Hot!

It was 10:30am and already baking. Though it was only 85F, my shirt was drenched and I had slowed to a walk several times. So it must have been pretty humid, too. But, the heat didn't stop dozens of other joggers either, so I didn't feel singularly foolish.

My new cell sports a 1.3 megapixel camera. Since I've been wanting to finally learn all the trees around Almaden Lake--I've been going there for 13 years after all--and literature about them is posted near the picnic gazebo, the phone pulled double-duty today. Three miles, pictures later...

Cool Morning Jog

It was cool and breezy this morning--perfect for a 3-miler.

A caravan of eight mothers were jogging single-file today while pushing their baby strollers ahead of them. As I was approaching the underside of the metal crossing bridge just north of the lake, they suddenly stopped on the narrow span. It then struck me as a bit odd when they parked their strollers on the bridge ITSELF and then broke out into a calisthenics routine. But, what do I know? There aren't that many bikers out who might want to cross over that narrow bridge at 10:30AM on a work day anyway. I guess it was just visually a funny thing to see because you don't expect it. Otherwise, today was a routine jog.

The Obesity Paradox

It was uncomfortably warm sleeping last night, plus I worked too late on my website, so I woke up tired and crabby today. So today became a rest day.

Anyhow, back to the obesity discussion from June 19th. That article showed up again today, this time on WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20090625/study-overweight-people-live-longer

This was the key passage for me:

"Because being overweight is a risk factor for a host of chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, one theory is that their survival advantage is due to the fact that they receive more aggressive treatments to prevent these conditions.

"We tend to be quicker to prescribe statins (to lower cholesterol) and drugs to control blood pressure to patients who are overweight and we are more likely to screen them for diabetes," says weight management expert Keith Bachman, MD."

An Obligatory Run

Sometimes you're into somethin' exciting and you just don't want to break your concentration to do a routine jog. Today was such a day. I was close to completing my first web site (http://www.paretomydata.com) this morning and I didn't feel like stepping away from the screen. But, it was still fairly cool out and we don't jog solely for fun, so it was an easy three today. As usual, after it was over I was glad I did it. Getting the blood pumping invigorates the brain cells.

Running fights the blues

Today was an unremarkable three mile jog past Almaden Lake and back. Despite yesterday's good intentions, today I didn't feel like lugging around my heavy Powershot S3 after all, so no TNT pictures. S-o-r-r-y.

Exercise is the #1 best way to fight the blues, according to an article published today on Webmd. And you don't need to run marathons to get a benefit. A half-hour several times a week may be enough. Here's the link: http://www.webmd.com/depression/recognizing-depression-symptoms/natural-treatments

TNT event today

Team In Training held a triathalon event at Almaden Lake this fine Saturday morning. I missed it--I didn't know they existed until today--but a park ranger said they'll be back tomorrow. So I may return Sunday with my camera. I spoke with Derek, a young volunteer who was handing out brochures under one of their trademark white tents, and he filled me in about what their organization is all about. (I've spotted their tents many times before across the lake, but since they always set up on its west side, and I'm always on the east side, I never encountered them before.)

This is how their brochure opens:

"For more than 20 years, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Societie's Team In Training (TNT) program has been unparalleled in training people from first timers to seasoned athletes to achieve their best at marathons, half marathons, triathlons, 100-mile century bike rides and hike adventures."

Here's their website link: http://www.teamintraining.org/.

Today was cool and breezy--perfect for a lazy 3-mile jog.

Chubby People Live Longest

According to a recent studying covering 50,000 Japanese between the ages of 40 and 79 over a 12-year period, plump people live longer than skinny ones. In a nutshell, the main reasons for the shorter lifespans were increased vulnerability to diseases such as pnemonia and the fragility of their blood vessels. Here's a link to the article:

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.c7aaeb7940626693fa418a1eab2291f6.81&show_article=1

I'm not a doctor so I don't know how these findings apply to thin long-distance runners (like Im not.). But overall, I believe that moderate exercise is still the way to go--regardless of your BMI. In fact, moderation in everything is a wise course, especially at meal time. The single exception I'd make is when it comes to ice cream. :-)


Gotta go now and grab a snack...

Sore legs

My legs are still sore. Predictably, yesterday's six-mile jog took its toll. It always does--it's not like I didn't expect it. So last night I needed two Tylenols again to stop the aching, otherwise I wouldn't have slept. Three miles is okay, but six leaves me restless at bedtime.

So today I did an an easy 15-minutes on their fancy new Expresso biking machine. The old machines were easier on my butt so I would have done 30-minutes, but the Expresso forces a stiff recumbant position that hurts after only 15-minutes. Still, I'm grateful to have a machine available for cross-training on days like this.

"Real" cycling isn't an option yet because I fear falling without medical insurance. My last spill occurred on Montebello Rd in 2005 when I broke my left collarbone and landed in Samaritan's ER. Ultimately, I needed surgery and a titanium plate--a $6,000 boo-boo. Ironically, that accident also happened between employers--just after Motorola bought Force, closed the plant (after promising just one month earlier they wouldn't), and killed everybody. But that time I kept my insurance up.

Almaden weather was cloudy and cool today. No rain, and none forecast. Since I worked the machine today there was no need to visit the Lake or trail. Easy cross-training was the order of the day. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Caught in the Rain

Yesterday was a rest day so today I was psyched for an invigorating run. I usually do about three miles, so doubling that to six sounded good. Since the True machines are way too boring for such a long run, Los Alamitos trail jog via Almaden Lake was the way to go.

It was cloudy when I started and the forecast was for rain. But there was no rain yet, and where we live in south San Jose, threats of rain don't often materialize. But just in case, I wore my floppy, broad-brimmed hiking hat that otherwise keeps the sun off my bald scalp. It's not really a running hat, and beige doesn't go with my bright orange tee, but does anyone care?

As usual since the Great Recession hit, there were a lot of people on the trail for a workday. You expect to see retired people, of course, but nowadays working-age people seem to predominate. Men and women, young and middle-aged, they're all there. Unemployed, but making good use of their down time. There were a few joggers as usual--younger people mostly, but both sexes. You see a lot of women joggers today, something you didn't see much of 25 years ago, at least not back east.

Three miles and 30 minutes into the run (at the red bridge turnaround point) it started coming down pretty good for California. Yet, inconvenient as rain can be, it was cool and invigorating, and I picked up speed on the way back. Round trip was about an hour. I can run. Life is good.

Day one (after 13 years)

Well, I finally did it.

After 13-years in San Jose--epicenter of Silicon Valley--today's the day I'm making my first blog. Blogging is no longer considered high tech. It's been with us at least 10 years now, and everybody seems to have one. Nevertheless, I'm starting mine today. Now no one can call me a Luddite.

The Almaden Valley area--I'm on the outskirts just north of Almaden Lake--is a great place to live. Close enough to commute to Silicon Valley for work, yet far enough away from the hustle-bustle, Almaden Valley offers many semi-rural jogging and bicycling venues. And since our climate's great for outdoor exercise, those healthful activities can be enjoyed year round.

In this blog I'll be sharing some of my favorite jogging paths along Almaden Lake and Los Alamitos Creek trail, and bicycling routes up Hicks Rd. to Mt. Umunhum (the name means resting place of the hummingbird), plus a hodgepodge of other interesting (to me) things about the area.

I hope you enjoy it.