Phillip Kriss, Athlete & Chiropractor

Over the years I have seen some people do some pretty amazing things that were at one time considered impossible. Examples are weight loss over 150 pounds resulting in running over 150 marathons in less than 3:30. Lance Armstrong (even if he was doping). Soldiers with one leg blown off qualifying and running the Boston Marathon with a prosthetic. After witnessing feats like that, I look at myself and shake my head in self pity...Then realize if others can do it, you can if you decide to do so. A few years ago I was asked by an elderly gentleman if he thought it was possible to ride STP in one day. My reply was my opinion had little to do with it. His did. Adaptability: Our bodies have a built in adaptability. Our bodies can tolerate changes in pressure, temperature, humidity without having to change a dial. Our bodies adapt to the pressures applied to it. For that reason, someone can change and adapt from sitting on the couch eating Cheetos to racing an event. Or, in 20 weeks, go

Monday, April 16 was the Boston Marathon. Many were monitoring or watching the race on the athlete tracker or other social media, and keeping up with the weather conditions. It sounded like the weather made the race a challenge to say the least. Qualifying and running the Boston Marathon is a unique challenge. Once you have ran the Boston Marathon, you are part of a club of sorts and will always remember it and probably compare the current race to your past experience. The day after the race I was talking with a famed Boston Marathon veteran, Michael LaCombe. He recalled his experience back to 1975 when he ran it without mile markers (I guess they had not invented them yet). Heidi chimed in saying "Last year was the toughest for me. It was almost 80. I started cramping at mile 14. All I could do was smile and gut it out for the rest of the day". I got to run the race for the first time in 2007, when they had a nor'easter blowing really hard and they almost cancelled

“That’s why we do what we do” I love my adventures to the cross fit gym. For me it is fun to learn new skills and build my mental and physical fitness. A few weeks ago I witnessed a very impressive episode of heartbreak.  The Crossfit games are in full swing. One of the competitors needed to do the recommended workout of the day knowing he would have to complete the whole workout to remain competitive. The workout was hard. It was similar to compressing all the uncomfortableness of a 70.3 race into 12 minutes. This nice man started to struggle about 9 minutes into the workout, and with a few seconds remaining had to do a single heavy lift.  The clock ticked down to 20 seconds remaining and he started the lift. He almost made the first lift but failed. He tried it again and was not even close! The third time he went as hard as he could and almost had the weight up..struggling...and the clock strikes zero. Game over. No completed lift. Ouch! That was painful to watch. Wh

A little sleep, a little slumber, and your unfitness will come on you faster than you can eat the next doughnut! If you are like most, over the holidays you had some downtime. Less working out, more time with friends and family and more eating. Now it is the middle of January. It is now time to take our hands out of the cookie jar and get back to work. No more snooze alarms! For me, if I have no race plans, I stagnate and just go through the motions. That is OK for a while. We all need that downtime. I also know if I have events scheduled, something clicks in my head and I go do what I have to do to get ready. So, now (if you have not already) it is time to make plans and sign up. And, if you are happy with your results from last year, good for you! Carry on! But if you are like most, you realize there is always room for improvement. Here are a few tips to make next year the most fun, enjoyable and safe year you have had. • Set realistic goals and expectations. Doing the

About 30 years ago I rode with a guy named Mark D. Our speeds matched exactly making us great riding buddies. We rode a lot of miles together. And, I liked the guy! 30 years later, we bump into each other doing triathlons. The funny thing was in almost all the races, were were on the run course at almost the same time! The good news is I was able to out run him for the grudge match win. Agony for him. It was interesting after so many years we were still the same speed. Then one day he out ran me. Several times in fact. Not only was I shocked, but also in awe at the speed in which he pulled it off. He then revealed his secret. He said, “for every 5 pounds lost, you will run 20 seconds faster per mile with all other factors remaining the same” So, he dropped 30 pounds and is now wicked fast. Nobody likes to hear that. I think because if you are like me, you like beer and doughnuts (Not really). I had notice however, that in the time since we last rode, I did pork on about 20

Champions are made, not born Chances are if you are reading this you are already interested in increasing your performance. It could be in preparation for a race or event. It could be raising a teenager. It could be starting a business. It could be staying alive! I have the opportunity to hang with and ponder the ways of some pretty successful people in my life. Some are Iron people. Some are business people. Some are kids. Most are those who overcame huge obstacles, took a beating, kept at it and came out on top! I also have read a few books and attempted to apply what others learned to increase my success and here is a summary of what I learned. Champions are: Resilient and resourceful: Life often throws us obstacles. I don’t know anybody who’s plan went off without a hitch. They are versatile enough to create a way around, over or through roadblocks and discouragement. They find a way to fit the necessary (training) into the crazy (everyday life). I know a guy wh