More training focused and feeling good

Getting comfortable being uncomfortable, it's all good

If you monitor my social media at Twitter or Instagram (@timhakr), I guess it makes it official. I signed up for the 14 mile Xterra trail run at San Tan Regional park this November. 

I have been training for this over the past few months getting my lungs and legs in shape. Officially signing up for it makes me accountable for my training now. 

This past weekend I was able to get my longest (LSD- long steady distance) run in so far. It was a little cooler than normal due to the monsoon storm the night before. The storm also made it muggy.  I was able to get the 6.25 miles in.  

Standing water cutting off access to some trails, due to the monsoon storms 

This is normally a smoother incline, yet water has cut a big divot in it. 

I turned around the next day and did a cross training workout of mountain bike riding of 16.42 miles. The monsoon rains this year have really affected the trails out here. The mountain bike trail/hiking trails in Usery Regional park were either washed out or the rains and winds have changed them a lot. A few trails were not accessible due to standing water. 

This week started adding a little bit of strength training into the mix and other drills. 

I have a few mental goals I am aiming for and I will touch on those in future posts, so follow along. 

Suunto Software Update 2.0.40

Suunto Software Update 2.0.40 You can now access getting your heart rate without entering the exercise mode with the Instant HR display

Suunto Spartan 2.0.40 software brings new features 

Intensity zones for pace and power, so in addition to HR zones, you can now define zones for pace and power

Enriched training targets: Now from the exercise start screen, you can:

Set duration or distance targets and follow your progress through your exercise.

Set intensity targets: based on heart rate (all activities), pace (running) and power (running and cycling, when a power pod is paired)

They enhanced the Suunto Spartan user a with new, more efficient navigation that includes the following highlights including 

Notification history: from the watch face just press the middle button to see all your recent notifications from your mobile device.

Temperature has been added to the outdoor screen (Ultra and Baro models), found by navigating down with the lower right button or by swiping down.

Roller Rides are Coming Along Great

@SportCrafters roller workout with the @SUUNTOUSA Ambit2S and @TrainingMask hanging out in Zone 3. The TrainingMask I have set a simulating 9,000 ft in elevation.  A new playlist on the iPod the sessions on the rollers are great.  I know I should be out on the road with the weather being so nice. 

How the MIO Alpha compares......

Here is a quick comparison video of the MIO Alpha (No Cheststrap) tracking my heart rate along side with the MIO Energy Pro (Cheststrap) and MIO Quest (Cheststrap).  Like clockwork, right on the money.  Both the Energy Pro and Quest were getting heart rate info from a chest strap I was wearing.

New tunes to keep me moving

 So hear it is, pun intended.  Whether I am running, riding the rollers or swimming wearing my H2O Audio set up I will be listening to some great tunes. The playlist is almost 50 minutes long and consists of

• Headlines                      Drake  
• Brighter Than the Sun  Colbie Caillat   
• Ass Back Home      Gym Class Heroes  
• Blackout                   Breathe Carolina   
• I Like It Like That    Hot Chelle Rae   
• Ni**as in Paris          Kanye West & JAY Z   
• Turn Me On               David Guetta & Nicki Minaj   
• International Love      Pitbull   
• Right Above It           Lil Wayne & Drake  
• What's My Name?    Rihanna & Drake   
• Not Afraid                Eminem              
• Rhythm of Love       Plain White T's
• 4 Minutes                  Madonna               
• Crushcrushcrush       Paramore              

With the shuffle option on the iPod the order will never get old.
I tried looking at old CD's, yes I said CD's I purchased over the past 15 or so years but nothing seemed to keep my interest or sound good.

Rolling rolling rolling, winter training is rolling

The weather here in Arizona has been great this winter so one might ask why am I doing so much training indoors?  I did a great ride of 20.12 miles on New Years Day to start of the year, but really got my winter training off to a start about two weeks ago riding rollers, an indoor way of training on your bike. Riding the rollers allows me to stay close to home (how much closer can I get) and focus working on my heart rate training (Aerobic Zone (Endurance Training) 70-80% HRM).  Riding the rollers is not easy and I have done a lot of research on them before getting them.  They have been compared to riding a bike on ice!  With the power being forced on the back wheel a belt drives the roller on the front so your front wheel rotates also. They help a rider overall perfect their form and balance. They also force to keep pedaling.  No coasting or you will fall.  The workouts I have done on them so far have been great.  Unlike riding outside, there is no stopping at "stop" signs or coasting to a stop.  They allow you to use your own bike, so the set up and feel of your position are exactly how my bike has been fit to me. They take a little getting used to, starting off holding onto a wall or object to get going.  Yes, I have fallen learning to ride and most likely will fall a few more times before I really get comfortable on them.  The first wreck I took with them was while riding along the couch while my wife and I watched TV.  Next thing you know I was flat on the ground with her laughing.  I am tall already on my bike and the rollers boost the rider about another five inches off the ground, making the distance to fall from a little farther.  I hope to soon post a video of myself on the rollers to show what it's all about.  There are plenty of videos on YouTube showing riders on them. 



Healthy Heart Zone -- 50-60% HRM
Fitness Zone (Fat Burning) 60-70% HRM
Aerobic Zone (Endurance Training) 70-80% HRM
Anaerobic Zone (Performance Training 80-90% HRM
Red Line (Max Effort) 90-100% HRM

Mio Global added as a sponsor

I am excited to announce Mio Global, the maker of heart rate monitors, has agreed to sponsor me. I look forward to working with them and giving feedback on how I use their monitors in my training and racing. I will be posting videos to show the heart rate monitor in use and the Zones I use it for training.