It is with great pride that I announce that Smart Sport International (SSI) turns 10 years old today. Oh, how the time goes by quickly! This anniversary is marked by a new location (at H.E.A.T. Bootcamp in Austin) and upcoming open house on February 7. More details on that later.

The roots of SSI go all the way back to 1992. By 2004, a vision had evolved to create a seamless integration of sport science solutions for training, rehab, and life. Another 10 years later, and SSI is moving into decade number two and has become the home of competent self care. Be it injury recovery or endurance sport performance, SSI has always focused on sports science-based and athlete-centered approaches to both injury prevention and injury recovery.

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It was a 3.4 mile run that fit nicely into my training plan. It also happened to be the first event held at the new Circuit Of The Americas (COTA). Nice coincidence! Better yet, Formula Run would provide a great opportunity to get a sneak peek of the circuit just two weeks before the the wail of Formula One cars will be heard throughout central Texas.

There was no way that I was going to miss this event. There were 5,000 runners in complete agreement with me, with a large majority of them out for a morning stroll and sightseeing tour. After the run, there was just one word to describe my first thoughts of COTA: wow. This is going to be one amazing race course.

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Track coaches may have had it right all along.

I am one of the first people that will advocate for science-based strategies for training and injury recovery. But I am not averse to acknowledging what may have been done well in the past, without the benefit of sports science. This is where the track coach of yore comes in.

You see, track coaches in the 1970's probably had a lot of sound concepts already in place to make better runners, long before the running community evolved into a mass of fads, testimonials and marketing plans.

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On a beautiful fall day in October, I had a sudden, chilling realization: the time change is upon us in one week. Ugh. I like my sunshine. The upcoming time change always harkens me back to my days in Canada. Back then, it would signify the coming of a long, cold, blustery winter. It would be dark going to work, and it would be dark leaving work. You had to go outside at lunch time to acknowledge the sun’s existence. Just the thought of this makes me want to hibernate.

Fortunately, a couple of days after the time change, we will also see the end of the current election cycle. That has to be a good thing – or lets hope so. A least the sound bites will change. Of course, the election may also give us all reason to hibernate for 4 years – but I digress.

Episode 52 of the Rhubarb Report takes a look at politics, football, and a brief look forward to college hoops.

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