Setting Up Your Trainer Bike For The Winter And An Aversion To Big Egos

  "He who tries to shine dims his own light." by Lao-tzu (from a lovely translation by Steven Mitchell) Hi folks, I much prefer to ride the roads than a trainer, though for certain types of workout the trainer is better if it is set up appropriately. Number one rule with your trainer is to have the same bike fit as your racing bike (which is the same bike as your road bike, just ask Victor, my bike ... Read more

Colder Older Ironman Training

  Hi folks, The other day I had arranged a ride with my biking partner, Rory, but the weather was really cold, not much above freezing. This kind of weather didn't bother me in the 'old days,' but as I age I find it harder and harder to deal with the cold, especially on the bike. In part, this is due to my having Raynaud's syndrome, which can induce intense pain in my fingers in cold weather, but this ... Read more

Combine Your Roller Work With A Gentle Core Workout

Hi folks, I must admit that my rollers have helped my flexibility considerably. They are most effective when used both before and after runs. The trick is to workout which roller you use for which muscles, and for how long. You want tight muscles to 'let go,' whilst avoiding overdoing the rolling to the point of soreness. Areas of pain help to pinpoint where work needs to be done, which for me is always my ... Read more

Prime Speed Limits, Negative Socks, And Can I Put An Intravenous Line In Your Arm Today?

Hi folks, welcome. Life is full of odd conversations, each containing buried wisdom. They just go by us all the time. You'll miss them if you don't pay attention, like the way I lost my Hawaii Ironman slot by missing the roll down meeting. Sports, like blogging, requires that you pay attention to what is going on around you, especially on those dangerous descents on the bike or when you have writer's block. ... Read more

Choosing Clothes For The Gym Or The Race: Appearance Versus Function

  Hi folks, When purchasing your workout or race gear select a balance between appearance and function that works for you. It is important to feel comfortable during exercise, but people differ in how their state of comfort is generated. At one extreme, there are people who really care about how they look to others. It is all about how other people perceive them, or how they are 'turned out.' We all have ... Read more

Sports Injuries: Are You Looking For The Wrong Thing In The Wrong Place?

  Hi folks, Whilst staying in a motel on the Interstate recently, I was awoken at 2:00 am by a cyclic buzzing sound, which I immediately assumed was an alarm clock in the adjacent room. You know what they say about, 'ASSUME.' Makes and ass out of you and an ass out of me. I just could not get back to sleep, so off I went in search of the offending noise, with the assistance of the night clerk (a nice ... Read more

Count Down To Ironman Lake Placid: Race Packet

  Hi folks, As you can see, the place is becoming busier. The tents are up around the transition area, and this is when you can pick up your race packet and really start to enjoy the excitement of the race. The most tense time, for me at least, during an Ironman  is organizing the gear bags that come with the race packet. Five bags are provided, but I only use three, swim-to-bike, bike-to-run and ... Read more

My AAA-Stent FDA Adverse Event (Correctable Hypertension) Report, And The Role Of High Technology In My Life Recently

Hi folks, Well! It was a busy week for me. I sent an adverse event report to the FDA for my AAA stent-induced hypertension and received a nice polite reply, which told me that if you want to use the FDA MedWatch Online Voluntary Reporting Form (3500) effectively, send data - which I did. In fact, here is their reply, just click on the image to see it more clearly, and use the back arrow on your browser to return ... 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.