Coffee and Chat with the Coach

Wednesday, February 04, 2015 · Mike Davis

Good morning! Wednesday doesn’t mean hump day for me this week as I will be out at the base working this weekend. I have missed quite a few days of work between my injury and the snow so I am okay with spending some time at my desk. I still have some value to the mission so being there does make a difference some days. This stretch of weather has really wreaked havoc with so many activities as well as people’s psyche. Thankfully we have had “the center” to utilize for nights like last night when it was not safe to be on the roads running. Those that made it were able to get a good cardio and core workout that we call “Runners Circuit.” This workout combines many exercises along with a good amount of mountain climbers to give the participants a boot camp workout for runners. Not as extreme as a boot camp workout, but not exactly easy. If you asked any of the people that went through the workout I believe they would highly recommend it for multiple benefits. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is getting a lot of great press lately and is said to be the thing to do in 2015. This circuit workout we did tonight may fit into HIIT. As I mentioned people’s psyche is also taking a beating with all the adverse effects that come with the snow and frigid temperatures we are experiencing. It is so easy to be drained mentally by this weather and to even give in to it. I know it is very difficult for me to drag myself out of bed at 5am and get myself motivated to workout. As hard as it can be mentally, overcoming that and getting that workout or run in is critical to surviving and even thriving through the winter. As soon as I give in, I will be even more miserable than I am going out in the cold to get to my workout. The discipline required is immense but the mental gain is not something you can get any other way. I do wish though that I had a car starter on days like today! The Center is such a great resource with all that we have going on. Tonight at 6:30 for example is a strength & conditioning class with Jas that has so much value and takes only 45 minutes. Where else can you drop in for $6.00 and go through a workout that will help you in specific ways that no other workout will. Tomorrow night at 5:30 you can drop in for $10.00 and enjoy an amazing Pilates class that has people really excited! These classes are both great opportunities that will help you in many ways that show themselves during the running season or just in your everyday life. Mix in the Runners Circuit class and now you have yourself taking advantage of winter training and helping yourself both physically and mentally. These resources are exactly what I envisioned when we opened The Center and hopefully you will take advantage of them. Also don’t forget that Jas will be hosting an info morning this Saturday at 10am at The Center. Great way to come and learn about SPORT and how you can improve upon your running and other endurance sports. Jasmin is an amazing wealthy of knowledge and experience when it comes to strength & conditioning. I am amazed when I observe him in action and how he relates every movement he teaches to functional specificity. If you have a particular weakness he has a way to address it and that will mean a lot to your overall functional capability. The coffee is really making it difficult to get up and go start my truck. The warmth of the rich flavor is amazing on a cold morning such as today. Sounds like I’m stalling I know, but I am actually right on schedule this morning. In order to keep on schedule though I will bid you a great day and leave you with this; “Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars!” If you are my age you just might know who said that weekly. Be well! Hope to see many of you either tonight at our 6:30 strength and conditioning or tomorrow night at our open night Pilates. Both are a great way to get fit and ready! God Bless! Mike