Don’t Let Ageism Or Any Other Ism Determine Your Peer Group

  Hi folks, I was sitting in my triathlon camp hotel room in Tucson, Arizona, the other day, thinking about the issue of looking versus seeing. It was getting dark so I turned on the light, and what a difference to my visual field. No amount of looking with the light off would have revealed the details of my 'extra-computer screen environment' that were visible with the light on. In the dark my ... Read more

Don’t Change Your Strategy During The Race

  Hi folks, After yesterday's long (80-100 miles) hard (climbing and head wind all the time) bike ride, followed by a 40-minute run, we were left looking a pretty tired bunch, over all. I then found that I just couldn't think beyond what to eat, which became a whole pizza and more, and then sleep, which was long. Now my brain feels fried, but it was my body that did the work - the brain and the body ... Read more

The Beauty Of Training Is That You See Beauty In The Process

  Hi folks, One thing about training is that it gets you out of your rut. That is why I like to go to training camps, which is why I'm in Tucson, Arizona. I came through Dallas, and whilst wandering around the airport during a 4-hour layover, I came across this magical 'thing.' Take a look; it was really interesting both visually and acoustically. I love it when people create stuff like that, and ... Read more

Injured Muscle Or Corrupted SQL Database It’s All An Opportunity To Reflect

  Hi folks, Running a blog is sometimes like running, you mess up. Then you have to patiently fix whatever you have damaged, be it your soleus or a corrupted database. Whilst struggling to set up my forum software, which the vendors said would be straightforward and 'seamless,' I managed to corrupt my SQL database. I went off to the hosting support phone line and the guy on the line at GoDaddy was very ... Read more

Exercise Really Can Lift Your Mood

  Hi folks, I was talking to Victor, my 'Bike Guy,' the other day, and he said that he liked my blog. Then he told me that I might talk less about myself. So that is my plan, except today's story is one that any of us could experience, so I went ahead anyway. In spite of all my meditation and calming the mind techniques, I still get mad from time to time, and this is what happened this morning. A ... Read more

Endurance Training, Life Lessons, And A Modern-Day Story Of Harassment At Johnny’s Gone Fishing

  The Story of Robert the Bruce and the Spider "According to a legend, at some point while he was on the run during the winter of 1306–07, Bruce hid in a cave on Rathlin Island off the north coast of Ireland, where he observed a spider spinning a web, trying to make a connection from one area of the cave's roof to another. Each time the spider failed, it began again until it succeeded. Inspired by ... Read more

Change Up And Suck It Up To Stay With The Group On The Bike

  Hi folks, Here is one tip from my coach, Chris Hauth, that really helped me to stay with other cyclists. If you are dropping off the back, just 'change up and suck it up.' It works like a charm if you can take the pain, and as my friend Rory says, "you can't see the other guy's pain." That's it. Never get dropped again. -k @FitOldDog   ... Read more

Dealing With Foot Cramps In The Pool

  Hi folks, If you get a foot cramp in the pool, your first temptation will be to stop and pull on your foot until it eases off. But you can't do this in an open water race, so why would you do that in the pool? My approach is to flex my foot, which turns it into a drag-anchor (but suck it up!), and relax. Now, this relaxing thing with a foot cramp is no easy matter as you try to hold your pace, but it can ... 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.