This is the 17th 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 One program will be offered in Austin on June 30, 2012. The next Level Three program will be offered in Austin, Texas on August 17 - 18, 2012.

In this video, I discuss MDT and running injuries. MDT, or Mechanical Diagnosis And Therapy, is a mechanical assessment process that emphasizes self care strategies and injury prevention. MDT is, from my perspective, the optimal means of assessment and treatment of running injuries.

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Number six: The number of losses that the Longhorns have had in the Big 12 Championship game. After Saturday’s loss to Kansas, they are now 0 – 6 all-time – a streak that does not provoke much pride in the faithful. Coach Rick Barnes has done a great job of getting the Horns to the championship game consistently over the years, but has yet to seal the deal. Four of those losses have come against Kansas. Ah the reality of Big 12 basketball. Rock Chalk Jayhawk is here to stay.

Number four: The blowout loss to Kansas resulted in the other major number for the Longhorns today – the number four. March madness is now officially upon us, and the Longhorns go into the West region as a #4 seed. What was once looking like a solid #2 heading to San Antonio is now a #4 on the road to … Anaheim. Oh joy, indeed.

“Six and four” could have easily been one and two. Just a few weeks ago, it was easy to believe that the Longhorns first Big 12 Championship was around the next corner, as was a number one or two seed in the Southwest Region. Now, the reality check - are the Horns entering the Big Dance on the right foot? Or is this going to be another year in which the Horns dance with two left feet and exit stage left in the process?

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The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has done a fine job of producing a vision statement – Vision 2020 – that contains many issues that are both pertinent and relevant to the health and survival of the profession. But the harsh reality is this: a 20 year window in which to accomplish this has seriously undermined the profession. Two decades? Glaciers have been known to move faster. Congress even moves faster – albeit barely.

Professional autonomy drives the success or failure of all of the issues of our profession. At this point, we talk the talk about autonomy, but frankly, we don’t walk it.

As Henry Ford once noted, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't – either way, you're right”. People will behave in a manner that is consistent with their self image and self perception.

It is time to put an end to incremental thinking and self-destructive behaviors about our professional autonomy. It is time for a reality check, for disruption, for revolution, and for change.

It is time for “Vision Now” – a manifesto for physical therapists.

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But wait, there’s more March Madness to be had in Texas. The Texas Legislature now in full swing. Now that is madness.

The Texas March Madness started earlier in the year by giving emergency status to a bill regarding pre-abortion ultrasounds, at a time when there are bigger fish to fry. As it stands, there is still a $27 billion budget deficit to be dealt with. I guess that as a politician, it is important to know where to put the priorities of your constituents. Slash a program here or there, make huge budget cuts that affect millions, and, well, spend hours in session debating the “emergency” status of this bill. Please feel free to inject a large dose of sarcasm here.

So with Madness in mind, I present Episode 10 – a little health care, a little Texas, a little cycling, and a lot of Rhubarb.

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