By: Patty Elliott

Patty Elliott — Fri, 05 May 2017 12:00:32 +0000

I have PSIA attached to my name….for many years. Started teaching skiing when I was 16. At age 63 I am very well aware of what years of skiing and teaching has done to my body, particularly my feet, knees and hips and lower back. I pay the price every day of the week. My stretching begins every morning sitting on the bed stretching my feet before they even hit the ground. Then I stand up walk to the closest wall and stretch my calf muscles, achilles tendons, hamstrings and so on and so on!
Throughout my ski day if I feel things tightening up, I stretch. That’s how I get through my ski day. Sometimes before bed I stretch out what may feel tight again.
I have so many things wrong with the right side of my lower body, they are too numerous to mention. I find that I do what works for me!

By: Peter McCarville

Peter McCarville — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 16:05:18 +0000

Anyone who has PSIA attached to their name and is under 55 has yet to understand what they have done to their body from years of hard charging abuse (i.e. Triathalons, ultra this and ultra that) has yet to really understand their bodies and what they have put them through. She (Jo Garuccio) will experience the overuse and abuse injuries that she has acquired from this youthful behavior, eventually, if not already. We all do age and we all learn about our bodies needs and requirements that may include “stretching” and may include “warm ups” (I put these in quotes because they are a grab bag of a definition). Scientific evidence is great and as a scientist myself I think is essential but in the Physical Therapy/Performance Training worlds (as in the diet world) one must take some of the research as just that, research and not a fit-all prescription. Also, Jo and her like are anomalies, not the norm. Most of us are within the norm and do not have what she has and never had it. I was an athlete my whole life and was close to the elite athlete level in a few sports. But even I had issues with my health then and still do now. Look at any of the ultra marathoners and how long they last in the field. Hockey players are “spent ” by 30-35 years old. Even soccer players wear down in their thirties. I cannot live without my “routine” , which constantly is re-worked and bettered as I earn more about my body and what it has going on. My over-50 wisdom, has kicked-in (finally) and I am going for the long haul. I want to ski and ski smart at 80+. As a ski and hiking guide I have guests that have done just that. They have learned, dropped the ego and competitiveness for the most part. I suggest you explore what works for you and not get hung up on what people with extreme behaviors say.

Comments on: Stretching vs Dynamic Warm-Ups

By: Patty Elliott

By: Peter McCarville