This is the 19th 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.

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.

In this video, I discuss another pillar of RunSmart: recovery. Your training is only as good as your ability to recover from your training sessions and adapt to them.

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For those in the US that didn’t know or, perhaps more accurately, really didn’t care – there was a federal election held in the country north of the US on Monday, May 2.

As luck would have it, having an election just three days after a Royal Wedding and one day after Bin Laden’s death didn’t exactly guarantee very much coverage in the American newspapers. Not that a Canadian election would ever gain much news traction in this country anyways.

Living just one mile from the state of New York, I grew up watching US political coverage on TV. Let’s face it - Canada has just one-tenth the population of the United States, and at times about one-tenth the level of news excitement and political intrigue. Nonetheless, let’s take a look at five fun facts about the current Canadian political climate and how similar (and different) it is compared to the politics south of the 49th parallel (the line of latitude that serves as the main border between Canada and the United States).

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Research studies are done in order to provide evidence to either confirm or refute theories or best practices. But a rather significant question comes to light. Why bother doing them in the first place if we don’t want to hear the results and are not going to utilize those results if they are counter to our beliefs or agendas?

It would appear that political agendas are winning out over evidence more and more these days. Case in point: tort reform in Texas.

The consumer has repeatedly been told that tort reform will help to decrease health care costs – or something along similar lines. Now, we have yet another study that reveals that no, actually, it doesn’t.

Score: Evidence – 0, Political Agenda – 1. The loser? The consumer, of course.

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A lot of folks might get a little superstitious about the number 13. Many would consider it an unlucky number. Sure, there are plenty of examples of 13 being a little unlucky. Apollo 13 had its problems - launching on April 11, 1970 at 13:13 CST and having an explosion of an oxygen tank on April 13, 1970.  Some buildings don’t even have a 13th floor.

But to this writer, 13 has always been a good number. Why, I am not sure – but sometimes, you don’t ask.

The topic of speed and efficiency seems to be on my mind these days. Maybe it’s because I spent the better part of 18 hours last week waiting to make a 3 minute testimony in a committee meeting. Hurry up – and wait. Dedication to the cause, or insanity personified? You make the call. The Ruminations will head down that road and see where it ends.

1. Let’s start with something that does not move fast, and seems to be losing efficiency left and right – the US Postal Service. The postage rates keep climbing because they are losing money. Ever wonder why?

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