Intro by Aude Hofleitner
Before our paths crossed in Truckee, Krishna and I connected through the run club at work. I was rarely able to join the events but really enjoyed connecting online with the rest of the community where people shared achievements, knowledge and support. It’s been fun to see Krishna now enjoy our local trails and to have our journey continue here. I hope you’ll also enjoy getting to know this great athlete across road, trails and tri.
Where are you from and where do you live now?
I’m originally from southern India. I moved to the U.S. for grad school in 2012, spent about 10 years in the Bay Area, and then moved up to Truckee last fall.
When did you begin running and/or long-distance running, if that applies? Why?
I started running after I moved to the Bay Area in 2014. I volunteered at a local race and left so inspired by the runners that I decided to give it a try. I started getting into long-distance and trail running around 2016.
Do you race? Does racing motivate you? If not racing, what motivates you?
I’ve mostly treated running as a hobby and a personal challenge, so I wouldn’t call myself a “racer.” But every now and then I get excited about running fast and chasing PRs at different distances.
Do you have any dream races (either hoping to qualify for or get selected for)?
I’m pretty easily convinced to sign up for something, so the list keeps changing! Next year I’m hoping to enjoy more local trails, and maybe take a shot at qualifying for Boston at CIM.
What was the best running advice you’ve received?
A mentor once told me to always keep a mile or two “in reserve” during training. It’s kept me finishing workouts feeling strong (well… most of the time).
Do you have a favorite on-trail food or nutrition strategy and favorite post-run meal or beverage?
Dates used to be my go-to, but I got braces two years ago so I’ve been experimenting with random bars since then. Anything with peanut butter wins. Recently I’ve been slightly addicted to KiZE bars.
Do you have a favorite recipe to share?
A simple Indian dish called arisium paruppum (rice and lentils cooked with spices). It’s a one-pot meal and my comfort food—especially after long runs.
What was your favorite recent running experience?
Not super recent, but finishing my first 50-miler is still at the top. The best part was dropping the hammer in the last mile and making my pacer huff and puff trying to keep up with me. 😅
What was your most challenging/ character-building running experience?
Trail running taught me to break everything—pain, climbs, life problems—into manageable chunks. “Just get to the next aid station” became a mindset I carried into real life.
Finishing my first Ironman this year also changed a lot for me. It was humbling, exhausting, and completely worth it. The mental battle on the marathon taught me more about patience and grit than anything else I’ve done.
What are your upcoming racing/adventure plans?
Honestly, I’m still chilling a bit after the Ironman (here’s the race report if you’re curious!). Nothing concrete on the running calendar yet. This winter I’m hoping to snowboard more and maybe get into XC skiing. I’m saving bigger adventures for spring 2026.
What do you do for a living? Is it hard to fit in time for training?
I’m a remote software engineer. I switched jobs earlier this year and now overlap more with an East Coast team, which means my evenings open up earlier. It’s been perfect for training, so fitting things in has actually become easier.
What led you to join DPMR?
Running genuinely changed my life for the better. When I moved to Truckee, I wanted to find a community, and I ran into DPMR right away. Last year I couldn’t run much for health reasons, but I still managed to volunteer a bunch (honestly, more than I actually ran!).
What has been your favorite DPMR experience so far?
Volunteering at the UTMB Canyons race. The weather was wild—magical for volunteers but probably less magical for runners—and I ended up making a few new friends.
Favorite local trail?
With Ironman training, I stuck mostly to flatter routes. My go-to became the Truckee River Trail from Olympic Valley to Tahoe City, sometimes looping around the lake depending on how many miles I needed.
Do you have a mental training technique, mantra, or similar that you rely on to combat the mentally trying times of a longer run?
I always plan something exciting to come back to—food, a hot drink, whatever—and think about it during the run. Sometimes I swear I can smell it before I even get back.
Do you listen to audio while you run and if so, what have you been enjoying lately?
Not when I’m outside. I don’t love treadmill running, but winter in Truckee forced me to make peace with it. On treadmill days I listen to podcasts or some regional music from back home.
Recovery technique(s) that you swear by?
Sleep, for sure. And recently I added Normatec recovery boots into the mix—they’re basically a fun toy that also happens to make my legs feel amazing after long efforts.
Do you have a favorite piece of running gear (hydration system, shoe, clothing layer, sock, etc.)?
A buff I bought for my first 50k nine years ago. It’s survived everything with me and is still in rotation. (Hopefully saying that out loud didn’t jinx it!)
What other outdoor or indoor interests do you have?
I love backpacking in the summer and started learning to snowboard last winter. Hoping to get a lot better at that this year!
Any interesting facts about yourself you would like to share?
I ran my first road marathon this year (2025)—almost nine years after my first 50k. 😄. I had this long-standing dream of trying to BQ on my very first one, which honestly kept me from signing up for years. I finally let go of that pressure and just ran Napa for fun—and I’m really glad I did.
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