Hi! Folks,
I am reading a most interesting book, ‘The Rational Optimist’ by Matt Ridley. As the title indicates, this work focuses on optimism, but it covers a wide range of topics, including the impact of technology and innovation on our well being. Who could be more aware of this issue than people with an abdominal aortic aneurysm? Our life expectancy and general happiness have been immeasurably improved by the development of the AAA-stent, and I am certainly pleased to have mine (Rupert!). This does not mean that our worries are eliminated upon stent insertion!
Before we receive an AAA-stent, our biggest (and real) worry is aneurysm rupture followed by sudden death. Many people are not fortunate enough to know that they also have this to worry about until it is too late. In that respect this is a good worry have! After stent insertion we worry about stent displacement impairing the blood supply to our kidneys or lower limbs, endoleaks resulting in continued risk of aneurysm rupture, intrastent thrombosis, or in my case metal fatigue whilst doing high cadence training on my bike. I consider myself lucky to have this worry, and I intend to use my stent to the max!! Life is to be lived, not worried about. When do you remember worry ever helping you? Judicious application of risk-benefit analysis is one thing, but worry? Forget it (if you can, oh possessor of an overactive neocortex!). That said, just take a look at Matt Ridley’s book, and you’ll see what I mean. Monty Python got it right again!
Thanks are once again due to Matt Ridley for another great book. I also found ‘The Red Queen: Sex And The Evolution Of Human Nature‘ very enlightening. It certainly explained a lot of problems I had in my personal life over the years; I just didn’t understand the ‘Nice Guys Don’t Get Laid’ rule of the game for human primates.
Happy Training,
Kevin
Hi,
Thanks for the lecture on worrying! I get into the occasional AAA funk, usually relieved in a few days by setting a running goal. Last summer it was track – 1500 and 5000m; at the moment its a couple of half marathons, perhaps one in New York City. My running group is now doing some synchronized swimming – don’t laugh its great for the arms and core. I have some challenging synchro workouts, one of which involves repeating 200m IMs – the 50 m butterfly may be the one that does me in! I am very impressed by your Ironman training.
I have ordered the Rational Optimist, and the Red Queen from Amazon. Having just acquired a kindle, I am replenishing my library without worrying about bookshelf space. I am also a barefoot running believer from years back, but these days it’s yak tracks for a quiet hour on the snowy trails.
Keep well.
Hi! Pauline,
I get into a funk on the bike sometimes, as I worry about metal fatigue in my stent, but I think that I just have to let that go and get on with it with reasonable caution.
Yak tracks! I like that. Very different world to North Carolina!
Cheers,
Kevin