Alameda Runners – Get After It!

The US Army has banned its military personnel from wearing toe shoes, such as the popular Vibram FiveFingers minimalist shoes, because it “detracts from a professional military image.”

Straight from a tricky military document with a crazy acronym (ALARACT):

“Only those shoes that accommodate all five toes in one compartment are authorized for wear. Those shoes that feature five separate, individual compartments for the toes, detract from a professional military image and are prohibited for wear with the IPFU [Improved Physical Fitness Uniform] or when conducting physical training in military formation.”

Until regulations change, or manufacturers develop military-specific minimalist shoes, then it looks like soldiers will lose out.

Since the US government absolutely loves working with contractors, it’s very possible military branches are working with these companies to develop new products.  Not surprisingly, VFF supporters haven’t taken the news well — and this picture has been circulated:

The above image is an Army soldier from the 10th Special Forces Group jumping out of a CH-47 Chinook during training exercises while wearing minimalist shoes.

Bike commuting is a popular mode of transportation for many of us in the Bay Area, though trying to use public transportation with your bike can be difficult. BART (the SF Bay Area train/subway system) is in a constant struggle to accommodate bikes while also keeping passengers safe.

Learn more about bikes on BART by visiting the BART website.

To help learn more about its passengers, BART hopes bike passengers will take a survey to help plan future improvements.

The survey can be found here.

Here is what BART had to say regarding the survey:

We want to hear from both riders who use their bikes as part of their BART trip and those who don’t bike but share the train with bicyclists. Please take a few minutes to complete the BART Bicycle Survey so we can better understand your thoughts and opinions about bikes and BART.

The survey is 35 questions and should only take a couple of minutes of your time. Remember, it’s important to do your part, especially if you’re a BART bike commuter — if they want to make changes, we have to give them feedback.

(Thanks to BikeLink for informing me about the BART survey.)

The time trial and team time trial are important stages for overall general classification (GC) contenders looking to capture major races. It takes a special rider — and a special bike — to excel in the race against the clock, with bike manufacturers always pushing the boundaries.

Prior to stage two, a video featuring HTC-Highroad and their Specialized S-Works time trial machines was posted online. It’s a quick little video that shows a brief glimpse into what the team time trial is all about:

Team HTC-Highroad finished in fifth position on stage two, five seconds behind Team Garmin-Cervelo, and put in a solid effort.

The so-called “race of truth” can help riders such as Cadel Evans and Levi Leipheimer climb the rankings, while pure climbers often lose huge chunks of time on the TT course.

Many cyclists and triathletes are uncomfortable when they have to use aerobars, but it can be an important skill to work on. Ted decided to use clip-on aerobars to help train for Vineman 70.3, but can’t wait to take them off after race day is over.

Readers of Alameda Runners,

I know we have a core group of Alameda and SF East Bay readers, but we’ve grown to include casual athletes from across the world. I normally try to keep the mood lighthearted and uplifting around here — but there are times when a serious matter must be addressed.

This story focuses on an incident that occurred in Alameda, but is a scary reminder that parents have a responsibility to teach and look over their children. A recent news story has been floating around in Alameda regarding a motor accident, when a car struck a small child recklessly trying to cross the street.

Drivers must be vigilant, aware, and cautious while driving, and pedestrians have to be careful to pay attention to cars.

“It appears at this time that the child stepped out in front of the car,” said Lt. Sean Lynch, Alameda Police, in a statement to Alameda Patch. “The child exited the car and ran out between his dad’s car and the car he parked next to, across both lanes of traffic. The driver who struck the boy was going south-bound on Eighth Street.”

Most streets in Alameda have a 25 m.p.h speed limit, but anyone driving 25 mph likely realizes how many drivers are quick to tailgate and drive aggressively. The Island is great for running and cycling — but vigilance is absolutely important when it comes to matters like this.

As Jon mentioned in comments section, the parent should have ideally either walked his child across the street, or dropped the child off directly in front of Washington Park.

Listen, there are specific rules to the road when you’re in a car, riding a bike, or simply walking down the street. It’s up to the adults to make sure their children are being safe as possible — and for drivers to drive safely and pay attention on the street.

(Image courtesy of Alameda Patch member, Anna Tzanova)

Editors note:  We are all responsible for our own safety.  It does not matter who has the right of way, if you get hit by a car, you will lose.

In spirit of the Tour de France kicking off this weekend, and Ted’s continued training for Vineman 70.3, it’s time for a bit of focus on cycling.

If you’re in need of a list of cycling fundamentals, Active.com (courtesy of Bicycling Magazine) has posted a couple of things to help you train better. Tips range from how to ride hard and include intervals to eating and making sure you still have a fun time.

For a more organized approach to training for a bike ride late this summer — and into early fall — Bicycling Magazine has posted a solid basic training guide.

If you’re riding a mountain bike this summer, Alameda Runners hasn’t forgotten about including a couple of links for you. Pro mountain bikers offer a couple of tips how to ride faster (courtesy of Mountain Bike) which should help give you some things to think about when riding this summer.

Outside Online quickly became one of my favorite online sports resources, with “The Top 11 Cycling Technique Tips” blog (available here) for you to read over.

Remember, chances are you’re not a professional athlete, so adjust your training and dietary needs depending on your skill level and physical activity.

Many active people are looking forward to a summer of fun in the sun, but I’ve seen a lot of tweets and Internet chatter about what to do this fall.  For those in Northern California, a chance to hit the roads and trails of South Lake Tahoe could be appropriate just one more time, before ski and snowboard season begins.

Here is what Alameda Runners was able to learn about the Tahoe Marathon:

Run, walk, swim, paddle, peddle or golf during one of the many Lake Tahoe Marathon events, Sept. 23-25. All of the runs are point-to-point and scenic from start to finish. Both the half and full marathons are along the west shore of Lake Tahoe and feature challenging hills around Emerald Bay. The 10K, which begins at Inspiration Point above Emerald Bay, is 99% downhill and covers the most spectacular portion of the route. Complementing the traditional runs is an Extreme Golf competition and a kayak-bike-marathon triathlon.

South Lake Tahoe is one of my favorite destinations — and it’s an athlete’s playground year-round — with running, cycling, and excellent skiing available.

I greatly enjoyed riding the 72-mile journey around the Lake, which includes some challenging (and rewarding!) climbs available to participants.  (A full list of bike rides hosted by BikeTheWest.com can be found on their website.)

If you’re a frequent visitor to our blog, it’s probably obvious that we enjoy hitting the trails and getting our feet muddy. Trail running offers a refreshing challenge with breathtaking views — and the satisfaction that only a portion of current runners dare strive for away from the pavement.

There are plenty of tips and tricks you will learn after getting out there and doing it a couple of times. However, we wanted to help give you some background knowledge and additional reading material, I have a couple of useful links you may want to read over at your leisure.

First, I wrote up a short guide on TrailsEdge about trail running for newbie trail runners.

As you’d probably expect, Runner’s World has an amazing online microsite aimed at trail running.

Whether or not you enjoy using Active to register for events, the Active news and training portion of the site is great. I’d recommend visiting the Active “Sport Spotlight: Trail Running” section of the website, as there are some great resources available.

Men’s Health tends to focus more on weightlifting and core exercises — but can easily deliver when it come to high quality running material. Here are a few tips published by Men’s Health that will help you survive your first trail running experiences.

Trail Run Crazy also includes information about basic trail etiquette and information about surviving a possible mountain lion encounter. The information is available here.

I have a preference for the Clif Mojo peanut butter pretzel bar.  I lean towards organic products whenever possible (when exercising or just lounging around).  I believe “organic” has become a bit of a buzzword lately and Clif is not bashful about jumping on the band wagon.

That being said, I really like Clif the company and only ask the companies make an honest effort into giving us good calories.  I say this because the Clif Peanut butter pretzel bar tastes really good.  It is loaded with 200 calories, 80 of which are from fat and the ingredient list is longer than a Twinkies.  I trust that Clif is giving me good stuff.

I love the Mojo bar line with no real preference for the different bars.  I just saved the peanut butter pretzel wrapper for review.  I can easily eat a bar while riding my bike without feeling nauseous.  I prefer to eat half of a bar at a time to spread my calorie intake a bit.  When you are out on a long training day, all of these calories are good.  Give this bar a try; you might be surprised at how good an energy bar can be.

Note: I paid for my last box of bars, after Clif handed me some to try.

Honey Stinger energy chews are a good source of calories while out on a long training day.  I have well documented problem consuming enough calories when I am out on long training and racing days.  I frequently find myself crashed in a corner feeling ill effects from the calories that I tried to consume.  I am happy to say, Honey Stinger energy chews in both lemonade and pink lemonade flavors work for me.  Each pack of 10 chews comes in with 160 calories and 80 mg of sodium.  I can handle 4 or 5 chews at a time.  The chews taste okay and they stay down.

Being nauseous during training or racing is bad.  Honey Stinger products are new to my inventory and have quickly moved to the top.  When Vineman 2011 arrives on July 17, I will be carrying Honey Stinger energy chews and Honey Stinger waffles as I can consume both without becoming ill.

Alameda Runners is all about trying to help casual athletes learn more before embarking on your own physical adventures — and to help share information and interviews with companies that you may not be aware of. Injinji, a specialist company focusing on unique socks, is one of those companies I likely would have overlooked — and this article would have never come to fruition — if it wasn’t for Alameda Runners.

I was able to contact Injinji to learn a bit more about the company’s products and why athletes should care. For starters, Injinji’s unique five-toe-sleeve design is patented and was also awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Seal of Acceptance.

“From marathoners to trail runners, mountain bikers to triathletes, Injinji offers a sock for everyone,” an Injinji spokesperson recently told Alameda Runners. “The Performance Series, Injinji’s original and most popular toesock, is ideal for running, walking, cycling, track & field, cross training and other multi-sport activities. Injinji’s Outdoor toesock is perfect for trail running, hiking, trekking, adventure sports and mountain biking.”

The ability to use toesocks along with minimalist footwear, such as the popular Vibram Five Finger shoes, has been a concern for some athletes.  Trying to wear socks with minimalist footwear typically doesn’t work too well, but athletes like having some type of layer of material between their feet and shoes.

“Injinji Performance Toesocks are the perfect complement to VFFs and other minimalist footwear. We recommend Injinji’s Performance Series Liner for minimalist footwear fans. The Liner is an ultra-thin and sleek interface that provides superior moisture and blister protection.”

There are immediate benefits runners and athletes will be able to enjoy if they decide to give these socks a try, according to Injinji.

“Injinji Performance Toesocks are recognized for their ability to provide superior moisture management and healthy digital alignment. The toesocks separate each toe with a thin layer of anti-friction, moisture-wicking CoolMax® fabric. Wearers experience all of the biomechanical benefits of being barefoot, just without the risk of blisters, hot spots and other painful ailments.”

I’ve grown to appreciate the need for a quality pair of running or cycling socks — but Injinji toesocks still look extremely bizarre. Hopefully we’ll be able to give them a proper test this summer, so we’re able to see what all the fuss is about.

You can purchase Injinji products online through the company’s online store or use the Injinji store locator to help find a store around you with Injinji toesocks.