Author Archives: Al

Boston 2006: The Brain and Exercise

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Al

“I’m a big believer in training the brain,” I respond. “I don’t mean doing psychological preparation or visualization, or positive talk, or associative or dissociative thinking during exercise. I’m not talking about thinking at all. Let me give you an example…” Continue reading →

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Boston 2006: Whistling Past the Graveyard

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Al

Yes, it’s true, I have a set of songs I want played at MY funeral. Why not? I’d like to enjoy it while I’m still alive if I can. Continue reading →

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Boston 2006: Orientation Dinner

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Al

Pat chowed down on some spicy salmon thing, while I made do with a crepe-like Dada and a mango yogurt lassi. Continue reading →

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Boston 2006: Cabbie

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Al

I went back to my Boston Marathon race report from 2006, and discovered that I had written a pretty good story, with angles quite beyond a simple race day diary. In honor of Patriot’s Day, I’m going to serialize the story over the next week. Continue reading →

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Reviews

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Al

A potpourri of stuff I’ve looked at and read recently, in order to entice or warm against (listed with most recommended first, least recommended last)… The Sisters Brothers, by Patrick DeWitt. A picaresque of the American West. Two brothers, Charlie … Continue reading →

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Iron War: Dave Scott, Mark Allen & the Greatest Race Ever Run

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Al

…this is probably a must read for any serious triathlete, or even for a runner or cyclist, who is seeking insight into how the best have achieved their greatest successes. And for those who relish a gripping human athletic drama, as seen on TV in the Olympics, they won’t be disappointed either. Continue reading →

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Reckless Courage

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Al

Peter Rose was a Cincinnati boy. He was born and raised on the west side, went to Western Hills High School, and never had any intention of going to college. He was the epitome of the guy who decided the … Continue reading →

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Venice Stories: Bruce Springsteen Plays Santa Barbara

Posted on March 10, 2012 by Al

To this day, I don’t remember driving the two hours back to LA. But I do remember trying to explain it all the next day to my fellow residents while we whiled away the call day on Gyn. They smiled, but they Just Didn’t Get It. Continue reading →

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Speed, Grace, and Reckless Courage

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Al

So what are these “athletic virtues”, speed, grace, and reckless courage? Speed is your ticket to the dance. It’s the innate “talent” which begins to separate truly elite athletes from the rest of us, usually at an early stage. It’s … Continue reading →

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Speed, Grace, and Reckless Courage

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Al

I’ve always been a voracious consumer of magazines. During medical school in the 70s, while gone on a ski trip, my housemates were astounded by the number of magazines which piled up for me in the mail – 15 during … Continue reading →

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