Alameda Runners – Get After It!

I don’t like Sun Chips, but my girlfriend enjoys devouring the tasty chips.  I recently noticed a change in my local Safeway in which the traditional Sun Chips bag has been replaced with the “world’s first 100% compostable chip package.”

Interesting….

I’m all for companies becoming eco-friendly, and a 100% compostable chip bag is excellent, but these bags seem to be much louder than regular bags.  I truly applaud Frito-Lay for making steps to go green, but my girlfriend actually woke me up from an afternoon nap while opening a new bag.

Has anyone else noticed this, or am I just imagining things?  Kudos to Frito-Lay for offering a bag that doesn’t need to end up in a landfill, but it’s time to find a way to dampen all of this noise.

Sun Chips – Original (Frito Lay)
Serving Size: 1 oz package, Calories: 140, Fat: 6g, Carbs: 19g, Protein: 2g

Classic Potato Chips (Lay’s)
Serving Size: 1 oz (28g / 15 chips), Calories: 150, Fat: 10g, Carbs: 15g, Protein: 2g

Editors note:The Sun chips are not a big calorie saver but if you are going to chow down on a bag of chips, every junk calorie saved is good. Mike should stop his whining about the noise and appreciate the environmental impact of the new bags.

Ted has participated in numerous running, cycling and triathlon events over the years, and understands the importance of volunteers.  I’ve participated in a couple of different events this year, and have volunteered several times in the past, so I’ve noticed the importance volunteers have during events.

I recently chatted with organizers of the California International Marathon (CIM), a major running event that draws thousands to the Sacramento area each fall.

“Important is not the word for volunteers,” Alameda Runners was told, “vital is.”  Without them, there would be no CIM or other marathons around the country.  There are about 2,000 volunteers who help with all of the preparation for the race, the expo, and all of those out on the course.  Thousands of hours of volunteer work and all they get tangibly is a T-shirt.  But of course, it is much more than that.  Many come back year after year and are part of the CIM as much as the paid staff.  Also, the board which puts in a great deal of time all year round, in addition to the monthly (and special) meetings, is all volunteer.”

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again:  Thank the volunteers!  When it’s cold and miserable during a race, it’s likely the volunteers are freezing the entire time they’re working.  If it’s hot and muggy, they’re suffering as they help set up the events, hand out drinks and other tasks during the event, and clean up the race after everyone is finished.

Ted and I volunteered to run the Oakland Half Marathon carrying the 2:15 pace sign (the only half marathon pace group), which was a lot of fun for both of us.  It was a blast to help so many people cross the finish line, especially the participants who were suffering and needed just an extra boost of support to cross the finish line.

You remember that interview I published last month with the friendly crew from Athletes HoneyMilk?  If not, here is a link to the interview.  The small company is close to launching several new flavors I hope you’re willing to try out if you’re looking for a recovery drink after a workout.

The “undercover AHM” staff member has struck again — and there is a sneak preview of the new flavors athletes can expect in the immediate future.

I’m especially looking forward to the chocolate flavor, but will try out the Acai-Pom, Coffee, Vanilla, and Honey flavors (for an upcoming HoneyMilk review).

I woke up early last Saturday morning with sore feet and tired legs from a hard week of work outs.  I thought to myself “Ughh, I want to stay in bed.”  I got up anyway for a 7-10 mile run followed by a 30-mile bike ride in Fremont.

When I went out for a run on Monday, people were telling me to wait for the rain to stop.  It was 60 degrees and raining.  I don’t think I will melt.  When it is time to go, I just go.  Sometimes, when I feel really sore or have a little injury, I will slow down, cut my routine short or do a different workout.  I always find a way to get out and do it.  It does not matter what “it” is, just do it.

People always come up to me with their plans and excuses for not following their plans.  You don’t get into shape or meet your goals by just planning.  Start slowly, there is no need to be in a hurry.  Do the best you can.  Pick something you can do and do it.  I have a lot of gadgets at home that I don’t use.  I tried them and they just did not work out.

After you get home from work, go to YouTube and type in the keyword “exercise”.  Pick an easy exercise at first.  Something that takes about 5 minutes to do.  It will be at hard first but it gets easier after time.  Do not give up before you start.  Find a reason to do something.  Then find a reason to progress.  You may not be carrying a sign at a marathon but you may be running a 10K one day.

Start now.  Just get out and do it!

I’m not going to list and review every clothing product I wear during races — but I do want to give recognition to a few companies.  Last weekend I ran two races,  and want to discuss some of the great gear I wore:

Honorable Mention

Clif Bar is the first ever company to receive an honorable mention!  The company sent a tech running hat for me to wear — which I’ve worn during several races, as it’s the only one I have — and it has been great.  I strongly urge companies to bring hats and goodies like this to events, as they make great products to sell and give away.

Several people asked me during the expo and the Oakland Half Marathon about where I got the hat – they were disappointed to hear I didn’t buy it at the Clif booth.

Concede

The Concede rash guards aren’t currently available yet, but the custom shirts are ideal for running, lifting weights, or training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  The large is much more form fitting than a large Under Armour rash guard, and does a much better job of preventing chafing.   My custom Concede rash guard has my name printed on the back of the shirt and both sleeves — and your custom order can have the same!

Concede’s rash guard will be available here in the next couple of weeks.

GU

Even though I rocked a Clif hat during the races, I actually used GU products (I carried it with me, and the Brazen Racing Wildcat race was sponsored by GU.)  The GU Roctane Blueberry Pomegranate is especially tasty, and it helped me power through 13.1 miles last weekend.

Garmin

Garmin is a company well known by athletes who flock to the company’s GPS products for cyclists, runners, hikers, and boaters.  The Garmin Forerunner 405 remains a trusty training tool leading up to running events across the Bay Area — and helps me maintain pace, accurately track heart race, and log my distance.  It’s especially helpful during events, as its ability to constantly tell me my HR and pace lead to better finishes.

Fuel Belt

Running trail events can be very taxing on the athlete, but we often forget how important it is to have clothing and products that can also withstand punishment.  The Fuel Belt Crush Bottle Carrier is from the company’s “Active Gear” lineup and is ideal for distance runs.  It fits comfortably, can be adjusted easily, and doesn’t bounce around too much.  The waist carrier is available for $29.95.

If one 22oz. bottle isn’t enough, the Fuel Belt Excursion supports two 22oz. bottles.

RoadID

Wearing a RoadID obviously isn’t necessary for an organized event, but I’m simply in the habit of wearing my RoadID every time I go running or cycling.  The information stamped on my RoadID hasn’t been necessary — and I hope the numbers never have to be called in an emergency — but the peace of mind is well worth the $19.99 price tag of the Road ID Wrist ID Sport.

We interviewed GU and Fuel Belt (interview available here) in the past, with upcoming interviews in the pipeline.  If you have a company you think we should get in touch with, please feel free to leave a comment!

We have been getting a lot of thoughts, messages, blogs and links from people who don’t understand why running does not make them happy.  I am not a therapist or someone who studies happy people but I do have 15 years experience of running and being happy.

I will start off with the anecdote of how I went to a grocery store with one of my gloomy friends who is totally self-centered and thinks the world sucks.  This friend told me how the store is a good store but the people are all terrible and unfriendly.

When we walked through the store, every employee said hello to me.  I thought this was curious but then I noticed my friend walks through stores with a lowered head and a scowl on his face.  This is what made me realize that it is our outlook on life that reflects on others and they respond to that positive outlook.

When I walk around there is usually a good chance that I am going to be in high spirits.  I like to swim in the morning before work, run or spin at lunch and either relax or do yoga after work.  That makes the probability of running into me after a workout high.

When I workout, I am happy to workout and I carry that happiness with me throughout the day and share it with other people.  People take that energy from me and give some of it back.  They always give the happiness back.

It also helps that I carry a lot of confidence from being so fit.  All of you who did a 13-mile or longer run know how much better your waistline looks now that you started endurance training.  For you beginners out there, you will start getting toned in no time.

Happiness comes from within.  Accept things as they are and carry cheerfulness with you throughout the day and soon you will find yourself happy to working out and it will carry on with you all of the time.

April 22 (Thursday) will be Earth Day, a day dedicated to our wonderful planet.  We’ll be able to watch the first green supersonic jet launch on Thursday, and can look forward to 50 green Apple iPhone apps to celebrate the 40th Earth Day.

Earth Day has developed into an international day of celebration that is now acknowledged by 1.5 billion people.  As athletes we often see views of the world only a small number of people are able to enjoy, such as the top of hills and mountains, lakes and oceans up close, and exploring the woods.

After running in Coyote Hills last weekend, I discovered a copy of the Tri-City Voice inside the Coyote Hills Visitor Center – and the front page of the April 14 – April 20 edition has a great front page spread about Earth Day.

Specifically, the newspaper’s article is best for S.F. East Bay residents — but the start of  Earth Day also is listed in the second paragraph of the article written by Sargunjot Kaur.

For those in the East Bay, here is one of many events scheduled:

East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) will also be celebrating Earth Day by enhancing existing trails and constructing new trails for Regional Parks through the Ivan Dickson Trail Project. Since 1996, the project has managed over 121 trails with the help of nearly 6,000 volunteers and 25,000 plus volunteer labor hours. Maintenance projects will include pruning, erosion control, post installation, trail improvements, and new trail construction.

That’s right… the Saucony shoes I bought from Road Runner (my review of the store/service is here) absolutely rock!

Definitely worth the money spent – and the trip all of the way to Concord to utilize the Shoe Dog system.  I still love my Asics Duomax GT 2150 shoes I got from Transports, but they’ll likely end up serving as my backup shoes in the next few weeks.

A great thing about writing for Alameda Runners is the ability to share and receive information from fellow runners.  I enjoy stumbling across running-related articles — it gives me a great chance to learn — while also sharing the information found.

The following paragraphs come from “The Technical Benefits of Icing”, which was written by Kathy Weber, M.D., M.S.  (Director of Primary Care Sports Medicine and Women’s Sports Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL)

Compression is often used in conjunction with cryotherapy.  Benefits of compression include improved contact between the skin and the cold source, greater reduction of blood flow to the region, and an increased insulation effect, which may further reduce tissue temperatures.  Compression also assists with control of edema formation that may arise after injury or secondary to microtrauma sustained during a hard workout.

Compression appears to assist with cooling tissues more rapidly.  This is particularly important in the case of an acute injury in which rapid cooling is desired to minimize the extent of inflammation and secondary ischemic injury to the tissue caused by the inflammatory process.

Most of Ted’s icing products, such as the Moji knee brace, use a combination of ice and compression — to help those old muscles recover and aid injury treatment.

I use ice compression simply because it feels good and seems to help me recover.

Perseverance is one thing all endurance athletes have in common. It is a good trait that helps us get things done and make it through the day when things get tough. Unfortunately, that same dedication and persistence drives us to push ourselves beyond our limits. We always get injured and then make things worse by not stopping to rest for a little while until we heal up a bit.

If you are reading this page, you are either an athlete or my mother. I know my mother is not going to swim from Alcatraz any time soon so this article is for the rest of you!

Rest and recovery is advice that we all get from friends, doctors and consultants on the Internet. Of course, we ignore all of the good advice and continue to carry on until we make things worse.

Most of us have visited the doctor for one or two of our injuries gaining nothing but some time off work to see someone who does not care about us hurting ourselves. It often seems that our doctors don’t care to treat something they can’t sew back on or give us a pill to treat it.

I always tried to treat my injuries myself until my son found a sports chiropractor while writing for an MMA site.  It seems those MMA guys are always tearing their backs up but that is another matter. My son told me to visit the sports chiropractor.

To learn a bit more about chiropractors and what they do, here is a bit of reading material.

Dr. Nejad of Chirosports USA (Union City, Calif. office) is my sports chiropractor. I don’t know if he is better or worse than any other sports chiropractor, but I am astounded by the quality of the treatment that I have received over the past year.

Dr. Nejad goes over my injuries and takes the time to look at them and find ways to treat them. If he gives me exercises to do, he checks to make sure I am doing them right and he tracks my strength to make sure I did them. Sounds like a normal doctor and physical therapist but it is much more than that.

Dr. Nejad gives you personal attention and tries to find the root cause of your injury and treat that. The root cause of my injuries is usually getting carried away and injuring myself. Treating that is not as easy as it may sound but he has been successful. I am now as healthy as I have been in my whole life (outside of my first year in the USMC).

He treats my injuries and the reason for them. Every time I visit, I am reminded of life style changes to keep myself healthy. I get to interact with other people with similar injuries and very dissimilar injuries. I learn from the couch potatoes and they learn from me.

Most insurance companies cover chiropractor visits but they don’t advertise it. If you have insurance or can afford an additional doctors visit, I suggest you give a sports chiropractor a call. Dr. Nejad has been very good for me. Hopefully you can find a sports chiropractor who is very good for you.