Jumping around....

Sunday, July 22, 2012 · Mike Davis

This week I was in Tennessee for work and I can’t say that I enjoyed my time, but it goes that way some times. Today I’m going to hit some quick thoughts.

With about 12 minutes to get from one gate to another (about a quarter mile and about six set of stairs), I sprinted while wearing flip flops. Myself and another guy that was in my same predicament coasted in with about 5 minutes to spare. Only to be told that our plane was delayed for an hour because we had no pilots! Oh my gosh! So I settled in with a cup of coffee and just watched all the activity. Sad to say but I observed more people than ever before sprinting as I had in attempt to get to their connecting plane and one poor unfortunate guy had his backpack open and his laptop fall out. How frustrating is it to fly anymore! I also thought that it’s all the more reason to take up running. Really, it seems like some of these people might collapse right in there in the airport as it appears the only time they ever run is when they are at they are trying to catch a plane!

Traditionally on trips such as this one the groups I work with go out for a dinner once during the week and this week was no exception. We went to Calhoun’s on River which is a wonderful place to eat if you’re ever in Knoxville Tennessee. On the drive there I commented out loud that the sidewalk along the river would be a great place run. One of the guys responded: “I don’t get running, I just go the 1.5 miles required for the fitness test.” Let’s just say that most the people in the van were not exactly in shape, so I just responded by saying: “I enjoy both deserts and running!” Sometimes you have to realize that you don’t have the ability to help some people “get it”!

This week was the Stratham Fair and that’s kind of the kickoff of the race season in my mind. Thunder Chicken is this Thursday night with Saunders 10K a few weeks out. End of summer is kind of a bummer, but the next 12 weeks are some of the best times of the year. I haven’t signed up for Thunder Chicken but I enjoy that particular race and will see how the week plays out. Races are great for just catching up with people I haven’t seen in a while. I haven’t done many group runs this summer as my schedule hasn’t really made that possible. I did sign my wife and I up for the BAA Half marathon in October. I’m excited about running in Boston and I think I will pick up the intensity with my training as well.

Last week I was a volunteer for the Pease 7K race that was in its second year. The event improved from last year and will hopefully continue to grow as it benefits the Pease Make-A-Wish project. However, I strongly believe they need to forge the idea of a 7K and drop it down to a 5K race. The weather was extremely hot and both the runners and walkers struggled with the extra distance. July is the hottest time of the year on the seacoast of New Hampshire and 5K’s are the furthest you want mostly novice runners going. As I noted above Saunders 10K is only a few weeks away, but evenings tend to have less humidity and people have more opportunity to hydrate properly. I understand the novel concept, but a good race doesn’t need to have a novelty.

Finally, Runners Alley Half marathon training for the Seacoast Half Marathon will be starting up in mid-August and for the third consecutive year I have agreed to coach this great group. This year my running partner and wife will be working with me as well so I’m pretty excited about that! I’m also excited that the training plan I’m putting together will improve the overall training and benefit every level of runner. One of the big frustrations is that people of all levels are now doing the training and it makes it difficult as they all have different goals. I’m confident that the training plan I am developing will provide opportunities for all levels of runners. Get yourself up to 3 miles and come on out for a life changing opportunity!