This might not look like much of a pace, for a runner, but with PAD it feels like a miracle. Took me a few of years to pull this off, as I've added one variable after another, to improve blood flow to my feet and calves. In November, 2019, I published a book, "How to Train for Aging: The Ultimate Endurance Sport," in which I described my struggle to run with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). At the track, I ... Read more
My toes (still have 10) are nice and pink, and there is excellent nail refill if I push on them. If I stop my training, especially running, my toe nails start to go blue, refill is slower. It's not easy, but I'm still doing Ironman training with no detectable foot pulse in the right leg, using ultrasound. About six years ago, four years after running the Boston Marathon, I noticed problems with running in longer ... Read more
I'm 79 years old today (forgetting gestation time), and signed up for Arizona Ironman, that I intend to finish if I possibly can. For Frits, who will come along (some of his ashes, anyway) in a little plastic bag in my back pocket, as he does for all my races. He always wanted to qualify for Kona, but never quite made it. Bummer! When I make the mistake of thinking I'm old, I remember this guy, and I just keep ... Read more
Kurt (right) with the author. He was always supportive, enthusiastic, and he loved the Ironman. It was always a delight to see him and his lovely wife, Elizabeth. Liz kindly informed me that Kurt died recently. It's a sad day, I will truly miss him. This guy was delightful. Full of joy and happiness, and like all of us "old timers," at the back of the pack, where you meet the nicest people. But Ironman was in ... Read more
White Lake 2022 Half Ironman race report, especially concerning an unexpected observation. I knew this was where my problems with peripheral arterial disease claudication would kick in, to kill my run. The 2022 White Lake Half Ironman was well organized, by kind, helpful staff and volunteers. The main objective of this report concerns my peripheral arterial disease collateral hemodynamics, which means the ... Read more
You might think this is a slow mile pace, but with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) it was quite an achievement. A critical milestone. Hey! I ran Boston in 2009, but I didn't have PAD then. I was really happy with this result, as I head for 13:40, my goal for 26.2. I awoke in the night, last night, with pain in my right calf. "That's odd," I thought. I reached down, to find my right soleus muscle was really ... Read more
Gluteus (glute) minimus, one of many muscles that stabilize your hips, amongst other things, I'm sure. Image and copyright purchased from ShutterStock, Inc. After yesterday's hill repeats, I felt fine. Didn't stretch enough, but sometimes life intervenes. Cooking, writing, cutting wood for the stove for chilly mornings, ministering unto Cat, watering the vegetables, whatever, so stretching can be ... Read more
https://youtu.be/qolTBXG7NNU Rebecca taught me how to wake up my toes, and now it's paying big dividends for my calf pain. Some of my blood vessels are too big (abdominal aortic aneurysm, AAA) and some too small (peripheral arterial disease, PAD). Just wish they could get together, and work this thing out. These vascular events are due to the genetic cards I was dealt (no complaints), which included severe ... Read more
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