Alameda Runners – Get After It!

Today is the first official day of the Oakland running festival 2011.  This is the biggest half marathon of the year for me.  I carry my pace sign for 2:15 for the half.  The run is not difficult.  The event is just exciting because it is our home course for a big time event.  I ran into Sam from Brazen racing at the festival expo center today.  He is a participant for the full marathon.

The check-in for the races was very smooth today.  There were volunteers all over the place to direct runners in the proper direction.

The email check-in worked very well.  We were emailed our bib number and went to the table with our number and moved right along.  There were volunteers handing out the swag bags on the way into the expo area with no confusion or fuss.

The swag bag was a Sports Basement bag.  Most of us Bay area athletes love the Sports Basement.  Having a big store at Crissy Field helps them a bit.  The bag contained a lean selection of trials for athletes.  I don’t run races for gift bags.  A couple of things of note contained in the bag were the shave secret shaving oil and udderly smooth udder cream.  The shave secret is hard to find but I feel it is worth the effort.  I like to put the oil on my face before I use an electric shaver or before I shave using shaving cream.  I like the udder cream when I get my legs massaged at home.  There are a lot of chemical bombs for muscle relief that I like to use but they are not good for the people doing the massaging.  Another good thing about the udder cream is the price.  It does not break the bank.

The shirt for the marathon is fantastic.  It is one of the few race shirts that I grabbed and said “Wow.”  It is a really nice shirt that is worthy of wearing.  The people from Greenlight Apparel are very nice and have a story to tell.  They are going to get a follow up article in the near future.

 
I am ready to go.  I will see my fellow runners tomorrow morning.