My Coach’s Training Plan And Heart Rate Strategy Got Me To The Boston Marathon

 Hi folks! Thanks for stopping by! When it comes to training you have to do the work, but a good coach can make all the difference to your race achievements. I remember preparing for my Boston Marathon qualifier in 2008, the Charlotte Thunder Road marathon. A marathon is a long way if you are running, and a slight difference in your average pace can make all the difference to your finishing time. My goal for ... Read more

Should The Presence Of Your Competitor Make Any Difference To Your Pace?

  Hi folks, One of the coaches who had the greatest impact on my Ironman and marathon performance is Chris Haute of The Advanced Ironman Training Program (AIMP). Every now and then he would come out with a comment or observation that would markedly change my performance for the better, but one comment had me bemused. I said to myself, is Chris talking about real humans or idealized paragons, like ... Read more

Do You Need A Coach, And If So How Do You Find A Good One?

  Hi folks, I am a highly motivated person, but on a dark winters morning, when it is raining, I'm tired and stiff and in my warm bed, do I really want to go on that early morning ride, jump in the pool, or wade through cold water on muddy trails? Or would I like to stay in the warm and have a nice hot cup of tea? Easy to answer, which is why I need a coach, whether I need to exercise for better health ... Read more

Training As A Journey Of Self-Discovery: How Much Is Too Much?

  Hi folks, The real art to training safely comes down to knowing what to do and becoming aware of how much is too much. Too much what, you might ask? Let's consider a few key variables. Impact: Recently I sent out a tweet, via Twuffer to Twitter (brave new world), providing a Chez Ollie in the TheRollaDailyNews.com website concerning the value of exercise for Baby Boomers. There was a statement in this ... Read more

Solving The Money Flux Equation, And What If Tim Ferris Is Right?

  Hi folks, A while ago I wrote a post about good pain versus bad pain. Well, there is good crazy and bad crazy, too. Tim Ferris is definitely good crazy. As I approach the end of another year of training, and my income is about to drop dramatically (on September 24th, in fact), I am considering self-coaching for my next season. Generally this is a bad idea, and I may live to regret it, but the experience ... Read more

Mr. Bones Takes A Ride, And That’s What It’s All About

Hi folks, We have a number of major sub-systems holding our bodies together, which in order of depth from the surface include the integument (essentially skin and nails), fascia, muscles and tendons, and bones and ligaments. These structural components are nourished in a number of ways by the gastrointestinal, respiratory, vascular, lymphatic, nervous (central, sympathetic, and parasympathetic), and endocrine ... Read more

Monday Anchor Post: Be Aware Of Your Shoulders And Arms During Triathlon Training

Hi folks, I recently read an article on the Inkling Media blogsite, which proposed that when blogging one should consider including a regular 'anchor post,' just to keep the blogging on track and the readership happy. I thought, "why not give it a try?" so here we are. My anchor is training, stented or not. Today I want to talk briefly about the importance of arm and shoulder position in swimming, biking and ... Read more

Some Things I Learned From My Coaches About Being Ready For A Triathlon

Hi folks! Well! I'm ready for the Eagleman Half Ironman, my first post-AAA stent race, where you'll find me in the 65-69 year age group. Some bits and pieces of the wealth of advice that I have received from my coaches and other 'spiritual guides' over the years are running around in my head. For instance: Coach #1, Nigel, my son: "Forget your instruments when you race, Dad, go on feel." When I asked him for ... Read more

Disclaimer: As a veterinarian, I do not provide medical advice for human animals. If you undertake or modify an exercise program, consult your medical advisors before doing so. Undertaking activities pursued by the author does not mean that he endorses your undertaking such activities, which is clearly your decision and responsibility. Be careful and sensible, please.