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
Category Archives: PTP Outdoor Adventures
Avoiding Those Long Walks Back to the Car Carrying Your Bike
This isn’t suppose to happen. Generally it can be avoided by packing a flat-tire repair kit. But how do you prepare for the possibility of four or five spokes snapping? That happened to me near the Coyote Creek Lagoon of the Bay Trail, some 6+ miles from the car. Not particularly far to walk unless you have to carry the bike all the way. The rear wheel twisted so badly that it couldn’t turn in the frame. Fortunately, my stock road bike is fairly light at 21 lbs: ideal for loading onto the peninsula commuter trains but a mountain bike would hold up better against the rough conditions on the trail and the surface-street portions of the loop. Continue reading Avoiding Those Long Walks Back to the Car Carrying Your Bike
Labyrinths, March 2010
- Medieval labyrinth: Though the way is long and unclear, stay on the path and you will find the center.
- Silicon Valley labyrinth: Yeah, whatever, just get to the point.
(Taken at Sibley Park in Berkeley)
When Andrea is not hiking, she is a Senior Technical Writer at Phoenix Technical Publications. Phoenix Tech Pubs has provided complete technical writing and documentation services in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 25 years.
Full Vineman Triathlon, July 2009
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
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
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
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
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
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
Mission Peak, December 2010
Living in the South Bay, I have heard many people talk about “doing” Mission Peak. When I heard one conversation talking about PR’s to the top, I knew I had to take the challenge. Continue reading Mission Peak, December 2010