Hello folks — I am still alive and well, in case you noticed I’ve been gone and Ted has done the majority of writing on Alameda Runners these days. I’m slowly getting back into the swing of things here and on AlamedaTech, but wanted to give you a brief update as to what is going on.
Remember our friends over at Greenlight Apparel in Fremont? (If not, they make the quality California International Marathon and Oakland Running Festival apparel.)
I’m working on another interview with the company, and will again focus on Greenlight Apparel’s products and humanitarian efforts geared towards illegal child labor.
Today was the big day for Alameda and See Jane Run Sports. There was a huge turnout for the participants but not many spectators along the course. I write the Alameda running blog and I barely heard about the event. Perhaps I will work with the event organizers next year to help get the word out.
I rode my bike along the course to see it well laid out with lots of port-o-potty’s. There were not enough. The toilet lines at the start line were huge. The bag check line was even longer. I also heard a lot of complaints about the timing chips not being available with bibs for early bag pick up.
The people arriving early had no problems with parking, check in and toilet lines. The volunteers were all nice to speak with and friendly with everyone who came by. The race started with a pre-race warm with a few classic 80’s aerobic workout songs and two out of sync group leaders. It did not matter, everyone was having fun. The race started on time! The start line looked big upon arrival, one hour before start time. When 2,000 people were lined up for the start of the race, it looked small. I rode my bike with a couple of ladies who started 5 minutes late and were planning on completing the race with a finishing time of 1:50. It seemed like a good plan until we turned the corner to a long 1.5 mile straight road that was full of runners. I left them to deal with the crowd. I wonder how they made out.
It was a very good event with a few problems at the start line. There was a big group of runners but course was configured for the crowds. The police at the street crossings did an excellent job keeping the runners moving. We had one lost driver complaining about the lack of detour signs to the airport for Bay Farm residents. Bay Farm is a small Island attached to Alameda proper by a bridge. It has about 5 square miles of populated areas with 4 roads leading off the Island. Three of them go to the airport, one was closed. The event organizers get a pass on this complaint.
Ted rates See Jane Run, Alameda a huge success. Maybe, I will carry my 2:15 pace sign next year. Probably not, it would just feel awkward joining a women’s event.
I remember riding my bike past a group of women running a half marathon four or five years ago wondering what was going on. It was a small race around Alameda that I obviously missed hearing about. That sure has changed in a hurry. We saw the poor ladies in the back of the pack catch a draw bridge near the end of their race. It was amusing for most of them but some of the impatient runners were quite upset about losing five minutes waiting for a draw bridge. I guess they were about 2:30 minutes into the race with 3 miles to go. I quietly watched them thinking about I never have my camera when a picture-perfect moment occurs.
The half marathon course is a really popular training route for people training for half marathon and longer races. The course starts off in Washington Park which is a park I just run past while I stick to the water front route. Most of this course is on a multi-use trail that goes along the water. There are a couple of street crossings but they won’t be a problem on race day. On a typical day, you will really get to experience micro climates while running this route. At 8:00 am, it is usually cool and overcast at Washington Park.
The course is slightly downhill for the first 3 miles. It is amazing how the little hill leading over the draw bridge can hurt legs that are accustomed running on a flat road. You will cross the bridge and turn left on to a nice little half mile stretch along the San Leandro Bay until you cross Doolittle drive. Then comes my least favorite part of the course, Harbor Bay Parkway to Ron Cowan Parkway. I love the sights but there is something about this stretch that does me in. Fortunately it is only 1.5 miles long. Then you get some dog legs through the corporate parks to add a mile to the course. The loop drives house SemiFreddi’s bakery. Hope they are not baking cinnamon bread the day you run by. You are now half way done with the hardest part behind you.
The next three miles are on the trail along the SF bay heading back to the draw bridge. Depending on your state, you may or may not hope for bridge opening. You run through a neighborhood for about a mile then back to the coastal trail. You will have nice views with the wind at your back for the last 2 miles. It is long and straight. You get some bends near the end of the course. You know the end is near when you see your car in the parking lot. Crab Cove is a very popular park where I always see people walking their dogs and geese walking around. Be careful where you sit.
This is a wonderful course that can be really fast or really windy. I am happy to see so many people coming out to Alameda to run. Good luck everyone and have fun.
Alameda Runners likes to get involved with volunteering and trying to participate in local politics (however ugly it may be in Alameda). For an article published elsewhere, I had the chance to chat with an organization that has a very unique method to helping charities.
I recently interviewed a group that uses an active coalition of companies that give at least 1% of yearly revenue to support environmental groups. I think it’s especially important to highlight these groups at a time when state and federal park funding is being slashed at an alarming rate.
I’d like to discuss a few additional thoughts about 1% and the group’s continued efforts to help the environment. The 1% giving idea is unique because it is a small, but extremely important contribution from companies. Many companies are plagued by big bureaucracy that seems to prevent useful monetary or logistical support for groups.
Whether or not it’s 1%, Alameda Runners recommends trying to become involved in whatever manner you can. It’s important to try and appreciate the great outdoors we all love to explore and enjoy, so look out for the companies and promotions that look to help out.
In a rather bizarre, creepy news post, I just wanted to make sure Bay Area readers are aware of an ongoing issue in Livermore.
Apparently there is some weirdo running around the Livermore area pulling down pants of women joggers — with six reported cases since 2007 — but details remain confusing.
“It’s odd,” said Sgt. Paul Mayer, Livermore police Sgt., in a statement to the San Jose Mercury News. “It’s hard to wrap your mind around what he is trying to do. We’re not positive it is the same person, but we are treating it like it is.”
If you’re going to run alone, make sure you’re vigilant of the surroundings around you. Many of us run while listening to an MP3 player, but that can be extremely dangerous if you’re alone in isolated areas. Running safety experts recommend people listen to only one earbud, or at least turn down the volume to a reasonable level.
You may have noticed a guest blog written by Yoon recently posted on Alameda Runners, and I wanted to share some more information. Trails Edge is a new blog I recently started writing for, and I wanted to highlight my first three posts for the site.
My first article for the Trails Edge blog featured some of my favorite fitness energy supplements, and can be found here.
If you’re looking for hydration pack advice, I recently wrote a quick story about different choices for trail runners and regular hikers. You can find the story here.
For people still debating whether or not they need a heart rate monitor, I also put together a basic story about the topic. (We already know that readers here seem to love gadgets and technology, so we’re sure you all have high-tech gizmos already.)
I’m writing for Trails Edge every week and look forward to contributing new and exciting stories that I will also share here. More importantly, Alameda Runners now has a new resource for enthusiasts, as I look forward to publishing more guest blogs.
The weather is warming up and more of us are getting out into state and national parks … a fun experience for people running and cycling, or spending more time with the family. There are some basic guidelines that should be followed to ensure safety, and Alameda Runners will be reaching out to a few different companies and experts to help contribute.
In an interview about South Lake Tahoe (coming soon), we were given this advice about Mother Nature:
The basics are pack-in and pack-out your trash while on the trails, camping, hiking, boating. We treasure where we live and ask locals and visitors to be conscience of their own efforts to trash and recycling around the lake. Also, visitors should be aware of what to do if you were to run into a bear while on the trails and don’t feed the animals. Other concern is the wildfire danger, cigarettes left near trees/pine needles that aren’t extinguished may result in a fire.
The trails and parks are hard to maintain, so definitely use the “pack-in” and “pack-out” rule to make sure everything you take with you also leaves with you. This is true for all parks, including the East Bay Regional Parks. When you are out in the park, pick up a wrapper that blows across your feet. If trash gets picked up as soon as it is noticed, it will not wind up in one of those hard to reach places where it is difficult to pick up.
The Lake Tahoe region has bears, but you should be familiar with different wildlife in your local geographic area. For example, it’s very possible some of your trail runs take you into the domain controlled by coyotes, wolves, or other big cats you don’t want to snuggle with. Even smaller animals (raccoons or possums) can easily throw a wrench into your plans if you’re not aware and careful.
We’re putting together a collection of basic tips and tricks for casual hikers and backpackers looking to get away for day trips away from the suburbs.
Athletes looking for every advantage can help themselves reach their physical VO2 and lactate threshold, an Active.com article (re-published from VeloNews) reveals. Casual athletes typically focus more on actual training and basic diets, but serious athletes also want a physiological advantage.
A couple of tidbits from the article, which I fully recommend reading (it has some science stuff):
VO2 max is defined as the maximal rate of oxygen consumed by an exercising individual. An excellent resource for understanding this topic is Bassett and Howley’s paper “Limiting factors for maximum oxygen uptake and determinants of endurance performance” (Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise volume 33, 2000). This paper outlines that VO2 max is limited by oxygen delivery to the muscles and not the muscles’ ability to utilize oxygen.
Additional details about lactate threshold:
A contributor to fatigue is the increased reliance on the anaerobic metabolic system, not the lactate molecule itself. Lactate threshold, loosely defined, is the workload which elicits substantial and unsustainable levels of lactate production relative to lactate clearance from the blood (anaerobic contribution).
If you’re ever in doubt, athletes have a wide variety of peer support and expert help from qualified professionals. I normally just reach out to one of my Twitter followers (@alamedarunners) for help, because someone usually can help me whenever necessary. Also, feel free to look up your local chiropractor, sports nutritionist, or physiologist if you need additional help.
Kudos to the medical volunteers from the Alameda County Medical Center, as they were a great asset for anyone needing medical attention. Immediately after finishing the half marathon yesterday, I started to feel a rather uneasy feeling in my stomach … an unexpected, miserable feeling most athletes have occasionally suffered through.
Oakland Running Officials had medical stations at the start line, and at miles 4, 6, 11, 15.5, 19, and 23, along with a medical tent at the finish line. The course also had EMTs on bikes to offer needed assistance throughout the course.
The staff I encountered at the finish line tent were extremely courteous and efficient, and were quick to help any runners that needed help.
I ate a banana and some type of delicious brownie pastry during the run, which proved to be a relatively bad idea. I conveniently got sick next to the medical tent — which was located just a few feet away from the finish line — and was given some water and Gatorade. The added fluids and electrolytes helped perk me up and I felt fine just a couple of minutes later, and was able to slip out the door.
I took a few seconds to drink the added fluids and let my legs relax after what was supposed to be an easy, relaxing 13.1 miles. After reassuring the EMT that I was sick from my own foolish behavior, and just needed to rest, he moved on to help others looking in significantly more dire shape.
The Kaiser Half marathon gained media attention for all of the wrong reasons — a runner collapsed and died before EMTs were able to get to the helpless runner. It was an unfortunate incident that continually shows the importance of event planning, which is something CSE obviously took into consideration.
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