All posts by PTPJimG

Hunter-Liggett Under Blue, Blue Skies

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Abandoned tank at Fort Hunter Liggett

I had a great bike ride on Friday, June 10, from Mission San Antonio to Highway 1 and back, through Fort Hunter Liggett. I’m training for the Death Ride on July 9, so I needed to get in some long hilly rides. I was on my way to my folks house in San Luis Obispo – recently rated one the happiest places on earth! – so I stopped at Hunter Liggett. Because it’s an army base, you can’t park just anywhere. Mission San Antonio, however, is just across the road. Continue reading Hunter-Liggett Under Blue, Blue Skies →

Boston Marathon, 2011

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With my finisher’s medal at the end of the race

Prelude to the Race

This was a race I planned long in advance, because I would be entering a new age group. I have great ambitions for this year, not just for the Boston Marathon, but also for the Death Ride, Ironman Canada, and the Alcatraz Invitational Swim. The Boston Marathon required a qualifying time, which I took care of by running a 3:40:04 marathon at Napa in March 2010, where I came in 5th of 79 in my age group (read my blog about it). At the time, I was excited with the results, but that quickly passed when I recalled how humbling it is to run Boston, where the winner in my age group probably would be done with breakfast by the time I finished. Continue reading Boston Marathon, 2011 →

Going Further, Faster at 60

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At the finish of the Coeur d’Alene Ironman Triathlon 2010

This is a big year for me. I’ve turned 60 years old and I feel great! I’ve got much to look forward to, and much to look back on. Specifically, I’m looking forward to placing high in my new age group in the Boston Marathon in April, the Tour of California Alps Death Ride in July, the Ironman Canada triathlon in August, and the Alcatraz Invitational swim in September. Wow! What a way to celebrate being alive! Continue reading Going Further, Faster at 60 →

My “Secret” Granola Recipe

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I am now 9 weeks into my training for this year’s Boston Marathon. It’s the first of the 4 events I’ve signed up for this year. But more on that later. I just wanted to make this a short blog of one of the secret ingredients of my training. It’s my homemade granola. It’s a variation on the original recipe I was given when I was living in New Zealand in 1978. (Yes, that’s a lot of granola behind me.) I eat it nearly every morning during training and before an event. It’s good fuel and easy to digest. I can make a big batch that lasts me about 3 weeks. This saves me a lot of time, and I really like it. It seems to be popular, so I thought I’d share the recipe. Here it is: Continue reading My “Secret” Granola Recipe →

Full Vineman Triathlon, July 2009

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I’ve finished the Full Vineman triathlon, the second of my three events for this year and my first full Ironman-distance triathlon. Nearly 550 participants completed the race, which is billed as the oldest Ironman-distance race in the continental United States. Continue reading Full Vineman Triathlon, July 2009 →

Napa Valley Marathon, March 2010

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The Napa Valley Marathon is a good course for a fast run. It has a small field of runners and for the most part it is downhill. It’s also a good time of year. This year’s early March weather was cool and dry, excellent conditions for a marathon. My PR was at the Napa Valley Marathon in 2004. So this was an ideal race to serve as a base for the Ironman Coeur d’Alene and as a Boston Marathon 2011 qualifier. Continue reading Napa Valley Marathon, March 2010 →

Tinley’s Adventures Triathlon, October 2009

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The Scott Tinley’s Adventures Triathlon has become my traditional end of the season triathlon. I’ll keep running through the winter, but I don’t bike – it’s too cold in the morning. It’s a small event (only 30 people in the long course), and it’s close to the folks’ home at Lopez Lake Park in Arroyo Grande, CA . There’s also the prospect of a rest afterward. Much as I like racing, it’s nice to take a break. I really try to approach this event as a fun swim, bike, and run. Continue reading Tinley’s Adventures Triathlon, October 2009 →

Ironman Coeur d’Alene, June 2010, Prerace

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The Coeur d’Alene Ironman Triathlon was my big event for 2010. It required the most training and the most support from friends and family. Again, thank you Julie for the encouragement! And thank you Mom, Dad, Chris, Maria, Doug, P.H., George, Malinda, Andrea, and all my friends at San Jose Swim and Racquet Club. These races would be a lot tougher and a lot less fun without you. Continue reading Ironman Coeur d’Alene, June 2010, Prerace →

Ironman Coeur d’Alene, June 2010

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The Swim

Sunday morning came soon enough. I woke up plenty during the night, which always happens before a race, but overall I got a good night’s sleep. I was up by 4:30 am, had a good breakfast of my homemade granola Continue reading Ironman Coeur d’Alene, June 2010 →

Alcatraz Invitational Swim, September 2010

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Once again, this has turned out to be one of my favorite events. It’s the third time I’ve done it, and I’ve been very lucky that each time the water was relatively calm. This year’s swim was particularly fun because I swam with my niece, my younger brother and sister, and quite a few friends from the San Jose Swim and Racquet Club. Continue reading Alcatraz Invitational Swim, September 2010 →