden Beach: 0:39:59
To Hidden Beach and Back: 1:28:31
To Lagoon Creek Picnic Area: 0:14:21
Back to Klamath Overlook: 1:08:20
Time: 2:04:09
Mileage: 8.5 Miles (approx.)
Pace: 14'36" / mile (approx.)
-- Along the Coast --
Fog. Snake. Solitude. Hidden beach. Trail hard at first.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Up Mount Shasta --
Mount Shasta -- 07/06/17
Partway up the mountain, from Bunny Flat to Horse Camp, and beyond.
Time: 2:23:27
After leaving Terra and Madeleine in Grants Pass.
Arrived Shasta afternoon, after having left Madeleine and Terra
in Grant's Pass.
The little old lady visitor center. Up the mountain. She was wrong,
the snow much higher up. Good inspiration, follow "horse camp" sign,
then ask. Leads to "base camp". A house, from there snow. I go anyway.
The memory of the ridiculous inexperienced people, but I insist in myself
that I know what I'm doing.
Not steep, and snow is easy. I can't resist and make it up a first
slope, but that's it. Snow is good, and descent easier than I expected,
digging my heels, with a stick, and even a little "ramasse". But the
snow has really gotten to my feet, and I stop for a time back at the
shelter to warm up. How great this was. Good thing I didn't listen
to the Lady.
-- Mc Cloud Waterfall early morning --
Along the Mc Cloud River (10.6 Miles) -- 07/07/17
Lower Mc Cloud River Falls - Mid Falls - Upper Falls - Lakin Dam -
Road / Bridge - to Fireplace with tall Chimney: 1:01:43
Back: 1:00:05
Time: 2:01:48
Estimated Pace: 11'30" / mile
Estimated Mileage: 10.6 Miles
-- Along the Mc Cloud River --
Last long run. Will then drive straight from here to SF.
The little old lady's recommendation. Waterfall. Early morning,
fishermen by the falls, but otherwise not many people (will get
crowded later). The middle waterfall, getting close.
Past the dam, landscape changes. Along the quiet river, not a single
soul. Foot tracks. A dirt road leading to a bridge, no-one. Beautiful
clear weather, mostly in the shade of the trees. Gently rolling. The
quiet river. Some milestone ? Another dirt roady, a fireplace surmounted
by a tall chimney, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, completely deserted.
This is the kind of trail that could go on forever, turn back.
Feeling comfortable. On the way back, resume Qur'an, wondering
if the memory of this run will stick with those verses. The milestones.
In the waterfall area, busy with casual hikers, families. The changed
waterall under the later light, stop again.
Finally back. Successful run, especially in light of recovery
from both surgery and Ramzan. Haven't run this long in a long time,
but running in this environment as usual much easier.
I change clothes in the toilet and clean up with a little of
my bottled water, ready for the drive to SF where I have a lot of
administrative business to do.
This run was good, but not awesome. I blame once again the advice
of the little old lady, who really doesn't understand anything about
hiking. I made her promise views of the mountain, and there were none,
and I conclude I generally prefer those wide open vistas as opposed to
the claustrophobic feeling of the forest. And on the road, a sign
seems to taunt me further: "Mount Shasta Wilderness Trailheads".
I'll have to come back ...
-- The waterfall later in the morning --
-- Goobye, Terra and Madeleine ... --
Difficult Return (7.35 Miles) -- 07/14/17
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 07/12/17 --
PSN Front Gate - Hoodi Station - Kodigehalli Rd - Cognitio School -
Sadaramangala.
Mileage: 5.6 Miles - 9 Km
Time: 0:57:52
Pace: 10'20" / mile
Wght: 71.1 kg - 156.7 lbs
After an atrocious night, first run since returning to India last Monday. The passport operation, almost forced on us by Deepak, has been a debacle on Monday. That, with the always difficult return to India (and I feared this particular one), puts me in a state of disproportionate despair.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 07/14/17 --
Back Gate - Maidam - Kodigehalli (cclockwise) - Belathur rd, to the NW -
to Old Madras Road: 0:37:54
Back same way.
Time: 1:14:38
Mileage: 7.35 Miles - 11.8 Km
Pace: 10'09" / mile
Wght: 71.9 kg - 158.5 lbs
An almost completely sleepless night,
finally sleep to wake-up panting to a nightmare
of my Mother dying with me on a mountain.
But I feel strangely fine, finish reading Surah Nahl (a great Surah),
and an exceptional prayer of Surah Yaseen. In fact, when I rejoin
Ruksanna, my body is still trembling from it.
Overcast and windy weather. But once again, I realize how much sweat
in this climate, even on this relatively cold morning, compared to US!
Get re-accustomed to the dogs. Mostly, I use the run to continue advancing
in Surah Imraan, easily adding yet another Aayat.
Deepak calls on the run, but I don't answer, returning the call just
after returning home.
An atrocious conversation. We are trapped !!!
-- Passing train, Sadarmangala --
Sacrifice (8.4 Miles) -- 07/16/17
Back Gate - E. Along the Tracks - Kadugodi: 0:20:17
Hoskote Rd. - Left @ Alpine - Chikka Banahalli rd. to
small village: 0:23:20 (4.38 Miles - 7.05 Km)
Back, via Belathur Rd.: 0:42:53 (4 Miles - 6.44 Km)
Time: 1:26:32
Mileage: 8.4 Miles - 13.5 Km
Pace: 10'18" / mile
Wght: 71 kg - 156.5 lbs
Horrible morning.
Madeleine finally.
The long train. The women. Divert my gaze.
The old road. As usual, activity near Kadugodi.
Hoskote road. The pigs.
Right, small road, a lake. The little village. Ask my way,
but as usual, am advised towards main road. Don't know, so turn back.
This time via Belathur. Near the Hazrat, a gathering. On the road,
a dead goat in a pool of blood, its head severed. I do not stop.
I hear cries, animal or human.
Near exhaustion. Dizziness back. I tough it out nevertheless.
An aggressive dog. A woman on a bike advised me to not yell so
loud. They come when you run. I smile. This little episode has
revived me a little bit. I complete slowly, remembering a dream
last night where a old lady saree was walking faster than I could run.
-- Landscape near Chikka Banahalli --
-- Pigs are a frequent site in the Kodigehalli area --
After Koramangala (7.25 Miles) -- 07/18/17
Front Gate - Hoodi Station - Ayappa Nagar - BasavanaPura -
Seegehalli, past the lake: 0:38:22
Through Bethel Nagar - Kodigehalli rd. - Sadarmangala: 0:30:53
Time: 1:09:15
Mileage: 7.25 Miles - 11.65 Km
Pace: 9'33" / mile
Wght: 71.7 kg - 158.1 lbs
Succesfully closing these absurd passport applications yesterday
in Koramangala (and even the fact that the drive to and from there
was surprisingly easy) has brought IMMENSE relief.
My horrible brooding has just about disappeared, as swiftly as it
had taken hold of me, and now the depth of it seems hard to comprehend.
This re-found energy translates into a much better, optimistic run,
resulting in a higher pace at no effort (although I don't fully trust
this number). I am also well able to confirm the verses of Surah Imran
that I've learned rather quickly recently.
Now, on to all the other things to do !
-- Battaharalli Lake --
Kithaganur (9.3 Miles) -- 07/22/17
Saturday 07/22/17 -- Beyond Old Madras Road.
Back Gate - Sadarmangala - to Kodigehalli rd. - Straight through Maidam -
New dirt route through the left - Bigger Maidam - Small village alleys -
to Seegehalli Road - Old Madras Rd at Medahalli: 0:33:38
North, through Medahalli - Past St. Gaspar - Kithaganur -
Back on Kithaganur rd. - Past Shishu Mandir - Battarahalli Lake -
Garden City Univ. - Indus Valley School - Old Madras Road
at Battarahalli: 0:27:37
Old Madras Rd, East - Back via Ayappa Nagar - Sadarmangala: 0:34:20
Mileage: 9.3 Miles - 15 Km
Time: 1:35:34
Pace: 10'16" / mile
Wght: 72.4 kg - 159.6 lbs
Something new!
From Maidam, adventurously to the left, large maidam, slums and kotress,
eventually to small village, dirt alleys, and so many dogs that I have
to slow to a walk. People friendly. I get a little lost, eventually
reach Seegehalli road, which is a little too far West, will have to
refine this. Still, I reach Old Madras Road within approx. 1/2 hr,
which is where the planned exploration starts.
First through Medahalli to the little village of Kithaganur, from
last time, the road has been completed, wide and paved, than becomes
small and rural, overlooking a mostly dry lake. At Kithaganur, I turn
left this time, which I believe will take me back to the main road
further W. Pleasant run, feeling good, fresh air and wind. Eventually
lead to a lake (battarahalli lake it turns out), looks like I've almost
reached Old Madras Road, but from here unexpected turns seems to divert
me to the point where I start wondering if I'll get lost. Like before
ask my way, and eventually make it to the familiar highway.
Have advanced again in Surah Imran. Running overall feels good at
this slow pace, and a welcome relief from extremely stressful times.
-- KRPuram Lake (or Devasandra Lake ??) --
KRPuram (9.15 Miles) -- 07/29/17
Main Rd. - Hoodi - Ayappa Nagar - BasavanaPura (right) -
to Old Madras Rd near KRPuram Market: 0:38:46 (3.91 M - 6.3 Km)
Loop through Devasandra - KRPuram Lake - Back to KRPuram Market: 0:13:05
(1.37 M - 2.21 Km)
Back via Devasandra rd. - Ayappa Nagar - Kodigehalli Rd. - Sadarmangala -
PSN Back Gate: 0:40:05 (3.85 M - 6.19 Km)
Time: 1:31:56
Mileage: 9.15 Miles - 14.7 Km
Pace: 10'02" / mile
Wght: 71.7 kg / 158.1 lbs
Returned from trip to Mumbai where we finalized contract, appartment
and school !!
This morning, a good run, while Ruksanna has taken Nazia and Shazia
to "vomit" in SivajiNagar in the early morning.
Cool breezy weather, and muddy roads from last night's rain.
As often, on an inspiration, take the somewhat new BasavanaPura road
to the left which leads near KRPuram Market. But here is where exploration
really starts, taking a right into a promising street from Devasandra rd.
This narrows down in stages, finishing in small alleys in the usual
modest quarters, lively, but the way forward is unclear. I have caught
a glimpse of some sort of lake to the right, and oblique that way,
returning West then East to reach it. A man whom I ask tells me this
is "KRPuram lake", but Google has it as Devasandra Lake. Either way,
I take its picture, and finish this loop by returning to KRPuram
Market, chaotically busy as usual.
I tire a bit on the way back, all body hurting, but complete the run
nonetheless, in fact lengthening it a little through Kodigehalli in
the sole goal of reaching the last verse of Surah Imraan in my learning.
I have been very concerned lately that perhaps my exhaustion could
be digestive. Ruksanna yesterday has prepared very light meals, which
indeed seem to help. I've finally come to the conclusion that my
fatigue after food goes way far beyond the normal post-meal drowsiness.
Perhaps I should see a doctor... Or submit to Ruksanna's "vomit" as well ...
-- KRPuram Market --
-- Surah Aal-i-Imraan, First Ruku --
Further to the North, or Surah Aal-i-Imraan (8.35 Miles) -- 08/02/17
Medahalli, by the lake - across Old Madras - Medahalli -
Kitaganur: 0:29:45
Bidirahalli - Next village (Bayyapanahalli): 0:11:38
Back same way: 0:42:10
Mileage: 8.35 Miles - 13.45 Km
Time: 1:23:34
Pace: 10'00" / mile
Wght: 72.2 kg - 159.2 lbs
Something new. At last, this plan.
Run it by Ruksanna. Audah ??, and we laugh.
Peaceful run. Good, but not great. Mean looking dogs right away, but ok.
Run very well, at slow pace, satisfied with breathing and conscious relax
despite tightening muscles (esp. usual hamstrings). Amazing by the way
how I seem to naturally settle into a 10'00"/mile even pace.
Am finishing learning Surah Imraan, satisfying. It's been very
potent in Namaaz.
But I hadn't counted on the 9 o'clock trafic! Takes forever to get back
through Hoodi. Whoever westerner has not driven himself in India could
never understand what it's like. A tightrope exercise of caution and
aggression, and attention of every instant. This would be better
done on a Sunday.
Nevertheless, this continues the last hurrah in Bangalore, the final
exploration of the Northern part. Hardly a month left.
-- Road sign in Kannada, Bidirahalli --
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 08/04/17 --
Back Gate - Sadarmangala - Kodigehalli - Belathur Rd. - Cognitio School -
Towards Kadugodi - Loop to Belathur Rd. - Rural road - Sadarmangala.
Time: 0:57:26
Mileage: 6.2 Miles - 10 Km
Pace: 9'16"/mile
Wght: 71.4 kg - 157.4 lbs
A late start. Madeleine just phoned as I was heading out, Facetime with
her and Terra, then out around 8:15.
Cool, a little windy, almost drizzly, good for running, and I've slept
unusually late (which for me is 6am!). I take this opportunity to push
the pace a little as the run progresses, finishing at a good effort
for my present condition. Have continued to "confirm" surah Imraan.
Yesterday, we've sold car and scooter. Move is set for the 28th.
It's very rare for me to feel rested, I really value it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Surah Aal-i-Imraan, Last Ruku --
Last Bangalore Runs, Seegehalli Lake (8.2 Miles) -- 08/09/17
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 08/09/17 --
PSN Back Gate - Sadarmangala E. - Kodigehalli Rd. - Medahalli rd. -
To the Big Lake: 0:33:08
Seegehalli Rd. - Around Seegehalli Lake - Battarahalli: 0:20:38
Basavanapura Rd. - Ayappa Nagar - Hoodi - Sadarmangala: 0:27:44
Time: 1:21:30
Mileage: 8.2 Miles - 13.2 Km
Pace: 9'56"/mile
Wght: 72.4 kg - 159.6 lbs
Up at 4:00 for mediation, but feeling miraculously clear and alert,
after reading another ruku of Surah Furqan. Go on this run after
the call, feeling well within my limits in a similar blustery overcast
weather, but feeling a certain boredom at the same same roads. This
is still a good opportunity to continue to rehearse Surah Imraan,
which I've started using in Namaaz to great results.
The run turns out to be good, except for the trafic from
Basavanapura onwards, which really cuts my breath and energy
short (don't how much of this is real or mental). I'm happy to
escape that after reaching the Sadarmangala dirt road.
This weekend was in Elaruvi, probably for one of the last times.
-- Elaruvi Evening, to the chant of the peacocks --
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday 08/10/17 --
Home Gym: 0:54:00
Sequence: Push-ups - Shoulders - Biceps - Triceps - Combo Punches.
Wght: 72.6 kg - 160 lbs
Good strong session, in spite of "mosquito night".
Irritated by this seemingly unavoidable "weight creep".
Finished reading Surah Furqan.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 08/11/17 --
Shantiniketan Podium 2*2: 0:23:51 - 0:24:15
Time: 0:48:06
Mileage: 4.7 Miles - 7.6 Km
Pace: 10'14"/mile
Wght: 72.6 kg - 160 lbs
It has rained, and not motivated to go fight the mud, I decide
to stay inside on the Podium, even though it's boring as hell.
Besides, I use this run for a detailed revision of Surah Mulk,
which I hope to pray in Jumaah Zohar ki Namaaz, after Surah
Yaseen this morning. Hence this deliberately very slow pace.
Last night, I nearly my second reading of William Shirer's
Rise and Fall of the Third Reich which I find particularly
obsessive, and has been absorbing much of my thoughts (Ruksanna
very puzzled by this sudden frenetic reading...). I had
started it on my last day in San Francisco, where I found it
by chance in a local bookstore. Last time I had read it was as
a teen in French, when it had made on me an equally strong
impression.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Pelicans on Seegehalli Lake --
Pelicans? (8.6 Miles) -- 08/12/17
PSN - Main Rd - Hoodi Shortcut - AyappaNagar - Basavanapura -
Seegehalli, once around the lake: 0:45:53
Seegehalli rd. - Medahalli / Belathur rd. - Village Shortcut -
Sadarmangala: 0:39:06
Time: 1:24:58
Mileage: 8.6 Miles - 13.85 Km
Pace: 9'53"/mile
Wght: 71.7 kg / 158.1 lbs
Leave earlier like old days, around 6. Need to rush to Deen's school
at 8 to get Sofia's TC, then my new glasses, before we leave to
Elaruvi probably for the last time.
Feeling really good. Good "classic" namaaz, pace easy and relaxed,
breathing excellent, helped by the relatively cool temperature.
Wet muddy from last night, but I avoid the muddier sections.
This is actually very similar to the last run, but in reverse, which
has the advantage of hitting the traffic section first while it's
still early (besides, there is hardly any trafic on this saturday
long weekend).
A surprise awaits me on Seegehalli: A large population of Pelicans!!
Never saw that here, and strangely they seemed isolated to this lake.
I pause to take pictures a few times as I circumvent the lake, which
throws off my perfect rhythm till then. But I recapture that on
Belathur road, finishing very well, imagining flying off on a
mountainous bicycle ride, finishing well ahead of imaginary
riders, all the while rehearsing Surah Imraan.
Good run!
Last Bangalore Runs, Bethel Nagar (7.25 Miles) -- 08/20/17
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday 08/18/17 --
Podium Laps: 11'20" - 10'38" - 10'22" - 10'10" - 9'37"
Time: 0:52:09
Mileage: 5.9 Miles - 9.5 Km (One Lap: 1.18 M - 1.90 Km)
Pace: 8'50"/mile - Fastest Lap: 8'09"/mile
Wght: 72.2 kg - 159.2 lbs
Back from 2.5 days in Mumbai. Abundant rain here, and not much time,
so stick to this podium run, at a higher pace.
Focused on running, did not rehearse Qur'an.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday 08/20/17 --
PSN Main Gate - Hoodi (no shortcut) - Ayappa Nagar - Bethel Nagar -
Seegehalli - to Big Lake: 0:41:35
Medanalli - Belathur Rd. - Rural Road to Village - Sadarmangala: 0:31:45
Time: 1:13:20
Mileage: 7.25 Miles - 11.65 Km
Pace: 10'07" / mile
Wght: 71.6 kg - 157.8 lbs
Shazia's surgery yesterday. Ruksanna slept with her at the hospital.
Mixed news on PSA, it has slowly crept to 0.19. I thought this was
a good number at first, but Bernard seems more preoccupied. I dearly
miss Ruksanna at night as I ponder through this.
In the morning, read part of Surah Qasas, then Surah Yaseen in Namaaz.
Not having too much time, I was aiming for a 45' to 1 hr run, but got
"inspired" along the way to this, feeling particularly good on the run
today, easy and relaxed. I continue to perfect the last verses of
Surah Imraan. It has rained over-abundantly the last few days, but
I choose my road away from the mud-bath, and make the impromptu
decision of running through Betel Nagar northbound for once.
After the run, I go straight to the hospital. Ruksanna immediately
guesses that Bernard "must have said something"...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Farewell to Elaruvi --
Last Bangalore Runs, Kadugodi (7.8 Miles) -- 08/23/17
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday 08/22/17 --
Home Gym: 0:48:00
Sequence: Push ups - Abs - Shoulders - Biceps.
Wght: 71.6 kg - 157.8 lbs
Very poor wake-up at 5:30, after coming back late (10pm) from Elaruvi
last night. Finished reading Surah Qasas, but very poor Namaaz. In spite
of "good weight", feel fat and uncomfortable, and furious at feeling so
poorly, strong case of "mental fog" particularly unwelcome in the few
days we have left in Bangalore. Is this some mysterious illness that
I've suffered all these years? If I could somehow solve it, it would
completely change my life.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Sunrise over Kadugodi --
Wednesday 08/23/17 --
PSN Gate 3 - ITPL road - Dinnur - Kadugodi: 0:28:00 (approx.)
Kadugodi - Belathur - Kodigehalli rd. - Sadarmangala: 0:48:05
Time: 1:16:05
Mileage: 7.8 Miles - 12.6 Km
Pace: 10'00" / mile
Wght: 71.6 kg - 157.8 lbs
As another goodbye run, decide to go through the "holy" Kadugodi route.
This is how I would visit Ruksanna in the slum in the old days.
I woke up at 5, but much better than yesterday's awfulness. Set up
at 6:30 (Surah Muzzammil in Namaaz, then Tariq and Aala), luckily,
at this hour, ITPL road isn't too bad, and Dinnur good too.
I approach the old slum, do not go through the dirt alleys, pass
the police station, pass Bhaima's tea stall without engaging,
enter the old slum.
It's even more abandonned than before. Where Ruksanna's tent used
to be the base of the wall is barely left, and a cartwheel has been
discarded there. Only a few dilapitated tents remain, a long line
of old clothes set to dry in spite of the rain, probably Suresh
still lives here. But I see no one, and the opening to the rail
tracks has been blocked by a wall to prevent people from crossing
on the tracks, although someone has placed a small metal ladder
there (Ruksanna later tells me that people will try to pierce
a passage no matter what). I retrace my step to cross on the
pedestrian bridge, and complete the run through Belathur
and Kodigehalli. The Sadarmangala dirt road is so unbelievably
muddy that I choose to run on the rail tracks instead.
Good run. Planning on a last extra long run, probably on Friday.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- The old rail crossing in Kadugodi, near the former slum --
Last Bangalore Runs, Old Madras (13.5 Miles) -- 08/26/17
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 08/26/17 -- Last and Long Run
Front Gate - Hoodi Shortcut - to Kodigehalli - through Maidam -
Medahalli - to Old Madras Road: 0:49:06
Old Madras Road, past Budigere cross, to Whitefield Intersection: 0:36:24
Hoskote / Kadugodi road: 0:40:11
Belathur rd. - Shortcut - Sadarmangala: 0:22:26
Time: 2:28:07
Mileage: 13.5 Miles - 21.8 Km
Pace: 10'58" / mile
Wght: 71.2 kg - 157 lbs
Dead Pig, Dead Dog. Not what I had planned. At Old Madras Road,
decide for the long run. Along the lake, a little underwhelming.
The Budigere road. Hoskote. Nitesh Forest Hills elusive.
Nevertheless, hang on to a slow relaxed pace, without ever stopping.
Some shortcuts would have been preferable. A massive revision:
Baqara, Imraan, Waqi'ah, Mulk and Muzzammil, which are all coming
well. Finally stop for a walk in Sadarmangala, with only little to go,
and resume without too much pain.
It's an accomplishment, but without elation. Let's hope Mumbai
brings renewed possibilities.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I return barely in time for the movers' arrival. They spend
the whole day packing, and will finish on Monday. But this run
is followed by an highly uncharacteristic pet dard, which
causes me to stop eating after lunch, and evolves into strong
diarrhea through the night and next morning. Not sure what caused it,
I believe this is only my third in India ...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Ruksanna at the Petrol Pump --
Kadugodi (7.65 Miles) -- 08/28/17
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday 08/28/17 -- Last Bangalore Run
PSN front gate - Hoodi - Kodigehalli - Belathur - to the Hazrat: 0:49:44
Kadugodi - the old "ration" route - Sadarmangala: 0:30:26
Time: 1:18:34
Mileage: 7.65 Miles - 12.3 Km
Pace: 10'16" / mile
Wght: 72 kg - 158.7 lbs
Last run in Bangalore. What more fitting than to go back towards Kadugodi?
Having waken up at 4 and still recovering from indigestion, the run starts
poorly. I leave with Ruksanna who is going to the Hazrat in a last attempt
to get her "frame". In fact, I meet her again at the Petrol Pump on the
main road. This has inspired me not only to do a pilgrimage to
Kadugodi, but also a slight detour to the Hazrat's house. Fortunately,
(and unexpectedly), my running becomes very comfortable around Kodigehalli,
authorizing me to realize this last minute plan.
It has been raining abundantly. The alleys of the Hazrat are particularly
muddy, half built houses, etc., but no trace of Ruksanna. I follow the
old "ration" road from Kadugodi, the shop, the old school, the dangerous
road, souvenirs of the slumdwellers.
It's even muddier here in Sadarmangala, but I comfortably complete this last
Bangalore run.
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