On the way back, the clouds in the distance had a ring of fire outlining their painting perfect profiles. The sun was lazily making its way up the sky. But where would it go?

Listening to the Dave Matthews Band, the dome of the cloud marred sky around me, driving on the open highway, after vicious intervals – this was the life.

It was 400s today and I thought they would never end. On and on. Lap after lap. Round after round. Jeet and I. Jeet always a few seconds ahead although he could go much faster. Me? I was pushing and putting in everything I could.

Thoughts, contradictions, mind games, grit, despair – all these and more flitted in and out – but I simply had to count them down.

When it was all done, I was more spent than I remember of late. But equally so, more grateful and satisfied too. That’s running.