Author Archives: John Post

About John Post

Othopedic Surgeon 6 Kona finishes Married, 3 children Marine Veteran Helicopter Pilot

Knee Arthritis, the Aging (Over 30) Triathlete by John Post, MD

Sister Madonna Buder sets the example for us all

“You’re not shy, you get around, you wanna fly, don’t want your feet on the ground. You stay up, you won’t come down…” Foreigner

Of the over 100 Rock Star pieces that I’ve done, the one that has generated the most interest was about arthritis of the knee and a procedure known as microfracture. This is an arthroscopic operation where an attempt is made to allow the damaged cartilage to heal itself. It’s usually pretty successful but the results may not last forever. In cases where microfracture is considered inappropriate, Orthopedic Surgeons have other arthroscopic tricks that can hopefully extend the life of the knee. One of these involves transplantation of bone and cartilage plugs from one part of the knee to another. Continue reading

Raynauds Syndrome, Cold Hands and Feet in Winter Training by John Post, MD

And I love to live so pleasantly,

Live this life of luxury,
Lazing on a summer afternoon.
In the summer time,….
                                                    The Kinks
Ah summertime, for many of us it’s only a memory.  The arrival of winter has brought with it a host of training challenges. The cold, shorter days, more competition for pool access, the kids back in school, did I mention the cold? And how we meet these challenges tells us a lot about our seriousness in the sport.  (In last weeks post, Arthritis part 3, I talked about the committment and life changes made by Farrokh Bulsara who transformed himself into Freddie Mercury . ” I guess the question is…are you willing to make the types of sacrifices Freddie made to achieve your goals?”)

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Ibuprofen. Not For Daily Use! by John Post, MD

“I’d take any risk to tie back the hands of time.”

Too Much Time On My Hands, Styx

“Prophylactic” or daily use of Ibuprofen by triathletes is not without risk.

 Why am I the last one to find out about things? Why didn’t I know that in some circles upwards of half of the endurance athletic community takes ibuprofen nearly every day? I did a podcast recently where this was one of the items we discussed as some triathletes, known in marketing circles as early adopters, seek to diminish post exercise muscle soreness with this drug.  A review of the literature will not consistently support the position that exercise induced muscle soreness is indeed reduced with NSAID therapy (nor that it’s desirable.)  Continue reading

Arthritis, Part Three by John Post, MD

Supper time at the old triathletes home

 

Making it to Kona    (written on the Big Island)

 

“And another one’s gone, and another one’s gone, and another one bites the dust, heh heh.”  You know who sang these words.  But, earlier in his career, singer Farrokh Bulsara (you now know him as Freddie Mercury) was going nowhere in a band called Sour Milk Sea.  He took a look at his past, present and unpromising future, and made the changes he felt were required to reach the top.  I guess the question is…are you willing to make the sacrifices Freddie made to get here?  But first, answer these three questions:  Continue reading

Knee Arthritis Part Two, Pain by John Post, MD

Bob Scott

” ‘Bill I believe this is killing me!’ as the smile ran away from his face.”    Billy Joel

 This is the second in a series of three pieces on arthritis.  We hear so much about arthritis,  “degenerative change” but it’s causes are not always well understood. Those who have it know one thing – it hurts!

 Although there are approximately 100 different varieties of arthritis, many accompanying other disease processes you’ve heard of like Lupus or Lyme Disease, Osteoarthritis is by far the most common. We think of  it as an old persons problem (old being a relative term in triathlon – just ask Bob Scott (above), Kona course record holder with a 12:59 when he was 70!) Continue reading

Road Rash, Torn Up Skin, What To Do by John Post, MD

“Ain’t no doubt about it we were doubly blessed, ’cause we were barely 17 and barely dressed.” Meat Loaf, Bat out of Hell

Possibly without intending, Meat Loaf was describing the amount of protection one gets from cycling clothing when you hit the asphalt. Barely dressed. But, you look good doing it. Right?

 

 

What would you think if this were your elbow? You crashed hard, went to the local urgent care and got sewn up…but things went down hill quickly when you started to develop a fever. Then, rather than having less pain as time passed it only increased. And then you started to sweat. Heck, you’re a veteran. You served 5 years as an instructor at the Naval Nuclear Power School, you can handle this. Why, it’s just a cut, right? Continue reading

Anything is Possible, Kona 2012 by John Post, MD

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Runnin’ Down a Dream

 

The finish line in Kona about 12 hours after race start.

“ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE” This is one of the catch phrases of Ironman, one you hear frequently in Hawaii. You both hear it as well as see it. Some even live it.

There are so many heart warming stories that come out of this race each year. A good number of the first timers do not meet their expectations and on the morning after the race, honest evaluations of the heat and conditions seep into the conversations for the first time. “Mother Nature always bats last,” or some such phrase might be overheard. In spite of this, the athletes share this common bond with the island as they lean back, close their eyes and recall particular portions of their day…both bad and good. And then they smile. That wry smile that comes only with experience. Continue reading

Two Ironman Stories by John Post, MD

I just returned from Kona on Monday and was thinking about this piece which I previously wrote.  Since I stopped competing, I’ve worked for David Huerta and the Transition Team for the last several years transforming the Kailua-Kona pier into a transition area.  It’s a good bit of work, but by noon on Friday, when the first athlete show up to rack his/her bike, the pier has come alive and it gives you goose bumps.   Here then are Two Ironman Stories.

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Sometimes, in surprising ways, the human spirit of kindness saves the day. A triathlete I know, despite his best efforts, is tad forgetful at times. I worked the men’s changing tent in Hawaii in 2010 when this gent came in flying after a pretty good swim. As is custom, he dumped his bike transition bag on the floor, quickly changed in to his biking gear, and was out the door. In a matter of seconds he was back having forgotten an item. Continue reading

Advance Race Prep by John Post, MD

 

“From here on in, I really gets grim. For 99% of the people still left at this point, they are possessed with one thing, finishing. They’re saying to themselves one thing, “If I can just be standing at the finish, I’ve won,” and they’re right.

But, for the gifted few, for our 1% who are still competing, that are still racing, they’re more than standing. They’re wondering, can I catch that guy up there? And what about the guys behind me, are they coming up on me, are they picking up on me, can I get him? Because let me tell you something. This is it. The last hour of this triathlon, on the pavement, at 110 degrees, that’s when we’re going to find out who the hell the Ironman really is!”

 

Bruce Dern, Freewheeling Films, 1982

 

Yep, it’s one week till  race week in Kona. But it’s early and people are still light, joking, horsing around on training runs down Alii Drive or at the pier. The attitude is almost festive at Lava Java or the King Kamehameha hotel. But it’s early and the nerves won’t start to fray till later in the week or early next week as folks get their game faces on. Continue reading

Ironman Race Day in Kona – Best Advice, John Post, MD

…………………………Bill Bell

 

“Just once in his life, a man has his time. And my time is now, I’m coming alive!” St. Elmo’s Fire

 

Race Day is October 13, 2012. Batter up!

The above photo of Bill Bell reminds us to learn from those who’ve walked this path before us. A number of years ago at the Thursday evening carbo dinner, they had on stage the oldest man and woman standing with the youngest man and woman in that years race. Emcee Mike Reilly asked the two elders if they had any words of wisdom for their two young counterparts in the event 36 hours hence. Never bashful, or at a loss for words, Bell strode to the microphone and uttered words I’ve never forgotten. “Enjoy your day. You may never come back here or do this race again so I feel strongly that you should just enjoy your day.” He was right of course. Don’t forget.  Enjoy your day. Continue reading