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, April 20, 2014

2 Weeks Till PIttsburgh


    Happy Easter Everyone!!!!!!!

    Good luck to all the runners that will take to the streets of Boston for the marathon tomorrow. I can't even begin to imagine what the atmosphere will be like on the streets.  This year has so much meaning behind the race. It shows the resilience of a city, fans, and runners.  I wish each and every runner the best of luck and I pray they have the perfect day to run.


     While Boston may be tomorrow for a lot of runners, 2 weeks is all that stands between a lot of us and the start of the Pittsburgh Marathon.  Yesterday I did my final long run, 18 miles. I honestly felt like shit for most of the run. My calf muscles were screaming in pain and it took about 7 miles to loosen up. Once I got loose I felt good but the pain would come back here and there. I am hoping the pain was from some bad decision making the night before. I attended the Pittsburgh Pirates game and may have drank a few too many beers.  So I am sure I was dehydrated the next morning. It also didn't help that I was out of Energy Bits. No need to worry I just received another shipment of them.  I have to weeks now to get in some good foam rolling and massaging and hopefully work out any tightness.
     This week was also a lot of speed workouts. Monday I was doing a tempo run but made the mistake of running by my old high school. Just my luck there was a track meet going on. So now I am left with the decision keep running or stop and watch some of the meet.  Like I said once before I am a sports fanatic and would watch people dodge traffic if it was a sport.  Side note on the track meet, I don't know if when I ran the guys were just that good or the kids have lost a step. I was not impressed at all by the times. When I ran though there were a good amount of above average runners so I guess I can't say to much about the times, but I left wanting to see something amazing.
     Tuesday I ran 5 miles and my goal for the whole run was to run negative splits. I started at a 9:23 pace then dropped down to a 7:50 pace for the last mile.  I felt really good for the run and it was a huge confidence booster. During the marathon my goal is do negative splits for most of the race. If everything goes as planned my final 6 miles will be my fastest.
     Wednesday I cross trained at the gym and rode the bike for 6 miles and did some core work.  I feel that every time I am in the gym everything is improving. From riding the bike to lifting, I have gotten stronger and my stamina has improved so much.  I use to be one of those runners that would rely on raw skill. As I get older I have come to the realization that I need to encompass all aspects of training.
     Thursday I ran 7 miles and held a 8:20 pace for the entire run. I felt really good and the only problem continues to be my asthma. The weather has not been cooperative at all to runners this season. 70 degrees one day 35 the next. How can the body get used to that? I mean really if someone has an answer please share with me. I did however push through the run and I am finally starting to feel like the old Shaun.  The confident runner that was cocky and thought he couldn't be beaten in a race. I obviously know I will not win, but I am starting to take the attitude of if there is thirty thousand runners in a race. 29,999 are in my way and you can either step a-side or come with me and challenge me. I know this sounds super arrogant but sometimes that is what it takes to light that fire under your ass and get you to conquer your goals. 
     Friday was my day off from training.  Like I said my wife and I went to the Pirate game with friends and enjoyed the night out.  Also Friday is the day I received my email saying what corral and my race number for the marathon.  Look out for number 635 in corral A. 
     This week I will still run but it will be a short hill workout, a speed workout, and a few 6-8 mile runs with some cross training thrown in. 

     How is your training going if you are running the marathon?
     What Corral are you in?
     And is it wrong to take on a cocky attitude when running?

8 comments:

  1. I think your attitude is awesome! So much of running is mental, and I think that attitude is sure to power you through and help you meet your goals for negative splits. I could learn from you since I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum and need to work on my confidence. Great negative split run starting at 9:23 and ending at 7:50! Are you worried about the weather on marathon day? Have high temps/humidity affected you on other years when you ran it? I'm now wishing I can run Pgh one day but am worried it would be too hot/humid.

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    1. I really never had problems like I am having this year with my asthma, but I haven't been able to get used to the high humidity.. On race day I will just take it easy if it starts bothering me

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  2. Congrats on delivering a solid final long run with a hangover, never pleasant. Fun to wear a heart rate monitor and see how much harder my body has to work the day after a few too many.

    To answer your questions:
    A) I'm one week into three weeks of taper, doing great so far. This first week feels more like a step back, which I've been doing every few week all through training, I guess the next two will be when the craziness sets in.
    B) Corral B, maybe I'm tall enough to see over the crowd and find you in Corral A :-) but then you'll just think "whats with the creepy guy in B staring at me for?"
    C) Cocky attitude and arrogance is all part of trying to excel. I justify it that as long as I'm not judging the other people, its ok. For example, if I'm passing someone, it is because I am running with strength, not the opposite (i.e. that he is running with weakness). For all I know, he's having the strongest run of his life, I don't want to take that from him, even though I'm passing him. Weird, but it makes sense in my head.

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    1. I never judge another runner.. Infact when I pass someone I always try to motivate them to keep going. I want every runner to do great. I just want to push myself to the max

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  3. I just finished Marathon #24 on Saturday in Salt Lake City. It's always good to go into a race with a confident/cocky attitude, it just shows that you have faith in the training you did for it.

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    1. Congrats on marathon 24. And thanks for the reassurance that it's ok to be a little arrogant

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  4. Congrats on making it through training injury free, and with a great attitude! I'm so excited for you! I can't wait to hear about your race.

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    1. Thanks Kristy, hopefully all goes well on race day.

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