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

Safe Exercise For Better Health Is The Way To Prepare For An Active Old Age

Safe Exercise For Better Health Is The Way To Prepare For An Active Old Age

This post presents an overview of the FitOldDog Training Philosophy or Training Wheel, which guides you through the process of developing improved mind and body awareness before you embark on an exercise program. The goal is to learn to train safely, and thus reduce risk of exercise-induced injuries. One of my favorite books is 'Lord of the Rings,' By Tolkien. This mighty tome treats the females in a strange way, ... Read more

Good Food For All? I Know There Is An Answer!

Hi folks, I really enjoy food, including cooking, so Ironman training is just the job for me - lots of food. When I can I buy my victuals (or as John Cleese would say, comestibles) at local farm stores. In this case, the company is called 'Small Potatoes' and they stop by Johnny's, just over the road, a couple of times a week. They sell vegetables, fruit, cheese, eggs, meat and whatever is in season. ... Read more

Do You Want To Fix Your Health Problem, Or Do You Just Want It To Go Away?

  Hi folks, I often encounter people with health problems or training injuries who complain about them, describe them in great detail or the symptoms at least, provide a litany of health specialists consulted and so forth, but when I suggest that they might actually work on the issue themselves they look extremely confused or nod their head and continue in the same old way to repeat the story to me a month ... Read more

Beware ‘Crazy Time’ That Comes In Many Guises, Including Barefoot Running

  Hi folks, During life we have to overcome many challenges, including major life-changing relationship issues. The author is no exception in this regard. The good news is that you learn what to expect, how to protect yourself whilst attempting to be fair to others, and you know the pain will end and a new, exciting life will appear once you accept the loss and move on. The real danger comes during ... Read more

Simple Pleasures And The Fluid Nature Of Memory

  Hi folks, A life well lived is a balanced life. As I think back over my life so far, I remember some simple pleasures that cost little but left an indelible memory. The earliest is playing the ancient game of five stones as a kid in the street outside of our house in Bristol, England in the late 1940s. You find five nice small stones, just right to both throw in the air and pick up, and away you go. It ... Read more

Art and Science Come Together In My Bike, My Life, And My Aorta

  Hi folks, To me, the function of my race equipment is much more important than its appearance. My bike guy, Victor, treats the bikes he builds as works of art, which they are, and that is why he hates my mirror. I am a function guy. For instance, my house looks great according to passers by, but I love it because of where it is, and because it is where my office resides. This is where I blog most ... Read more

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Is Taking My Cat

Hi folks! Welcome! Not a very upbeat subject today, cancer, but it is a thing we need to understand as we age. I read somewhere that 90% of cancers occur in people over 70 years of age, and that is only a couple of years out for yours truly. It is worse for my lovely cat, Alobar. He already has his cancer, an inoperable squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the pharynx. Trained as a pathologist, I have examined ... 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.