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

Monday, July 6, 2015

It's about that time.....

I hope you all had a great 4th of July weekend, I know I did. What a weekend it was between the cookouts and the woman's world cup.  How about those USA ladies? Talk about a good old fashion ass kicking.
 

Instead of me telling you about my workouts or lack of for last week, I have decided this week I am going to tell you about my plan for my up coming training session. Today marked day 1 of fall marathon training. I am still undecided between 2 half marathons but I figured I might as well get ready. I still plan on going for a PR and I plan on using what I learned in the Pittsburgh Half Marathon to help me. One thing a lot of us, myself included took for granted was the weather. We trained in the cold and never really had a humid day, then on race day we got hit with a hot, humid day. This training cycle I still plan on using a modified version of the Hal Higdon method but I am going to change up the mileage and make the speed days more intense. Since the race will be in the fall I plan on training in both hot and cold temperatures. I will run on a treadmill in the AC on blast to simulate the cold and I will run outside in the normal heat. 

Today I ran a 5K just to see what a good training time to go off would be. I ran a comfortable pace of 8:25 and that is the time I plan on using for my easy pace. Long runs will be done at no more than a 9 minute pace and speed workouts will be in the low 7's.  What is the old saying? It's not how many times you get knocked down, it's how many times you can keep getting back up.  Well I have been down and at times I thought I was out, but I always found a way to get up and move forward. This is my time now. I finally am back to full health. I finally am moved into my house, and I finally have my confidence back. Now it is time to put everything I have learned over the years and really give it my all. 
 
 
How was your 4th of July Weekend? Did you run a race?
When do you start training for a fall race?

 

7 comments:

  1. I just started officially into my training for the fall as well. I'm doing the Runner's World Hat Trick, so first time training for a challenge like that with back-to-back sizable running. I have a pretty good plan in place though, modified version of one for a 10K / Half Marathon challenge.

    Best of luck!

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  2. I just started officially into my training for the fall as well. I'm doing the Runner's World Hat Trick, so first time training for a challenge like that with back-to-back sizable running. I have a pretty good plan in place though, modified version of one for a 10K / Half Marathon challenge.

    Best of luck!

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    1. Never heard of the Runners World hat trick, I am going to have to look into that. Good luck with the training and here is to hoping its injury free

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  3. So glad you've got your confidence back! When that is broken, it is SO hard to get it back. I'm still a little wounded from the marathon....part of me wonders if it's worth it to try again or should I just accept that I'm not meant to run 26.2??

    Can't wait to see how you're training goes!! I'm thinking of trying Hal Higdon's advanced half marathon training plan this time around...I'm getting tired of making my own (shitty) plans, lol!!

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    1. My advice for you is give the full another go. I watched you train and I know you were ready and capable of a better outing. Don't let that one race discourage you. The factors we had to deal with that day made it tough for the seasoned vets

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  4. Let the training begin! Sounds like you have a good plan. I can't wait to hear what your goal race will be. Are you doing an obstacle race too?

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    1. Of course.... I am doing battle frog extreme on aug 8th. I have 6 hours too see how many laps of the 8K course I can do. Then the day before the great race I have the gladiator rock n run

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