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. He has guided Open Elite runners
to place at national championship events, make US Olympic Trials, National
teams and participate at World Championships events. GVH's Open Men and Women frequently win USATF- Niagara Association team
and individual championships.
GVH Master's teams have won over 100 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 Half Marathon. Several have set World and American Age Group Records,
and/or achieved World Master's Rankings. In 2016 GVH Masters Teams won 2 USATF Master Grand Prix Series Championship
titles (Women 40-49 and Women 60-69) and three teams took runner up titles in the GP Series (Women 50-59), Men (50-59) (60-69).
Three Masters athletes won National Individual USATF Grand Prix Series titles including: Missy Senall, 40-49; Audra Naujokas-Knapp
and Colleen Magnussen (55-59). Three indivuduals took second place national honors including: Carol Bischoff, 50-54; Sharon
Moore, 60-64, Doc Rappole, 65-69. Four individuals won third place honors including: Mike Nier, 50-54; Cindy Ingals,
60-64, Mark Rybinski, 60-64; and Carolyn Smith-Hanna, 65-69. Coach Reif took 4th in the 65-69 age group.
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. Coach Reif also provides Clinics and Workouts for the Wegmans Food Store's Couch to 5k Fitness program.
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, is a 5 time
finisher of the Boston Marathon, is an experienced mountain runner and participates in 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 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. For 2017 he has qualified for the Boston
Marathon to celebrate the 50th Anniversary since his first Boston in 1967.
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. In the middle of his professional career he was appointed by Governor Mario Cuomo for 4 years as Chairman
of the NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council. He also served a 2 year term as a national advocate for children
and adults with developmental disabilities as Secretary of the National Association of Developmental Disabilities Councils.
He now advocate for and sponsors many youth and adult running events. This, to encourage others to make running and positive
energy a life long pursuit and passion. Coach Reif takes pride in his three adult children, Gina (44), Christie (42)
and Mike Jr. (41) 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.
