Walking in Mahatma Gandhi's memory

Whatever be the situation with life with Covid19, exercise and eating regime has gone up several notches since the lockdown. Of course, working from home with no choice to travel has ensured regularity, a big plus. However, this ‘post’ is not about WFH or Covid19 and not even exercise. Its about walking! For Rajani and me, August has been an extra ordinary month. I clocked ~195KM while Rajani clocked 126KM. As a comparison, my score for 2019 was a meagre 600KM. Primary reason was we registered for Oxfam Trailwalker, 10-day 50KM for Rajani and 10-day 100 KM for me. We hit the target with a day to spare. August was a wet month in Pune, so it was “walking in the rain”. While getting totally drenched many times, I maintained an average speed of 6.6KM per hour, a satisfying score. Though I love walks, it has been an appetizer for me before the main meal i.e. a good run. The only exception is on October 2, birthday Mahatma Gandhi. I walk in his memory and in deference to one of the finest humans in the history of humanity. He was an avid walker. While his Dandi march is famous, he did many walks during his seminal work while in South Africa. I have been doing this since 2012 when I accidentally won 1st prize for 10KM in a charity walk organized by FootSteps 4 Good on Oct 2. Both of us registered along with Rajani’s brother Nishikant and his wife Amita. Nishikant won a special prize for walking with a blind person. And the tradition of walking on Oct 2 continues. Last year, my walk was a lonely walk of 45KM almost encircling the city of Pune, a day before as I had a social commitment on Oct 2. Many people told me; we will join you next year. The 30-day count down begins today for a walk on Oct 2, 2020. Family and friends have committed 5Km to 21KM. So minimum target is 21KM. I may do a walking marathon (42.2KM), subject to physical condition and the time available. Route will be decided along with fellow walkers. Many will walk around the world on Oct 2 for goodwill and in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi. 