I write this on the airplane as I return from the Running USA conference in Orlando.  Yes, it was nice to be away from the snow and cold for a couple of days.  We did get to take a group run through the Animal Kingdom before it opened one morning.  And, I was able to have dinner one evening at Downtown Disney.  But, that was the extent of my "magical" Disney experience.  This truly was, as it should have been, a working trip.

 

Our days started early with the group runs - one at 6:15 a.m., the other at 5:30 a.m.  It was a great way to get in my daily miles; but, these were really mobile networking sessions.  We had over 6 hours each day of sessions on a wide variety of topics directly related to the business side of our sport.  There were multiple opportunities to visit with vendors that provide any and all of the services needed to support the running industry.  The keynote speech by the VP of Disney Sports provided a fascinating insight into the underlying philosophy of how Disney operates their properties.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner allowed me to meet new colleagues; gain insight on how others conduct their events; and, "steal" ideas and practices that have been successful for others.  Finally, the conference was an occasion to develop new relationships and strengthen existing ones.  I do believe that the information I gathered over these last 3 days will pay dividends to Run Wild Missoula's members, events, classes and activities.

 

These last few days have also reinforced to me how important it is to engage in continuous learning and in always being open and willing to interact with people.  In many ways, the brain is just like our running muscles.  When we regularly exercise our brain by reading, thinking, solving problems, taking classes and going to conferences (i.e. learning) - we keep our brain strong and healthy.  We keep the circuits engaged and the synapses firing.  When we quit learning, our brain can, at best, become soft and sluggish.  At worst, it begins to atrophy; and, the next thing you know you begin to lose critical thinking skills.  As the old public service commercial used to say - "A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste".  Don't let it happen to you.  Remember to exercise your brain with the same commitment that you put towards exercising your body.

 

We all have times where interacting with people can be the last thing that you want to do.  Many of us fear "breaking the ice" when we have to be around people that we've not met before.  But, you know what - you're all in the same boat.  So, don't be afraid to be the one to make the first introduction or to start a conversation.  It's amazing how often those painful first steps can lead to meeting fascinating individuals; gaining a new perspective; or, building a new and lasting friendship.

 

You may be asking what exactly does continuous learning and public interaction have to do with running, RWM and its members?  Well, I like to think that running and walking are only part of a fit, active and healthy lifestyle.  Yes, our physical fitness is vitally important to that lifestyle.  So, is our mental, social and emotional health.  Is being fit physically, emotionally and mentally the magic elixir from the fountain of youth - maybe it is, maybe it isn't.  But, all evidence seems to suggest that it certainly leads to a better quality of life.  In the end, isn't that enough to justify exercising the entire body?

 

  See you on the roads, tracks and trails.