Figured it out, kind of, still looking to get new shoes

So last week I was brought down by a blister on my right heel. The rest of the week, I focused on other training without running. Wearing flip-flops as much as possible. 

The blister is healing well. I was able to get a short but very effective training run in on Saturday morning. Focusing on power and speed, getting my heart rate up in Zone 4.  The muggy weather made it tough, but the workout was just what I needed. 

In the process the night before, putting out my shoes, I noticed the laces were broken on my right shoe. This is what was causing the slipping/rubbing on the right heel causing the blister. 

I swapped shoes, to an other pair I often run in, and no slipping. I guess I could have replaced just the laces, but there wasn't time, so I opted just to run in the other shoes. It worked out perfect. 

Broken laces that caused the rubbing and the blister to begin with

The shoes I have been since running in. I am looking into getting a new pair of shoes not just or the training but the race in November. 

Adjusting my training schedule and healing a blister

This past week I have had some great workouts after returning from a brief vacation. For my training I am wearing both my Suunto Spartan WHR to capture my courses as well as my heart rate info. Synched to it is my Stryd Running Power Meter.  I am hoping to increase my strength and speed over the course of the training program. 

Next week I will start adding a weight program into my training. 

Also on my training run this past weekend I was able to get out on the steepest part of the run course. I know I need to update my shoes, to be a more "trail" running shoe, but the shoes I wore, were okay. The steep incline had my foot riding in the back of my shoe more and caused some rubbing. Enough rubbing that the last mile of the 4.5 mile run was a little rough. The rubbing caused a good size blister to occur. My goal now is to figure out a plan to cover it so it can heal fast and I can get out running still. Another goal I have is to find the perfect sock/shoe combination to eliminate the blister situation. 

Do you have any tried and true remedies for fixing this issue fast? I would love to hear and try anything. I am open to your suggestions. Comment or follow me on Twitter @timhakr. 

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AfterPartz disc brakes

I swapped out disc brakes that came with my bike. They always seemed to be needing to be bled. After about six or seven rides, the brake levers would need to be pulled pretty hard to activate the brakes. Here is a little step by step video showing the installation of the AfterPartz disc brakes. 
The AfterPartz Disc Brake System is a mineral oil based hydraulic system. This is an installation video showing the front brake, left hand brake lever and rotor and front wheel mechanism being installed. Follow the same steps for installing the rear system.  The cables for the rear brake, on the right side of the handlebar, is longer. The AfterPartz brake system comes with pre-bled hoses with both brake levers, pads and calipers ready to be installed. The brakes use Mineral Oil inside and not DOT fluid like many others on the market. Let me know what you think. 

Training about to kick into high gear

Training is about to kick into high gear. Two races are coming up this fall.  They will be signed up and then make them totally accountable for in the next few weeks. 

The first is the team of four, mountain bike race. The team with the most laps in the eight hour period wins.  Each rider takes on the 10 mile course lap, one member out on the course at a time. 

The second race, is the next weekend from the mountain bike race, but this time it is a trail running race. The distance is 14 miles, so its just over the half-marathon mark. 

Cat-Ears AirStreamz™, decrease wind noise and hear your surroundings.

Always working to improve an already functional and great product. 

Cat-Ears are a device you place on the helmet straps of your cycling helmet. The devices hinders the sound of the air as you move. Buffering the sound of the air then allows you to hear the sound of cars, other cyclists, etc. The device is easy to place on your helmet straps, taking under a minute. A minor adjustment may be needed to make sure they are in front of your ear.
I have them on both my road and mountain bike helmets.  

The effectiveness of the AirStreamz™ doing their job correctly stems from your helmet and straps being worn properly. Placing the AirStreamz™ on your helmets straps greatly reduces wind noise, allowing you to hear fellow riders or traffic around you, keeping you ultimately safer. I have found they are most effective when your helmets strap is on the inside the temple. They are hand-made in Boulder, Colorado, USA and are a must for any cyclist of any age, road riders or mountain bike riders. They are washable by hand and best dried by just placing flat letting them air dry. The pile material is soft.  

Cat-Ears are the worlds best selling noise reducing product for cycling.  The product is even 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. 

Cat-Ears are highly researched and a proven product AirStreamz™is out and available to everyone. 

These devices simply attach with the Velcro® strips sewn on the inside. The two AirStreamz™ are not left or right helmet side specific, and full detailed instructions on how to install them are on the package. They fold around your helmet strap placing them right in front of your ear. I see a lot of people, first off with their helmets not fitted or strapped on properly. 

A couple years ago now, my family and I traveled to Boulder, Colorado, home of Cat-Ears.  While there my family and I got a tour of the facility where they not only hand make the cycling helmet devices but test and research improving the product. 

*There are other products like this on the market but they give false claims. Cat-Ears are scientifically tested and improved on. It's one to say things about your product, but Cat-Ears has data that can back their product up. 

Brush Hero makes cleaning your bike faster

I use a diluted solution of Simple Green, a degreaser, to clean my bike. Spray a little on, let it go to work and soak in, then follow it up using the Brush Hero.  Let the rotating brush go to work as the water rinses away the Simple Green and the dirt and grime. Forget breaking out the bucket for soap and water, the Brush Hero/Simple Green combination has sped up my bike cleaning process. 


Order yours through this link

http://bit.ly/2JjS9YU

Conquer 400 TQXL portable bike stand

The Conquer 400 TQXL portable bike stand. Folds easily and can clamp around seat posts from 30mm to 70mm.  Includes a small tool tray for your most used tools to be right at hand. There is a front wheel holder to that can be used to hold the front wheel still and from turning side to side when working on the front end. For a portable bike stand, this comes in a under $60. Not too many other stands at this price point come with this many features and is portable. Can be used with bike up to 50 pounds. Use the stand to quickly work on derailleur adjustments or swap out tires and tubes fast. Use it for both mountain or roads bikes. 

It's not a must have, but quit leaning your bike against the wall or placing it on the ground. This stand gets both wheels off the ground allowing you to rotate the pedals and both wheels. 

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