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, July 19, 2015

Training week 2- Buffalo Creek

This past week was week 2 of training for the Buffalo Creek Half Marathon. Last week I started out slow and made it my goal to use every day so that it benefits me in some way. I like to think I succeeded, but I will let you take a look at the training and be the judge.  Maybe that is what I need this training cycle, maybe I need you the readers to look at me progress and be brutally honest. If you think I am slacking tell me, if you think I am doing good then let me know. They always say other people can see things that you can't, so I want another set of eyes to look over my progress.

MONDAY- Let's just say Monday had a little hiccup. Right before I set out on my run I did my normal ritual and went to put on SportShield so I don't chafe. I reached in my closet for the roll stick and never actually looked at the bottle. After rolling what I thought was the SportShield on my inner legs I started to notice a cool tingling feeling on the family jewels. I then looked in my hand and noticed I had just rubbed Bio-Freeze on my crotch. I tried to rinse it off but it was too late, I had to just run the 4 miles with a cool feeling, besides the tingling I had a really good run. I ran the 4 miles in a 34:12, a nice comfortable pace. Below is a picture of how it looks in my closet and you can see how I grabbed the wrong stick.
 
TUESDAY- I was planning on going to CMU to do the time trials for the Liberty Ave. Mile, but the weather did not cooperate and the trials were cancelled. I took a gamble and headed to the track by my house and did 400 meter repeats. I was able to get in 8 before the rain hit. I didn't time myself but I was running each lap at 75 percent and would rest for about 1 minute. The 8 laps beat me down but I figured out that the middle of my workout is where I felt the best. So this will help me when it comes to the Liberty Mile. I need to warm up and get the legs very loose.
 
WEDNESDAY- 4 mile run. This time I made sure to grab the right stick before I headed out on my run. I did another comfortable 4 miles at an 8:05 pace then came home and did some burpees and push ups.
 
THURSDAY- SPEED DAY- I want to make sure I do 2 speed days during this training cycle, and actually hold true to what I am supposed to do on the track. I had the option of doing a tempo run or doing a ladder workout, I chose the ladder.  I use to hate doing a ladder workout in high school but have come to realize the benefit and it has become one of my most loved workout, even though it kicks my ass. After my workout I made up a little one mile obstacle course at track and ran it. It took my just over 12 minutes, and I plan on trying to beat the time every week. This little 1 mile course may sound stupid but it will benefit me for the obstacle races and it will benefit me with strength training.
 
FRIDAY- REST DAY and BEERFEST- Pittsburgh had its yearly beerfest and there was no way I was missing this. I even bought the 50 dollar ticket to get early admission. There were some really good beers there and my friends and I had a blast. What was nice is I ran into Chelsea( @PghCityGirl) and Lauren ( @pghlauren) early in the event. Later we met back up with them and they just so happened to be with Kristy ( @Pghrunner) and her husband.  It is always nice to see people outside of the normal races and running courses, and have a few beers with them. I think when we all left we were all feeling good from all the different beers. The only downfall to the event was I was really looking forward to having "This is not your fathers root beer " from small town brewery and they didn't show Friday night. I did however come home and drink one since I stocked up on a few six packs before every place sold out.  If you haven't tried one of these I suggest you find one and try it. It is dangerously delicious, it takes like A&W root beer and is 5.9% alcohol.
SATURDAY- I was helping my friend with his landscaping business and had all intentions to come home and do a 4 mile run. However we ended up working till about 2:30 then played a game of basketball for an hour. I haven't played in years and that one hour beat the shit out of me. I was so tired that I couldn't even think about running, but I figured with all the mowing and basketball that day I actually had a nice leg workout.
 
SUNDAY- TODAY- First off anyone that ran the Presque Isle race today I take my hat off too you for running in this humidity. I decided to put my run on hold until later in the evening and it was still brutal. I had all intention of doing 8 miles and ended up only doing 6. The way this weather has been it really hasn't let my lungs get used to the humidity. I did notice this run that what used to be leg cramps that held me back is now gone, now any battle is a mental battle for the run. I found myself talking to myself for some reason on this run and kept saying over and over "The only difference between can and can't is a letter, I will not let a letter define me. Those who can't are the ones that don't try. This time around someone is going to have to really try to out work me." Not sure why this all popped in my mind but it did and it made my run go from hot and humid to not thinking about the heat and I was able to push through the hard course I chose. I didn't time it because I am still using my theory of just run and don't worry about the time for certain runs.  
 
Like I said I feel I had a good week but I want some brutal and honest feedback, how did I do?
how is your training going?


6 comments:

  1. Ha ha! I laughed about the Biofreeze mistake, but hey, maybe I should start using it if it makes you feel cool?! It sounds like you kicked butt on the speed workouts. I love that you created a 1-mile obstacle course after your ladder workout. And I think this weekend we all just I'd what we could. It was brutal! I just saw that there is a wave where you can run with your dog for the Liberty Mile, so I'm now considering registering & running with my dog. But he does not do well in the heat and I know he will not want to run if it's really hot. I guess I'll wait for the forecast to see.

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    1. I did see that pet heat. Your dog would probably kick some ass if it was cool out. The bio freeze may be cool but it is not a good cool feeling, lol.

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  2. Yep this weekend was terrible hear-wise.. nothing you can do but get what you need to get done out of the way. I think your training was really good this week. It's smart to vary your speed sessions like that so you're not just working the same thing all the time. Even though you didn't time yourself if you're honest about your RPE, you're all good.

    Oh, and I giggled at the biofreeze incident. At least it wasn't something that burns, look at it that way! lol

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    1. Thanks, I really like to mix up the speed training and I feel that this cycle it is going to be the most crucial work outs. Lol, you are right at least the bio-freeze didn't burn

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  3. I have to try that root beer! Root beer is my absolute favorite drink ever, and every alcoholic version I've tried has been terrible. Where can you get it around here? I will go anywhere!!

    I think you had a great week of training. You definitely like to mix it up a lot and I think that will make you stronger! Just stay injury-free and I think you'll do great in the half and in the miler.

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    1. I have been buying it by the bottle at carnivores in Oakmont, but try D's six pack they should have it. If you can't find it let me know. I am about to get another case and will give you a six pack if you don't find it.

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