Sunday morning coffee and chat

Sunday, July 27, 2014 · Mike Davis

Good morning! This is a little late as I was up and out the door to go run the York Days 5K. I have mentioned a few times that I was looking forward to this race but last night after landing in Boston and getting home around 10:00, I wasn't so sure I would have it in me to get out of bed and go run. Thankfully I was motivated by the opportunity to run with my daughter Jennifer which is not been something I have been able to do in a few years. I believe the last time we actually ran a race together was the Dover Apple Harvest 5K about 3 years ago. I know that she would have been okay running without her old man, but I didn't want to pass up the opportunity. Despite being as close proximately as we have been in some time, I don't see a lot of Jenn so it was a great chance to see her as well. What better way to spend time than to run a race together! My only real goal for this race was to have fun and maybe help Jennifer get a PR. Our first mile was something like a 9:20, the second dropped below 9 to 8:53 and I believe that our final mile was around 8:30, so I do believe that was a PR for Jennifer. I was quite happy with the negative splits and all that Jennifer was able to really kick at the end and race by me! That was a bit sneaky and not something she learned from her Dad! This course helps with negative splits as it has up and down hills in great spots that help you pick up when you need to pick up. The more important goal of "having fun" was a huge success as we didn't put any focus on a particular goal and just enjoyed being out there together. You might say that the "PR" goal was a goal, but that was more just something I thought would be nice, not a must. Jennifer may have been pushed a little, but she seemed to enjoy the challenge. I am definitely blessed to have a daughter that shares a love for running with her father. Being able to run a race together is special and something that will be a good memory for both of us. The other wonderful thing about this York 5K is that I see many people that I have work with over the years and that was definitely the case today. Some I just exchange hello's with, some I chat with for a bit. Today I was able to chat with a great guy that I worked with last year in multiple training groups, Andy Howe has quickly woven himself into the seacoast running scene and it always enjoyable to chat with. Andy has a great makeup and truly embraces the act of "enjoying the run". These days I am more about enjoying the run and a lot less about beating PR's so all and all, this years York Days 5K was great! If you happen to get the magazine "Seacoast Scene" or see it out and about, be sure to pick it up and check out the article that Rob Levey wrote on yours truly. Between this article and my regular contributions for the Portsmouth Herald, I am becoming somewhat of a celebrity! Just kidding, but it is a lot of fun to share NFLR with the local community! Have a great week! Mike