Quick Intervals with the Coach!

Friday, August 08, 2014 · Mike Davis

Good morning and happy Friday! Fill those mugs up to the top and let’s hit our “Quick Intervals” Last week a study came out that found moderate running can add 3 years to your life. This kind of messes with my favorite saying: “It’s not whether running will help you live longer, but it will help you get more out of your life longer”. Now you might get more life to enjoy! Seriously, running smartly can make a huge difference in your overall health and I have never doubted that it might add some extra years to your life. Smartly is the critical component in that at a certain age, mileage and speed actually work against your health. Runners don’t want to hear that, but a huge study a few years ago found that the liner around the heart can become damaged by running lots of miles and running at a fast pace after the age of 50. These two studies are consistent with each other in the health benefits and the importance of moderate running. I understand the dilemma these studies create and I will spend some more time on these findings at a later time. Not a great week of running for me due in part to my schedule, but if I get a decent run in on Saturday I will be okay with the week overall. Last night I ran 6 miles with the 10K training group and that was my only run since Saturday. Not exactly running huge amounts of miles these days and that’s not because of the previously mentioned studies. Saturday I will run 7 miles and if that goes well I will be pleased with my week. Today I decided to part ways with the Asics 33s and reunite with the Asics Nimbus. I have actually gone through 3 pairs of the 33s and while I really like them for various reasons, I have also had to battle multiple injuries over that period of time. Whether the 33s and the injuries are related I don’t know, but I have to figure it out. There are many things one can attribute injures to, but at the same time trying to force a shoe to work might not be wise. I will update my coffee partners as I log miles on the Nimbus. Definitely something I will chat about in depth after I get some miles on the Nimbus. If you have any experience with switching between zero drop and cushioned shoes, please share. Next Tuesday night is the night to show up at Runners Alley Portsmouth, if you are feel ready to train for a half marathon. For my fifth consecutive year I will be helping runners of various levels prepare to run 13.1 miles. Once again Kathleen Davis will be alongside of me to be the ying to my yang and Nichole Spirito will fill out our coaching team. This is advertised as a beginner half marathon training, but throughout the years many repeat half marathoners have joined the training. Some need the structure and some just enjoy the social side of training. Any which way, if you want to train for the Seacoast Half Marathon, get down to Runners Alley in Portsmouth and sign up now! Saunders 10k race in Rye is less than 2 weeks out, but there are bibs still to be had, so if you want to run a fun Thursday evening race, this is a good one! Of course this race is part of the Pro Portsmouth Seacoast Series so that adds to the race’s popularity. I will be out on the course cheering on our 10K Intermediate team, but you can bet if I see you, I will give you a loud shout out! Time to finish my coffee and head to the gym. Have a great weekend and thanks for having coffee with me! Mike