Thursday, December 30, 2010

PowerBar Gel Sale (50% off)*: My Christmas Gift to Myself for 2010.

After unwrapping all the presents you had received, you realized you didn't get everything you had wanted.

Or, you saw something on sale at a good price.

Well, both happened to me over Christmas 2010.

Then, I came across a PowerBar Gel sale.  I ordered 2 cases as a Christmas gift to myself, and they arrived the other day.
My 2010 Christmas gifts to myself:  2 cases of Strawberry Banana PowerBar Gels.


*I got them on sale at 50% off.  The minimum purchase to get the sale price is 2 cases (24 gel packs in each case).  The sale ends December 31, 2010.

To get this as your "Christmas" gift to yourself, click here.

Product Test: Double Latte PowerBar Gel and Wogged 8 miles. December 30, 2010.

This was my last wog of 2010.

I celebrated by product testing a PowerBar gel during my last 8 miles for 2010.
The Double Latte PowerBar Gel has 50 mg of caffeine.

Today was cold and windy at times.  I was glad I wore my running jacket because I usually don't.

When cold, some gels become thicker in their packaging and cling to its packaging, but I didn't have any problems squeezing the PowerBar gel out of its packaging. 

The Double Latte PowerBar Gel tasted like a sweet and salty cup of coffee.

I have no doubt the extra sodium PowerBar gels will minimize some muscle cramping..

I also like the extra caffeine.  Sometimes, I just need an extra kick to go somewhere.  And, I believe the Double Latte flavor has the most caffeine at 50 mg in the PowerBar gel line.  Some flavors in the PowerBar gel line do not have caffeine, while some do. 

For more info. about PowerBar gels, click here.


8 miles @ 1:47:52.
Net calories burned:  756 calories.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Oakland Marathon Registration Discount: $5 off. Discount Valid: December 29, 2010 thru January 31, 2011.

I am grateful this promo is not them handing out a cup, like what they did last year.
Oakland Marathon promo cup from 2010.

I believe the $5 discount works on the Marathon or the Half Marathon only.

Code:  20SBORF11

The date of the 2011 Oakland Marathon and Half Marathon is on March 27, 2010, Sunday.  For more info. about the Oakland Marathon or Half Marathon, click here.

Thanks, Sports Basement!!!

NOTES:
  1. Keep in mind the Oakland Marathon and Half Marathon are one weekend after the LA Marathon.
  2. For some of you, it might be Maniac or bust.

PowerBar Gels On Sale, 50% off with 2 or more 24 Gel Pack, Running Warehouse, until December 31, 2010.

I tried out my very 1st PowerBar gel yesterday and was impressed.

I was looking for a gel that was more runnier than my GU gels during cold weather use.

It also doesn't hurt that when the weather gets warmer and humid, the extra sodium in the PowerBar gels might reduce cramps.
Strawberry Banana PowerBar Gel with Caffeine

Running Warehouse is currently having a sale on PowerBar gels.   Buy 2 or more PowerBar Gel 24 Packs, and the price drops to $12.23 per pack (2 for 1).

To get in on this great deal, click here.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Wogged 8 miles. Product Test: Strawberry Banana PowerBar Energy Gel. December 27, 2010.

Wogged 8 miles.
During my wog, everything was great until my vision went pitch black. For a few seconds, I thought something was wrong with me until I realized it was a power outage.
Product test: Strawberry Banana PowerBar Energy Gel.
Power Bar gels have more sodium than many other brands.  Extra sodium can reduce muscle cramps.
I am currently testing out some gels in search of a more runnier gel for cold weather use.  The Strawberry Banana PowerBar Energy Gel definitely met my cold weather gel needs; it is more runnier than GU gels.  It tastes like children's medicine, but it's livable. Will love the extra sodium when needed; I am hoping it will bust some cramps.
Net calories: 722.

Ike's Place: Serious Sandwiches at 50% off, San Francisco Bay Area, CA. Limited time.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Happy Holidays!!!

It's that time of the year again...

Hope everyone managed to get your shopping done.

Happy Holidays, Everybody!!!

Need not worry if you feel stuffed a bit during this time of the year, plenty of time to waddle, wog, jog or run off the holiday weight gain afterwards.

Have fun and stay safe!!!

Monday, December 20, 2010

ZombieRunner Bay Trail 1/2 Marathon Review, Palo Alto, CA. Event date: December 19, 2010.

Event:
ZombieRunner Bay Trail 1/2 Marathon
Baylands Nature Preserve
Palo Alto, CA
December 19, 2010

Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve, Palo Alto, CA.

This event was some experience.  By the time I finished, I felt like I did an agility event instead.

I went without my Garmin and didn't run with a camera.  Weather.com listed 100% precipitation during parts of the event, and it was spot on.  I am not ready to plunk down $$$s on another Garmin or another camera.
 
The following sums up how my event went: 
  1. Snails crossing the trails - I had to slow down to avoid stepping on them.
  2. Cold - Brrr!!!
  3. Rain - Wet. Ugh!!!
  4. Wind gusts – At some points, trying to walk straight was a challenge; never mind trying to run.
  5. Puddles galore – It felt like I was doing tire drills without the tires but trying to avoid the puddles, and there were lots of puddles.
  6. Very slippery muddy sections – Nothing like slipping and sliding around each time my foot hits the ground.  I am amazed I didn’t fall down and went splat in the mud.

The following were unique things I saw along the way:
  1. Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course - I kept thinking some errant golf ball was going to whack me as I went by.
  2. Palo Alto Airport - The commuter planes look great to me when they were sitting on the ground.  But, it was a bit uneasy running when I had to run perpendicular across the runway where the planes came in for a landing or take off.

Overall, I am very happy I didn't slip along the muddy surfaces and fell into mud.  I'll be even happier if I am not sick the day after this event.

    Here's a pic of the bling:
    2010 ZombieRunner Bay Trail 5 Mile, 1/2 Marathon and Marathon bling.

    For the event course profile, click here.

    Gun time:  3:03:27
    Guestimate gross calories burned: 1,400


    A big thanks to ZombieRunner, a trail running and hiking store in Palo Alto, CA, for the awesome goodie bags.
    Nibbles in the goodie bag, included a Bonk Breaker bar and a Clif gel.

    A nice surprise in the goodie bag:  a ZombieRunner cap.

    And, a BIG hand to the great volunteers who braved the cold and rain to support the event.  It was cold enough running and wogging along during the event for the participants.  I can't imagine what it was like for the volunteers who didn't move much during the event.

    Saturday, December 18, 2010

    Racevine Holiday Shopping Party at Sports Basement on Bryant Street. Event date: December 19, 2010.

    Sports Basement on Bryant Street seems to be the most famous holiday shopping party store for 2010 in my area.
    Sports Basement on Bryant Street
    The following holiday shopping party is happening this weekend there:

    Racevine Holiday Shopping Party
    Sports Basement - Bryant Street
    1590 Bryant Street
    San Francisco, CA
    Date:  December 19, 2010
    Time:  1 pm to 4 pm

    There will be nibbles and refreshments.

    Sports Basement is offering a 20% shopping discount in the store to attendees.

    For more info. about the event, click here.

    Friday, December 17, 2010

    Carbo Loading on a Burrito Takes It to the Next Level. The El Macho Burrito from El Burrito Express, San Francisco, CA.

    And, I do mean this burrito takes carbo loading to the NEXT level.

    A few nights ago, there was this contest.  If you named the winner of the Golden State Warriors vs the Utah Jazz basketball game, you would be entered into a drawing to win $10 Burrito Bucks from El Burrito Express.

    El Burrito Express on Taraval Street.

    I mentioned Utah Jazz and didn't think much of it.

    I was later contacted and was told I had won $10 in Burrito Bucks.

    Free food!!!  Awesome!!!

    I was thinking I'll just show up at the restaurant I had been visiting on and off for ages and pick one of my favorite burritos.

    The problem was my usual burrito falls under $10.  I had to come up with something that would bring my order closer to $10.

    I thought it was a joke when the menu said there was a burrito over a footlong.

    But, this burrito was no joke.  It's called the El Macho Burrito.  And, El Burrito Express has it on their menu.

    The nice cashier at the restaurant suggested the El Macho Burrito is a good choice to bring the order close to $10, and so I ordered it.

    After I got home, I pulled it out of its bag and was kinda of shocked by its size.


    The El Macho Burrito.   My burrito came in closer to 15 inches.

    What's in the El Macho Burrito?
    1. 2 giant flour tortillas 
    2. 2 choices of meats
    3. rice
    4. beans
    5. cheese
    6. guacamole
    7. sour cream
    8. tomato

    I am pretty sure I will be carbo loaded and then some over for the next several days, which is a good thing as I have the ZombieRunner Bay Trail 1/2 Marathon this weekend.

    For more info. about El Burrito Express, click here.

    For their menu, click here.

    For their burrito menu, click here.

    FunCheap SF's 2010 Holiday Party at Sports Basement on Bryant Street. Event date: December 17, 2010.

    How many jelly beans, err people, can you fit into the Sports Basement on Bryant Street?

    Sports Basement on Bryant Street.

    I hope many because there's currently over 600 people who have RSVPd that they'll be attending the following event:

    FunCheap SF's 2010 Holiday Party
    Sports Basement Bryant Street
    1590 Bryant Street
    San Francisco, CA
    Event date:  December 17, 2010
    Time:  6 pm to 8 pm


    There are nibbles, refreshments, raffles, prize giveaways and a scavenger hunt.  (Under scavenger hunt, it says to bring a digital camera or camera phone.)

    And, for those trying to finish their Christmas shopping, this is a great opportunity because Sports Basement is offering a 15% shopping discount.

    I wonder how this will all turn out.  It sounds fun, but with over 600 people, this can get awfully crowded.

    For more info. about the event and/or to RSVP, click here(NOTE:  You MUST RSVP if you want to attend.)

    For more info. about FunCheap, click here.

    Thursday, December 16, 2010

    Win an Entry to the Oakland Running Festival with PureFitRadio. Event Weekend: March 26-27, 2011.

    I am already committed to the LA Marathon the weekend before, but some "lucky" person can win an entry to the Oakland Running Festival.

    The Event:
    Oakland Running Festival
    Oakland, CA
    Event Weekend:  March 26-27, 2011 


    For the nitty gritty on how to win an entry with PureFitRadio, click here.

    For more info. on the Oakland Running Festival, click here.

    Good luck!!!

    Wednesday, December 15, 2010

    Wogged 8 hilly miles. December 15, 2010.

    Base rebuilding.
    Wogged 8 hilly miles @ 1:45:36.
    Downed:  1 GU Chocolate gel
    It was chocolicious!!!

    Net calories burned:  803 calories

    SF Marathon Party. The Discounts were Awesome!!! Event date: December 14, 2010.

    Thru rain, large puddles and some crazy rush hour traffic that just crept along, I made it to the SF Marathon Party at the Sports Basement on Bryant St.
    Sports Basement on Bryant Street

    A couple of speakers spoke about the SF Marathon Training Program.

    There were nibbles and refreshments.

    But more important, there were discounts. Attendees were allowed to register for the 2011 SF Marathon events at a $10 discount. 

    And, Sports Basement gave attendees a 20% discount to shop for the evening.


    If you missed this event, there seems to be a few more SF Marathon Training Program information sessions down the road.  Who knows what they might have up their sleeves?

    For more info. on future SF Marathon Training Program Information sessions, click here.

    Happy running!!!

    Monday, December 13, 2010

    2010 Rock 'N' Roll Marathon Holiday Registration Gift. Register from December 14 thru 17, 2010.

    I love Rock 'N' Roll events.

    They're giving out gifts to those who register for any of their events on the following dates:  December 14, 2010, Tuesday to December 17, 2010, Friday.

    Registration Gift:  Insulated Water Bottle and GU gels.

    Code:  GIFT

    For more info., click here.

    This looks to be their way of saying, "Happy holidays!!!"

    Where will you RnR in 2011?

    Super Bowl Sunday Run II. 10k or 2 Person Relay. Sacramento, CA. Event date: February 6, 2011.

    I stumbled across this event and thought this is a great idea.

    The menu features a 10k or a 2 person relay.

    The events are football themed.  Even the participant T's are football jersey styled in the colors of last year's Super Bowl winners.  Since the New Orleans Saints won last year, this year's T's will have black and gold on it.

    The start and finish seems to be by Hornet Stadium at California State University, Sacramento.
    Event date:  February 6, 2010 (Super Bowl Sunday)
    Time:  9 am

    For the course map, click here.

    For more info. about this event, click here.

    How come no one near me thought of this great idea?

    SF Marathon Party, Discount Registration and Optional Training Program Information Session. Party and Info. Session Date: December 14, 2010, Tuesday from 6 pm to 9 pm.

    I am signed up for the 2011 SF Marathon - 1st Half.

    I don't need a training program to get me thru, but a few folks I know said they need more support.

    If you are one of the folks who need more support, you may want to learn more about the 2011 SF Marathon Training Program at the following:

    SF Marathon Party
    Sports Basement Bryant Street
    1590 Bryant St
    San Francisco, CA

    Date:  December 14, 2010, Tuesday from 6 pm to 9 pm


    If you are not registered, I heard there will be a discount on registration.

    There will also be nibbles and refreshments.

    Attendees can also shop Sports Basement and get 20% off.

    This sounds like a winner to me!!!

    Sunday, December 12, 2010

    Wogged 8 Miles and Even Got Lost. December 12, 2010.

    After being runned over by a recent convention, I finally managed to get on out there.

    I wogged 8 miles today and even got lost along the way.

    I ended up doing a trail run part of the way and twisted an ankle but fortunately very minor.  Hopefully, this isn't the practice run for the upcoming ZombieRunner 1/2 Marathon I had signed up for.  This event is next weekend on 12/19, Sunday.

    I need to rebuild my base and felt under fueled.

    Downed: 1 GU Jet Blackberry gel.  It was berry, berry delicious. :)

    By the Numbers:
    Wogged 8 miles @ 1:49:26
    Net calories:  754 calories.

    Free Breakfast and Training Runs for the 2011 Kaiser Permanente Half Marathon, San Francisco, CA.

    It has been a while since I found some training runs offering breakfast, but alas, I found a series of them.  :)

    These training runs are to prepare those participating in the 2011 Kaiser Permanente Half Marathon, San Francisco, CA.  Event date:  February 6, 2011.

    Location of Training Runs:
    Sports Basement Presidio
    610 Old Mason St
    San Francisco, CA

    The runs are FREE Pamakid Training Runs for the 2011 Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon hosted by Sports Basement Presidio and Pamakid Runners and Coach Andy Chan. Juice and bagels afterward courtesy of Sports Basement.

    There will be training runs on four Saturdays in January to prepare you for the race.

    The January 2011 training dates are as follows:
    1. Jan. 8
    2. Jan. 15* - shop on this date to get 20% Pamakid Runners discount
    3. Jan. 22
    4. Jan. 29

    Here's the training flyer:
    http://bit.ly/eGLGbH

    So, mark your calendars.

    For more info. about the training runs, please email:   info@pamakids.org.

    Happy running and breakfasting afterwards!!!

    Savings on 2011 See Jane Run Half Marathon and 5k Events: 1) Alameda, CA, 2) Boise, ID, 3) Seattle, WA and 4) Austin, TX.

    I was noseying around Active.com and noticed several more See Jane Run Half Marathon and 5k events than the one I blogged about recently.  These events are women focused.

    Currently, I came across the following 2011 See Jane Run events off of Active.com:

    1. See Jane Run Women's Half Marathon & 5K - Alameda, CA.  Event date:  June 5, 2011.
    2. See Jane Run Women's Half Marathon & 5K - Boise, ID.  Event date:  June 18, 2011. 
    3. See Jane Run Women's Half Marathon & 5K - Seattle, WA.  Event date:  July 17, 2011. 
    4. See Jane Run Women's Half Marathon & 5K - Austin, TX.  Event date:  October 9, 2011.
    I tested out the following codes on a couple of them, and they work.

    Code:  FITHALF2011 - $25 off
    Code:  FIT5K2011 - $10 off

    For more info. about See Jane Run, click here

    Happy savings on registration!!!

    Saturday, December 11, 2010

    Limited Registration Now Open: 100th Bay to Breakers 12k. Event date: May 15, 2011.

    Recently, I posted that limited registration would be opened to those who subscribed to the newsletters of the 100th Bay to Breakers 12k event.

    The newsletters have gone out on December 10, 2010.  I believe only 10,000 folks would be getting the limited registration price, so don't delay in registering if you received a newsletter.

    If you don't see the newsletter in your emails, please do check your Spam email box.

    They have also redone their website, and I believe they are handing out bling for the event.

    I just love bling!!!  And, with this being the 100th running, this will be an amazing event!!!

    For more info. on the event, click here.

    Friday, December 10, 2010

    Savings on See Jane Run Half Marathon and 5k, Alameda, CA (SF Bay Area). Half Marathon: $25 off. 5k: $10 off. Event date: June 5, 2011. Hurry!!!

    Saving money on event registration is something I can never get tired of.

    See Jane Run mentioned they were offering a savings off their women's focused Half Marathon and 5k events for 1 day only several days ago.  But, this nosey tortoise tested out their Half Marathon code, and it still works.

    The savings are as follows:
    1. Half Marathon:  $25 off:  Code:  FITHALF2011
    2. 5k:  $10 off.  Code:  FIT5K2011
    In the SF Bay Area, the See Jane Run event in Alameda, CA is on the following date:  June 5, 2011.

    To register for the event, just search "See Jane Run" after clicking here.

    For more info. about See Jane Run, click here.


    NOTE:
    Those considering RnR San Diego or who have registered for the RnR San Diego Marathon or Half Marathon might want to take a pass on this promo as both events are on the same weekend.

    Convention Working Off the Holiday Weight Gain, Bill Clinton and Pics. December 2010.

    In a previous post, I mentioned I landed a temp job working at a tech convention.   The event did help me work off some of the holiday weight gain and definitely kept me away from the fridge.

    I managed to get a few pics during my off time. 

    The Convention:  Dreamforce 2010.
    The convention was about cloud computing.  In cloud computing, the shared resources, such as information and software, are provided on demand to a device.
    Artwork decorating the Moscone Center from Dreamforce 2010.

    The new workout:  goodie bag and packet stuffing.
    A goodie bag from the event.

    I literally had no idea how many goodie bags and packets I had stuffed for this event, but it is safe to say that with 30,000 attendees, there must have been at least 25,000 goodie bags that everyone was trying to stuff.
    Guestimating:  With 30,000 Attendees, there must have been at least 25,000 goodie bags and packets.

    Where I Spent Most of My Time.
    I spent most of my time onsite behind a regisration desk where I checked in convention attendees and issued them their convention badges.  For some, I had to troubleshoot why their badges didn't work and why their registration could not be located during the check in process.

    Since I was behind the registration counter most of the time, I was not grazing on food at a fridge.

    My temporary home away from home.
    The view from my temporary home away from home behind the registration desk.

    The 30 Minute Lunch Break.
    The 30 minute lunch breaks definitely will not leave you enough time to get to a restaurant, buy some food, eat the food and for you to get back to work on time.  So, one has to pack lunch wisely, or risk having no food to eat at all.

    On a couple of days, us, little people got lucky and got a free boxed lunch.  They were the leftovers from the attendee lunches.
    A free lunch from work.

    The Hours Were Long.
    Again, I was kept away from grazing on food at a fridge by the long work hours.

    During some long work hours when the going gets tough, the tough gets powered by Starbucks.  We were thankful that teas and Starbucks coffee was provided to us.
    Nothing like coffee from Starbucks to keep you going during the long hours.

    Odds and Ends:  I Felt Like a Walmart Employee on Black Friday Morning.
    Except in my case at the convention, I was not faced with a large group of people about to run in to get Black Friday deals.  At the convention, I was facing a large crowd who were trying to get in fast to get a good seat to see and hear former President Bill Clinton speak.
    Attendees lined up for hours just to hear former President Bill Clinton speak.

    I was assigned  to be one of the human barriers to adjust the flow of attendees as they streamed into the large keynote hall.

    I can honestly tell you that one of the scariest feelings in the world is standing on the inside of the set of doors, as some of the other convention staff open a set of doors to let the crowd of 20,000 attendees in.
    Thanks, Bill Clinton, for coming to speak!!!

    I definitely felt this convention worked some of my holiday weight gain off.  Perhaps, time permitting next year, I'll try to convention work my holiday weight gain off again.

    Groupon: Reno, NV, Deal of the Day, Harrah's Steakhouse. Lunch: $10 gets $25. Dinner: $25 gets $50. December 10, 2010.

    I just noticed a juicy Groupon:  Reno, NV, Deal of the Day.

    Lunch:  $10 gets $25.
    Dinner:  $25 gets $50.

    Valid at:
    Harrah's Steakhouse, Reno, NV

    This is a 50% savings!!!

    To get in on this deal, click here.

    I haven't been to Reno, NV in a while.  Perhaps, I should drop by during a ski trip this winter season.

    Sunday, December 5, 2010

    Cross Training Off the Holiday Weight Gain: Stuffing Thousands of Goodie Bags and Packets. December 3 and 4, 2010.

    I pictured myself running, jogging, wogging and working out at the gym like crazy for a while in an effort to lose my recent holiday weight gain.

    What I got instead was a workout totally unexpected.

    I landed a temp job that had me helping to stuff up to 25,000 goodie bags and packets for a tech convention.

    I was very impressed that after 2 long days of packing goodie bags and packets that I was not even sore.  I guess I am in much better shape than I thought.

    I have no idea how many calories I had burned off, but my spare tire does look smaller already.

    Thursday, December 2, 2010

    MUNI $2 Sunday FunDay Pass. Every Sunday from Dec 5 to 26, 2010.

    First BART gave away one way tickets valid for weekend usage, now it's MUNI's turn.

    MUNI is doing a $2 Sunday FunDay Pass.  You just pay $2, and you get a transfer valid for the entire day.

    If you use a Clipper Card, the instructions mentions you just swipe your card on the 1st ride of the day and then just flash it at the driver after that.  It mentions not to swipe your Clipper Card on your 2nd ride of the day and on rides after that because the system will charge you for those rides, and no refunds will be issued.

    Promo is not valid on Cable Cars and not valid on Candlestick Park Express buses.

    For more info., click here.

    Wednesday, December 1, 2010

    Starbucks Christmas Blend 1lb Buy One, Get One Free.* Event date: December 2, 2010.

    From experience on race mornings or on long training runs, I always prefer a cup of coffee to wake me up and energize me before I cross The Start.

    I also love to save a few bucks if I could, so on  December 2 the offer to buy one, get one (BOGO) free 1lb of Starbucks Christmas Blend coffee is music to my ears.

    The BOGO free offer is part of Starbucks' "12 Days of Sharing."  There's a new offer for each of the 12 days.

    For more info., click here.


    *NOTE:  Offers may not be available at every Starbucks.  Limited supply.

    Free BART Tickets* and Survey to Win a $300 Value Clipper Card. Event date: December 2, 2010, 6 am to 9 am (limited supply).

    Really?  They are giving 60,000 BART tickets away to morning commuters.

    Yes, really.

    On December 2, 2010, Thursday, from 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m., BART will give free tickets to 60,000 commuters at the Downtown Berkeley, 12th St./Oakland City Center, Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell and Civic Center stations, while supplies last.

    *Each of the lucky morning commuters will be getting 2 tickets with each ticket valid for a one-way BART trip on any of the following Saturdays or Sundays: December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 or 19, 2010.

    There is also a survey to fill out afterwards.  And, some lucky person is going to win a Clipper Card loaded with a $300 value.

    For more info. about this event, click here.

    Awesome promo!!!

    50% off at Beard Papa's Baked Goods in the San Francisco Bay Area. Groupon San Francisco More Deals Nearby. December 1, 2010.

    Although I am working on losing the holiday weight gain, sometimes a good deal on food items should not be passed up.  And, I didn't passed up on the following deal:

    Pay $11, Get $22 worth of Baked Goods at Beard Papa's via Groupon San Francisco.

    I just love their cream puffs.  Their cream puffs are freshly made and are just so yummy!!!

    This deal is valid at 2 of their locations around the San Francisco Bay Area.  It's valid at the 99 Yerba Buena Lane location in San Francisco, CA location OR at the 365 2nd Ave location in San Mateo, CA.

    This is getting 1 dozen of their cream puffs for the price of one-half dozen.  It's a 50% savings!!!

    To get in on one of the best cream puffs there is out there, look on the right side of the screen in the More Deals Nearby after clicking here.