I don’t usually stay in ski hotels, but you can’t beat the location. The Park Tahoe Inn is directly across the street from the Heavenly Gondola and the Heavenly Resort. The resort is a really nice area but you can’t get a room there unless you rent a time-share for a week.
Snow plow
It is really cool when you pull into parking lot and see an old four-wheel drive truck parked in the corner with snow plow and tire chains.
The staff was really nice when I checked in. A suite at a ski hotel is not the same as a suite in a normal hotel. Here, a suite means you get a bigger room, king bed and a pull-out couch. I guess you need all of the room for your ski gear but it is nice to have the extra space for a summer visit.
The king bed is a memory foam bed. I never slept on a memory foam mattress. It felt odd but I slept well on it. The pullout bed was not as comfortable as the memory foam but it was one of the more comfortable pullout beds that I have tried. The bathroom is okay with good water pressure. It was nice to have the sink outside of the shower area. This is probably to keep things moving along on busy ski mornings. I did not notice a breakfast area that I would consider essential for a ski hotel. It does not seem right to get a hotel across the street from a ski resort then have to drive to breakfast.
I did not notice if the TV had cable or a bunch of HDTV channels. It did not matter to me because it seemed like there were plenty of channels. There were no plug in ports for Internet connection anywhere in the room. The hotel does have Wi-Fi but the bandwidth is pretty low. We got a better connection to the hotel next door than we did to the one here. There was enough bandwidth for me to check my email this morning but connecting to the Internet tested my patience after dinner. I did not come out here to play on the Internet anyway. I came out here to check out the sights, hike, swim and run.
The next time I go to Tahoe, I will look into staying at the Park Tahoe Inn again. The people at check in are very friendly. The location is great, the price is great. The room amenities are a little light but it is well worth limited bandwidth for a clean hotel with nice people at a great rate.
I usually rent a house or condo when I go to Tahoe. It costs more for one night than it did for three nights at the Park Tahoe Inn. It is really nice to spend more for food than lodging.
The City of Alameda played host to another endurance sports event over the weekend, with the Mermaid Series invading Bay Farm Island. It was a short triathlon, and helped foster the sport by inviting new and experienced athletes alike.
Mermaid Triathlon Alameda 2012 pictures can be found here.
Tapering is important, and it’s a topic we love to talk about here on Alameda Runners. Some endurance athletes have a hard time trying to taper, but it’s a crucial part of training for any major event.
If you’re experienced in yoga and pilates, you can continue to participate lightly. Avoid having the personal trainer completely dominate you during workout sessions, and don’t go too heavy if you’re running or riding.
PacificHealth Laboratories recommends increasing your glutathione, vitamins C and E, and zinc intake prior to a race, as some athletes are prone to respiratory tract issues from heavy workouts.
Active.com posted a guideline mentioning how many athletes end up eating far too much while tapering for an event. This is detrimental because you end up gaining extra weight and can feel a bit lethargic come race time.
Drink plenty of fluids, especially in warm weather or if you have to catch a flight to the race.
Try to avoid foods that are high-fat, high-fiber, spicy, gas-producing, or unfamiliar, especially the night before the race.
Don’t gorge yourself the night before the race. Instead, eat a dinner of 800 to 1,000 calories, such as a baked potato topped with stir-fried vegetables and tofu.
Just like we’ve said in the past, don’t get too creative the night before a race – and race morning – because you don’t want to end up getting sick because of your decision to try new foods.
Today is National Running Day in the United States, and active companies are tweeting up a storm about the day.
Even if you’re not able to get out there and run today, simply acknowledging that it’s time to get outside for exercise is a step in the right direction. The hardest part of training tends to be the first few steps out the door – once you’re moving, though, hopefully you won’t want to stop!
Post a status update on Facebook or Twitter sharing your running plans for National Running Day and invite your friends to join you on a run. On June 6, our partner Competitor will also be providing a Facebook app that enables you to add your distance to a national mileage reel and the ability to post a custom National Running Day Facebook badge. For more details, visit http://running.competitor.com.
2. Set a Goal
Just like New Year’s, National Running Day is the perfect moment to set a new goal or renew an existing one. Whether you are attempting to set a 5k personal-record, or qualify for the Boston Marathon, setting and achieving running goals offers the opportunity to stay healthy, motivated and realize your full running potential.
3. Run!
It’s easy–just go for a run on June 6! Set aside some time before work or school, during lunch, or at the end of the day and go for a run around town or on a local trail. Better yet, meet up with friends and go for a run together. Don’t know where to start? Join a National Running Day group run.
See Jane Run was back in town for their annual half marathon through the streets of Alameda. SJR is a fun racing series for women. The race begins at Washington Park up by Crab Cove. It is a great place to start a race but there is not a lot of parking in the immediate area which causes a lot of people to scramble to the start line. If the race gets much bigger, they may have to use a shuttle service for parking.
Assuming you get to the race early, there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained before the race starts. The have dancing, aerobics and stretching before the race starts. The start line is a little narrow so the people who plan on placing near the top of the race have to squeeze up to the front. Outside of the first two rows, everyone seems more interested in having fun the setting a personal record.
See Jane Run is a local sports store for women with three bay area locations and one in Boise Idaho. They support Girls Inc. of Alameda and donate a portion of every entry to the breast cancer fund.
If you run a half marathon right by our street, someone from Alameda Runners is going to show up with a camera. We took a lot of pictures today. They can be found here.
Tired of riding alone? Want to push yourself and meet some new friends while in the saddle? How about a local group ride?
Alameda Runners previously published a few tips about group riding, but we’re back with another edition of basic group riding tips for you to survive your time on the road.
BikeRadar published a good video featuring Jamie Sparling, Team Raleigh-GAC super domestique rider, and he shares a few tips about safely riding in a group.
His tips:
Do not do anything abrasive – Riders are around you, so make sure no frantic movements are made.
Be attentive – Look out for potholes and road obstructions, which keeps you and your fellow riders safe. Either point out road dangers, or be vocal and call out to everyone else.
Keep the group tight – This one takes some skill and practice, as newbie group riders can be really jumpy. You should have some space, but still be able to ride as a cohesive unit.
I’m a complete maniac when I’m peddling by myself, but behavior drastically changes with other riders around me. The first few times riding in a group were intimidating, but as you gain more experience, it becomes a fun time.
Make sure you ride with a group close to your skill level, as you don’t want to participate in a group ride where you’ll be promptly dropped and forgotten about. Team Alameda has weekly organized rides for cyclists of all skill levels, and clearly post the scheduled speed and distance of the rides.
If you’re riding with a local cycling team, don’t be bashful by telling them you’re still new to riding in a group. Remember, a group ride isn’t a race against the clock, and your goal isn’t to try and explode out of the group while simultaneously splintering your riding partners. Also, don’t be afraid to hang out towards the back of the group, avoiding the wind and pace making duties – less experienced riders and slower riders – often end up chit chatting and hanging out.
For some additional tips, this Active.com story has some good tips for you. Bicycling.com also posted a, “How to Master the Group Ride” article, and it has some good pointers. Finally, visit the League of American Bicyclist website to see a series about advanced cycling, including a few helpful group riding tips.
Team Alameda had a bike ride around Paradise loop posted so I decided to join them. It was an ice cream ride for them but it was fun. We started out at the Sports Basement by Crissy Field and headed out to the bridge. The west side of the Golden Gate Bridge is finally open to bikes! I have been riding across the bridge for about 10 years and today was the first time I went across without construction equipment on the bridge. It was nice. The bridge was foggy and windy all day. In the morning, the fog horn was sounding. I like to listen to the fog horn when I cross the bridge.
After we crossed the bridge, we stopped to regroup and shed some wool. It was 60 degrees Fahrenheit on the bridge and 75 on the Sausalito side of the bridge. We cruised down to Mikes Bikes for another break and to chat some more then we headed off to Tiburon. The temperature kept climbing as we went, topping out at 91. The weather and views were stunning. I feel so fortunate to live here and be able to go ride my bike in these beautiful areas. Ride details can be found here.
When the group stopped in Tiburon to get something to eat, I rode on. I intended to do the Alpine Dam loop but when someone at a stop light yelled out for a guide to the Rodeo Lagoon, I volunteered. The wind was brutal and my tourist could climb like the wind. He was also good at descending. Because of my slowness, I got stuck behind a car and he totally dropped me and missed the turn. I went looking for him to no avail so I headed back alone. When I got to the GGB, I ran into Team Alameda at the re-group zone.
We talked for a bit then headed out to Sports Basement. I ran into my tourist on the bridge. I felt better, knowing that he did not head up the coast on Route 1. It is hard to do but I worried all the same. I asked him why he was on the bridge when he was going back to where he joined me. He told me he did not know where he was going but it seemed like a good way to go. I pointed him in the right direction while admiring his attitude.
It was great to get out for a social ride with Team Alameda. Check out their site and consider joining them for a ride. If not them, pick another group and go out for a no-drop ride. It is a good change of pace from running all of the time.
The competitive world of running shoes and products can overwhelm athletes looking for the right product to pick. Alameda Runners recently caught up with Christina Bracken,ZEMgearco-founder, and she answered a few questions we had.
Alameda Runners first mentioned something about ZEMgear last year, and the company continues to expand its product line.
ZEMgear is in a suddenly crowded market of minimalist footwear, but runners have three basic reasons to choose ZEMgear over the competition, according to Bracken: Fit flexibility, price, and aesthetics.
“ZEMs are easy-in and easy out, and include 4-way stretch uppers accommodate almost any foot shape: longer toes, wider feet, onset of bunion, higher instep – our patterns can hold pretty much any foot shape,” Alameda Runners learned from Bracken. “ZEMs are considerably less expensive that most other brands while offering high-grade, professional performance.”
To help bring new attention to the company, ZEMgear recently began offering products at REI retail stores and through the REI website.
“REI is a leader in the Outdoor world of footwear and gear. Many customers see REI as an ‘authenticator’ for a brand – especially a newly arrived brand in an emerging category. REI found and identified ZEMgear at the January 2011 Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City when we also won our 3M IN-NEW-VATION award for being the most innovative new footwear brand at the show.”
Indeed, even if you only go to your local REI store for ideas on new products you can buy online – for a lower price – you’re guaranteed to not fight junk in the store. Any product sold in REI is a victory, especially if you’re a smaller company looking for more exposure to athletes.
Trying to switch from traditional running shoes to minimalist footwear has caused some runners to suffer major injury. Similar to building base miles when starting out, runners should take their time before making the transition.
“Moderation is key: as with any new endeavor it is necessary to ease into minimal activities with care and with caution. It is not difficult or complicated – but no one would suggest to go to the gym for 3 hours the first time you decide to exercise. If you had worn gloves for the last 20 years you would never think of chopping wood or digging in the dirt with bare hands.”
The rest of the interview available after the jump:
In the 2012 Giro d’Italia, won by Canadian Garmin-Barracuda’s Ryder Hesjedal, the four wildcard teams offered a chance to race made it worthwhile.
A couple wildcard riders made the top 15, with Colnago CSF-Inox won a stage, while Farnese Vini-Selle Italia and Androni-Venezuela grabbing two stage victories each.
“I hope this victory, my first in the Giro, inspires other riders from the south of Italy to try to turn professional in these difficult financial times,” said Domenico Pozzovivo, a Colnago rider picking up a stage win – and finishing an impressive eighth overall – when asked after the race. “There are just two pros from my region and I would like there to be more.”
The ProTour teams typically dominate all the races they enter – but the wild card teams are tasked with attacking and helping liven up each race or tour stage. During a lull in a grand tour, for example, the wild card teams are typically the ones making it into the breakaway, forcing the ProTour teams to limit their losses and keep the attackers under control.
The 2012 Tour de France will feature the following pro-continental teams: Argos-Shimano, Saur-Sojasun, Cofidis, and Team Europcar. To be fair, Cofidis used to be a UFCI Proteam cycling squad, but they’ll still look to prove their worth this July.
We have a lot of exciting things in the works here at Alameda Runners. I recently started working with several new companies and PR agencies, so that means we have some great articles and reviews in the pipeline.
For a sneak peek, I can confirm at least two new projects that Ted and I have on the schedule.
I asked a few people on Twitter and Facebook about compression products, and the results were unanimous: 2XU is the company to speak with. Originally founded and based in Australia, 2XU has invaded the US with high-quality products aimed for runners, cyclists and triathletes looking for top notch gear – but it comes at a price.
Giro, known for making helmets and shoes, also is taking some time to answer a few questions for Alameda Runners.
We have a couple of reviews to post in the next couple of weeks – and even more cool stuff is rolling in! Thanks to our readers for continually showing up to read our ramblings, because we obviously couldn’t do it without you.
Thanks for the participating companies, because they could easily shrug us aside (even though I’m persistent) with little repercussion.
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The competitive world of running shoes and products can overwhelm athletes looking for the right product to pick. Alameda Runners recently caught up with Christina Bracken,ZEMgearco-founder, and she answered a few questions we had.
