To watch this on Instagram, click this link. I use this exercise to improve my swim, and encourage better blood flow in my feet for my pain in the ass peripheral arterial disease. This strengthens and relaxes your feet, done right. It's basically a simple swim kick, toes pointed. I use bare feet, along with a more interesting workout than just standing in the water, with my mouth just clearing the surface. If ... Read more
Clawing My Way Up Hill Repeats With Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
It is possible to fight peripheral arterial disease using intense exercise, aka training. I do this by training for Ironman races. Currently, half Ironman distance is the best I can do, but I did make third in my age group at the World Half Ironman Championships in Lahti, Finland, a few weeks ago. Here's my finish photo by FinisherPix (thank you). I missed the 8:30 cutoff, but they kept the course open for ... Read more
Notes on Peripheral Arterial Disease Running Progress: No Socks No Corns
Foot corns (local hyperkeratosis due to friction and/or pressure) don't look like much, but they are hell to run on. I struggled to fix those corns through running technique, which helped a little, then, for unrelated reasons (wet gear) I tried no socks, and those corns melted away in a week. Damn those corns hurt like crap, making the run hell, and now I had another problem to deal with. Corns. A brand new ... Read more
Peripheral Arterial Disease Running Puzzle Continues: Muscles of the Feet!
Image purchased with copyright from ShutterStock, Inc. Hi folks, I continue my research into the challenge of running with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), as my right popliteal artery is almost completely blocked, and the other one is starting to induce claudication when I run or walk uphill. My right foot is essentially running on collaterals built over a lifetime of training, including the last 20 odd ... Read more
Masks, Bikes, Nose Clips, and Running With Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
FitOldDog wearing a "Surgical Loop 3-Ply Face Mask," in the middle of the night due to pollen allergy waking him up. This blog post is a bit of a miscellany. Just what popped into my head. What do face masks, bikes and nose clips have in common? THE IMPORTANCE OF FIT! MASKS: If your mask doesn't fit, it really doesn't matter what type of mask you wear, and how great its filtration, because fluids flowing ... Read more
Older Triathlete Recovery Program
That's me a few years ago, finishing one race or other, probably Lake Placid? I was talking to an enthusiastic younger triathlete the other day. At the end of the conversation, when I had to leave, he asked a simple question that has a complex answer, "What do I do about recovery?" I said it depends on many factors, including your level of conditioning, recent injuries if any, skill level, and furthermore it ... Read more
Bike Skills Pay Dividends, Fortunately!
This image shows the stats for a training level assessment ride I completed with one of my major triathlon supporters and fellow athlete, Tracey. The goal was a slow build over a period of two hours on the bike on a one-mile loop. Easy rollers, much like our upcoming race, White Lake Half Ironman. Tracey is younger, fitter, and stronger than I, but I noticed her slowly dropping back. This made me wonder why, so I ... Read more
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