Training As A Journey Of Self-Discovery: How Much Is Too Much?

  Hi folks, The real art to training safely comes down to knowing what to do and becoming aware of how much is too much. Too much what, you might ask? Let's consider a few key variables. Impact: Recently I sent out a tweet, via Twuffer to Twitter (brave new world), providing a Chez Ollie in the TheRollaDailyNews.com website concerning the value of exercise for Baby Boomers. There was a statement in this ... Read more

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Is Taking My Cat

Hi folks! Welcome! Not a very upbeat subject today, cancer, but it is a thing we need to understand as we age. I read somewhere that 90% of cancers occur in people over 70 years of age, and that is only a couple of years out for yours truly. It is worse for my lovely cat, Alobar. He already has his cancer, an inoperable squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the pharynx. Trained as a pathologist, I have examined ... Read more

Learning A Foreign Language Comes With Wonderful Life Benefits

  Hi folks, About 15 years ago I attended a meeting of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Medical School, post-graduate program, because I had graduate students in that department. This meeting was called to address a number of issues, including the question, "Should the school permit students to learn a computer language instead of a foreign language for their post-graduate language ... Read more

Don’t Let Your Mind Psych You Out During A Race

  Hi folks, Exercise has a significant mental component, which is considerable for endurance training. As my Ironman (IM) race appointments approach, my mind starts to go over mistakes and lessons of the past. It is easy to forget those lessons and repeat the mistakes. During one race several years ago it was clear that my mind lost confidence. I was riding the last 20 miles of the bike course, ... Read more

Luck, Chance, Or Sensitivity To Initial Conditions?

  Hi folks, An important aspect of endurance races is the fact that you really cannot predict what will happen out there. You can weight the dice in your favor by training, amassing good equipment, and developing the best mental attitude. The problem is that things happen.  A hard hit to a critical muscle by one of those crazy people in the swim, equipment failure on the bike, or muscle cramps on the run? ... Read more

One Of The Greatest Achievements Of My Life, To Overcome Racism And Ageism

How I Overcame Racism And Ageism One of the greatest achievements of my life! I'd listen to the podcast, if I were you, that old blog post is a bit of a messy narrative. Your call, FitOldDog I should really fix up this old narrative. I will, one day, but it's time to ride the bike! My life has taught me, in many ways, that it is not a good idea to give up too soon in any endeavor that you really care ... Read more

Reading Kids Books Can Be Enlightening: Erleichda

  Hi folks, I must admit that I continue to enjoy children's/young adults' fiction, as long as it is well written and the physics makes sense, as they keep me young at heart. Magical physics is fine, but non-magical physics that doesn't obey the rules we know is generally based on ignorance and rapidly leaves me cold. The best series I encountered recently was 'Chez Ollie,' to which I referred to in ... Read more

My Kids Were Talking About Their Kids: Über-Consciousness?

  Hi folks, I went out into the garden the other day and it just so happened that both my eldest son, Nick (42), and my middle son, Duncan (40), were there together and they were talking about their kids (my grandchildren). What happened then was an odd and strangely rare experience, much like the one I had when I first saw my own cells under a microscope. Several years previously, I had a biopsy of a ... 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.