Alameda Runners – Get After It!

Back in the early days of triathlons, “PowerBar” was the name for sports nutrition just as Gatorade was the name for sports drinks.  With the popularity explosion of endurance sports in the 90’s, new players entered sports nutrition and raised the level of quality by leaps and bounds.  The new companies started out small with a customer first mentality while PowerBar acted like a big corporation treating customers like consumers.  For whatever reason, PowerBar decided to bring out some new products that people like and try a comeback.

When I received a package from PowerBar to try, I wondered how I was going to try the products.  I remembered the old nutrition paste product that I would stick to my bike for a triathlon.

I decided to go all in with PowerBar for a 20-mile run.  I took a picture of my three gel packs, energy blast pack and lone energy bar.  It is a bit more calories than I usually consume in a 3-4 hour run but it is always good to practice consuming calories for long distance days.

After running for about an hour, I started munching on the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip energy bar.  I had no problems digesting the bar and it tasted good.  It is always easier to eat something that tastes good.  I think the bar is designed for people who are not running and eating.  I had some problems with breathing while running and eating a product that breaks apart.

When I ran for about two hours, I tried a couple Strawberry Banana Energy Blast chews.  These things were extraordinarily good.  I’ve tried many chews that left me on the side of the road miserably ill.  These things tasted good, went down and stayed down.

I tried a Raspberry Cream gel a little while after the chew.  I usually choke down gels and hope they don’t make me sick.  The PowerBar gels are thin, tasty and go down really well.  I really liked the taste of the Raspberry cream.  I kept mooching the chews to help with the boredom of a long run.

Near the 3-hour mark, I had the vanilla flavored gel.  It tasted good and went down as easily as the raspberry cream.  About 20 minutes later, I had the double latte.  The latte flavor did not sit well with me but my run was almost over so I was not worried.  My total for the day was a 3:30 run while consuming all of the calories I carried with me.  I was tired at the end of the run but I felt nutritionally sound.

The PowerBar comeback is complete.  They came back in a big way with great products.  I have a lot of nutritional products to choose from.  The product that I grab first, are the ones I like the most.  After my PowerBar trial run, I always grabbed the PowerBar stuff first until it was gone.  The PowerBar turn around is an amazing surprise.

Calling all Alameda Runners … are you prepared for the Midway Run and Walk 5K next Saturday?

Benefiting the Midway Shelter for Abused Women and Children – an Alameda-based non-profit group with a great cause – the event organizers have a small 5K run and walk race planned for Bay Farm next weekend.

A 5K run, 1-mile walk and a free kids fun run will help bring local runners together for a great cause. Donations also are being accepted.

If you’re interested, you can pick up a registration form from the soon-to-be Total Woman Gym at South Shore, or head to Alamedarace.com to register online.

Launching from the Harbor Bay Ferry terminal, it should be a small, fun event that costs just $20 for adults to register for.

Athletes enjoy running or working out when they go on vacation – and there are some great tourist destinations that double as vacation hot spots and a runner’s paradise. I recently caught up with representatives from the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau and discussed why Hawaii is an ideal location for athletes looking to just get away.

There are plenty of reasons, according to the HVCB, why athletes should be interested in flying to Hawaii from the mainland.

“Year-round sunshine and good weather, accommodations for every budget, a wide variety of activities and attractions, rich culture and history, world-class cuisine, exceptional spa/wellness facilities, and warm Aloha spirit help make the Hawaiian Islands an ideal vacation for runners and athletes.”

For anyone looking to travel to Hawaii, there are a couple of ideal times to make travel arrangements: “Travelers can usually find the best deals to Hawaii during the off-peak season, which tends to be spring (March-May) and fall (September-November).”

A quick search yielded a one round trip ticket from Oakland to Kona in April for around $410, including fees and taxes, but browsing around could lead to even better deals.

Full interview is available after the jump:  Read more… »

Camera maker Drift Innovations added to its strong product lineup by releasing the Drift HD Ghost, a new action camera with several excellent product features.

This announcement is unique because the Drift HD Ghost is the first action camera that has a two-way LED remote and on/off indicator light. Also, if you order the camera, Drift is proud to point out, you are ready to go immediately out of the box – no more accessories, add-ons, or additional purchases are needed.

The Drift HD Ghost has the following features: three-hour recording time (per charge), built-in Wi-Fi, 2-inch LCD screen, continuous loop recording feature, audio enhancement and custom lens, and waterproof casing good for up to 9-ft. in water depth.

Additional information after the jump: Read more… »

There has been an increase in educating the public – and the San Francisco Bay Area leads much of the nation – in recycling and green living.

It’s an aspect of life that isn’t extremely difficult, and you do not need to go overboard with it to be successful.

In the latest “Island Recycling,” October – December 2012 – Volume 10 – Number 4, the Alameda County Industries notes what is appropriate to put in the green can. Here is a brief summary:

Food products: Fruits and vegetables including peels, pits and rinds; bread, pasta and other grains; dairy products and egg shells; coffee grounds and tea leaves; meat and bones

Food-Soiled Paper: Paper plates and cups; paper napkins and towels; paper coffee filters and tea bags; paper bags and newspaper; paper takeout containers; pizza boxes; waxed paper and waxed boxes; and wooden chopsticks

Yard Trimmings: Flowers and leaves; weeds and grass clippings; and small branches

The ACI isn’t asking each citizen to try composting, and adding the correct refuse in the green recycling can leads to more room in your trash and non-compostable cans.

The ACI website has a detailed list of items for the green can – and you can contact them to receive the ‘Residential Recycling Guide’, by calling the following number: (510)-483-1400. The information can be e-mailed or mailed to you, and they require you to provide your address, along with name and phone number on the account.

The City of Alameda and ACI have a $14 million agreement related to solid waste, green waste, food waste, and recycling. The City’s Public Works Department should be complemented for its continued efforts to convince citizens to be more cognizant of our responsibilities to the world we all live in.

I’ve seen a few questions posted on other Alameda-based sites, so I will follow up with the ACI or the City of Alameda to learn more about recycling.

(Image courtesy of ACI.)