Alameda Runners – Get After It!

In the May 2010 edition of Runner’s World:

Boost Smoothies
Add Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Cocoa powder is rich in flavonoids – antioxidants that reduce blood pressure and cholesterol.  They also protect skin against sun damage and lower blood levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation.  “Unlike dark chocolate,” says Susan Kleiner, Ph.D., R.D., author of Power Eating, “cocoa powder contains no added sugar and less saturated fat.”

I’ve been meaning to purchase a juicer for a couple of weeks now — and still haven’t done it — but I may try this the next time I make a smoothie.

The magazine also adds:

Eat Smart – Avoid Dutch processed cocoa.  It’s treated with alkali (to give it a mild flavor) and contains fewer flavonoids.

Many runners know a lot of the information shared in Runner’s World, but I always find lots of neat little tips in each month’s issue.

Numerous uncertainties led up to the Oakland Running Festival last weekend, but the city stepped up and showed guests a great time as they ran events over two days. Read more… »

The Oakland half marathon is less than two days away!  I am ready!

I’m less than one week away from participating in my very first half marathon.  I’m excited about the thought of running 13.1 miles as thousands of people around me complete the same trek (while others run the full 26.2-miles).

Since my training began almost three months ago, I’ve learned the importance of making sure I logged the necessary miles.  Each time I skipped a run for one reason  or another — most often for the dread of actually running — I’ve learned to enjoy it more than I imagined.

I don’t plan on trying to set any speed records.  A finish of 2:10:00 or less would be ideal, but I just want to make sure I can cross the finish line with a smile.  I am going to follow Ted’s pace sign that he says will give me close to a 2:10 finish.  We will see.

The excitement begins!

One week before Ted and I embark on our Oakland Half Marathon journey, thousands of runners took to the streets during the L.A. Marathon this morning.  Both Alameda Runners (my Twitter) and AlamedaTed have chatted with people who participated in what sounded like a great event.

From what I’ve read, it seemed like a chaotic, yet wonderful journey for many of you. I’ve Tweeted with a few different L.A. runners, but have selected three I would like to give special shout outs to:  @Chicrunner, @PunkRockRunner, and @LARunr.

Over the past couple weeks of massive amounts of Tweeting, I’ve enjoyed reading their contributions regarding their running adventures.  Hopefully one day we’ll all be able to run together!

Tip first found at Diet Coke’s Live Wholeheartedly Now booklet (picked up from Anytime Fitness in Alameda, Calif.).

“Eating a variety of foods is key to health because of the wide range of nutrients different foods contain; you can achieve this through color, texture, shape and temperature.”

You hear that? Mix it up a bit and try cooking something new! If you’re out at a restaurant and can actually find something healthy you haven’t eaten in a while, go for it!

Ted and I both planning on sharing some excellent recipes, though you’re free to send any of your own. You can tweet me or Ted, but if you’re not on Twitter,  feel free to e-mail me any neat recipes!

As part of helping contribute to the great athletic community here in the San Francisco Bay area, I’m happy to announce we’re having our very first contest here on Alameda Runners.

The lucky winner will receive a small gift package that includes Clif Bars, Clif Shot Bloks and Clif Shot Roks — “great runner tools for energy and recovery, plus all-natural and organic to boot,” Clif said.

As with any contest, there are a couple of basic rules that must be met before you can win.

– You must be local to the Bay Area. We’re working on contests for our readers in other parts of the country, but this one is for our local peeps.

– You should follow us on Twitter:  Michael’s Twitter (Alamedarunners) and Ted’s Twitter (Alamedated)

– No P.O. box, only street addresses.

If you don’t meet these requirements, this contest isn’t for you!

The challenge?

While you’re out enjoying your adventures in the area (running, cycling, hiking, whatever it may be), take a couple of pictures and send them to Alameda Runners. A quick caption or note about the image and what we’re seeing also is required. You have until Tuesday, March 23 at 3:00 p.m. to complete this task.  The winner will be chosen randomly.

All entries should be e-mailed to Mike

The winning selection — along with other contributions — will be featured here on Alameda Runners over the next couple of weeks.

Good luck!

Just a friendly reminder to all of our new visitors:

The two screwballs who run this site are both on Twitter.

Michael’s Twitter and Ted’s Twitter.

Alameda Runners also has its own Twitter account.

If you’re also on Twitter, feel free to say hello!

If you’re coming from out of town and need a place to stay, the Marriott City Center Hotel in Oakland has special room rates and will give guests the ability to run the Oakland Twilight 5K on Saturday night (evening before half marathon and marathon).

The following was part of an e-mail sent out to all registered runners:

The e-mail is after the jump! Read more… »

I just want to publicly thank the city of Alameda (and whoever else was responsible, possibly East Bay Regional Park District?) for removing several pieces of graffiti on the little wooden bridge on Bay Farm that is used to get from Bay Farm to the actual bike bridge.

It took a week or so to be removed, but it was finally taken care of.

Here is one of the pieces of graffiti that was painted over:

Glad the city took care of the problem relatively fast.  Hope they catch this kid and make him do graffiti cleanup across the city as punishment.