While struggling to run with peripheral artery disease (PAD), I discovered the value of strengthening my feet, especially for effective toe and foot flexion. Imagine gripping the ground with your toes - toe flexion. Imagine gripping the ground with your whole foot - foot flexion. Flexing my "little" toes: second toe, or "long toe,” third toe, or "middle toe,” fourth toe, or "ring toe,” and the fifth toe, or ... Read more
As an "English American," I was surprised to be so pleased to have the American flag against my name in these race results, but America has been extremely generous to me. You have to work to enjoy this country, but with a little luck you have a chance to do well. In a way, I feel both American and English. I came in after the 8:30 cutoff, but the race officials insisted on giving me a medal. Maybe this is ... Read more
Foot corns (local hyperkeratosis due to friction and/or pressure) don't look like much, but they are hell to run on. I struggled to fix those corns through running technique, which helped a little, then, for unrelated reasons (wet gear) I tried no socks, and those corns melted away in a week. Damn those corns hurt like crap, making the run hell, and now I had another problem to deal with. Corns. A brand new ... Read more
Image purchased with copyright from ShutterStock, Inc. Hi folks, I continue my research into the challenge of running with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), as my right popliteal artery is almost completely blocked, and the other one is starting to induce claudication when I run or walk uphill. My right foot is essentially running on collaterals built over a lifetime of training, including the last 20 odd ... Read more
FitOldDog wearing a "Surgical Loop 3-Ply Face Mask," in the middle of the night due to pollen allergy waking him up. This blog post is a bit of a miscellany. Just what popped into my head. What do face masks, bikes and nose clips have in common? THE IMPORTANCE OF FIT! MASKS: If your mask doesn't fit, it really doesn't matter what type of mask you wear, and how great its filtration, because fluids flowing ... Read more
That's me a few years ago, finishing one race or other, probably Lake Placid? I was talking to an enthusiastic younger triathlete the other day. At the end of the conversation, when I had to leave, he asked a simple question that has a complex answer, "What do I do about recovery?" I said it depends on many factors, including your level of conditioning, recent injuries if any, skill level, and furthermore it ... Read more
This image shows the stats for a training level assessment ride I completed with one of my major triathlon supporters and fellow athlete, Tracey. The goal was a slow build over a period of two hours on the bike on a one-mile loop. Easy rollers, much like our upcoming race, White Lake Half Ironman. Tracey is younger, fitter, and stronger than I, but I noticed her slowly dropping back. This made me wonder why, so I ... Read more
I was struggling along on a run fighting off peripheral arterial disease claudication using the methods in my book, plus another couple of tricks, when I thought of penguin feet. I'm a life-long scientist, and my mind is always doing stuff like that. "Penguin feet?" you might be thinking. The connection is readily apparent, if you have an interest in countercurrent flow systems, and a desire to encourage blood ... Read more
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