Hi folks, Thanks to the great and wonderful ascending aortic aneurysm survivor and author ('Barefoot in November' - inspiring story about his survival), Benjamin Carey, FitOldDog has a slot in the New York City Marathon in November. In return for the chance to meet a whole group of aortic aneurysm survivors, I have agreed to raise money for The American Heart Association. Contributions from any kind ... Read more
What Should I Advise Larry To Do? To Train For An Ironman Or Not?
Hi folks, You never know what is around the next corner, and here I am wrestling with the problem of giving advice to Larry, whom I have never met and who contacted me recently via the abdominal aortic aneurysm awareness Facebook page, with the following message (Larry said it was OK to talk about this on my blog!): "Kevin! Hi my name is Larry. I joined the AAA facebook page not too long ago. I too ... Read more
The Human Body And Psyche Are Fragile Machines That Respond To Load
"Success is as dangerous as failure. Hope is as hollow as fear. What does it mean that success is as dangerous as failure? Whether you go up the ladder or down it, your position is shaky. When you stand with your two feet on the ground, you will always keep your balance. What does it mean that hope is as hollow as fear? Hope and fear are both phantoms that arise from thinking of the ... Read more
Happiness After An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Hi folks, I was scanning the Internet for information on life, exercise and happiness after the diagnosis and treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and there wasn't a lot. In fact there was 'bugger all.' We post-AAA people don't seem to talk a lot about our lives after this major change. It appears that statistical data are accumulating on our life expectancy or lack of it, frequency of ... Read more
Fond Memories Of An Expat AAA-Ironman Triathlete As A Young Veterinarian In Wellington Somerset
Hi folks, Many years ago I lived in Wellington, Somerset, England, where I worked as a young veterinarian. In fact, one of my latest Veterinary Tales, 'Pride Cometh Before A Fall,' was based upon an experience on a farm whilst I was working in the Wellington practice. It seems such a long time ago, so I looked on the Internet for a photograph of the Wellington of Today, and it looks to be just the ... Read more
The Definition Of A Good Day And Occam’s Razor
Hi folks, Well, I had a good day today. Two people said that they had started working out because I had inspired them. Something to do with my running and biking and swimming and going to the gym all the time, I guess. But that was nice. The other 'good thing' happened at the store we are re-opening, Johnny's Gone Fishing. We have been giving away complimentary bagels (apologies to Gary Taubes), ... Read more
A Watershed Moment In The Life Of This Blog: Completing An Ironman Race With My Son And My Stent
Hi folks, (I am not sure who many of you are, but I appreciate your interest in my chatter), I am now moving into the next phase of my e-life experiment. I started this blog about one year ago out of fear for my life, and the need to talk to someone about how it feels to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and an AAA-stent graft. I achieved that aim and found what I needed at the Facebook AAA ... Read more
Open Water Swim, New Bike, And Running In The Rain, All In One Weekend: Could Life Be Better?
Hi folks! People often ask me if I am a little crazy doing Ironman training. I think people who don't train are crazy! There is always some kind of workout that you can do, even if you are severely injured or disabled. Just look around and see what some people achieve, like Benjamin Carey, for instance. He and his 'open heart' surgeon completed the New York Marathon one year to the day after they replaced ... Read more
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