Another year older!

Thursday, February 20, 2014 · Mike Davis

Good Afternoon Runners! Today I am celebrating my 51st birthday and so far it has been relaxing and fulfilling. This morning I took advantage of the sunshine to get out and run 6 point something miles and I must say I enjoyed each and every step. My course of choice lately is the Reds Shoe Barn 5 mile course which starts about one mile from our house, so it is perfect for a 6 to 7 mile run. If you haven't run this race, you should definitely add it to your race schedule. The course is hilly but very enjoyable and it is always lots of fun! This year my daughter Jennifer will be lining up along side Kathy and I to run the race, so I am excited about that! This years race will be a part of the new Dover Series so the number of runners will probably increase. The Dover Series will be an interesting one to follow as they try to mimic the success of the Seacoast Series. More than a few times lately I hear people saying that running is getting more popular than ever. I love hearing that and I believe there is no limit to how big the sport of running can grow. Looking back at the past year I believe that hitting my fifties has definitely increased my physical challenges. Without a regular training routine I most definitely can't throw on a pair of sneakers and knock out sub 8 minute miles any longer. In the best of conditions I can run an 8:30 mile, but to get below that I have to push or be pulled. Recently I have added intervals back to my weekly training and hopefully that will help me close the gap between 7:45 and 8:30. As I have commented on a few times the past few months, I am pleased with my improved running form (gait) and am now getting more knee action and propulsion. At least I would like to think that I am improving, but to be sure I will get my buddy Lew to video tape me and I will once again break down my running gait. Physically I feel better and my hip has given me a lot less problems. A couple weeks ago I felt some pain on the outside of my knee and without a doubt I knew it was my own fault as I had gotten away from foam rolling. After a few sessions with my foam roller, I am happy to say that my knee feels great! Even a running coach who should know better, ignores the basics of post stretching. Moving forward I am going to determine what type of mileage gives me the best chance of running healthy? We all would like to think we can run, 10Ks, half marathons and even marathons, but in reality our bodies are not always in sync with our desires. Without a doubt this is a very difficult determination as our physical limitations often collide with our goals. One of my jobs as a running coach is to help runners run various distances and there are times when it is apparent that those distances are greater than a particular runner should be running. That's when it gets tricky, but I will never encourage anyone to push further when it is obvious that they shouldn't. That may mean I turn down some financial gain, but it is far more important that I stick with my belief in No Finish Line Running. I don't want to help someone cross a particular finish line unless I believe they will be able to continue running beyond it. I understand the difficulty in that realization all to well as I figure what distance will keep me running for many more years and I am somewhat confident it may be far less than I may desire. Once again the white stuff is falling and honestly April can't get here soon enough! Be safe out there and let's look forward to better days ahead. New Hampshire would be a poor example of global warming! Mike