This is the 20th in a series of RunSmart videos. The series is on-going, with a new video released on a biweekly basis. These videos complement the material presented in the book “RunSmart: A Comprehensive Approach To Injury-Free Running”. The full series of videos can be found here. A compilation of the first 10 videos will be available on Vimeo as well.

In this video, I discuss the importance of mechanisms. The mechanisms of optimal human performance are one and the same as those that prevent injury and allow a runner to recover from an injury. This is important when considering training principles.

For those of you that are interested in a more interactive learning environment, consider attending a Level One (half day), Level Two (one day), or Level Three (two day) RunSmart program. The Level One program is 4 hours and focuses on basic training principles, running mechanics, and injury prevention. The Level Two program is 8.5 hours and focuses on performance optimization and training program development. The Level Three program is a two day, 15 hour program that includes a comprehensive approach to running injuries. The next Level Three program will be offered in Austin, Texas on August 17 - 18, 2012.

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One in four living in the state of Texas – about 6.2 million people - are uninsured. It is ranked the lowest in the United States in health care. Governor-supported tort reform in the state didn’t impact health care costs one bit. Oh, and there’s no longer a state Medicaid women’s health program either.

You would like to think that those are the headlines from some third-world nation. However, according to Governor Rick Perry, Texas is doing just fine, thank you very much – so much so that he’s told the federal government that he won’t implement the Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act.

Governor Perry, in his desire to constantly remind us why he’s “Fed Up”, is slowly and steadily painting the health care of this state into a corner.

When it comes to health care, is this the state of Texas, or the state of Confusion?

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Who turned on the heat in Austin these days? We’ve already gone past the 100 degree mark, and we’re barely into the first week of June. I know that there is much debate about global climate change, but in my limited experience on the planet, I would say that something is awry.

This episode of the Ruminations deals with heat, and plenty of it.

1. The US Grand Prix has a new home in Austin, and now it has a tentative date on the F1 calendar – June 17, 2012. June in Austin can be pretty hot (see above), but it should be business as usual for the teams. They go to plenty of hot climates already – Bahrain and Abu Dhabi being two examples.

Historically, the US and Canadian events have been a week apart for some degree of travel convenience for the teams. Many years ago, they were in September and October. That sounds like a great time frame for a race in Austin, though it might be a little tenuous weather-wise in Montreal.

The FIA has a lot of scheduling issues to contend with as far as the US GP is concerned. Perhaps one of the biggest scheduling concerns is not the heat but, yes, you guessed it, the University of Texas.

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There are days when you really have to wonder about what government, in any shape or form, truly accomplishes anymore. Today - the last day of the 82nd Texas legislative session, otherwise known as Sine Die – is one of those days.

As it stands, legislators in Texas will be called back for a special session because they have yet to finalize a budget. They have come to a standstill regarding the $27 billion budget deficit. Of course, they all knew what the economic situation was like long before they arrived in Austin for this session. But after their obligatory 140 days of work (every 2 years), they still have no solutions.

I you had a bill or piece of legislation that died in committee, or was left pending ... guess what? You get to wait 590 days or so ... before you get to start the process all over again. More money, more time, and less accomplished – again. And more often than not, it has absolutely nothing to do with what is right for the constituents.

Republicans and Tea Partiers nationwide proclaim the need for “less government”. Republicans have a majority in the Texas House and Senate. My question is, can anything less be accomplished by government than already occurs? Were the founding fathers aiming for representation by population? Or representation by campaign contribution?

But wait – there were some things accomplished this session. It’s a rather interesting list indeed.

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