Marathon training coach Sam DavisI’ve been running for a long time; I went out for cross-country my junior year of high school in 1977 and our team won the Vermont State title and brought home the first championship of any sport in the school’s history. I also ran track even though my high school did not have a track of its own; we did our laps around the school parking lot! I had enough modest success that I decided to run in college and it was there that I began to learn what it really took to become a distance runner. By the end of my college career I was a cross-country champion and owned two school records in track.  

For the next several decades I competed on the local and regional level in road races. By my last estimate, I think I’ve completed over 1,000 races in my career, including finishing over 30 marathons. I continue to race from time to time, albeit much slower, but am thankful to still be able to put one foot in front of the other. 

It wasn’t until 2005 that I was approached by RunVermont and offered the opportunity to teach their Marathon 201 class. I was hesitant at first only because I wasn’t sure I had the ability to impart any knowledge I might have to others, but I gave it a go! Along the way, I have obtained advanced certifications from USA Track and Field in Endurance (Level II), as well as my Level II certification from Road Runners Club of America. For the last 15 years I have been the running coach for RunVermont including the past three years as the on-line coach for the New2-26.2 training program for the Vermont City Marathon 

I am excited to contribute to RunVermont’s blog and offer any sort of training advice I can to help runners achieve their goals of finishing the marathon. Whether it’s advice about training plans or running shoes, I’m excited to discuss all things running. I look forward to taking the journey with you!