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, January 18, 2015

Training 1/12 thru 1/18

"TO BE THE GREATEST YOU HAVE TO TAKE CHANCES, TO BE REMEMBERED YOU HAVE TO TAKE RISKS"

This past week was my second week of training, but it was my first full week of really training. I am very pleased with how this week went. I didn't set a goal for the miles I wanted. I wanted to just get
in some good runs and see where I stand for the weeks to come. I will now be able to set goals on the miles I want to hit now that I know exactly where I am at.

MONDAY - I brought my gear to work and decided I would go for a run as soon as I clocked out. I was excited to get out and try some new course. I ran a 3.4 mile course that was pretty flat and took me right into the city. I am planning on every Monday running straight from work this I can have different courses. I felt really good on the run and as I ran I was already mapping new courses in my head for next week.

TUESDAY - By the time I got home from work it was already dark and cold out. I headed to the gym to use the treadmill. I ran 4.6 miles in 40 minutes and did negative splits for the entire run. I know this is not nearly the speed I will be doing my speed workouts at, but since it was the first one of the training session I was quite happy with it.  As I ran on the treadmill there was a younger girl next to me who was also running. I started to notice she had the speed set at 7 miles per hour. She would run hard for a minute and then jump on the sides and stand for about 4 minutes. As she was standing one time I suggested instead of jumping off just slow the speed and run at a slower pace. She said " I am not doing a set workout I am just running." I shut up and kept running. A little later she snaps a photo of her distance and time and I can see she is posting her workout on social media. First yes I was creeping on her. I was interested to see what she was writing. Second she did it and I was able to just look over and see. She wrote just went hard at the gym with the photo of the treadmill. I don't care really that she lied, but when you do things like this you are only cheating yourself.


WEDNESDAY- REST DAY

THURSDAY- I had a busy day so I made this my cross training day. I did some burpees and some body builders. A body builder is a burpee but when you jump down you spread your legs and then bring them back before you do your pushup. They are awesome for core strength.

FRIDAY- I headed out for a 5.5 mile run with some good hills. I will be honest I had a lot of problems. My asthma was making it real hard for me to catch my breathe in the cold weather. I had to take it really slow. I ended up running the 5.5 miles in 57.28.  I am going to have to take the cold outside runs real slow until I get my lungs back.

SATURDAY - In the daytime I had to do an event for the marathon. I got home late and headed to the gym for my run.  It's funny normally on a Saturday I would be worrying about where am I going to be drinking. Now I worry about getting my run in. Like I said in my goals for the year I am setting out too PR the Pittsburgh Half. I ran 5.12 miles in 48:21. A nice comfortable pace. I felt great when I was finished and at times had to stop myself from turning up the speed.

SUNDAY- TODAY- Instead of just doing a rest day, I plan on 60 burpees and 10 bodybuilders.

TOTAL MILES for the week- 18.62
GOAL for next week - 23

HOW DID YOUR WEEK GO?

8 comments:

  1. Congratulations for coming back on training! I had a great week and I take it easy for a while - until my first marathon in March! So, I just did 77 miles last week with few hills (about 3 runs in trails). Also, I participated in a race by the GPRRC (check out http://www.gprrc.com/) they have great runs that are very cheap ($1 to $3 per race), you might be interested!

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    1. I will def. take a look at that website for some races. I like how you say you just did 77 miles like its no no deal. :) I am going to build back up quick so hopefully soon I will be saying that

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  2. This looks like a great week! I was bummed that I didn't make it out to Dick's this weekend to say hi!
    I totally agree that Treadmill Girl is just cheating herself. But, hey, as long as she gets her 'likes' on Instagram/Facebook...right?

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    1. I mean isn't that the only reason to go to the gym? For the fashion show and to take selfies. It was slow this weekend at DICK'S, but don't worry there will be many more times I am out there

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  3. Nice week! I shook my head at the story of the girl on the treadmill. You're right--she's only cheating herself. People!

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    1. Sadly this happens a lot I have noticed at the gym, people aren't there to work out for real.

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  4. Great job as always, Shaun. I watched a girl at my gym do something similar a while back. It never crossed my mind to do something like that in the name of social media. lol Just goes to show you you can't compare yourself to what anyone else posts/says they do out there!
    I really wanted to get to Dicks this weekend, but we had family in from out of town and I just couldn't break away for long.

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    1. Like I said no big deal you couldn't make it out to DICK'S, I will be there a few more times. Also you hit the nail on the head.. You can't compare yourself to what people write on social media

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