2/23/08 - Stanford Dish
First week out was to meet at the Stanford Dish - beautiful rainbow out to page mill. As warned parking was a scarce found the first spot. The plan was to loop around Campus drive - I ran with Madhavi and Arun, both 2007 runners; quite a strong group. At the start there were Chakri, Padma, Satya and then we got separated as Chakri was bringing up the rear for Mouli and Veena. After the 5 mile loop the plan was to go upto the Dish. There joined up with Arun and Satya and went around anti-clockwise. It was quite windy up at the top - the windcheater was helpful. It was great to have company and this week's 13+ mile was easier than last week. Thanks to Satya and Arun for keeping the spirit up.- Total distance: 16.5miles
- Average pace : 13:46 min
- Elevation : 2921 ft ascent
- Team: Chakri, Padma, Madhavi, Satya, Gargi, Arun, Mouli, Veena
3/1/08 - Rancho run
This week the group was much larger; started out a little late; met up with Coach Martina, Bharat, Satya and Veena at the Barn [1 mile from the parking lot]. The plan was to loop back from fallen tree and then go to Black Mountain. Bharat and Coach Martina have done this section earlier and are strong runners. I tried keeping up with Bharat until the first of the climb it was possible and then was left in the dust :)Saw the ultra group at the Barn before starting up on the Black Mountain charge; they have a down week so only 10 miles or something ! just sounds crazy. Vivek [of the hat throw fame @ SV @2007] decided he hadn't had enough of a run and started running with us going to Black Mountain. Rajesh and Bharat lead most of the way up to the top. The up slope was quite arduous - I slowed down substantially and focused on swinging my arms and keeping up the run [pace in parts down to 3 mph!]. There were a few adventures going down 1-way on some steep descents; there were a total of 3 such and each time it was a steep climb back. the saving grace was the narrow pathways - that seems to help the climb at least for me.
- Total distance: 18.49miles
- Average pace : 13:50 min
- Elevation : 4527 ft ascent
- Team: Chakri, Satya, Martina, Bharat, Arun, Rajesh
- Lesson learnt: 1 gu pack not a good idea
3/8/08 - Bulls Run
Lone run; a repeat attempt to get to Bulls run. This time stayed focused on the original path. it helped that the weather was consistent throughout the run; was bright and sunny when I started; so just one layer was good. The climbs were as I remembered them, hard. Saw some galloping high schoolers on the trail - what a way to realize that I started running 25 years too late.Started around 7:45am and was done before 11am. The initial distance from home was just under 2 miles, stretched at the entrance and then started the anti-clockwise loop to the reservoir.
Notes: Saw this couple who started about the same time and were done with Bulls run and I was about 3.5miles behind; wow!
- Total distance: 13.86miles
- Average pace : 13:01 min
- Elevation : 3154 ft ascent
- Team: No-shows
