My Coach’s Training Plan And Heart Rate Strategy Got Me To The Boston Marathon

 Hi folks! Thanks for stopping by! When it comes to training you have to do the work, but a good coach can make all the difference to your race achievements. I remember preparing for my Boston Marathon qualifier in 2008, the Charlotte Thunder Road marathon. A marathon is a long way if you are running, and a slight difference in your average pace can make all the difference to your finishing time. My goal for ... Read more

Combine Your Roller Work With A Gentle Core Workout

Hi folks, I must admit that my rollers have helped my flexibility considerably. They are most effective when used both before and after runs. The trick is to workout which roller you use for which muscles, and for how long. You want tight muscles to 'let go,' whilst avoiding overdoing the rolling to the point of soreness. Areas of pain help to pinpoint where work needs to be done, which for me is always my ... Read more

Do We Need A Better Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Risk Equation?

RE: good<5cm<bad Hi folks, welcome! I was looking around at the literature on AAA and I came across this interesting snippet from Chez Ollie, and I learned that we people with AAA are in distinguished company: "Vesalius described the first abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in the 16th century. Before the development of a surgical intervention for the process, attempts at medical management failed. ... Read more

Accidents Happen But You Do Need To Exercise Your Dog

  Hi folks, My previous post contained a video clip made in my kitchen, which revealed a couple of bowls on the floor in the background. They belong to Scooter. He is a feisty little chap, but as I always spoil my animals he is also somewhat overweight. A few days ago he made the mistake of following me on a trail run, and after about a mile he was lagging seriously. Tongue lolling out of his mouth, ... Read more

FitOldDog Training Video #2: Sitting For Symmetry

  Hi folks, I have found that some of the most effective exercises are those that you can apply in daily life. This is the philosophy used by David Harp (now David Harp and Nina Smiley) in that great book, 'The Three Minute Meditator.' I still use the meditating ideas that I read there about 15 years ago. I can meditate at traffic lights, in the grocery line, and if I have the forethought, when I get ... Read more

Improving Hill Descents By Observing With Your Skin

Hi folks, There is an old expression, 'seeing is believing.' I would prefer to say, 'observing is understanding,' which comes from my life of learning to observe, as opposed to just looking. Because you have looked at something, which induced a pattern of activity in your retina, does not mean that you have observed anything of real meaning, which is a down-stream processing or brain activity that uses data ... Read more

Aneurysm, Diabetes, Heart Attack, Serious Injury, Feeling Your Age?

  Hi folks, Well, almost a year has gone by since I started this blog in response to fear for my life. I continue to search for endurance athletes with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) stent graft, without success. Since my graft placement, I have completed both a half and full Ironman race, with no apparent interest from the manufacturers of my stent - maybe they are scared I will croak on the course ... Read more

Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Ironman Training For FitOldDogs

Hi folks, I was looking in the corner of our bedroom the other day (No! My partner Deb does not mind bikes hanging on the wall, in fact she seems quite happy about it - guess I got the right woman!), and I thought, "Boy, what a lot of stuff I have had to buy for Ironman training. The two custom bikes alone cost a bunch of bread." Then I started to calculate the cost of it all, and wondered if it was worth all ... 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.