No rest for the wicked ! Long endless day !

This week has all been about the training starting and ending well before dawn.

I love seeing the sky change colours and prepare for a new day, so today I went on the later side to Nehru Park.

It had been an intense Saturday at work and when I woke up, it was an aftermath of meeting notes spinning in my head.

The run turned out amazing. I felt light on my feet as I warmed up for the long run-interval combination. I got some hoots of encouragement and shabaash from Piyush (a very fast runner and all round good guy) – that felt great.

The sky did change colours just as it does everyday. To notice the shades above and around just for a brief moment or two, while keeping tempo and time, is a thought oasis.

He’s a great kid. Suryansh and I ran out on the road. At first, it was a bunch of us. Most of the gang kicked up speed after a mile leaving me, Suryansh and a couple of others with Coach Ravi cycling by our side.

Eventually, Suryansh and I ran together, Coach Ravi’s banter changed to humming tunes. When I think about it, it seems quiet and otherworldly. The black sky above, the asphalt below, the occasional glare of headlights and the sound of humming tunes and our feet.

At home, I did a quick core and circuit workout and that settled my Saturday morning.

It was incredibly late by the time I slept. Nearly a full twenty four hours since I had woken up. With barely any sleep today, I was glad for the break.

Fourth day running at the track. Back down to an easy run after the intervals yesterday.

They felt mad. The 2k McColgan special is relentless. 2k, 1k, 800, 600, 400, 200 x twice is – well – crazy.

Crazy fun. Crazy hard. Crazy blistering.

Yes, the total is 10k but this is different from running ten kilometres straight out the blocks. The short rests means that you better be running faster – quite a bit faster in each interval – than if you were just racing. That’s the point of intervals isn’t it.

So it does feel as if you barely catch your breath and you’re off again but at the same time, you feel that you’re ready to go. It’s a turbocharged session and you really want to show up for it.

Most of the track gang joined me in spurts, weaving in and out, alternating rounds or some combination. I was glad for the company – it kept me fresh – it definitely made me run faster.

I am a bit competitive after all.

Tuesday runs are usually pencilled in as easy running and here I was again. The track gang is on their weekly off today save for one boy who joined me for most of the run yesterday and now today too.

Coach Ravi decided to run alternate rounds and some other folks weaved in and out. A light breeze and dewy moisture swept across the track. Parts of it glistened like gold.

Usually, Monday is a rest day but because of my missed runs, I hit the track for an easy run, listening to ghazals on the way.

It was very early when I started but I was soon surrounded by nearly the complete track group.

They teased each other, listened to music that I was unfamiliar with, and towards the end of the run decided to take off at a faster pace.

It was good to be back to the track. It’s feels like a long time.

Today was a day of several visits and the coming and going of folks.

Coach Eilish congratulated me when I told her I’ll have to pick this up in the following week.

My running bag is never far, and I am sure to be at track soon.

Another young boy entered our family today. We’ve been in hospital since last night and he’s now here.

Reasons all round to miss a run, is it not.