Hi folks, One of the greatest challenges to swimming fitness in my opinion is the end of the pool - I call it the wall, don't know why. When you do a hard swim it feels so good to rest on the wall. The strange thing is that the clock, which is already going too fast, starts to speed up. A minute on the wall can feel like a few seconds. So if your coach says 10 seconds rest, don't make it 11 seconds ... Read more
Book “Your Medical Mind” By Groopman And Hartzband Is Highly Recommended By FitOldDog
Hi folks, I was listening to National Public Radio (NPR) the other day, when I heard some comments by Jerome Groopman and Pamela Hartzband that jibed with my point of view when it comes to doctors and the things that they say. The speakers were discussing a book that they had recently published, called 'Your Your Medical Mind: How To Decide What Is Right For You.' It sounded interesting so I downloaded it to my ... Read more
A List Of Do’s And Don’ts When Starting An Exercise Or Training Program
Hi folks, Now here is an important question. You haven't worked out for a while, say one month, one year, or twenty years, but you have been instructed by your doctor to exercise for better health. Where should you start? I'll tell you where not to start: don't start somewhere crazy. Such places include, (a) things you saw on a Rambo movie, and yes I have known people do that, (b) where you left off in ... Read more
Dancing Old Dog: Continuum Really Works And It Can Help Your Training
Hi folks, For your body to operate optimally, I imagine that you need to recruit all available systems, including both thoughts and feelings. Emotions can run high prior to and during a race, so there is an emotional component to sports right there. The left brain logical stuff is already built into your training plan, probably down to the last gel and the type of shoelaces you wear. We humans each tend ... Read more
Brain? Heart? Courage? Find Your Own Personal Motivator
Hi folks, Remember that great old movie, 'The Wizard Of Oz?' Each character was motivated by something different, a brain, a heart, courage, or going home. What is your motivator? What gets your juices flowing? You need to find it, and be sure that it is truly yours, not what you were told that it should be by your parents, teachers, or other authority figures. Make sure that it is what you want in your heart and ... Read more
Aneurysm, Diabetes, Heart Attack, Serious Injury, Feeling Your Age?
Hi folks, Well, almost a year has gone by since I started this blog in response to fear for my life. I continue to search for endurance athletes with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) stent graft, without success. Since my graft placement, I have completed both a half and full Ironman race, with no apparent interest from the manufacturers of my stent - maybe they are scared I will croak on the course ... Read more
Don’t Stay Stuck In Your Dead End – Become An Athlete Again Whatever Your Age
Hi folks, Each day is a new day. The old day is gone, except in your mind. Quite often I'm drawn into conversations with overweight older guys (40+) who ask me if I'm going for a run - I wear running gear all the time, except when I'm in bed or swimming or biking, so the question is understandable. I'll say, "Well, no, I'm running tomorrow and biking today, [or doing weight work at the gym, or ... Read more
FitOldDog Exercise Video On How To Reduce Your Risk Of Falling Through Better Gravity And Balance Awareness
Hi folks, For older adults, especially the elderly, a fall can be devastating. The risk of falls can be much reduced by spending a little time becoming more aware of your body, and of it's relationship to gravity and objects that you handle everyday. This post provides some thoughts on body awareness and describes a simple exercise to improve your balance awareness. It's funny how it takes a while to ... Read more
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