Social media is rapidly becoming a part of our daily reality. We now have many ways to share our world online – our photos, our current thoughts and activities, and even our current geographical location. All in real-time.

We have access to data like never before. We also have the ability to share that data – like never before. Lo and behold, we now have the “status update”.

But this data can also come at you like a fire hose stream of water. It can feel like you’re swimming upstream, against the current, in a fast-flowing river. It never stops. It flows past you while you stand there, up to your knees in it.

Sometimes you can dip your toes in it, then pull away from it. Other times, you’re sucked into the oppressive flow of random thoughts, irreverent at times, irrelevant at times, utterly stupendous at others.

We now update our status – regularly. But we’re faced with the challenge of separating the signal from the noise. And there are definitely times when the noise rules the roost. Much like a bear, you bury your head in the stream, then grab a fish and pull it out. There. Got it. Now on to the next fish. In the meantime, the stream flows around you.

At times, you have to wonder - what value does this add to our existence?  

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In a nation like the United States - a proud nation that managed to put a man on the moon within a decade - it is a sad state of affairs when mediocrity drives anything. This is a country that has never been known for mediocrity – until we found 17% of our GDP going into health care.

Most would agree that the US health care system provides access to some of the best technology and procedures in the world. It provides patients with some of the best clinicians in the world.

But within that construct, the system has a set of misguided incentives and profound mediocrity. Until these issues are addressed, true health care reform will never materialize.

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The NFL draft has always proven to be an adventure in guesswork, to say the least. The “next big thing” ends up on the first train out of town. Or perhaps the low-rounder steps up and proves that he was well worth his weight in ticket prices.

If there is any position in which this can be an utter crap shoot, it is at quarterback. Step right up, roll the dice and take your chances.

If you look at the history of the NFL draft, you’ll find a lot of first round quarterback draft picks currently or formerly residing on the “where are they now” list. It is actually quite fascinating when you consider that this more often than not reflects “conventional wisdom” for the NFL. You know how it is - “he’s got all the skills, the body type, the college resume, blah blah blah”. Talk is cheap, and there is lots of it.

Then, after he’s been selected as a first rounder, he suddenly looks no better than the janitor throwing paper into the trash bin. Well, maybe not as bad as the janitor – but you get my point. Actually, the janitor might throw a tighter spiral and fumble fewer times, but I digress.

The discussion gets even better when you look at quarterbacks that were number one overall draft picks.

How about this stunning list from yesteryear. In hindsight, would you pick any of them for your fantasy football team?

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This is the fourth in a series of RunSmart videos. The series is on-going, with a new video released on a biweekly or monthly 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 transcription of the video will also be available with each post.

For those of you that are interested in a more interactive learning environment, consider attending a RunSmart Level One, Level Two, or Level Three program. Level One focuses on Principles, Level Two on Performance and Training Program Development, and Level Three on Physiotherapy and Running Injury Recovery.

In this video, I will discuss the first key element to running mechanics: erect posture. There are a some simple verbal cues that can foster an improvement in your running mechanics via alterations in posture.

I hope you enjoy the video series. If you would like me to address any specific aspect of the RunSmart approach, drop me an email or add a comment to this article.

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