It's a noisy world we live in.

"Noise" is not just of the "sound" variety. We are bombarded with sensory information all day long. It is a 24/7 process. We live in a world of data. Our senses take in so much data about the world around us that we can't even process all of it. You can't get away from information. Some have even gone so far as to call it "information overload".

And I can't agree more.

Why even discuss noise? It was brought to my attention by a client's comments to me yesterday. He remarked that in the time I have known him, I've always been able to "filter out the noise of the situation" to find solutions - as a PT and as a coach.

Evidence-based practice. EBP. It's become one of the catch phrases of our era. In a land of randomized clinical trials, case reports, and clinical observation, clinicians are constantly seeking out the evidence to support their diagnostic and treatment interventions.

It's a phrase that is in vogue in the health care world. The concept certainly makes sense. Good research ... good data ... good conclusions ... an overall improvement in our practice patterns ... and overall good for the patient. How can you beat the logic of that?

If it was only that simple. Well, hold on a minute - maybe it is.

It seems that everyone is searching for the "magic workout", the key(s) to training success. If you look at any number of magazines on the market these days, the predominant themes are along these lines:

"Seven tips for your fastest 5K ever."

"Twenty workouts to your best Ironman."

And so on and so on - and it doesn't change from sport to sport.

While the search goes on for that one special workout that is going to make the critical difference in training results (or that one special exercise that will lead you to a miraculous recovery from injury), we've forgotten something elemental about the human body. It needs time to recover. All the "right workouts" in the world aren't going to make any difference if you've not done what you need to do in order to foster your recovery.

The world of health and health care has become a turf war - and a rather aggressive one at that. It's a significant problem on many levels - some more obvious than others. After you've been a part of it for 20+ years, you see some rather ugly scenarios underlying all of it.

Start out on the political level. "Health care" has become a battle between Republicans and Democrats. Who will provide us with a universal health care plan that is feasible and can gain bipartisan support? Or do any of the politicians really care to see this occur anyways? Will the lobbyists manage to coerce the politicians yet again? Will they convince them that universal health care "can't be accomplished" and "isn't a feasible solution" yet, strangely enough, it seems to provide pretty darn good results in many nations around the world?

Welcome to the official book release party for "RunSmart: A Comprehensive Approach To Injury-Free Running" - live from Austin, Texas at 7:00 pm central time. The live videostream should begin at approximately 7:15 pm central time with introductions and some words from the author, Allan Besselink, PT, Dip.MDT - Director of Smart Sport International and the Smart Life Institute.

For those who weren't able to make it, here it is!!

The Smart Life Institute network feed can also be found at www.ustream.tv/channel/smart-life-institute.

It's a month later than expected, but I can now say that the time is finally upon us. May 1, 2008 is the official release date for the first edition of "RunSmart: A Comprehensive Approach to Injury-Free Running".

Are you:

A new runner?

An experienced runner seeking improved performance?

An injured runner, or a runner with a history of running injuries?

A triathlete, searching for that improved run split?

Or a runner simply trying to remain injury-free and improve your performance, all at the same time?

RunSmart is designed for you.

The paperback version is now available on this site and directly at www.lulu.com/content/2410779. It is also now available at select local retailers including South Congress Athletic Club. A special edition hardcover version is also available at www.lulu.com/content/2410751.

Also of note: the official release party will be held Saturday May 17 at 7:00 pm at South Congress Athletic Club, the home of the Smart Life Institute (1109-B South Congress Avenue, Austin). Parking is on Music Lane behind the SoCo Center. Copies of the book will be available at this time. Should you not be able to attend, there will be a live video stream direct from the event which will be broadcast on this site (7:00 pm central time).

Language is an amazing thing. Yes, we use it (or try to anyways!) on a daily basis - but sometimes the true meaning and context of words gets lost in the cultural usage of the word. Let's face it - language is only as good as our understanding of the words we use. I've found it helpful to, at times, go back to a dictionary and revisit the true definition of a word and the context in which it is relevant.

Here's a recent example from the annals of my world:

ed·u·ca·tion – noun:

1. the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.

Interesting concept.