A Philosophy of Strength and Health

My friend Alex sent me the recent NYT article on "suspension" training. I looked at the website for the TRX straps and couldn't find any images of someone using the Inkaflexx straps to get a better idea of how people are using these things. Basically they are rings, but with flexible slots that allow you to easily support the legs as well. And you can take them anywhere. That's a good thing, in my book. Again, we have a "new" product that the personal fitness industry is all abuzz over. And of course, it is "sexy" because it was "invented" by a former Navy Seal. Hey, we'd all like to say we aspire to the physical capabilities of a Navy Seal, right? It sells, baby. Like some of the people quoted in the NYT article, I don't feel most "fitness oriented" people are prepared to use this equipment. They have trouble controlling and perceiving their own bodyweight in modified positions on SOLID surfaces. But hey,...

Seen at the LUGZ Coffee on at Main and Broadway.

We walked down to the Congee Noodle House at Broadway and Main to try a traditional congee breakfast. Congee is a thick rice soup/porridge that is a basic to many Asian cultures, with a specific role in maintaining health. The portions were huge. Mine was Chinese mushroom and lettuce. It was like a giant bowl of oatmeal, flavored with ginger, peanut and some onion. Very interesting and filling, but not overwhelmingly so.

I will put together some more thoughts on these issues when I return from vacation. I enjoyed Vern's post today. I know the APTA certainly likes to protect its "turf" when it comes to ATCs and reimbursement for "physical therapy" services. PTs get beat up on by the MDs and DCs, so they feel it is only proper to beat up on the ATCs. And then there are the PTAs, who don't get any attention while the PTs are battling to get themselves referred to as "doctor", the PTAs remain at the associate degree level. What the hell? Why can't we just all get along and send people to those that will help them best? No referrals required here in Vancouver, BC.

I don't normally get to indulge in such stuff, but what the heck, it's vacation. Found a great vegetarian buffet that had lots of vegan desserts, great cold salads and outstanding hot selections. The buffet was 1.89 CAD per 100 g. Maybe more Americans would benefit if we paid by the unit of weight for the mounds of food we consume at the buffet bar.

Well, obviously I didn't train for my walking vacation. Wow. Just pretty dang interesting to see what happens in the lower extremity when you start hoofing it after not hoofing it very often at home. No blisters, so that's very good. Thank you Thorlo and some good water resistant shoes. This city is full of hearty commuters. We took the Sky Train yesterday (sat in the front window seat so Kevin could pretend he was driving) and people were outside like it was May, even though it was probably no more than 50 degrees F. Vancouver's Chinatown is second only to San Francisco. Over 30% of the people in Vancouver speak Mandarin. There are many nice bike shops here and many cyclists. Lots of fixie commuters and people on road or MTB bikes. A few without helmets. The drivers appear to be much more patient here with pedestrians and cyclists. That's cool.

Unlike the majority of folks in the airport early Saturday morning, we weren't headed to Cabo or Cozumel, with flip flops and beach wear on. We were making our way to Vancouver, clad in fleece. We were ready to explore a neat West Coast urban city. On foot, no rental car. Bed and breakfast lodging, just west of the Kitsilano neighborhood. The building above is Vancouver City Hall, which we can see outside our room window. Vancouver is a vegetarian and vegan paradise. Last night we dined at the Buddist Bo Kong Restaurant. This morning, we walked the 6 km to The Naam , a funky veggie place that's open 24-7 and been serving food for 30 years, for our vegan-yummy breakfast: tofu scramble (mushroom, tomato, onions, cilantro), home fries w/ miso gravy (GREAT!) and a side of fresh guacamole, vegan pancakes (w/ banana and real Canadian maple syrup. This place rocks! We will be back for several more meals. There is a giant apple & blueberry pie in the dessert case calling ...

I've been traveling much of the past two weeks and am now getting ready to leave on vacation for a bit. Managed to get a quick workout this morning, with Millie Fober (19 in human years; 97 in cat years) reminding me to keep the rest intervals short. She's a hard ass. Caught a post on the Concepts in Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Rehab blog that updates us on the APTA's exploration to change the regulatory designation of physical therapist from PT to DPT or PTD --something that denotes a "doctoring" profession and the new entry-level clinical doctoral education. I used to be a member of the APTA ; but I decided $450 a year is just too much to pay, especially when the organization is concerned with stuff like this. Physical therapists won't improve their lot in society by getting people to refer to us as "doctors" of physical therapy. I'm sure some will call me a disgruntled masters-level therapist--I am one of the last to graduate from ...

It's all weightlifting the first two weeks in March, with the World Team Qualifier and now the National Junior Championships this weekend in Indiana. There are three American records in this montage: Natalie Woolfolk hits 117 C&J for a 215 total (top 7 at World's this year), Chad Vaughn hits 190 kg C&J @ 77 kg bodyweight and Kendrick Farris hits 199 kg (and almost 203 kg) @ 85 kg bodyweight . 203 kg was the top clean & jerk in the 85 kg class at the World Championships this year. The US has not had a male World Champion in weightlifting since Joe Dube in 1969. Kendrick is not yet 21 and has the potential to place very high in international competition throughout his career if he continues to progress. Kendrick, Natalie and Chad (a 2004 Olympian) are good bets for the 2008 Olympic team.

Watch Manuel Minginfel (Micronesia 62 kg), Yukio Peter (Naru, 77 kg) and Ramunas Vysniauskas (Lithuania, 2 x Olympian, 105 kg) get in a little training prior to competing on Saturday. Manuel and Yukio are about 5 feet tall and Ramunas is close to 6 feet tall. Ramunas was so nice to let me take a picture with him. He apologized for his calloused, chalked "workman's hands." I told him they were beautiful hands. Manuel and Yukio are tiny, explosive gentlemen, with massive thighs. Nice Quads!