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).

The commercial will go something like this ...

I don't think words would suffice for the look on my face and the joy in my heart when I opened the package. At 6:25 pm, it was real - finally - my first book in print, right there before my eyes!

I can't say that it has really sunk in just yet. Part of that is because of the sheer mental effort required to simply get it out the door. Let's face it - I'm pooped from it all. Six months of writing wasn't a big deal, in all honesty. The writing part was truly enjoyable - challenging, but enjoyable. It was the month of editing that took it's toll!

Twenty years ago this month, I graduated with a degree in physical therapy. Now, twenty years later, I have seen the birth of my first book. I guess that after at least 25,000 patient visits, I could muster up at least 48,447 words. Those are some crazy numbers - in hindsight.

The next chapter ... has already started writing itself ...

Priceless, it is!

It's been forty years now ... forty years ago today. April 4, 1968 - the day the earth stood still - the day that Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

To many, it's simply a milestone of our historical era. Time passes, history is made, important people die, events happen - repeat ad infinitum.

But perhaps that's what makes this so worrisome to me, so sad, so heart-wrenching - because to many, it IS simply "another day in history", another day left to the annals of the history books, for children and their children to read about years and years from now.

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It was only a matter of time before the issues of gender and race made their way squarely into this political campaign. As we approach the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King's assassination, it's high time to pause and consider one of the biggest issues that plagues this country today.

If you do but one thing today ... please take the time to watch (or read) Barack Obama's speech from Philadelphia today. We owe it to ourselves, our country, and our future ...

You can find the transcript here - Transcript of Obama's Speech in Philadelphia 3/18/2008

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.

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I promised myself I wouldn't make my next post in a political vein, but thanks to the Democratic Party (or certain members thereof), I had to do so.

Why?

I think this is truly cause for concern - for a nation.

I am sure by now you've heard Geraldine Ferraro's comments in the press. If not, hold on tight because here they are ...

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Today is a big day in Texas. It's election day - and with any luck, the picture of our impending national election in November will be a little clearer.

In the midst of all of this, and after discussions with many (because "talking politics" starts to feel like "talking Longhorns football"), I found myself wondering about the potentialities that are ahead of us. So before the events of today play themselves out completely, I thought I'd throw out a few thoughts in no certain order ...

Let's take a look at our contestants.

I've got to start off with a comment by the Clinton campaign this past week - about how Barack Obama doesn't have the "experience" necessary to be president (and, of course, following that up with "... and Hillary does").

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