When I run an easy time on feet at the track, I am not quite sure if anyone will join in. It always helps.
There was a runner or two who joined me a for a few rounds. But it was Rakshit who kept me company for over half hour.
A quiet serious kid, I hadn’t heard him say more than a sentence in all these months. When he ran interval sessions, he ran fast, intensely. Today, I could tell he was struggling – endurance at that age is probably not common.
But we encouraged each other. By simply running alongside. And his company mattered so much more than he would imagine.
The sky now changes colours so much later. Most of the run is in the dark, save for the one floodlight. But the track is full. The age group must vary from four to ninety.
There would be a hundred and fifty people walking, running, stretching, doing drills, training, running up and down the stadium stairs and at least a half dozen coaches yelling out timings or simply yelling at the kids to move faster.
Kheench, kheench, I keep hearing. Sprint karna hai, dum laga.
The weather is humid, the track is dark, the runners are aplenty and all is wonderful with the world at Tau Devilal Stadium.
Writing about Running 