After college, Chris Costales drank beer, ate too much and saw his weight balloon; now he's a svelte triathlete and swim coach

Chris Costales has done Ironman triathlons, marathons and is a swim coach for the Triathlon Club of San Diego. But several years ago he had trouble walking up stairs. My story on him for the Active San Diego series in the Health section of the San Diego Union-Tribune; http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/sd-he-active-costales-20180430-story.html

Niners add small receiver with big-play history

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: With their final pick of the 2018 draft, the 49ers take Richie James, the best wideout in the history of Middle Tennessee State. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Richie-James-Added-to-49ers-Wide-Receiver-Corps-481259661.html

Raiders get a gem in fifth round with Hurst

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: At the end of last season, Michigan DT Maurice Hurst was considered a possible top-five pick. Then he was discovered to have a heart condition. The Raiders' selection of him in the fifth round could be a treasure. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/New-Raider-Hurst-Could-be-One-of-Drafts-Steals-481251591.html

Niners add explosive WR-returner Dante Pettis

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Lightning-quick kick returner and wide receiver Dante Pettis is selected by San Francisco in Round 2 of the draft. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Draft-Versatile-Receiver-Returner-Dante-Pettis-481128491.html

Raiders get a pass rusher on Day 2 of draft

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland's Day 2 yield in draft includes LSU pass-rush specialist Arden Key. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Get-Their-Pass-Rusher-Among-Day-2-Picks-481125371.html

49ers pass on defensive stars, select McGlinchey

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: San Francisco surprises many by taking Notre Dame OT Mike McGlinchey with the No. 9 overall pick. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Bypass-Talented-Defenders-to-Draft-McGlinchey-481011201.html

Raiders trade down in Round 1, take UCLA tackle

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland trades from 10th to 17th pick, grabs a couple of extra picks and selects UCLA offensive tackle Kolton Miller. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Trade-Down-Then-Select-UCLA-Offensive-Tackle-481013691.html

Carr is handling new offense just fine

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Despite some curveballs from Jon Gruden on the first day of minicamp, QB Derek Carr shows he knows offense inside and out. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Carr-Already-Has-Mastered-New-Offense-480818991.html

Could 49ers surprise by drafting Notre Damer?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: There is speculation the 49ers could go a completely different direction in Round 1 to get Notre Dame OT Mike McGlinchey. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Notre-Dame-Tackle-May-be-in-49ers-Sights-for-Round-1-480823421.html

Raiders exercise fifth-year option with Cooper

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Wide receiver Amari Cooper has his fifth-year option picked up, extending his deal through 2019. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Invest-in-Amari-Cooper-480688981.html

Garoppolo, receivers putting in weekend work

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo and running backs, tight ends and wideouts are meeting on weekends to establish connections, communication and hone skills. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Garoppolo-Putting-in-Work-With-Receivers-480693311.html

Can 49ers trade down and still get a quality corner?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: It's a win-win situation: 49ers could trade down and still pick up quality cornerback. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Could-Trade-Down-and-Still-Pick-Up-Fine-Cornerback-480560491.html

Gruden goes into teaching mode for minicamp

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Jon Gruden says minicamp this week will be all about teaching. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Gruden-Eager-to-Teach-This-Week-480556071.html

100 years later, the 1918 Dipsea Hike for women is a mostly forgotten chapter of sports history that showed female athletes were cut out for endurance events

In 1918, women were barred by the AAU and the Olympics from long-distance events. Women were thought to be too fragile. But the Dipsea Hike for women, starting in 1918 and lasting just five years, proved that theory was a bunch of malarkey. Eventually, however, the event was shut down by church groups and others who believed it was wrong. My story for ESPNW.com: http://www.espn.com/espnw/life-style/article/23251704/the-undercover-hike-existed-long-women-were-allowed-enter-distance-races

Gruden, Raiders will be on center stage in Week 1

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Jon Gruden and the Raiders will play vs. the Rams in prime-time on 2018's opening weekend. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/All-Eyes-Will-be-on-Gruden-Raiders-in-Season-Opener-480376793.html

Garoppolo leads 49ers into prime time in 2018

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The rise of QB Jimmy Garoppolo causes network schedule makers to carry five 49ers games in prime-time telecasts in 2018 season. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Garappolo-Puts-49ers-Into-Prime-Time-Spotlight-in-2018-480372393.html

Raiders' linebacking corps a weak link

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland needs to make some moves to bolster linebacking group before September. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Linebacking-Corps-Needs-Upgrade-480266163.html

Report: Pats may have reason to trade with 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers don't need a QB in this draft, but the Patriots do ... which may lead to a trade. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Patriots-Could-be-First-Round-Trading-Partners-480259513.html

If Guenther has say, Raiders may take a jumbo linebacker

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: One draft analyst sees Paul Guenther's pedigree and scheme and believes Oakland will take a heavyweight linebacker in Round 1. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/One-Theory-Raiders-Will-Seek-Heavyweight-Linebacker-With-Top-Pick-480130233.html

Super quick Tulane corner visits the Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Cornerback Parry Nickerson of Tulane could be a target of Oakland's mid-round draft selections. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Take-a-Good-Look-at-Speedy-Cornerback-480007323.html

Re-energized Staley gets a raise

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Tackle Joe Staley gets a raise with reworked two-year deal. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Give-Joe-Staley-a-Raise--480001123.html

Voices are loud for 49ers to cut Foster

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: A lot of voices are speaking loudly for 49ers to let go of Reuben Foster. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Should-49ers-Release-Reuben-Foster-479647913.html

Raiders' Conley still not up to speed

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Cornerback Gareon Conley is still coming back slowly from injury and surgery. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Conley-Coming-Back-Slowly-From-Injury-479650843.html

After coming back from cancer and surgery several years ago, Serena Burla was on a roll in 2017. Then she found out she had cancer again...

Serena Burla will run the Boston Marathon in 2018 after coming back from a second bout with a rare form of cancer. But, says her coach, she's as tough and resilient as any person he knows. My story for ESPN.com's Endurance Sports section: http://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/23028557/2018-boston-marathon-resiliency-us-marathoner-serena-burla

Bourne again: Young receiver gets his chance

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: As offseason workouts begin today officially, young 49ers will try to make an impression. Receiver Kendrick Bourne is one player who can take a big step forward. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Bourne-Can-Take-Big-Step-Forward-This-Offseason-479877573.html

Gruden giving Raiders new strength program

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Phase I offseason program has begun, and Raiders head coach Jon Gruden is eager for his players to work with new strength and conditioning coach Tom Shaw. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Gruden-Wants-Raiders-Stronger-and-in-Better-Condition-479533113.html

Buckner eager to get more sacks

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: DeForest Buckner led the NFL in QB hits in 2017, with 19, but had just three sacks. He's working to get quicker to turn hits into sacks in 2018.https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Buckner-Working-to-Get-Better-Faster-479528463.html

No love lost between King, ex-teammates

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Marquette King is gone, but his ex-Raiders teammates won't forget him, and not in a good way. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Some-of-Kings-Ex-Teammates-Dont-Miss-Him-479402653.html

Free-agent safety Eric Reid may want to return to 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Safety Eric Reid, a free agent, says he's interested in returning to the 49ers on a one-year deal. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Reid-Still-Unsigned-May-Want-to-Return-to-49ers-479407993.html

Khalil Mack not participating in Phase I workouts

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Jon Gruden opened up the offseason program for his new team Monday, but Khalil Mack -- still working with the team on a new deal -- was absent. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Mack-and-Raiders-Still-Working-on-Extension-479286023.html

SMU wide receiver may be on 49ers' radar

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: 6-foot-3 wide receiver Courtland Sutton is perceived by some as a good fit for Kyle Shanahan. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/SMU-Wide-Receiver-Courtland-Sutton-May-be-on-49ers-Wish-List-479281963.html

Cooper's three-year drop rate among NFL's worst

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Amari Cooper is a playmaking wide receiver, one of the NFL's best. But if he's to become a true star, he needs to hold on to passes much better than he has his first three seasons. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Coopers-Drop-Rate-Ranks-Among-NFLs-Worst-479158283.html

If Notre Dame guard falls to 49ers, it will be a gift

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Guard Quenton Nelson of Notre Dame may be one of the top five prospects in this draft and the best guard to come out of college in years. But he could fall to the 49ers at No. 9. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/If-Nelson-Falls-to-49ers-O-Line-Will-Prosper-479164723.html

Last year at Boston it came down to Rupp vs. Kirui. Now the two terrific marathoners are primed for a rematch

Last year, Geoffrey Kirui of Kenya and Galen Rupp were dueling at the end of the Boston Marathon, with Kirui pulling out the win. A year later, each probably is even stronger going into a rematch. My story for ESPN.com: http://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/23028527/2018-boston-marathon-rematch-runners-geoffrey-kirui-galen-rupp-boston-two-fastest-men-last-year

Arlette Laan loves the challenges of ultra-distance hiking, over the PCT, Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail and many others

Arlette Laan grew up in the Netherlands but fell in love with mountain hiking on a trip to Switzerland. Now the Massachusetts doll-maker has hiked over 20,000 miles on 12 ultra-distance trails. My story on her for ESPNW.com: http://www.espn.com/espnw/life-style/article/23041832/hiker-arlette-laan-doll-making-career-funds-long-distance-treks

Raiders banking on new special teams coach

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rich Bisaccia had great results with the Cowboys and now comes to Oakland to improve special teams play. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Banking-on-New-Special-Teams-Coach-478880413.html

Shanahan just wants a steady Garoppolo

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Kyle Shanahan isn't piling great expectations on QB Jimmy Garoppolo. He simply wants to see him to learn and continue to improve, step by step. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Shanahan-Not-Piling-High-Expectations-on-Garoppolo-478876743.html

Gruden excited by start of offseason program

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland coach Jon Gruden finally will be able to meet with players soon. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Gruden-Eager-to-Get-Program-Rolling-478768083.html

Ex-Lions GM Mayhew is helping 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Former Detroit GM Martin Mayhew provides sounding board for John Lynch and 49ers. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Ex-Lions-GM-Has-Been-Important-to-John-Lynch-478765763.html

Environmental activist Jesse Clark gave up his car and pedals everywhere around San Diego

Jesse Clark stepped away from a high-paying job a few years ago to simplify his life. One way he did that was to sell his car. He now rides his bike everywhere. My story on Clark for the Active San Diego series in the San Diego Union-Tribune: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/sd-he-active-clark-20180402-story.html

Gruden eager to get most out of Cooper

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: New Raiders coach Jon Gruden believes Amari Cooper will continue to improve. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Gruden-Believes-Amari-Cooper-Will-Excel-478650563.html

Reports: 49ers interested in Giants' Beckham

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Giants are looking to trade receiver Odell Beckham Jr., and several reports have the 49ers in the mix for the star. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Reports-49ers-Are-Suitors-for-Giants-Beckham-478658523.html

Vikings' coach says 49ers will love McKinnon

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer says Jerick McKinnon is worth all the money. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Vikings-Zimmer-Says-49ers-Getting-a-Gem-in-McKinnon-478533923.html

Raiders' release of King was a shock

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Marquette King is one of the NFL's best punters. Why did the Raiders cut him?https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Kings-Release-by-Raiders-Shocked-Many-478551783.html