Bring on 2017!

Sunday, January 01, 2017 · Mike Davis

Happy New Year!

2017 is now officially here and no one could be happier than I! While 2016 had some nice moments, I believe 2017 will be the best year ever. This New Year will offer challenges and opportunities for No Finish Line Running as well as for myself. Let’s look ahead…

Next Saturday I will be back in the District of Columbia area for the Road Runners Club of America’s (RRCA) new Level II running coach certification course. This has been a while in the making and I now understand what took it so long to get off the ground. The Level II certification process starts with the one class but, is then followed by 12 individual modules that will take an additional 12 months. Having been certified by RRCA as a running coach is a great thing, but now having a chance to further that certification to an even greater level is awesome! One of NFLR’s pillars, is our ceaseless education in all things running. Having a team of certified coaches is important, however, continuous education is imperative to providing the best coaching to all runners. RRCA’s addition of this in-depth certification course is not only valuable on paper but, gives me opportunity to sharpen my overall coaching. I spend a lot of time self-educating myself through every means possible but, when I can find a formal opportunity, I jump it. Great way to start off the New Year!

Our NFLR-NH team spent the later part of 2016 plotting out a blueprint for 2017. The “Winter Pacers” is a great example of their planning. Twice a week NFLR-NH provides opportunity (at no cost) for runners to get out and run. While this group started out in 2016, it carries into the New Year and will run through until the spring. Instead of using a fee to gain commitment from the runners, we are offering nice prizes to participants based on their participation. Helping runners, run through the winter is so awesome!

If you follow my “Coffee and Chat with the Coach” regularly, you will know how much I value cross-training. With never-ending goals of helping runners become stronger, more efficient and reduce injuries, I continue to stress both functional strength training and Pilates. American Counsel for Exercise (ACE) is one of the most respected fitness certification organizations available and while I am studying my Level II running certification, I will also be enrolled in the ACE fitness training certification as well. Yes, it will be a challenge for me to manage but, it will provide great benefit to our runners and that is most important to me. There is also a possibility if it can work out financially that I will begin a fitness training certificate program at the local community college, starting as early as January 9th.

NFLR-NH will continue to roll out opportunities for runners of all level throughout 2017 with our group training as well as working with individual runners. Our website continues to be an evolving resource for our runners as well as our coaches and in the coming months you will see additional content that will benefit all runners. Come fall, NFLR will be back up north enjoying scenic North Conway while running the “White Mountain Milers Half Marathon and Relay”.

2017 will be a year of transition for myself and NFLR but, it will be a great opportunity for myself and our team of coaches. I hope you are looking forward to a healthy and fulfilling 2017.

One of my focuses in 2017 is my commitment to my faith and so with that, I am off to church! Happy New Year and may God Bless it!

Mike