Weekly ramblings

Sunday, April 22, 2012 · Mike Davis

Good day!

It’s a beautiful Sunday morning! Yes indeed, rain is long overdue and much needed, so it’s truly a beautiful Sunday morning! I just got through week number one of my sabbatical from running and so far it has had its up and downs, but a few bike rides has kept me sane. As I sit here, I’m trying to remember when I last took off more than a few days from running and I can only come up with back in 2009 after the San Diego marathon. I have missed a few days consecutively a few times for various reasons, but I have been pretty much running non-stop for 3 years. Not good!

Today is another one of those “you know its running season”, because he in Dover NH, they are running “Reds Shoe Barn” 5 mile race. I know its changed names over the years, but that’s what many of us still refer to it as. Not only a race that marks the start of running season, but one that supports our local community. Not every race is supports a cause, but most do give something back to the community or to some charity. So races are not only great ways to motivate you, but you are also contributing to helping others that desperately need our help. Budget cuts are seriously impacting many of our less fortunate and those organizations are left to find other resources to continue providing desperately needed help. I know that not every race contributes as much as some such as Reds, but all of us that sign up and run races are not only leading the way fitness wise, but also helping others.

Another indication that running season is in full bloom is last Monday’s running of the Boston Marathon. Despite incredible warm temperatures many of my great running friends stepped to the starting line and pushed through to the end. Congratulations to Vicki and Kerri especially. Both of you ran for a cause and again, you made a difference.

This week I will meet with a group of over 20 people at Pease that want to train and run a 10K race. The military continues to require greater fitness to maintain membership and the Air National Guard is now on the same playing field with the active duty components. Despite the being an older force as well as not having a daily opportunity to work out (as the active duty does), the Guard has the same standards. My duty as the Base fitness manager is to maintain a program that meets the Air Force standards and improves overall fitness. Not an easy duty, but we have progressed and many of our thousand or so members are healthier today because they have become more fit. A few years ago, I could hardly get 15 people to participate in 5K training and now I have over 20 for a 10K group! Should be lots of fun!

Do you know anyone that has never run before and would like to become a runner? I am looking to train a totally non- runner to run 5K. Personally helping someone that has never run before would be a wonderful experience and would also help me to be a better coach. If you know of anyone that would like to experience the empowerment through running you have, please contact me.

Enjoy your week and run on…

mike