Marathon Diaries - Pacifica Foothills Trail Marathon

This weekend I was going to run the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon and was kind of getting ready to run it with the Chennai Runners gang.  But, I had to come to US for work this weekend and there was no way I was going to be able to run the Sunday marathon in Mumbai and be in Cupertino first this Monday morning.

So, I did what I usually do, looked for a marathon close by and found the Pacifica Foothill Trail Marathon, which I am running tomorrow.  I would have liked an 'easier' marathon but decided to take the plunge with this one as this was the 'only game in town' this weekend and would a good practice run for my unfinished business of Comrades Marathon.

Couple of years back, I ran my first 'real' trail marathon in this part of the world with Rahul Nandi and will be running this one Senthilanand and Bhargav.  I was totally unprepared for the brutal Cinderalla Trail Marathon and though I have run a few trail marathons since then, expecting no less tomorrow.

We will be running the Yellow and Pink loop twice with a combined elevation gain and loss of about 12400 feet.  Far from the flat 'hills' of Chennai.  I am hoping the cooler weather conditions will help somewhat after having 'trained' in the humidity / heat rich Namma Chennai.

For Senthil, who is sub-4 marathoner, this is going to be a walk in the park.  He said, 'going to take it easy' and will give me company.  Over dinner, he gently asked me.. "Ram, Are you hoping to finish under 5 hours".. I smiled at him, remembered the elevation map and said would be happy to come under 6 hours.  I could sense Senthil gulping and wondering how the heck am I going to give company to this 'slow guy'.  But, Senthil, you signed up for and better give me company.. otherwise, I am not returning your iPhone...:-)

With this kind of elevation, I am happy the cut off time is only 5:00 PM.  With a 8:30 AM start, I will finish the course run, walk or crawl.  Poor Senthil is stuck with me and has to wait till I finish as he is giving me a ride back to my Hotel.

This will be my first marathon for the year and 46th overall.. Wish me luck..

While I run this, loads of Chennai Runners would be getting ready to run Mumbai Marathon.  I wish them the very best.. Go Chennai Runners.. have a blast..

Few blog links about the run
- Pacifica Foothills 30k
- Don't forget Water and Sunscreen