Four Years Later

What took so long?  That's a great question, and I guess I really have no answers for. 

I've kept active, road cycling and mountain biking, with some running. 

Four years after having my left knee's MCL repaired. Recovery and rehab took about a month or two. I have done a few short sprint triathlons over the past four years, but nothing really run focused. November 11, 2018, I will run the longest distance (14 miles) since that simple surgery. I have peaked in training at 10.5 miles. Sure, I could say there wasn't time to train or I was busy with other endeavors, and that would be correct. I have always had a love/hate with running. 

Who's happier in this image? My mom or me as I came out of anesthesia from the surgery. 

(Note: I was still a little out of it as you might notice I put my shirt on backwards) 

One note the doctor told me as I marked with a sharpie marker, which knee they were operating on, that he would have be back running, and this weekend it is. 

Images of the surgery the doctor took inside. 

I am excited. I have a few mental goals and time goals I am shooting for. The weather, now that it is fall and cooling off, will be perfect. 

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. 

Arctic Cool Wear with HydroFreeze Technology

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This is one of four products to help keep you cool in the summer heat. The shirts can be used for any outdoor activity such as running, walking, hiking while I also use mine for cycling. Arctic Cool Wear with HydroFreeze Technology to keep you cool during your cycling training and racing. 

Read my blog at www.trihak.blogspot.com

Arctic Cool

Arctic Cool’s Hydrofreeze X Technology

IT WORKS!  I set out to test and see if the Arctic Cool’s Hydrofreeze X Technology would work as an undershirt of my cycling jersey. It does.  Of course, it is because of the air flow while on the bike provides.  I use the Spruzza Mist, cycling unit misting system, to keep it damp. 

The shirt works great for running and while sweating in the heat during outdoor gym workouts. 

Summer is on its way and staying cool during workouts is a must. In the gym or outdoor training sessions can be aided with the help of wearing Arctic Cool gear.  Activated by sweat or adding a spray of water starts the process.  The fabric is moisture wicking.  Arctic Cool’s fabric with Hydrofreeze X Technology wicks the moisture away from your body and in turn uses it to activate the fabrics cooling properties. The fabric material is made of 94 percent polyester and six percent spandex while treated to be anti-microbial.  Wash and care of the fabric can be washed in the machine with cold water and like colors. They say it can be put in the dryer but with all my technical clothing I prefer to just hang and let air dry.

Before heading out on a hot evening running, a simple soaking of the shirt in water and ringing out, the cooling effect of the shirt kicks in also.  Humidity and sweat rate, the length of how long the shirt stays wet, or damp, all play a part in how long the cooling lasts.  The wicking of sweat, will keep the shirt activated. 

With summer heat, Arctic Cool gear is a must have to stay cool. 

After a hot mountain bike ride last Saturday, temperatures hit the low 90’s.  I stopped by my vehicle and grabbed the Arctic Cool, Instant Cooling Towel, which measures 27 inches by 15 inches.  I soaked the towel with water, rung it out and tucked in around my neck with some of it going down in my jersey.  The cooling effect kicked in and felt great.  A nice wind, of moving on the bike, as well as the wind blowing already helped the cooling effect of the towel really work.  

The Suunto Ambit 2S

The display is very bright and large and you can choose and option to invert the display. 

I have been using the Suunto Ambit2S for about six months now.  I know they have released the Ambit3 already, but the Ambit2S is a great device for monitoring and capturing your workouts.  With over 3000+ apps designed for the Ambit2 its incredible with GPS and Heart Rate. Don’t find the app you are looking for or what it can capture? Design your own if you know what you are doing. The apps are training programs too.  Search the http://www.movescount.com site and browse through the training programs available for a lot of sports.  I have stuck to using the open water swimming app, running, mountain biking, road cycling, triathlon (multi-sport) and even the app created to monitor your heart rate while you sleep.  Each app is customizable to let you set if you want the GPS to ping every second or every 10 seconds, etc, helping save the battery. With the watch having ANT+, it can synch with foot pods, cadence, and power meters.  I have used it on and off synching it with my MIO ALPHA which is also ANT+ enabled.  Could it be a match made in heaven for those who don't like the chest strap? 

 Suunto Ambit 2S, left, MIO ALPHA with ANT+

It's a great option. This watch and the technology built in it is pretty amazing. When I first started using it during pool / lap swims and I would download the data and it was able to tell the stroke (freestyle) I was swimming. It also calculated my stroke rate as well as numerous other types of data I selected it to collect. 

Keep checking back as I explain more of the Suunto Ambit2S. 

Building confidence out on the trail

I've been pretty busy, so I need to catch up on my posts.  Summer is right around the corner, well technically it never really left Arizona this winter.  Allergies have had me feeling run down, but not anymore.  Summertime brings, head and earlier sunrises. 

Had a great ride out in the desert early Easter Sunday morning.  A lot of desert creatures are also on the move with warmer temperatures.  I'm glad I did not see it, but did hear a rattlesnake out on the ride along with tons of prairie dogs and quail running around.  Building my strength and confidence. 

A little more family time, while recovering

I was able to get out with my son mountain biking this past Sunday, second week in a row.  I was just going to go out for a few hours by myself when he asked if he could go again, so really how could I tell him no.  He told me he had fun the last time but he said it was too easy.  So I started thinking I would take him out on a little harder trail.  Loaded up the bikes and we were out the door.  Like before, I lead the way to our destination ( a playground ), with him leading the way back.  He did really well and is getting the hang of it.  There are a few tight corners where cacti come really close to the trail, so I just told him to slow down.  I didn't want to see him get stuck or fall into a cactus.  What a great ride.

I was glad for the slower ride, as my allergies have zapped my energy this week. So many things in bloom here along with the pollen and the wind only makes it worse.

Check out the video below and this will explain the fun out on the trails.