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Today was rest as far as running and workout goes.

After finishing a fairly decent eleven on the Shanti Path loop, the young boy arrived.

We had decided to do a ten in a similar manner to the eight kilometres last week. A slow fast alternate combination.

We started off to a fast first kilometre settling into a rhythm that stayed within a ten second consistency across the slow-fast run, save for one errant kilometre that got away from us. That was an extra five seconds off pace.

It led to a smashing new personal best for the young boy and a well earned Dutch pancake that l made us for breakfast later.

Or rather bombed after a late night, an early meeting. Rest was planned anyway.

Today I landed up at track without an agenda. Because I knew I couldn’t run on Saturday – late evening expected on Friday night- I decided to do my Saturday intervals today. But Eilish hadn’t put anything in the training peaks so I would have to make something up.

However, Coach Ravi had his plans drawn up. After Gaju and I finished a short warm up he instructed us to go “slow/fast” fartlek style for six loops. It’s surprising what hundred metres can feel like when you’re going at nine off ten effort. Even more so – while writing this – to think about the professionals who train for this distance shaving off milliseconds.

Then it was time to polish it off with 400s and 200s. The session left me completely winded. But we weren’t done yet. ABC drills followed which I haven’t done in ages. High knees, butt kickers, a smattering of other drills, and of course the Hanuman jump.

Dripping with sweat and exhaustion I made my way to the car in an already very hot morning. Back home it was a quick circuit to round up the morning routine.

Full moon is rising
The sky is black
I heed your call I’m coming back
The road is straight cast
Wind’s in my eyes
The engine roars between my thighs

I think I may have pasted these lyrics before. How they necessarily connect to running, I am not entirely sure.

Monu, Ashwini, Gaju, one more person with a rack of curly hair and I – on the road, around a loop that got us to twelve kilometres back at the start at the stadium. Coach Ravi with his fractured arm rode pillion behind his nephew.

What a strange sight we must have made. Four athletic runners, one middle aged runner, one fractured coach behind a bored looking man.

I was parched at the end of the hour but wonderfully satisfied.

A few weeks ago I spoke about my love for Tau Devilal Stadium to a friend. I wanted to share what I observed, why the place was so magical to me, and they agreed to meet me there.

It was an entertaining morning. They saw the track in full form. Ashwini, Monu, Gaju, Khushbu, Coach Ravi and many of the morning stars were at track. So was the Lady in Salwar Kameez, the Bald Man, the pig tailed rose cheeked woman, and many of the wonderful characters that make up the story of Tau Devilal Stadium.

The stadium was full of kids doing drills, running with sleds, and all manner of folks spending another summer dawn here at track.

Kyun aate hain, they asked Coacb Ravi.

He gave a broad smile and an answer as broad, Koi enjoyment ke liye, koi competition ke liye, fitness ke liye, subhe kuch karne ke liye. Bachhe, bude, dekho sab hain yahan.

Once you came, you always came again. I believe that to be entirely true about Tau Devilal Stadium.

We ran, the kids and I, for interval splits over mile, 800s, 400s and mile again. They joined from time to time and the kids encouraged the participation. Especially Coach Ravi. That was perhaps the best part. But what were the parts they enjoyed?

I think – and hope – that they had a good time. And that they would come back.

Gaju and I on lane nine for one hour. Loop after loop. My pace has increased. Perhaps it’s the pull ups and stretches malarkey.

Back at home, a quick workout and off to work.

Today was a rest day.

After the Boston Marathon, I’ve been running my easy runs faster than usual pace. It seems to be coming for the most part naturally, but I am – for sure – slightly pushing myself. It’s not a leisurely run. Comfortable hard. Kinda.

I’m loving it.

The young boy came and we did one kilometre hard, one easy x 4 repeats. I had already done nearly fourteen kilometres by then. This rounded my long run to twenty two and a splendid eight kilometres with him.

The weather is getting increasingly hotter although he seemed to think it was good weather.

Back home after breakfast at Fig, it was on the pull up bar and other antics in the gym.

I caught an overnight flight to Delhi and landed here Saturday afternoon.