Coach Mike Reif is a certified USA Track and
Field Coach. He has advanced degrees in Biology, Physical Education and Education Administration. He has worked extensively
under the tutlege of Dr. Jack Daniels for nearly 20 years. Dr. Daniel's is a world renown exercise physiologist who is often
referred to as the "Worlds Best Running Coach", so Coach Reif feels privileged to have an ongoing mentee relationship
with him.
Coach Reif has coached the Genesee Valley Harriers Running Club (GVH) since it's inception in 1996,
including it's USATF Elite Development Program for qualifying men and women. GVH Master's teams have won over 30 USATF
National Championship team titles and an equal number of runner-up titles. Individual National Championship titles have
been won by numerous GVH master's runners at distances ranging from 200 meters to the 10 K. Several have set World and American
Age Group Records, and/or achieved World Master's Rankings.
Coach Reif has provided spring coaching and clinics
to the Greater Rochester Track Club since 1995. Co-coaches have included: Stacy Prey Barkstrom, a three time Division I All
American athlete; as well as with age group World Mile Record Holder, Carolyn Smith-Hanna. The clinics focus on developing
and experiencing a variety of training strategies, proper bio-mechanics, nutrition, injury prevention and racing strategies.
As a runner, Coach Reif has been competing in races for over 50 years. A sprinter and middle distance runner in his
youth, he did "intervals" on the Streets of NYC as he made deliveries for his parents during summer jobs. In high
school and college he was a multi-time cross country course record holder, was a 5 time finisher of the Boston Marathon,
is now an experienced mountain runner and most recently has taken up snowshoe racing to supplement his running. He has been
a member of a collegiate State Championship team, AAU Open National Championship team and USATF National Master's Championship
teams. His personal best finish was an 11th place finish at the USA National 30 K Championship in 1967 to help his
Millrose AA team win the National AAU Team Championship title. He continues to run today, setting yearly goals and finding
new challenges to feed his passion for running. Retired from a nearly 40 year professional career as a Special Education
Administrator at Monroe #1 BOCES and as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical
Center. Coach Reif also promotes healthy and positive living for all ages through his 1-2-3 Live Well Now philosophy. A
former statewide and national advocate for children and adults with developmental disabilities he and his wife Sandie now
advocate for and sponsor many youth and adult running events. This, to encourage others to make running and positive energy
a life long pursuit and passion. Sandie and Coach Reif take pride in their three adult children, Gina (39), Christie (38)
and Mike Jr. (37) who all enjoyed success as athletes during their childhood and as young adults. Today they model that lifestyle
with their six offspring. Individualized training plans can be developed for beginner fitness enthusiasts to
elite athletes with the overall goal being to improve their overall fitness, speed, endurance and athletic performance.
For a modest fee Coach Reif will provide a tailored plan for you and weekly feedback on progress and strategies to improve.
To find out more about developing an individualized plan, joining the Genesee Valley Harriers Running Club or
participating in a training clinic, email Coach Reif. See below.
Coach Reif recognized by Running Times Magazine in July/August 2011 Issue
Click here to email Coach Reif
Link to the Genesee Valley Harriers Running Club
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| Coach Mike Reif |
The Amazing Story of Ben James: Ben James, age 49, in this picture, (#333) wins 2006 USATF National
Masters Indoor Championships in 200 & 400 meters. Ben trains daily and works with Coach Reif twice a week to prepare for
National and World Championships. His goal is to repeat that performance in 2007 after a long illness. Can he do it? Stay
tuned . . .
The
amazing thing that happened took place on March 26, 2007! Unknow to all his competitors and teammates, Ben overcame cancer
and chemotherapy treatment between August 2006 and January 2007. He returned to training in January 2007 looking gaunt with
no hair, having lost 10 pounds of muscle mass. He trained diligently for three months and went on to win the USATF Masters
National Indoor Track & Field Champiionships in the 400 meters as a 50 year old. Truly an amazing and heroic feat! The
entire running community is extremely proud of Ben's accomplishments. He went on to the outdoor track . . . and the World
Championships in Riccone Italy September 4-15, 2007. Unfortunately, in the finals at the World Championships a judge disqualified
Ben and he was unable to finish. All the competitors and spectators said the judges were wrong to DQ him, as he would have
won. Competitors awarded him a medal for his efforts and sportsmanship. Update: July 30, 2011 Ben James (age 54) recovered
from injuries sustained in the winter of 2011. At the USATF National Masters Track and Field Championships (Ohio) Ben won
both the 400 (54.18) and 200 (24.16) meter dashes, both seasonal best times. He won by approximately
1 second over his competitors which in the sprint world is huge. Carolyn Smith-Hanna is on the comeback trail
from injuries. Now 60, the former World Record Holder in the Mile at age 50 and 55, took 2nd in the 800 and 3rd in the 1500
m. run. Both times were seasonal bests for Carolyn. Another GVH'er, Jim May, age 65, took the bronze medal
in the 5000m in a great time of 19:59.44. Two days before the event he had predicted "Something just below 20 mins.".
I so it was.
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Carolyn Smith-Hanna only began running at age 48 but broke
12 American Records and 5 World Records from 400 meters to the 5K. She has won over 17 Individual National Championships in
7 years. She is a true example of what hard work and following a strategic training plan can get you.
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