Even When Recovering From Aortic Surgery There Is Ironman Training You Can Do, It Just Doesn’t Look Like Ironman Training!

Hi folks, welcome! OK! Nine days out from aortic surgery, still pretty sore and woozy. Ironman training? Am I crazy? Nope! You just have to think. Here is what I came up with for the next few days. Race day will be here before you know it. Can't waste time. As I was walking our yellow lab on a local trail on a cold, frosty morning, I thought, "Which muscle groups give the biggest problems in Ironman, and ... Read more

When Your Body, Heart Or Mind (Forget Mind Mr. Spock) Go Through Hell, Remember The Therapeutic Value Of Nostalgia Food

Nostalgia: "A sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations." by Google Hi folks, welcome to another day on this lovely planet.. Ah! The good old days, or good old romance, or good old country, or good old car, or good old food! Yes! Nostalgia is a powerful, but a potentially crippling or alternatively potentially curative tool, ... Read more

Can I Have It For Free? It Worked! Thank You Rich Hall.

Hi folks, welcome! The best self-help book I ever read was written by Rich Hall. It makes you laugh when you want to cry. What better solution to pushing you along the rocky road of emotional growth? Rich Hall recommends that you always ask, "Can I have it for free?" when faced with a purchase, because you never know your luck. I tried it today at my local garage, Chapel Hill Tire, as they were installing a ... Read more

If You Don’t Do It Because You Love It, Do Something Else, But How Do You Know You Won’t Love It Until You REALLY Try It!

Hi folks, welcome! You create your life every day, so don't waste this one. Ever since I was a kid I loved Biology, reading and active sports. I've noticed that everything I learned from these interests, as unrelated as they might seem, came in useful for later activities. In fact, sometimes things sit for years and then up they come, and you say, "I'd forgotten all about that. Boy, I'm glad I did that." ... Read more

Weight Lifting, Weight Training, Aortic Disease, And Quality Versus Quantity

Hi folks, welcome to my meandering thoughts! If you have an aortic aneurysm, with or without a stent or graft, I recommend that you consider weight training rather than weight lifting. This means confining your workouts to as little as a 5-pound weight, but with some imagination you can give yourself a serious, risk-free workout. The real trick to a happy life as an athlete is to let go of your ego, focus ... Read more

Having A Conversation With Your Myofascial Massage Roller To Treat Plantar Fasciitis And Other Training Strains

Hi folks, welcome! Myofascial massage rollers can be expensive, so choose wisely. Rebecca and I consider the selection of rollers, but whichever one you buy remember that you are having a conversation with the roller. From time to time we receive questions about massage rollers in relation to treating plantar fasciitis. In fact, they have been somewhat frequent lately - I wonder if it's the cold weather ... Read more

Thoughts On The Role Of Passive Versus Active Recovery In The Case Of Plantar Fasciitis

"Men are born soft and supple; dead, they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead, they are brittle and dry. Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible is a disciple of death. Whoever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life. The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail." From the Tao te Ching by Lao-tzu, translated by S. Mitchell. Hi folks, welcome to my ... Read more

Practice Makes Perfect When It Comes To Living With An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm – Watch That Abdominal Pulse

Hi folks, welcome! I am fortunate, or maybe you would say unfortunate, to be monitoring a growing abdominal aortic aneurysm for the second time in my life. It will be fixed soon, I'm sure. How do I monitor my aneurysm, you may ask? By intermittent ultrasound checks, and daily by watching my abdominal pulse. I sure noticed increased strength of this pulse whilst swimming yesterday, so I abruptly stopped after only ... Read more

Disclaimer: As a veterinarian, I do not provide medical advice for human animals. If you undertake or modify an exercise program, consult your medical advisors before doing so. Undertaking activities pursued by the author does not mean that he endorses your undertaking such activities, which is clearly your decision and responsibility. Be careful and sensible, please.