Update on the Pine Hollow Experience June 1, June 2, June 3, 2012

Paddled around the lake and measured the course for the Pine Hollow Paddle. (June 2, 2:00pm) The water temperature on the lake is 64 degrees as of 4:00pm April 28, 2012. Talked over BBQ options for the Saturday evening lakeside campfire results / awards party. Blue cheese and bacon burgers with a side of Irish nachos at Angler's Restaurant and Lounge, and confirmed with Kim that there will be karaoke on Saturday, June 2. Chatted with Frank while he measured fish during the fishing derby. Reservation numbers are up at the campsite, and the cabin area has been remodeled.

The Pine Hollow Tri (June 3, 9:00am) swim caps have been ordered. The blue First-Place ribbons for the Sprint Triathlon and Pumice Man have already arrived. Placed the order for the 2012 finisher's wristbands – they're pine green and glow in the dark. Purchased the coveted Sprint Triathlon champion hats from the Pine Hollow Lakeside Resort. The Pumice Man champion trophies have been hand-crafted from Pine Hollow Pine, and the wood-burned Pumice Man finisher's medallions are set to go. GU is on board this year as a sponsor, and will be available at registration / pick-up and the Transition Area. Also got some nice raffle items at The Cottage from Lexi in downtown Wamic.

We're set to go. Are you?

www.pinehollowtri.com..... www.xdogevents.com..... www.pinehollowlakeside.com

The Weekend Starts Now

Heading out to Pine Hollow Reservoir to test out the waters for the Pine Hollow Experience June 1-3.

Saturday, June 2, at 2:00pm is the inaugural Pine Hollow Paddle brought to you by X-Dog, a 3-mile SUP race around the lake featuring a SUP (stand-up paddle) division and a no-holds-barred, anything-that-floats-with-a-paddle-goes, creativity-awarded Open division. The post-race lakeside campfire party will be epic.

Sunday, June 3, at 9:00am is the return of the Pine Hollow Tri brought to you by the Timberline Trail Running Club, featuring a Sprint Triathlon (.75k swim, 15k bike, 5k run), and the Pumice Man double triathlon (totalling 1.5k swim, 30k bike, 10k run). The Hawaiian theme will return with a vengeance, along with the prized raffle, and post-race pizza supplied by Anglers Restaurant and Lounge.

Make a reservation now at the campground, or check in with our friends at the Historic Balch Hotel in Dufur.

Easter Sunday on Wildwood

Wildwood City Marathon Facebook page


Yassine's speed record

The Vibram Barefoot Lawsuit

Vibram FiveFingers are great camping / recovery shoes (standing and walking around after a race), but I haven't run more than 5 miles in them.

Actual barefoot running is beneficial once in a while, but I would not recommend running toe-heel. Instead, run heel-toe, usually connecting mid-foot on a flat surface, and extend your ki (tilt your pelvis forward) and absorb the ground as you strike. One interesting thing about the FiveFingers is that the additional coverage over the toes creates a larger surface area which actually acts as a breaking mechanism.

Read the lawsuit article via Runners World here.

The article, in Vibram's defense, mentions they advocate a "transition" to running barefoot, but I wouldn't recommend that, either, as it's usually better to keep the same running form and just take your shoes and socks off and run. Doing this, you'll learn to absorb the impact with correct posture (and tuck that pelvis). This is what takes athletes - especially martial artists - years to learn, but it makes no difference whether you wear shoes, other than the fact that if you're barefoot and the ground hurts your feet, you're probably doing it wrong.

Olympic-caliber athletes have been running barefoot on grass for decades, and and it certainly helps in moderation to strengthen your stride and perfect your form. But there's not neccesarily any advantage to running all your mileage barefoot. Of course, just because there's no reason to do something that doesn't mean you shouldn't. There's no reason to rip telephone books in half, for example, but it's fun.

Recipe for Endurance

Blend one half banana, half ounce banana liqueur, half ounce kahlua, one ounce hazelnut liquour, one ounce Irish cream, and one ounce (hot) espresso with one cup ice until smooth.

Swirl chocolate syrup into cocktail glass and pour.

Animal Athletics

Local mountain, ultra, and trail runner Yassine Diboun has teamed up with Willie McBride to bring you Animal Athletics. This new company will provide a combo service of group training and guided tours. For now, they're offering free training sets at the Rose Garden in Washington Park Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

For more info, here's the link: Venturing Into New Terrain

woof.

The first snow of the year in Portland

Ran the Wildwood Trail in the snow, attacking some fallen trees along the way.
Some days it's good to be a ninja.