2017 Brings Life to the Coach!

Wednesday, January 04, 2017 · Mike Davis

Good morning!

The holidays have passed us and now we can all focus on what we want for 2017! Grab your coffee and pull up chair.

Since leaving the military 8 months ago, I have struggled to figure things out. It seemed like being semiretired was ideal, but the reality was I have not done all that well with it. I have certainly spent a lot of time being frustrated on the golf course and while there are worse things to do, I cannot see myself putting that much time into golf. I certainly will continue play golf, but the Senior Tour is not my goal, that’s for sure. Back in the fall I took a very part-time job at the golf course and that has been a blessing for many reasons, but it is not the time in my life to settle into a retirement job. No Finish Line Running is primarily functioning in New Hampshire and well cared for. I am involved with the overall operations, but Amy, and the gang are making things happen. Where does that leave coach Mike?

When the clock struck midnight and the year transitioned from 2016 to 17, it brought with it opportunity. A friend of mine wondered how I would transition from a life of insane busy to a slower existence? It seemed okay at first, however that did not last and life became unsettling. Well, in a blink of the eye, life looks like it is moving back toward a pace that I seem to enjoy or feel more normal.

Yesterday, I not only registered for the Fitness Science class but, I also decided to take a second class, Preventing Sports Injuries. The Physical Science Certificate program I am focusing on has 6 courses and getting 2 classes done would be huge! Alone the 2 classes will be challenging for me, but the fact that I am also on the clock for the American Council on Exercise (ACE) certification and Road Runners Club of America (RRCA), Level II certification, insures that my life of leisure is going to end. Before deciding on the second class, I asked the one person who I knew would give it to me straight, my wife. She put it simply; “If you cut back the Mike activities, you can handle the workload.” In other words, golf and working out cannot be my priorities. I am okay with golf being much less, but I must start getting up a little earlier to stay up with my running and strength training. Her opinion was important because she knows me better than anyone and is well versed in my faults and the she completed the challenging ACE certification course as well. Her confidence that I am capable if I keep my priorities straight, was an important boost to my decision.

2017 is now off to a flying start with little room to relax. This week I must do 2 training plans for the RRCA cert course on Saturday, I have the material for ACE sitting here, I work the next 2 days and then I must finish the college registration process on Thursday. Come Friday I will be on the road headed to DC for the class on Saturday and then back here to make church on Sunday. When Monday comes, I will begin my classes will start and then life becomes chaotic! Pretty much the way I like it.

Ultimately my goal is to use the increased education to continue developing resources that we can use an NFLR to help our runners. I have always maintained that NFLR will be at the forefront of the current science and that requires education, both through current books and studies, as well as formal education. While I have a great team of coaches, it is up to me to look for opportunities to further our knowledge. Thankfully, I am at a time in my life that affords me the time to focus on what is my passion.

So, I guess I am coming out of retirement.

thanks for sharing your coffee with me this morning. Time for me to get off to my Wednesday morning men's group. Have a great week and a great 2017! I know I am.

God Bless!

Happy birthday Kenneth!

Mike