Who Am I?

I am an avid runner and have been running since I was 15 years old. I began running low to medium distances while on my high school track team, running the 800 meter and 1600 meter races (I was a sub 5 miler and a 2 minute 800 runner). In addition to the track team, I also joined the cross country team. After high school I still wanted to run and decided to start doing road races. I have probably ran a couple hundred 5k races (16.29 PR)along with many 10k's as well. In 2009 I decided to step up my game and try to tackle my first marathon. I will be honest; the only reason I did this was because my father ran a few and I wanted to show him that I could do what he did. I trained poorly for my first one and regret it. If you are going to run a race, train like you want to win. I still continue to run marathons and other distances as well, and every race is a chance for me to better myself.
I started this blog to hopefully communicate with other runners and to shed any knowledge I may have about the sport that can help other runners. I believe running is the best sport and can be a great stress reliever. I encourage all runners to spread the word of our sport and show people why running is so good and why the community of runners has such great people. You can follow me on twitter @byrne1324 or find me on facebook- Shaun Byrne

Sunday, March 2, 2014

9 Weeks Till Race Day (Hydration Is Key)

     Another week has gone by and we are another week closer to the Pittsburgh Marathon.  So last week I was saying I felt some pain in my legs as I was running, and I thought it may be due to lack of hydration. So my goal for this week besides getting in some good runs was too make sure I was hydrated through out the days. I would wake up every morning and eat my cereal bar and drink a Powerade on the way to work.  Once I finished my drink I made sure to refill the bottle at least twice during work. Once home before I would go running or go to the gym I would drink another glass of water with a mixture of recovery powder.  I figured it has all the amino acids and creatine you would want in your body after running so it cant be to bad before a work out as well.

Monday
   Due to the shitty weather (go figure) I was forced to go to the gym and use the treadmill.  I did 6 miles with intervals every 3 minutes changing my pace from a 9 minute pace to a 7 minute pace.  I felt really good for the whole work out and was pain free.  Once finished running I worked on my abs for about 20 minutes using different machines.

Tuesday
   Once again the weather was not good and I was back at the gym to use the treadmill.  I did 8 miles of a progression run. I started out at a 10 minute pace and every mile I would increase the speed until my last mile was a 6 minute pace. I felt really good again and was pain free again.

Wednesday
   I used this day as my cross training day. I went to the gym and road the bike for a half hour doing 8 miles, followed by a half hour of lifting on the machines. I then spent 20 minutes of doing nothing but abs.  I felt really good and I have noticed the bike has become easier for me and I am starting to be able to lift more.

Thursday
    I used this day as my rest day. It felt good to take the day off and get some running around done that I needed to do.

Friday
    Did a quick 4 miles outside, even though it was cold and snowy and then came inside and used the foam roller.  Still was pain free and I figured the foam roller would help my legs get ready for my long run the next morning.

Saturday
    Time for the long run and time to take some advice and try to go a little harder than normal.  I did 15 miles at a 7:45 pace.  At about the 6th mile I started to have trouble breathing and I had to stop for a quick second to get my wind back.  When I started up I decided it would be a good time to take my GU.  I was feeling really good and I felt like finally all is going good.  Then on mile 12 my left leg started to go numb. 9 years ago I broke my ankle and every once in a while I will get pain from it.   I was told by the surgeon this would happen.  Over all though I felt like I had a good run and even though there is room for improvement I was happy with my progression.  On a side note this was the day I realized I need to retire one of my favorite running shoes.
My Brooks Pureflow 2's and me had some good runs together. We did the New York Marathon as one and we trained a lot for Pittsburgh this year as a team.  The time we stepped in dog shit could of been something we didn't need but it was still an experience.  I will miss running in these shoes. But now it is time to bring out a new pair of shoes and try a new brand.  I decided to go with Saucony this time around.  I am not a person that likes to spend 140 dollars on shoes every other month so what I like to do is wait till they bring out a new model and just buy the last model at a cheaper price.  From running for so many years I have been able to figure out what shoe is good for my foot type and what shoe will work for me.  So let me introduce you to the new part of my team.
I am hoping me and these shoes will have some good runs together and we will even set a PR at the Pittsburgh Marathon this year.


      Today we are expected to get somewhere of 4-8 inches of snow, and the roads are already looking bad so it looks like I will use this day as a stretching and foam rolling day.  Hopefully this weather breaks soon and it will be everyday that we are all running outside.  


    Last night I got to take some time off thinking about running and my wife and I went to watch my friend as he boxed for the golden gloves tournament.  Win or lose I got to say I am proud of him. He went the distance and did unreal for his first fight.  I cant wait till his next fight to go watch him again.  I am a sports fanatic and like all sports.  So when I get the chance to go see a friend do their sport it is always a good thing.  Everyone needs support when they are doing their thing!

How is your training coming along?
What do you do with shoes that you no longer run with?

4 comments:

  1. Nice pace for your long run!

    Enjoy those new shoes! I love getting new shoes!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Every time I get a new pair I feel like a little kid on Christmas...I just can't wait to get them on and try them out

      Delete
  2. Thanks for sharing your recap! I'm a rookie training for my first full marathon in Pittsburgh 2014. I am definitely learning about hydration as I expand my mileage, also nutrition. No matter how much I read, nothing compares to the actual experience of logging those long miles and feeling how your body reacts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You said it best, experiencing everything for yourself is the best learning thing. Logging those miles is what matters. Good luck In May. I will keep posting some tips about the race..course breakdown and other things that may help you

      Delete