Hi folks, The early morning swim is an interesting journey on a cold winter's day. Your alarm wakes you up around 5:00 am, and then the internal debate begins. Stay in my nice warm bed? YES!!! Go jump in a cold pool? NO!!! But I really want to have done that swim. Note the focus on the past tense - to have done that swim. This is the key to motivating your way out of bed. Don't think about how warm ... Read more
Avoid Repetitive Motion Injury At The Track By Mixing It Up
Hi folks, Had a great track run today, after warming up on PowerCranks (get those hip flexors moving!). Whilst doing my coach-mandated run (but at the track instead of trails, so I could spend time with my kid), I was thinking, as I ran around and around and around, about varying my stride to avoid repetitive motion strain. I've noticed that when racing completely flat courses I have more trouble with my ... Read more
The Hand Catch And Use Of The Pool During Recovery From Running Injuries
Hi folks, I recently received a comment from Pauline, concerning swimming technique and the use of hand paddles, as she is dealing with a running injury. Blogging is all about conversation, and it is encouraging to receive this kind of input, so I thought that I would write briefly about use of the pool during 'running injury rehabilitation.' But first a comment on the hand catch. If you watch Mr. ... Read more
Attempting To Mimic Certain Non-Human Animals May Help Your Running
You can learn from animals, to improve your sport, and save animals in the process. I was working out at the track the other day, when I overheard my number two son, Duncan, who was 'running the stairs,' say to his friend, whilst pointing towards the track, "That is why I have to stay in shape, to stay ahead of them." He indicated his mother, Sheelagh, and myself. Sheelagh runs with a shuffle-step, but she comes ... Read more
G’day To Shark-Free Swimming With My New Paddles In Australia
Hi folks, Here I am in Australia, enjoying a boiling hot Christmas day. I may be an aging Ironman athlete, but I sure don't want to swim with sharks. This reminds of an article I read years ago, in an old French magazine, called 'Swimming with Sharks.' It contained some great advice for a nascent businessman, such as myself, including, "When bitten, don't bleed." As a swimmer I would prefer to not be ... Read more
Flying Umbrellas And Internet Struggles In The Antipodes
Hi folks Every country is just a little different from the last, and Australia is no exception. I finally worked out how to gain Internet access, in my severely jet-lagged state. One of the first real differences I noticed was the size of the bats (plus the notice about shark nets along the beach - so I found an excellent Olympic size pool instead!). My blog posts may be a little erratic as I ... Read more
Short Or Tall, Cute Or Ugly, You Are What You Think You Are, So Think Great
Hi folks, During a recent 'comment conversation' with my interesting brother, Trevor, the issue of height was discussed and he called me 'Lofty.' I smiled about that, which in itself is revealing. As a 5' 6"-tall teenager, I was called 'Shorty' and labeled as having 'ducks disease,' and was otherwise teased unmercifully about my vertical challenge, with severe damage to my self-esteem, but as John ... Read more
FitOldDog Is Off To The Land Of Mr Smooth
Hi folks, When this post is published, I'll be on my way to Australia for the first time. When I think of Australia as an Englishman it brings to mind the deportation of convicts under a cruel and repressive regime, known at the time as the British Empire. Some would say strong rather than cruel, but I've heard too many stories about the hard-nosed approach of the English aristocracy and government to ... Read more
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