Hi folks, Birds of a feather tend to flock together, so choose 'your flock' wisely. This is why I like to attend triathlon training camps, as they provide me with the opportunity to mingle with talented athletes and learn from them. I also meet some older people, like myself, who are endeavoring to become better athletes in spite of the inevitable aging process. The energy of the group just pulls you ... Read more
Two Triathletes Die In Swim: The Issue Is Training, Not The Rules Of The Game
Hi folks, I was very sad to hear of two unnecessary deaths in the New York City Triathlon. I say unnecessary because of my experience in triathlons as an ex-water polo player. I have completed the Lake Placid Ironman five times, which has an extremely crowded swim start. This year I completed the race with an abdominal aortic stent graft, and at no time did I feel threatened in the water. The start of these ... Read more
Don’t Stretch Your Muscles, Lengthen Them Kindly
Hi folks, Flexibility is an important attribute of a healthy body that tends to decrease with age. This thought comes straight out of that old book of life, the Tao te Ching. The Steven Mitchell version is nice and concise. "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 ... Read more
Relaxed Strength Is Stronger Than Tense Strength, But Does Chi Exist?
Hi folks, I was in the middle of our Pilates lesson the other day, when Tara our instructor said, "relax Kevin, you'll feel stronger that way." We know these things but we forget. This comment took me back 30 years to my Kung Fu lessons. I studied this martial art for two years under Floyd, a truly talented individual. We were trained in two main areas, mental resistance to pain and the development ... Read more
Loving, Limerencing or Loking Your Sport, And Does Age Really Matter?
Hi folks, It is critical for your happiness that you develop a healthy relationship with your exercise or training program, and especially with your race performance if you race. If you don't know what a healthy relationship is, how are you supposed to do that? It took me many years to work it out, partly with the aid of two books (see figures). A propos this issue, I was recently reading a discussion group ... Read more
Accidents Happen When You Are Tired Or Distracted
Hi folks, Have you ever had a serious training accident? I have experienced several, and each one was at least to some extent my own fault. I was tired or lost my focus every time. These accidents included the following: (1) A severely injured knee at the end of a long day's skiing (mistake - full day ski pass on the first day of the season), which resulted in surgery. (2) A bad bike wreck that ... Read more
Overcome Your Roadblock Or You’ll Never Get Going
Hi folks, What is your roadblock or area of resistance to exercise and training? I have been a swimmer of sorts for over sixty years, but I still hate jumping into cold water. Nothing seems to improve the experience, including prolonged meditation upon my cold-water-phobia. I've tried every kind of mental trick to no avail. I just have to force myself each and every time. The zone of discomfort is ... Read more
Develop A Personalized Routine To Be Effective In The Weight Room
Hi folks, I love to go to the gym and lift weights. At one time I was a weight lifting fool, able to press two 95 lb dumbbells from the flat bench, and I'm a little guy. I learned from my sons, real weight lifters, especially Nick who is busy lifting a great Tee-Shirt Business into existence out of no where. Having completed my race season for the year, now is the time to get back in the gym to build some strength ... Read more
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