While struggling to run with peripheral artery disease (PAD), I discovered the value of strengthening my feet, especially for effective toe and foot flexion. Imagine gripping the ground with your toes - toe flexion. Imagine gripping the ground with your whole foot - foot flexion. Flexing my "little" toes: second toe, or "long toe,” third toe, or "middle toe,” fourth toe, or "ring toe,” and the fifth toe, or ... Read more
Need encouragement to exercise mind and body? If so, head to this link, for inspirational self help books. OR Buy the book, at this link: This book was designed specifically for inspiration. To help people overcome resistance to getting off their duff and getting moving. It's even a little poetic, as I attempt the more emotional approach to getting these ideas across. Have fun, as life is to brief ... Read more
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
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
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
I really like this site, SwimDotCom, which I access on Instagram. Loads of useful tips, including this one on freestyle kick. I use this kick to strengthen my core, and to both loosen and strengthen my feet. I know I've been going on and on and on about peripheral arterial disease (PAD) lately, but it is my toughest challenge when it comes to continuing Ironman training. You may wonder, as the swim is a minor ... Read more
Boy, that was a cold wet race. My friend Tracey, who also did the race, took this photo after I changed into warm dry clothes. Wet conditions in the cold, 42 degrees F and cold rain. Cold with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a bad combination. It makes claudication and foot numbness worse as our bodies work to conserve core temperature by reducing peripheral blood flow. This makes a bad (PAD) situation worse. ... Read more
I was struggling along on a run fighting off peripheral arterial disease claudication using the methods in my book, plus another couple of tricks, when I thought of penguin feet. I'm a life-long scientist, and my mind is always doing stuff like that. "Penguin feet?" you might be thinking. The connection is readily apparent, if you have an interest in countercurrent flow systems, and a desire to encourage blood ... Read more
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