To Truly Understand Your House Or Your Body Watch Their Construction

  Hi folks, I was wandering by a new construction site today, so I stopped to watch all the diggers, bulldozers, and people busily doing things. This building was in the earlier stages of construction, with an underground garage in place, foundations almost finished, and the base of the walls with rebar sticking up to take the building skywards. My thoughts on the construction process took me to the ... Read more

Three Essential Lessons In Life That Driven Athletes Can Learn From Cats (The True Athletes)

  Hi folks, Years ago I read a book entitled, 'Everything I Need To Know I Learned From My Cat.' I took away two enduring lessons from these admirable creatures, one of my favorite mammals, which I still try to stand by, as follows: "It's OK to wear the same clothes every day." "Always remember to bite the hand that feeds you." I was looking around for a blog post subject this morning, both in ... Read more

Lemons Always Remind Me Of Zaid And The Ugly Duckling

  Hi folks, The problem with changing jobs is that it separates you from old friends, as your lives don't intersect so regularly anymore. I have one such friend in New Jersey, Zaid, who made my stay in Sanofi-Aventis so much more fun because of the questions he posed. Zaid is a thinker, and as a researcher I like to solve problems. Zaid would pose me puzzling biological questions all of the time, and I ... Read more

Find Your Subtle Weaknesses To Improve Your Life And Your Sport

  Hi folks, It's pretty easy to discover what you REALLY cannot do well, both mentally and physically, as long as you give it a serious attempt. However, it can be the more subtle weaknesses that take the edge off of your fun and athletic skill. For instance, a physical therapist told me many years ago that I have weak adductor muscles in my legs. I work on them, carefully, all the time using the weight ... Read more

Ten Key Pieces Of Exercise And Training Advice From FitOldDog

  Hi folks, I was riding the bus from Alicante to Torre Vieja on the east coast of Spain the other day and I espied the 'Chez Ollie.' I prefer to think of it as a salt farm, where salt is harvested from the sea as it has been done for hundreds if not thousands of years. I admire this kind of human invention, with local resources being exploited to create a whole industry. I then started to muse as the ... Read more

Nations and Sports Have Both Written And Unwritten Rules Of Behavior

  Hi folks, There's an old quote that came to my mind today, whilst I was sitting, well attempting to sit, in the Bus Station in Alicante, Spain, which goes as follows: "Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it" Henry David Thoreau Rules are interesting and important facts of life, some of which make life work and others can make it a hell. This is certainly true of any sport, for ... Read more

Pleasures And Risks Of Picking Up Your Pace For Ironman Swim T1 Bike T2 And Run

  Hi folks, As a triathlete I spend a lot of time working to increase my endurance and pace, whilst both come with some risks and lots of enjoyment. This will be brief as I'm sitting in Heathrow Airport awaiting my flight. Swim: The key to improving pace in the swim is some technique, lots of conditioning, some more technique, lots more conditioning, and a good coach. The only real risks are ... Read more

Smile It’s Your Birthday, Art, Religion, And Science Not Withstanding

  Hi folks, Firstly, I must say that if someone tells you that they KNOW what is going on in this universe of ours, then they most certainly do not (play on words from quote by Richard Feynman). There are many windows onto our world, including Art, Science, Religion, and Politics. I tend to avoid the subjects of politics and religion on this blog because they are emotionally charged, often ... 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.