Wednesday, September 30, 2015

SIGNED UP!

It's not a very big distance race, but its a race.  I just signed up for my next triathlon. The distances are a 300 yd. pool swim, a 15.4 mile bike followed by a 2 mile run.  So what does this mean? The workouts the next few weeks will be super focused. I don't have any specific goals but in looking at past years times on this course, I would like to better my time(s).  
Sunday Oct. 18! 

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

The KRIZILLA External Battery Pack

The KRIZILLA External Battery Pack









The KRIZILLA external battery pack is a must have for quickly charging your cell phone or other devices. Simply use the provided USB cord to charge from a wall outlet.  Power is fed into the battery pack through the micro USB port and exported through the USB port to charge your device.  The handy four LED’s on the front of the unit show how much power is left in the power pack. Each light lit up stands for 25 percent, so if all four are displayed the pack is fully powered ready to take on the road with you. Beside being water resistant and dust proof the battery pack also includes a “torch” or flashlight on the one end. By pressing the light button the flashlight turns on and is done so at 50 percent of the flashlights power, hit the button again and it will bump the light up to full power. Holding in on the light button will put it in an “SOS” blinking pattern. The power pack runs a great 7800 mAh. The KRAZILLA portable power pack is well constructed and heavy duty. 


Monday, September 28, 2015

Amrita Nutrition Bars are RAW, Kosher and certified NON GMO not to mention gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free and soy-free

What do I love best about Amrita Nutrition Bars?  With them being comprised of plant-based ingredients, they do not cause any GI distress, yet fuel my training and racing.  Easy to pack in my cycling jersey and easy to consume while running or on the bike.  They are not jammed with fillers or unnecessary ingredients. Being able to consume nutrition while continuing to race, knowing what your system can handle, is part of the training. Amrita Nutrition bars are easy on the stomach and pack just as many calories as those other bars, if that is what you are looking for.  Take a look below at each bars ingredients. Each ingredient is easy to pronounce and is recognizable. 


All Amrita Nutrition Bars are RAW, Kosher and certified NON GMO not to mention gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free and soy-free.


 Cranberry Raisin energy bar is gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free and soy-free. This 200 calorie organic ingredient energy bar is comprised of date paste, raisins and cranberries. It incorporates sunflower seeds, sunflower seed oil, sesame seeds, Tahini, Chia flour and shredded unsweetened coconut. Brown rice protein and Himalayan Pink Salt. It packs 7g of protein. 




Apricot Strawberry energy bar is gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free and soy-free. This 195 calorie organic ingredient energy bar is comprised of date paste, dried apricots and dried strawberries. It incorporates sunflower seeds, sunflower seed oil, sesame seeds,Tahini, Chia flour and shredded unsweetened coconut. Brown rice protein and Himalayan Pink Salt. It packs 7g of protein.


Pineapple Chia energy bar is gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free and soy-free. This 195 calorie organic ingredient energy bar is comprised of date paste, dried pineapple, cranberries. It incorporates sunflower seeds, sunflower seed oil,sesame seeds, Tahini, Chia flour and shredded unsweetened coconut. Brown rice protein and Himalayan Pink Salt. It packs 7g of protein. 


Mango Coconut energy bar is gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free and soy-free. This 185 calorie organic ingredient energy bar is comprised of date paste, dried mango and cranberries. It incorporates sunflower seeds, sunflower seed oil, sesame seeds,Tahini, Chia flour and shredded unsweetened coconut. Brown rice protein and Himalayan Pink Salt. It packs 7g of protein. 


Apple Cinnamon energy bar is gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free and soy-free. This 190 calorie organic ingredient energy bar is comprised of date paste, dried apples and cranberries. It incorporates sunflower seeds, sunflower seed oil, sesame seeds,Tahini, Chia flour and shredded unsweetened coconut. Brown rice protein and Himalayan Pink Salt. It packs 7g of protein. 


Chocolate Maca 15g protein bar is also gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free and soy-free. This 230 calorie, protein bar, all organic ingredient bar made of date paste, brown rice protein, sunflower seed butter, Tahini, organic Cacao powder, sunflower seeds, Chia seeds, shredded unsweetened coconut, maple syrup, maca powder and Himalayan Pink Salt. 

I have had favorite flavors from time to time. Just last week, I was really into the pineapple chia energy bar.  Of course like any chocolate lover, the chocolate maca 15g protein bar is my favorite recovery bar, along with a cup of coffee after a morning ride. 
To my local friends here in Arizona, the bars can be found at Sprouts! 
If you can't find them in the local health food stores, you can always look them up and order them online at 


Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Hosting weekly group road rides



So last weekend was my second weekend ride as a ride leader / host.  The first week I was the only one out there. No big deal, I still got my miles in and had fun. Last weekend four others showed up bright and early for the 26 mile road course. This coming weekend will be the third week on the same course, and I am looking to add mileage and switch up the course a little. In the area where we start out, it is pretty much a lot of flat roads. Without riding to far to start, I am trying to incorporate some hills or climbs. With temperatures in the morning almost beginning to feel like fall, the cooler weather will hopefully be here soon. 

Ho Stevie floating GoPro or other action camera hand grip with GoPro mount







The Ho Stevie floating GoPro or other action camera hand grip does just that, FLOAT.  It saves your camera from sinking if you were to drop it in a body of water. The handle is very large and comfortable for shooting both walking with a camera shooting away from you or using a a selfie type of stick to film you in action. The GoPro attachment on the end makes it quick and easy to slap your camera on the end.  There is a leash provided for added safety.  I also like how the bottom of the grip has a 1/4 20 mount which then allows the grip to be attached to a tripod. Made of carbon fiber and aluminum the grip is light and no worry about it rusting. 

http://tinyurl.com/hostevie-bobbergrip


***Note*** I received this product at a discounted price in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

RunCubby fitness and running belt by Pratico Goods





My wife got a new phone I have been trying to help her out finding a fitness running belt that can accommodate a larger smartphone.  The RunCubby fitness and running belt does a pretty good job.  The belt is adjustable and has a few flaps to separate items in the large pouch.  It too has a hole designed for headphones to run through. It is lightweight and has a breathable backing. It has two zippered pouches, one for the larger items, smartphone while the other can be used to hold a couple keys if needed. 

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Octopus Tripod by Echen








The Echen, Inc. Octopus Tripod is a sweet addition to placing POV (point of view) cameras, small point-and-shoot cameras or smart phones almost anywhere. Made of ABS plastic and rubber, the bendable and shapable mini tripod can be wrapped around to attached to fence posts, trees, poles, etc. The tripod comes with a 1/4 20 screw mount which safely slides into the tripod head and is easily removed. It comes complete with a smartphone holder which can opened from 2.5 inches to 3.5 inches to insert and hold it. The bottom of the smartphone mount has a female end of the 1/4 20. The legs of the tripod are five inches in height, if you were to use them straight and the head of the tripod adds another inch to the total height of the unit. The black PVC ball type parts of the tripod are very adjustable 360 degrees, as the grayish parts on the tripod are the rubber material allowing for it to grip very tight. Very compact and easy to pack in any backpack, purse or camera bag. I like that the Octopus Tripod is very light very versatile when it comes to where it can attach to.


Note: I received this product for free or a reduced cost for my unbiased review.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Quality Workouts During the Three-Day Weekend

22.70 miles

27.08 miles 

34.07 miles 

It was an amazing three day weekend.  I was able to ride every morning and get some great quality rides in. The weather is starting to become nicer in the morning and Monday’s ride was pretty much cloud covered and near the end sprinkles started to come down. I can recall a few years ago, not really eating much before heading out on a ride of say 20 miles or more. Half-way through the ride I would feel tired and just lose all energy I had, or thought I had. I have definitely changed up how I eat both leading up to a training ride and right before.  Of course I consume nutrition during the ride.  My total distance for the past three days has been 83.85 miles, with the furthest ride being the last day at 34.07 miles. 
Now here is my biggest jump in the next three weeks.  Bringing back the short run workouts after my rides as well as running workouts by themselves.  In my mind there are the two sprint triathlons, in October, I am working towards but have not signed up or totally committed to. 

Friday, September 4, 2015

Looking forward to the longer weekend

Last weekend I was able to get a ride in on Sunday after not feeling so good the week leading up to it.  This weekend I start in as a ride leader for a local bike shop here in Gilbert.  I talked to the owners about getting a group road ride farther south from the shop. With the holiday weekend and first week of the gathering, not sure how many riders will show up.  It's planned for a 26 mile flat course ride on Sunday.  I am still looking at two possible sprint triathlons in October to enter. One within a mile from my house and the other about a 30 minute drive away. The weather is starting to cool off a little more in the mornings, which makes early morning workouts a little nicer. We will have to really wait until the middle of October before the heat is really done for the year.