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, February 15, 2015

Hal Higdon Week 2

For once I excited to actually start another week of my training cycle. The first week was harder than I expected, but I could tell the if I kept up the hard work the reward at the end would be worth all the pain and exhaustion. This week was no different than last week except for some minor changes in distance and 1 workout.  I did have to alter a bit of the training this week. I am okay with this because I have an extra week to toy with and I have decided that week will almost be like a catch up week. Just for one week I will make up my own schedule and hit on any points that I feel I need help with. With that being said lets take a look at how this week went.

MONDAY: Mondays are quickly becoming one of my favorite days. It's always just 3 miles with some strength training thrown in.  It was a bit cold out so I headed to the gym and hit the treadmill for my 3 miles. I ran a 8:53 pace and felt really good except for some sore shins.  I realized that the treadmill is what is causing the shin splints not the shoes. DAMN I hate that treadmill. After my workout I did a chest workout.  I am focusing on my reps rather than weight with the strength.  I also completed my squats for the day.

TUESDAY: This was my first speed workout for the training cycle. The cycle called for 7 X 400's, Due to the weather I was forced to use the treadmill. I know how fast I can do a 400 in at full sprint so I was able to set the speed a bit slower and do them. After each .25 miles I would drop the speed and jog another .25.  It was hard at first but I noticed as the run went on it became a lot easier and I felt really good.  I can't wait until the weather breaks and I can actually use the track.  I can honestly say that is where I feel the most at home when it comes to running.

WEDNESDAY: Just like Monday, Wednesday called for 3 miles with strength training. It was cold but I was able to run outside. I ran a nice comfortable pace and even though it is week 2 my confidence is really starting to build up.

THURSDAY: The training cycle called for a 45 minute tempo run. I however was not able to run this day. I worked late and had some running around that needed to get done. Normally I would of been worried and pissed that I missed a run, but with my extra week I am okay with this.  

FRIDAY: REST DAY:  I was thinking I would do my tempo run this day, but once again I had so much running around that I was forced to just use the rest day for what it was.

SATURDAY:  The plan called for a 3 mile pace run. I had to work for the Marathon and was with the Steel City Road Runners Club for their training run.  Sara my co-worker and I decided we would do 4 miles with the group at a 10 minute pace.  We ended up going at a 9:30 pace and ran a bit further than the 4 miles.  It was cold but once we started moving it wasn't that bad.  I really enjoyed running with the group and I am thinking since we will be doing a few runs with them, I might as well become a member. The people I have met are really nice and they all seem to want to help each other.

SUNDAY:Today called for a 90 minute run. It was bitter cold and even the SCRR canceled their group run. I headed to the gym and figured some run is better than no run. I ran 6.5 miles in 60 minutes. Today was more about a mental struggle rather than the run. I hate the treadmill and knew I would want to quit halfway through. I fought through the urges to quit and ran a nice and easy pace. I felt really good actually and even with the treadmill I was pain free. I can't say I was happy with the weather though. This cold front has started to get the best of me and I expressed myself on twitter. 
As you can see I was not happy!!!

Next week the schedule calls for a 5K race and more of an easy schedule. Since there is no race I will just have to go do a race course I know and see what I can do. I am pretty excited about this. I want to be able to see how I progressed from last year to this year.  

How is your training going?  
If you had to run in the cold how are you doing with dealing with it?

Until next time stay safe!!!!


2 comments:

  1. You got some good workouts in! I really like running with SCRR. The people are all really friendly. But Saturdays is also my pace run, and I find that it's really difficult to keep to a consistent pace in a group. The other thing I don't like too much is that they don't really run hills a lot, or if they do it's like one hill and the rest flat. Maybe when I'm not training and don't care about running hills or keeping to a certain pace I can run with them more.

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    1. Good point, I did notice we never hit any hills on the run( unless you count a bridge ). The people are really nice though and I will still do my main things alone. I just figured since some of our runs are with them and there may be a night after the marathon I wish to run with a group why not sign up.

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