Things are clearer when it's muddy!

Untitled by cyclept at Garmin Connect - Details
After an eventful 2 weeks, I returned to the bike 2 days in a row with my super motivating ride buddy Miguel. Sidelined by an array of winter viruses and celebrating turning 40 (no expert interpretation needed), it was a welcomed return to being active and outdoors.  I started today by given my first "Boot Camp" exercise class at 6:45 am. A small but motivated group showed up for about an hour of cardio, flexibility, balance/stability and strengthening exercises. The group environment was fun and informative as it allowed me to see 3 individuals performing the same exercise at the same time with 3 different deficiencies. Balance, flexibility and strength were all observed and improved upon with various verbal as well as physical cues.
My ride on the local trails was thrilling as well as cathartic.  Even as  my buddy dreaded each muddy segment, I relished the mud kicking up unto my clothes and didn't even mind getting stuck in a deep muddy puddle. Seeing the clear blue skies, the grazing cattle and feeling the crisp Mediterranean winter air was truly a thrill. It's times like these when one can reflect on life and realize that these simple pleasures are often taken for granted. The burn in your belly from the intense climb, the fatigue in your legs from bracing for the descent and the bowl of homemade granola with organic honey, goat's yogurt and  fresh espresso made the mud well worth it!

On a Ride to The Carmel Forest

This week I was fortunate to have ridden my mountain bike in the beautiful hills surrounding my hometown of Zichron Yaakov, Israel as well as my newly upgraded Orbea road bike on the windy Carmel Forest roads. Today I was joined by a friend who has been a riding buddy of mine for about the last year and a half. During our rides we discuss many different topics including, work, family, politics religion, riding as well as running. My friend has been a consistent runner for many years and was excited to tell me several months ago how he is joining the forefoot or toe strike running movement. I remember telling him how I thought that running is very individualized and that just because it says in a magazine that running on your toes is the "new" way to run doesn't mean it is for everyone. Ironically forefoot running enthusiasts believe that this form of running is actually quite old and only now are we returning to it. To make a long story short, after 6 months of "toe strike" running, my friend is complaining of  nerve pain, tenderness and inflammation in the area of his forefoot. I of course expressed my sympathy and then explained that if you look at the anatomical structure of the human foot, you will see that the heel area is significantly more padded and designed for impact than the forefoot. He is now eager to get back to running in his older traditional way. The take home message is that when it comes to exercise, fitness and health, one needs to evaluate whether or not the latest trend will be appropriate for them. Wishing everyone a great weekend outdoors!
David Garber PT, DPT

Blogging is like riding

They say that once you learn how to ride a bike you never forget, but can the same thing be said for blogging? Blogging after all, is a relatively new pastime. The two activities, however, are similar in that once you get rolling you don't want to stop. I have been riding my bike for years. I have been blogging for approximately 3 minutes. Originally my bicycle was ridden as a right of passage which then turned  into a way to escape the challenges of being a kid and then as a means of transportation. Today the bicycle represents some similar themes but it has also become a way of life for me. As a physical Therapist (or as they say in these parts; Physiotherapist) I have the unique opportunity to share my passion with those around me. Over the years I have incorporated cycling into my practice, my lifestyle and encouraged friends and family to embrace it as well. I have ridden hundreds of miles for charity as well as 5 miles with patients recuperating from an injury. I call those "rehab rides". In short this blog is meant to share my past, present and future experiences as they relate to health, wellness, fitness, lifestyle and of course cycling. I hope you will join me on this exciting journey.
Warm regards,
David Garber PT, DPT
www.therapysport.com