Interval Training in Goa

We set out this morning on a one hour run. We ended up doing a combination of walking, jogging, running, ferry riding, coffee breaking, and bus riding.

Goans have a reputation for being lazy. Our family lives on an island in Goa, so some say we are even lazier. I prefer to call it laid back. In an effort to prove this reputation wrong, I joined Sandeep for a run this morning. I even convinced my cousin, Zarine, to come, while my other cousin, Keri, was on kid duty.

We walked the first stretch due to Sandeep’s fear of dogs. Many dogs, even if they belong to a home, run free on the island. What with all the laziness and all, there aren’t that many people running so the dogs see runners as somewhat of a novelty meant to be chased. Our first animal sighting, however, were the chickens taking their morning stroll.

Followed by what Sandeep was convinced were feral dogs.

Followed by a goats grazing in the grasses and cows roaming in the paddy fields. When we reached the stretch of open road between the village houses and the river, we began to jog. We rationalized that there would be no dogs given there was no property to protect. Two minutes after convincing ourselves, we heard a growl and some clicking behind us, so our jog turned into a full on run until we reached the end of the road – the Mandovi River.

With no desire to turn back towards the growling, we hopped onto the incoming ferry, heading across the river to Old Goa. Sandeep looked back to make sure the dogs hadn’t decided on a similar excursion.

Old Goa is dotted with 400+ year old churches, and in the early morning serenity, we couldn’t resist strolling by.

And what better way to enjoy a morning stroll than with a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

Refueled, we took the ferry back to Divar island, in time to see the morning commuters.

Back at the scene of the growling, the local ferry shuttle bus through the island was a welcome alternative to running home. We didn’t know the exact fare, but the collector let three of us ride for 10 rupees (20 U.S. cents). When we saw men seated in rows marked ladies only, we figured some rules no longer apply, even on an island where time seems to have stopped.

Although I do hope the no spitting rule is still followed.

Back home, with no sweat to show for our journey, we enjoyed our second cups of coffee. Looking back on it, we only ran 15 minutes. I refuse to call it laziness, though. It’s interval training.