Run, at your own risk

Runners as it is are prone to injuries. Hamstring, Achilles Tendinitis, Shinsplints, Plantar Fasciitis– the list is endless and the names fanciful – like Patello Femoral pain syndrome (PFPS), simply put “runner’s knee” - as you get more specialized. These injuries belong to the occupational hazards category, just like any other sport or occupation.

However, runners deal with more than occupational hazards, especially if you live in cites and more so in Indian cities. Cramped for space, most large dedicated running spaces are all but gone. Having lived in three Indian cities till date I can count only a handful of places to run to your hearts’ content without having to drive down to city outskirts. Within the city, running in solitude is as impossible as getting to see our prime minister speak. Many other vie for the same space that runners use.

Motorists are a big irritants, though I am sure they would consider me as much. I don’t blame them either. It is hard to find space to drive as it is and circumventing a runner lost in his own thoughts is not a pleasing encounter on a hurried morning. I hope my friends in cars and on bikes appreciate that my only refuge on the road – the pavement – is already choc-o-block with flea market, mobile breakfast vans and construction material. That is if the pavement exists at all. I have limited choices as far as running course goes, my friends I hope you can see.

Animals are another aberration for runners on Indian roads. Cows, of course, rodents – alive or pulped flat on the road, monkeys and dogs make for most of my daily sightings. They might be man’s best friends but dogs worry me the most.

Due to space constraints, I am forced to venture to city outskirts for long runs of 21K and beyond. But since that happens only on weekends, I haven’t had much luck making friends with dogs on some sections of that route. Invariably a pack of strays or some times even a brave heart loner gives me chase, testing my already tired legs. So far I have been able to ignore, avoid and at times outran them. I would like to keep it that way.

Life is a bit easier though during my daily runs. Typically, I take a 2km loop in a residential layout just outside my apartment complex. Clearly, repetitions around the loop on daily basis have helped. I have a   peaceful equation with the local canine community.  I do not pay much attention to them and till date they have reciprocated by ignoring my presence in their territory. If there exists a power map equivalent in the dog world I think they view me as a “neutral party”, with little to no decision-making influence regarding their habitat. 

So far, I have not been chased around. I am comfortable with my position on their power map.