Hi folks, I've seen a lot of changes during my life, but a couple of things seemed eternal, trains and binder twine. I was really surprised when I arrived in the United States back in the late 1970s, to find the rail system in decline. It is my favorite way to get around Europe, and rail just seems so efficient and comfortable. Rail transport is especially good for long distances or heavy freight. ... Read more
You Don’t Have To Walk Like An Old Person However Old You Are
Hi folks, I was just reviewing an interesting book handed to me by my Feldenkrais instructor, Karen. The book is about rolling on a ball, and more specifically, 'The Ultimate Body Rolling Workout.' I think Karen gave me the book because of my recent interest in the use of rollers to fix tight muscles and, in my case, cure my plantar fasciitis. This book contains elements of Feldenkrais ... Read more
The Natural Cycles Of Life Go By And The Kids Grow Up Much Too Fast So Don’t Miss It
Hi folks, I was standing in our driveway the other day as Jess (17) was driving off to somewhere, and I thought, "Boy, she was just a kid the other day, and now she's independent [well, almost], and driving her own car." I have watched three batches of kids grow up, including my own three sons, and when they leave home it is always a surprise, and you can't believe it's over. The funny thing is that ... Read more
I Fixed My Plantar Fasciitis With A Trigger Point Performance Therapy Roller (Sigh Of Relief!)
Yes! I fixed my plantar fasciitis. With a Trigger Point Therapy Performance Roller. Or did I? I've learned a lot during the years since writing this post. As you can read in the latest book! Welcome to the fascinating World Of So-Called Plantar Fasciitis! Was it really the roller, or something else, that did the trick? My first case of severe heel pain got better, apparently in response to rolling. So ... Read more
A Transition Plan Combined With Practice Can Take Minutes Off Of Your Triathlon Time
Hi folks, It really is worth planning your transition. I've made pretty well every mistake in the book. The real trick is to plan your approach, which should be as simple as possible, and practice the routine until it is completely automatic. I have learned some tricks over the years, largely from other people in my age group, including the use of layers that you peel off. It is important to avoid ... Read more
A Full Life Includes Experiences That May Require Your Trained Attention To Enjoy
"We join spokes together in a wheel, but it is the center hole that makes the wagon move. We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want. We hammer wood for a house, but it is the inner space that makes it livable. We work with being, but non-being is what we use." Tao te Ching, translation by Steven Mitchell. Hi folks, The other day I was ... Read more
The Elliptical Trainer Is An Excellent (Stent-Friendly) Warmup Tool
Hi folks, It is important to warm up before weight training at the gym. I used to use the rowing machine, but this is clearly contraindicated for people with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. So I migrated to the elliptical trainer for weight room warm-ups. It is surprising how effective this equipment can be, but you have to explore the relationship between the machine and your body. In order to do this, ... Read more
Retirees Could Put Americans Back To Work By Creating One Local Job At A Time? FitOldDog Is Trying Anyway!
"All we have to fear is fear itself" Franklin D. Roosevelt Hi folks, I had two fortunate experiences in August, 2010, an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which came close to finishing me off (thus this blog), and termination from my lucrative job as a research scientist. The aneurysm was fixed with a rigid stent graft (Thank you UNC Hospital), and losing my job was softened by a generous severance package ... Read more
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