Hi folks, Many years ago I read a story about an intrepid seagull, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, who was determined to break the sound barrier. Given the known limits of terminal velocity I had no idea how he intended to do this, but I did notice that he pissed off the 'powers of the day' by being presumptuous enough to attempt it. He crashed many times, but he kept at it, constantly making minor ... Read more
Lest We Forget The Great Forgetting And It’s Influence On Our Lives And Training
Hi folks, There is a tendency to think that people thousands of years ago were primitive, not as 'civilized' as we are today. Forget that! They didn't have iPods or worry about their blogging ideas, but they could see the planets and the stars way more clearly than most of us ever will. Can you imagine this planet without electric light pollution? I can't, but I am sure that it was a different world ... Read more
Finding The Most Effective Way To Move Body Parts Is Quite A Trick But Worth The Trouble
Hi folks, About 20 years ago I was an enthusiastic SCUBA diver, but I had lots of trouble clearing my ears. A bolus of air would just remain lodged in my middle ear, while my Eustachian tubes would refuse to release the pressure. Several dives were ruined that way, but if I could get below about 30 feet, no more problems. I repeatedly tried to clear the air by yawning or using the Valsalva maneuver ... Read more
Sports Training Art Or Science?
Hi folks, It is unusual for a scientist, as far as I know, to employ an artist to work directly in their research program, but that is what happened in my laboratory in the early 1980s. Andy Fleishman collaborated with us to produce models of the nose of the rat because of his eye for detail and accuracy. It worked out well for our research program, leading to software that would reduce the need for ... Read more
Una Vida Plena incluye Algunas Experiencias que Necesitan tu Atención Quieta para Poder Disfrutar de Ellas
(traducción al español de publicaciones en blogs seleccionados por mi hermana, Marian - el número uno) “Treinta radios se unen en el centro; Gracias al agujero podemos usar la rueda. El barro se modela en forma de vasija; Gracias al hueco puede usarse la copa. Se levantan muros en toda la tierra; Gracias a la puertas se puede usar la casa. Así pues, la riqueza proviene de lo que existe, Pero lo ... Read more
Lamas, Llamas, Pan, And This Changing World Seen From My Bike With Sue
"Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench. Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner." Tao te Ching, Lao Tsu, translation by Steven Mitchell Hi folks, I was riding on a lovely spring morning with my cycling buddy, Sue, when she said, "Did you see ... Read more
New Beginnings Await You Every Moment But Should Your Hands Be Open Or Closed In The Swim?
Hi folks, Remember that old Louis Pasteur quote, "Chance favors the prepared mind?" Well, it is most certainly pretty accurate when it comes to biological research, but I also think that it is true for athletics. That is why I try to learn new things when I can, but I make sure to solidify what I have learned already, as I don't want to chop and change all the time. This is not an easy call! One ... Read more
Cathexis, Rescuing A Little Dog (Porgy), And The Strangeness Of Human Motivation
Hi folks, Empathy for other species is a strange human emotion, given the fact that survival is everything on this win or perish planet of ours. But it is a real emotional driver. It is one that keeps me away from dog pounds, as it just feels bad to leave any homeless animals behind. I find that my feelings towards homeless humans is in fact less charitable, being laced with suspicion. As I think ... Read more
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