Any baseball fans out there?

To the small subsect of my readers who are also Blue Jay fans. A most bizarre, ridiculous, and possibly unprecedented event happened this weekend. In the midst of the media and the Blue Jay organization wondering where all the Jays' fans are (see 2nd worst attendance in baseball), the Rogers' Blue Jays organization just inflicted a self strike on its image. If you read beyond the headlines reporting the Jays taking two of three from the Yankees this weekend, you'll discover that either the Blue Jay organization or the Fan590 (both owned by Rogers) muzzled the team's number one beat reporter: Mike Wilner. Mike, a regular member of the Jays' radio broadcast team was asked/told/mandated to miss the New York Yankees series this weekend on the heels of doing his job by asking critical reporting questions of the manager, Cito Gaston. Although Cito is beloved by this city thanks to his role as manager 17 years ago when we last won the world series, he is not and should not be exempt from the typical day to day questioning of the reporters. Following a terrible loss to the first place Tampa Bay Rays, Mike Wilner questioned our manager about his use of the bullpen. Unsatisfied with Gaston's short answer, Wilner followed up with a second question, second guessing the manager's philosophy of managing the bullpen. Wilner was quickly asked to move on. Wilner wrote about this exchange on his blog, answered question on The Jays' Talk radio show after the game, and that is the last we've seen or heard of Mike Wilner.

As a hockey fan, I find it absurd that the Maple Leaf's head coach can manage to answer highly intellectual hockey questions and criticism after every game, but the moment the Blue Jay coach feels uncomfortable with a critical question from the #1 reporter the Jays have, he is quickly muzzled, suspended, or whatever has transpired over the weekend.

This story is just getting started. It has significant potential ramifications for the media and the way we cover our sports teams, for the Blue Jays, Fan590, and Rogers corp.

As a big Jays fan, and one who especially enjoys the critical analysis of the game, this is a story I will follow closely.

Moving Update

Hi folks,
To my regular readers (or, reader - I know there is at least one of you), I thought I'd give you a quick update regarding the goings on with my practice. As you may recall, I am changing office locations in July. If it were not for the fabulous new location I would be sad about leaving Wellpoint. But, alas, I am really excited to introduce you to my new office at Satori Urban Wellness - around the corner.

Shortly, this week, you will receive a snail-mail letter introducing you to the new practice location.

Next week, I will send out a mass email with all the same information - for you electronic people!

I am also re-branding myself. Soon I will no longer be "Bend Chiropractic & Laser Therapy". Rather, the understated "Dr. Michael Berenstein - Chiropractor". I'll be launching my new website soon too. Look out for it, it's member features, and newsletter.

My new blog will be built right into the new website too so this blog will cease to exist. I'll keep writing at the new blog though. Stay tuned ...

LOST in Review

For six seasons and 17 episodes Lost - the t.v. show - was steeped in mystery, asking the characters and viewers questions about spirituality, faith, science, fate, and free will. Incomplete answers to these questions only left further questions in their wake. The final episode did not disappoint by staying true to its nature. We are left with no more story and many questions. The questions we are left with though transcend the t.v. show. Certainly there are smaller picture questions that would be fun to know the answers to, but fundamentally this t.v. show was not about those answers. It was about the larger questions that do not have answers.

Why was Walt special?
Why did Eloise Hawking know so much?
Why was Desmond so uniquely special and what happened to him on the island in the end?
Who dropped the Dharma food feeding all our Losties?
What about the Hanso foundation and their funding of the Dharma initiative?
What was Widmore's true intentions in seeking out the Island?

These, and so many more, are fun questions. But, they don't help us understand the bigger questions:

Was Jacob and his brother Man-in-Black (MIB) really special? Or were they just boys who grew up to be men believing they were special?
What does that light at the heart of the island truly represent? All that is good with the world? Was MIB spit out because he was inherently bad?
Did Jack really impart special protective powers to Hurley by having him drink from the water bottle? Or, is it more important that Hurley believed he was imparted with such power?
And, the biggest question of all is what did the ending mean? Were our losties redeemed on the island allowing them to pass through to the next phase of the afterlife? Or, did they all die in the original plane crash sending them all to purgatory, rendering the island life a mirage?

I, for one, don't think it matters. In the end, our characters that we grew to love needed purpose and love and through their life (or afterlife) on the island were redeemed. It is all a matter of perspective. Was the island life purgatory and the Flash-Sideways their next phase of the afterlife? Or, was the island life real and the Flash-Sideways the first phase of their afterlife? I don't think it really matters. We saw an incredible ensemble of characters achieve purpose, love, and redemption on their journey together. After all, it is all about the journey. Without the end, the journey is not worth taking. Richard figured that out in the end when he was returned to a mortal life. And, how you behave and treat people matters in the end. Ben figured that out as well. He was flawed, like so many of our losties, but I 'believe' he will achieve his redemption too.

I am sad Lost is over. But what an amazing story filled with excitement, love, sadness, and wonderful questions we can try to answer from hereon in.

UPDATE: More theories and explanations continue to filter in during these post-Lost days. I won't bore you with blog after blog of theories, but suffice it to say I will be happy to discuss at length as we strive for wellness in the office!

"LOST" Week

Normally I reserve this blog for writings about chiropractic, wellness, fitness, and the latest research. But, as many of you know, this is an exciting week in the world of pure entertainment. The final episodes of the greatest t.v. show ever air this week on Tuesday and Sunday. My wife and I, my brothers, parents, friends, and millions more have been looking forward to this week. Explaining LOST to you if you are not familiar with the show is too difficult for this blog. So I will not attempt such feat. Just a quick blog to remind everyone of this exciting, momentous week in t.v. entertainment.

Is this blog about health or wellness? Sort of. Having a fictional story to escape life can be very therapeutic. LOST is just that for me. The story, the mysteries, the confusion has brought family and friends together, challenged our minds, made us think outside the box and thoroughly entertained us for six years.

We'll miss you LOST ... until we buy the boxset and re-watch you!

Spinal Manipulation and the "pop"

I just read an excellent, interesting, and relevant research review of an important concept in the world of physical therapy. Serendipitously, I read this research only moments after a regular patient of mine left the office after we discussed this very topic - the topic of spinal joint "cavitation" - otherwise known as the "popping" sound you hear when you have your joints manipulated.

The question being asked is whether or not it is clinically important to hear the "pop" when manipulating a joint. Does the "pop" lead to improvement of the patient's symptoms or is it simply the act of the manipulation? The latest research sheds some light on this.

First, let's review what the "pop" / cavitation is. The popping/cracking sound you hear when your joint is manipulated/adjusted is the sound of gas escaping the joint space as the two bones are moved. Just like opening a can of soda, as the gas escapes it makes a sound. Bones are not actually "cracking", it just sounds that way. The bottom line with manipulation is that the act of manipulating improves joint mobility, realigns joint position, and reduces pain levels.

Today, in fact moments ago, my patient and I were discussing the fact that her low back spinal joints didn't "pop" when we adjusted them. My previous knowledge of this topic allowed me to explain that the "pop" is not necessary to still achieve mobility, alignment, and pain relief. Well, the research now supports this notion.

This research is and should be encouraging to both therapists and patients. Both therapists and patients can get caught up in the expectation and reliance on the "popping" sound for confirmation that a treatment has been effective. We all should rely more on the process of manipulation, rather than the audible sound it makes.

So, just a quick blog to update you on this important chiropractic topic - just in case you were wondering about the "pop".

Till next time ... thanks for reading!

Exciting News!

As of last week, it is now official. After almost five great years practicing chiropractic at 1240 Bay (aka Wellpoint Health Centre), I will be changing my office location as of July 1st.

But, if you love my current location due to its proximity to either the subway, your family physician, beautiful Yorkville, or all of the above, don't fret because I'm not going very far. In fact, only a short minute walk from where I am now is where you'll find me in the future: 33 Hazelton Avenue (corner of Hazelton Ave & Scollard) in Yorkville will be my future home. I will be sharing space at Satori Urban Wellness. It is both an exceptional wellness clinic with fantastic holistic health providers (massage, physio, naturopath, acupuncture, etc.) and also an award winning spa. So, patients (and therapists) get the best of both worlds: excellent health care and the most serene environment.

I am really excited about the move for many reasons:
1. Beautiful, relaxing, friendly atmosphere.
2. Combining my skills and services with the other like-minded holistic healers.
3. Staying close to where you're used to finding me.
4. Steps from the subway and parking.

The only thing missing is that I won't be in the same facility as some of your family physicians. However, I will be maintaining my excellent relationship with all the Wellpoint family doctors so nothing will change in terms of coordinating health needs with your medical team!

More information is sure to follow. I will be sending out emails and snail-mails as July gets closer. I look forward to chatting about this with you all in person.

In the meantime, check out: Satori Urban Wellness

Trigenics (TM)

The evolution continues. I just finished a two day continuing education seminar this weekend - 10 intensive hours focused on shoulder rehabilitation and spinal manipulation. Courses like these really inspire me to get back to work the next day and build on the healing capabilities of chiropractors!

So, at your next visit, be very excited for your adjustments or your next shoulder rehab session - I've got a few new awesome healing techniques for ya'. In fact, some of them even seem like magic - take only 6 seconds per area - but believe me when I tell you it isn't magic - it's neurological science. I'll explain when I see you.

Both courses this weekend were presented by the Trigenics institute - a manual medicine technique that focuses on neurological re-patterning. Tight muscles? Let's loosen them quickly! Weak muscles? Let's strengthen them. Quickly.

I can't wait to see you and help you all out even better than I have in the past!

See you Monday!

The Evolution Has Begun

Have you ever gotten out of bed in the morning after a sleepless night with extra pep in your step? I know, this sounds absurd, but it describes me today. It might sound overly dramatic to say that today is the first day of the rest of my professional career, but it is what I believe. Let me explain:

I feel privileged to have helped so many people recover from their aches and pains in the first five years of my practice. I've helped acute and chronic back and neck pain sufferers, those with rotator cuff strains/tears and other sorts of sprains and strains throughout the body. I hope and plan to continue to offer my current and future patients the same level of commitment to injury recovery.

However, I think, and have come to know, that I can do more. Perhaps I have not been communicating the right message to my family, friends, and patients. Evidently I have been sending the message that pain relief is what Dr. me is all about. This is part of what I am about, but the evolved message resonates with me much louder: Dr. me will help you attain a higher level of wellness. In doing so, old, current, and future injuries will be helped and prevented. A wise friend and colleague helped me learn that, as a chiropractor, I can do so much more to help my patients by putting more emphasis on spinal health. Read on to learn why.

A question I am often asked by new patients is: "What is the difference between a chiropractor and a physiotherapist?" My answer often depends on the patient who has asked the question, but it usually sounds something like: "Well, there is not much of a difference. We both will treat your current injury with manual medicine, modalities, and exercise to ensure you get relief and correction of your injury." I will go on to explain that chiropractors are trained as spine specialists and therefore have the extra skill set of manipulating the spine for quicker and more sustainable relief of spine related injuries - which there are many. This answer sounds more and more incorrect to me with every passing moment of my life. Let me rephrase my answer with the correct emphasis on what chiropractors really specialize in:

Chiropractic works because you are a self-healing, self-regulating organism controlled by your nervous system. Millions of instructions flow from your brain, down the spinal cord, and out to every organ and tissue. Signals sent back to the brain confirm if your body is working right. Improper motion or position of the moving bones of the spine called a "subluxation" can interfere with this vital exchange by irritating nerves and compromising the function of affected organs and tissues. Specific spinal adjustments can help improve mind/body communications. Health often returns with improved nervous system control of the body.

And where do these "subluxations" come from? Generally speaking, they come from the physical, chemical, and emotional stress of our day-to-day lives. More specifically, these subluxations comes from poor posture, repetitive strain on the core of the body, chemical stress in the form of pollution, junk food, smoke, drugs, and emotional stresses of family, job, money, etc., etc.

What does this revitalized commitment to chiropractic mean for me and my patients? It means that I am even more committed to the health and well being of my patients. I will continue to welcome patients with all sorts of aches, pains, and health concerns. I will continue to provide injury relief, exercise instruction, and orthopedic support. But, my commitment will not end there. When willing, I hope to engage my patients in a lifelong journey of spinal health for the ultimate purpose of increased energy, efficiency, and self-healing. This is what true wellness is all about. It is not merely the absence of disease. It is the pursuit of optimal living.

Fit-in-15

Below is the official advertising for a fabulous idea created by Canadian chiropractors. Simply put, we're all too busy. Some have found the time and motivation to stay active and pursue fitness and athletics. Others have not. Unfortunately, patters develop and we end up stuck in our ways. We come home, plop on the couch, and then it's bedtime and we do the whole thing over again the next day. Fit-in-15 makes fitting some fitness into your daily routine really easy. The website has easy to follow instructions on fitting 15 minutes of strength, flexibility and cardio into your life. Check it out. Not sure if you can do these activities? No problem. Come see me for a screening and we can review the exercises together to make sure you can do them.


Do you?
Want a more energized lifestyle?
Have difficulty finding time to be active?
Feel guilty about not being more physically active?
Want to get started with little or no expense?

Would you like to?
Lose weight
Sleep better
Reduce stress
Have more energy
Bend over more easily
Be stronger
Improve your posture
Have more endurance
Catch your breath more easily
Feel more satisfied with your level of fitness

If you answered yes to any one of the above, then FIT-IN-15 is a good place to start if you have been inactive and are having trouble making time to fit-in some focused activity. Fifteen minutes a day can be the beginning of a habit that can grow and help you achieve your fitness goals. You'll feel good about fitting it in, and feeling good is an important factor in your overall health.

Dust off your running / walking shoes!

The sun is shining, the olympians have us motivated, and the annual CMCC Backs in Motion walk/run for chiropractic education is upon us!

If you're a runner, this is a great opportunity to warm up for the spring and summer season: 5km or 10km. Last year I ran the 5km in about 28minutes! A personal best for me. This year, I'm aiming for 20 minutes!! Of course, I won't come close and probably cross the finish line around 27minutes. I can only aim for personal bests.

Not a runner? No problem. Get out and walk the 5km. Anything to get those muscles and joints moving.

I hope to see you there.
Click HERE for more information and registration.

Ten Reasons to Stretch

Sorry it has taken so long to post a new blog entry. I was waiting for my last entry (shoveling tips) to prove useful. But, it appears as though we're not really going to have a Canadian winter this season. Fine by me. Of course, this has not stopped me from enjoying the Winter Olympics. Besides the usual pride and occasional (maybe more than occasional) disappointment, it is especially amazing to watch and admire the strength, flexibility and overall athletic capability of the Olympians.

Does it inspire you to be more athletic? Stronger? More flexible? I hope so. We can all stand to be a bit stronger, flexible, and healthier. Below is some information about stretching. If the Olympians stretch, perhaps we all should.

Stretching pumps irritants and inflammation away from muscles, and increases the blood supply and flow of nutrients to muscles and joints. This process promotes tissue healing and injury repair. Here are some more reasons why stretching can be beneficial:
1. Reduces muscle soreness after exercise
2. Accelerates tissue healing
3. Improves balance and co-ordination
4. Improves posture
5. Promotes muscle relaxation
6. Boosts your energy levels
7. Relieves back and joint pain
8. Reduces the likelihood of back pain
9. Promotes total body relaxation and a greater sense of well-being
10. Maintains lifelong flexibility

Lift Light, Shovel Right.

Today's blog post comes complements of the Ontario Chiropractic Association. Every winter I remind my patients that shoveling snow is just like working out, but harder! So do not treat it like a chore. It needs to be treated like exercise so that it gets done in a timely manner without sacrificing your back. Here are the highlights from the OCA's 'Lift Light, Shovel Right' brochure:

When you consider that a shovelful of snow weighs 5 to 7 pounds, you realize how much weight you have to lift to clear your sidewalk or driveway - on average, several hundred pounds! These tips will help keep your back in top shape:

1. Don't let the snow pile up:
If the weather report calls for several days of snow, frequent shoveling will allow you to move smaller amounts of snow at once.

2. Pick the right shovel:
use a lightweight pusher-type shovel. If you are using a metal shovel, spray it with Teflon first, so snow won't stick to it.

3. Push, don't throw:
Always push the snow to the side rather than throwing it. That way you avoid lifting heavy shovelfuls of snow and sudden twisting or turning movements.

4. Bend your knees:
If you find you have to lift a shovelful of snow, use your knees and your leg and arm muscles to do the pushing and lifting, while keeping your back straight.

5. Warm up:
Before tackling any strenuous activity take the time to warm up with some overall conditioning (a 10- to 15-minute walk, even on the spot, should do it), followed by some simple stretching.

6. Take a break:
If you feel tired or short of breath, stop and take a rest. Shake out your arms and legs. Stop shoveling immediately if you feel chest pain or back pain. If you have back pain that is severe or that persists for more than a day after shoveling, make an appointment to see me. If you have chest pain that is severe, see a medical doctor immediately.

7. Additional tips:
Layered clothing works better to keep your muscles warm and your skin dry so you don't get chilled.

Stay hydrated: Don't be fooled by the temperature! Your active body needs plenty of fluids even though it's cold outside. Be sure to drink lots of water or juice before, during and after winter sports, including shoveling!

Patient Appreciation

2009 has been a tough year for many. The economy went in the toilet thanks to our neighbours south of the border. As a result, many people earned less money this year, lost their health insurance, or even their job.

Patients I came to know and help were forced to cut back or even stop their chiropractic health care. It is sad that those who were making healthy decisions were forced to stop due to reasons outside their control.

I, for one, am looking forward to a new start in 2010. But, first we must enjoy the holiday season that is upon us. In light of the year we've had, and in the spirit of the season, December is Patient Appreciation Month.

All month, I am offering 2 for 1 Custom Orthotics. Need a pair? Need a new pair? Take advantage of this opportunity to grab 2 pairs at once. Save $450 !

And, Patient Appreciation Week takes place from Monday, December 14 to Saturday, December 19. During this week:

All chiropractic & laser therapy appointment fees are slashed by 33%;

New patients are always welcome and will benefit from 50% savings off their initial visit;

Every patient that visits me during Patient Appreciation Week will be entered into 2 draws to win a Back Vitalizer back support and a ChiroFlow water-based pillow!

I look forward to seeing you all soon!

The Back Vitalizer

For years, since I began private practice, patients have always asked me about back supports. Obus Forme, Therapeutica, home-made devices, etc. In search of being able to answer my patients properly, I have tried them all without much success. Each device has its pluses and miinuses. Despite being a significant player in the physical support industry, I have always found the Obus Forme back rest a bit cumbersome and restrictive of arm movements. Instead, I enjoyed the sleek Therapeutica back rests that provided minimal lumbar support but provided tactile presence for the entire spine to keep it aligned while sitting. But, it still wasn't providing the total package that sitters and back pain sufferers seeked.

Enter the Back Vitalizer! If you're a patient of mine, and have read my emails, you know that I recently purchased a new product - the Back Vitalizer (BV). The BV is touted as a multifunctional neuromuscular and biomechanical sitting device. The BV is both a lumbar support and a postural trainer. One puff of air into the BV turns it into a slim device that mimics sitting on an exercise ball. Sit with erect, spine-neutral posture on the BV and start exercising your core muscles. Then, slip it behind your back as a lumbar support.

Patients and clinicians seem to love this product. So far so good for me. It seems to do what it claims - promoting better sitting posture and providing needed lumbar support. Stay tuned for an update. For now, I recommend the Back Vitalizer if you're seeking an alternative to your current sitting support.

To be continued ...

Patient X-Files: Neck Pain & Headaches

Patient X, a 30 year old female nurse, presented to my office with pain and stiffness in her neck and back as well as daily headaches in the back of the skull and temple region. Her symptoms had been progressing for approximately one year. Following a thorough examination including appropriate orthopaedic, neurological and chiropractic testing patient X was diagnosed with cervicogenic headaches and chronic spinal joint restrictions. Cervicogenic headaches are a classification of headaches that are caused by injured muscles and joints of the neck. This is the most common source of headaches. Unwilling to rely on pain medication, especially because of the negative side effects medicine has on her body, patient X began a course of conservative care including spinal manipulation, deep tissue massage, laser therapy, and prescriptive home exercises. After her first treatment, patient X’s pain in her back and neck subsided and the frequency of her headaches decreased significantly to only one headache per week. Patient X has had three more visits (total of four) and her symptoms continue to decrease. The pain in her back and neck continue to be absent and her headache frequency and severity is significantly decreased.

Another chiropractic & laser therapy success story!

Saving Trees

This summer I began saving trees in a chiropractic sort of way. I successfully transitioned my office to paperless chiropractic files. Recently, the Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) began endorsing and supplying (with a licensing fee, of course) Ontario chiropractors with ChiroWrite - an excellent electronic chiropractic records program.

The office cannot be completely paperless, however. New patient forms still require paper, but all appointment records are now computerized. Fumbling through files and hard to read handwritten notes are a thing of the past. Technology keeps taking me further. In fact, my lousy Dell laptop broke (again!) causing me to invest in a new laptop. So, armed with a new laptop (Lenovo!), wireless mouse, and my electronic records program, I am ready to help restore your body's healing ability with chiropractic care, all the while recording it via the click of a mouse.

You don't need an excuse to come in for a visit and have your spine aligned for healthy living, but if you're looking for an excuse come check out ChiroWrite! There is much talk, especially south of the border, about health care reform and saving the environment. I for one am now providing both: preventative health care and environmentally friendly.

Personal Best

I write today's blog very proudly. After a year of training, I competed in my second triathlon of the summer today. Many aspects of today's triathlon were the same as my first one in June. The day started with a long drive out of town (Grimsby - near Niagara) with ominous weather overhead. I set up my transition zone in the rain while my cheering squad (4 parents, 1 wife) huddled under umbrellas. Lightning delayed the start time but eventually 300 hundred of us made our way into the freezing cold Lake Ontario (colder than last time). And, just like my first tri, my swim was excellent (24th overall). The similarities ended there though. I felt very strong on the bike this time, shaving close to 9 minutes off my time. And, the always tough transition from bike to run went much smoother today. Overall, I crossed the finish line in only 47minutes, 15 seconds (compared to 58:41 last time). Knocking over 11 minutes off my previous time put me into 62nd place overall, and 24th out of 46 in my age group (30 - 39 years of age).

I think this was the last triathlon of the season, but I'm already excited to get back to it next season with longer courses and new personal bests!

And, I should never forget the original motivation to train for triathlons: Cholesterol. I've previously blogged about using triathlon training and competition as my motivation to keep exercising to stay in shape and to improve my cholesterol profile. I am happy to report that after a year of training, my cholesterol profile has stabilized and my HDLs have gone up. Now I have to keep working at it.

Patient X-Files: Herniated Disc

Patient X, visiting Toronto on holiday, presented to my office with severe low back pain and an inability to walk without assistance. Patient X’s pain began a day earlier following a cough and a sneeze. The pain was similar to the pain he felt one year earlier when he herniated a disc in his low back. Following a thorough examination including appropriate orthopaedic, neurological and chiropractic testing patient X was diagnosed with an L4 and L5 disc herniation (relapse of his old injury). Treatment for this condition included low level laser therapy, massage techniques, prescription home exercises, and chiropractic adjustments. In addition to the treatment, Patient X followed my home instructions of proper resting positions and the use of ice. Patient X and I were happy to reduce his back pain by 80% in only six (6) treatments, over a span of nine (9) days. Patient X felt so well that he was able to keep his flight out of the country at the end of his pain-filled holiday to Toronto. Patient X is now back home and beginning an active rehabilitation program to strengthen his low back to prevent further injury.

Another chiropractic & laser therapy success story!

"Do or do not ... there is no try."

My very first triathlon came and went this past weekend. It was cold and rainy all day on Saturday in Guelph, where my first "try-a-tri" was located. Despite its name, I followed the illustrious words of Yoda and "did" the triathlon, not just tried it. The entire event, from pre-race preparation to post-race awards, was exciting and inspiring. As far as I know, all three hundred and eighty-seven participants finished the .4km swim, 10km bike, and 2.5km run. Those with race history and aspirations for victory clocked in around 40 - 45 minutes. Yours truly followed at a respectable 58 minutes. I was motivated and pleased to cross the finish line ahead of the 1 hour mark. I placed 232nd out of 387. My next challenge is to improve my time in August when I race my next triathlon. I know I can.

Obstacles to overcome include steering clear of swimmers while swimming through the murky lake water, and preparing my legs better to run after the bike. It is an amazing physical experience for your mind to be saying "run", while your legs are screaming "bike, or walk, but no run". After a couple of minutes the legs get the message that you need to run, but those couple of minutes are somewhat comical.

Shifting attention physical medicine clinical matters, I should mention an aspect of this triathlon that I have yet to bring up. While standing in the rain in my tri-shorts and swim cap and goggles, shivering, I noticed that my week-old tight hamstring was still tight and achy. I had hoped that a week off of training would have settled this injury, but alas, in the moments before I needed all my muscles working 100%, my dominant right leg's hamstring was failing me. Yet, I managed to race my race without much focus on my sub-par hamstring. Once the race ended, the tightness and pain had returned to my leg. So, I decided to heed my own advice and have my hamstring treated properly. On the Monday following the race I used my own laser therapy along the hamstring musculature and visited my massage therapist. I am more than pleased to report this treatment approach worked quickly. My pain and tightness is gone and training for the next triathlon is underway.

Bring on the next Try-a-Tri. Or, should I say 'Do-a-Tri'.

Back Home

I am back from Italy. The picture above is of the beautiful town of Positano on the Amalfi Coast. Although the weather was a bit grey during this part of our vacation, the sights, food, fashion, and culture was still spectacular. Italy is a beautiful country with an envious lifestyle. In short, it appeared as though the Italians worked to live, rather than lived to work as so many of us do in North America. Siestas in the afternoon and listening to the Italians' passion for life, family, food, and vino reminded me of what's important in life.

My wife, Andrea, and I traveled by plane, train, automobile, bus, subway, and ferry boat to see as much of Rome, Florence, the Tuscan countryside, and the Amalfi Coast as possible. Mission completed and successful. By chance, we even arrived in Sorrento (Amalfi Coast) just in time to grab front row to the Giro D'Italia cycling race! As a cycling fan, this was a real treat. It was unbelievable to first see the leaders of the race cycle by us at speeds I cannot even imagine riding at on my own. And then to see the remainder of the riders (the peloton) cycle by us in such a tight group before heading up Mt. Vesuvius - a seemingly impossible task on its own - was truly a sight to see as a cycling fan.

I was inspired by the Giro to get back on my bike when I returned home to continue my preparation for my first triathlon this weekend. Unfortunately, jet lag on the way home wiped us out spoiling an additional week of tri-prep. Nevertheless, this week has allowed me to get prepared and I am really excited for my first triathlon on Saturday. Barring a disaster, I look forward to posting some pictures and results when it's over.

Until then ... don't forget to love life and make time for the things you are passionate about.