The Athlete's Lawyer

“Training and Racing with a Power Meter” arrived at the Herndon law firm Abrams Landau, a gift from an Airbus executive from France.  Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau had helped a friend get into one of the uber-challenging HPC CompuTrainer classes when the good French doctor was in town.  Landau had been training with a heart rate monitor for years, but the Watts (power) based bike training only began when Susan Hefler and Pierre Pelletier opening their HPC facility next to the Great Harvest Bakery.  Since then, Landau has pedaled through the winter, challenging himself against “roadies,” Junior and Masters cycling champions.

After having read about a third of this technical book, Landau notes, “this is one of the few sports training books that I have read that has advanced sports medicine, training regimen and sound science.”  As a direct result of what he learned from the book, Landau had his 5 minute, 1 minute and 5 second maximum Watts tested, to go along with his 20 and 60 minute FTP (“Functional Threshold Power”) test numbers.  He also underwent SpinScan testing and learned from Mr. Pelletier how to make his bicycling pedal stroke more fluid and powerful.  So if you are interested in taking your cycling to the next level, check out HPC if you are local, and/or look into this Velo Press book.

Shown here (R->L) are Broadlands Sprint Triathlon Champion Doug “Mano” Steele, Reston Sprint Triathlon Champion Henry Tragle and West Virginia Duathlon Champ Doug Landau, after a challenging HPC Computrainer Power Meter training session in Herndon, Virginia.

Sledding can be a fun winter sports activity, but before getting on a sled, make sure you are familiar with the terrain, the course and the sled

As a kid, one of my favorite winter pastimes was sledding.  My friends and I would go sledding whenever school was cancelled for a “snow day.”  We would take the first several runs slowly, so as to familiarize ourselves with the day’s conditions.  We would then walk up the hill, noting where there were “bare spots” or other dangers.  Only after a few “warm up” runs and familiarization with the course’s terrain would we start trying for maximum speed in this exciting winter sport.  So I was saddened to read of the devastating injuries caused by a sled accident.

The plaintiff in the case injured his spinal cord when he slid into a parking sign while sledding Read the rest of this entry »

Double Down Race Directors presented Herndon Injury Lawyer Doug Landau with his medal after he completed the Runners Den 5km and 10km races in Phoenix, Arizona before the Association fort Justice CLE sessions resumed

Just as the best trial lawyers plan successful case trials well in advance, top endurance athletes often decide on pace, nutrition, gear and even sleep well before the day of the race.  Such was the case with today’s race, where sprint specialist Doug Landau was going to be running over a half-marathon in total distance.  Rather than run with other lawyers at the Scottsdale Convention site, Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau chose to run in the competitive 34th Annual Runners Den 5k and 10k races in Phoenix, Arizona.  To do so successfully, the Herndon sports injury lawyer had to contend with Read the rest of this entry »

Too much exercise can be counter productive and put you on your butt ! Plan rest, nutrition and recuperation as carefully as you plan your workouts and you will avoid overuse injury

Having studied exercise physiology, I am often taken aback by some of the extreme forms of training and competition being promoted by so-called “sports gurus.”  The are recipes for injury, disability and worse.  While the human body is indeed a miraculous collection of systems, it is not immortal and our bodies need time to rest and recuperate after the stresses of sports training and Read the rest of this entry »

Melissa and Doug Landau will be participating in the "Double Down" races this weekend in support of Down Syndrome

Ever one for unique racing opportunities and supporting worthwhile charities, Melissa and Doug Landau will be participating in the “Double Down” races this weekend.  The Landaus will once again toe the line for a wonderful cause and “exercise their legal rights” !  Known as one of the best running lawyers in Virginia, the Triathlon Trial Lawyer will be in Arizona for the Association for Justice Winter meeting along with other top lawyers from around the country.  This Sunday Read the rest of this entry »

Most people are happy to win awards in running races and other athletic events.  But when the announcer tells everyone that your prize is for being in the “oldest age group,” the trophy loses its luster !

Top age group road racer Sarah Buckheit and Doug Landau were winners at the "Blue Jay 5km and Heroes" races in Manassas Virginia

Even though he finished in the top 5 out of over 275 entrants, running 19:26 on a “rolling” and curvy 5km course, Landau would rather not have been called out on being in the race’s most senior category: “50 and over.”  On October 22, 2011 the Pennington School in Manassas Virginia hosted it’s 1st Annual “Blue Jay 5K and Hero Mile” races.  The goal of these events was to raise educational funds for children of fallen police officers.  The folks at Racepacket lead by former DC Road Runners Club President Bob Platt, did a superb job of organizing the events and timing services.  The women’s winner along with Landau was the consistent (and young looking) Sarah Buckheit.

Now that triathlon season is over, Herndon injury lawyer Doug Landau will be maintaining his fitness by: racing in road running races throughout the United States; getting to practice with the “World Gators” Masters swim group at the Sport & Health Club in Herndon’s Worldgate Center; and, training with the teenage phenoms on the CompuTrainers at HPC just 2 blocks from the Landau Law Shop.

Yesterday we looked at the possible causes for the deaths of swimmers in Triathlon and other open water competition.  Pre-existing cardiac conditions may be one plausible theory.  One such pre-existing condition could be “Long QT syndrome.”  This is an “inherited defect in heart rhythm that predisposes to syncope without warning (sudden fainting spells), dizziness, palpitations, seizures and sudden death. The name of the syndrome comes from the QT segment in the tracing on the electrocardiogram (ECG). This segment lasts slightly longer in the syndrome than normal. The heart takes longer to recharge itself between beats. Certain conditions can trigger an abnormal cardiac rhythm. Among the known triggers are intense physical exercise, swimming, being suddenly startled or badly frightened.

So, with swimming being a potential “trigger” and caffeine known to cause irregular heart beats (or “ectopic foci”), I looked for deaths associated with energy drink consumption and sport.  According to the Sport Journal, when these are reported, they seem to be isolated cases involving multiple servings with high levels of caffeine.  For example, according to Rice University over 15 years ago, one study looked at the whether caffeine intake increased the risk of heart Read the rest of this entry »

Like the bride & groom (who share a bicycle built for 2) that adorned Herndon bike injury lawyer Doug Landau's wedding cake, Trucks, Cars & Motorcycles must learn to share the road

Truck vs. Bike – Guess who loses ?  The YouTube from the DC biker’s helmetcam (Caution: Profanity) resonates with many of us who have ridden on DC metro area roads, commuted by bicycle and seen inexplicable road rage, distracted driving and other dangerous maneuvers by motorists.  The troubling incident was discussed on the Landau Injury Law site.

I do not believe I have ever posted a comment to YouTube, but this video should be “Exhibit A” to those who contend bikers are not endangered by truck drivers or ridden off the road.  After reviewing the film with my own bride (and bicycling partner for life) I wrote:

“With cars parked in the left lane, traffic relatively light in the other 2 lanes, I would have ridden a safe, straight line in the same situation.  I have seen how devastating the injuries are from being “doored” & many motorists do not pay attention to bicycles riding inches from the curb.  So when the biker is forced to go left to get around parked cars, they can get “clipped” by motorists paying more attention to cars on their left and straight ahead.  If we want to curb unsafe conduct by people driving trucks, cars & motorcycles, then responsibility must be taken when they unnecessarily endanger others.”

P.S. If this had been a child riding to school & permanently injured, what would we make of the trucker’s cowardice then ?”

Target recalls to repair Embark Resistance Cords due to injury hazard

As of September 9th Target issued a voluntary recall of about 447,000 units of one of their products.  The Embark Resistance Cords were sold between July 2009 and August 2011.  It has since been discovered there is a defect in the plastic ball which was used to create a door-hold.  The plastic ball’s defect can cause the product to spring free and strike the user in the eye.  Sadly, there are been three injuries, two of which have left the users with some permanent vision loss.  All user should stop use of the product IMMEDIATELY and contact the company ((800) 440-0680 or Target.com) for information of how to proceed.

For more information regarding the this recall check out this article and the report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.  For any legal questions concerning recall injuries please respond to this post or contact us at (703) 796-9555 or email us.

Usually excited for the swim to get underway, Reston triathletes will not compete in Lake Audubon this weekend due to safety issues

Due to the torrential rains that have struck Northern Virginia, the dedicated directors of the annual Reston Triathlon have decided to eliminate the swim for only the second time in the popular multisport event’s history.  The following was posted on the Reston Triathlon Association‘s web site:

Swim portion of the 28th annual Reston Triathlon has been canceled. Our lake official has been checking the lake since yesterday and has come to the decision that in the interest of safety it is not safe to swim in the lake…there is widespread disappointment but “Safety Is First.”

All racers will be notified by email of the cancellation and of plans for a replacement run as soon as the board has met to determine the details.

Triathlon Trial Lawyer, All American Triathlete and Virginia Triathlon Series (“VTS”) race sponsor Doug Landau adds that racers should also be mindful of debris on the roads when cycling, and perhaps “preview” the course once again since the storms have ended.  Tight turns with washout, leaves, bark and other organic matter on the pavement and an early morning start can all contribute to less traction on the road surface.  “Let’s all bike safely – the Reston Triathlon race directors cannot sweep every centimeter of the race course, and road flooding requires extra vigilance on the part of all participants.” adds Herndon Reston lawyer Landau.  “In light of these changed conditions and as I have at least 2 more VTS competitions this season, I am not going to be putting the ‘pedal to the metal’ Sunday.  I encourage all participants to enjoy the race, the shwag and the comraderie and ride safely.”