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

Thursday, January 14, 2016

40 Days Book Review and Book Give Away

About two weeks ago I was given the opportunity by Steven Cannon to read his book. The first thing you should know about me is I am not a big reader. I am very picky when it comes to what book I want to read, but for some reason I jumped at the offer. I am glad I did because this book has changed my outlook on not only running but in life itself.

The story is about Steve's journey as he runs around Lake Michigan while raising money for the Liverstrong Foundation. Yes, you read that right. He ran around Lake Michigan... all 1037 miles of it. Not only did Steve run around the lake but he did it in 40 days, which means he completed a marathon a day for those 40 days. The book is so much more then just a man running around a lake. Steve not only lets you into his world as he attempts this monumental feat, but he shares the stories of many of the cancer fighters in which he is running for. This book was a roller coaster of a ride for me. At times I was shaking my head thinking I have been there before (the trials of running long distance) and at other times I was tearing up hearing the cancer stories.

This book is so well written and at times I honestly felt that I was right there on the road running with Steve. I would picture the lake in my head and see the road or trail in my mind. I would see Steve's friend waiting for him in the RV to end the day.

One thing this book did for me was it made me look at life different. Throughout the book Steve keeps telling you that all you need to do is take the first step. The first step could be your chance to do what you once only dreamed of. Before I read this book I was questioning myself on if I could really PR my half marathon time this year. Now I know I will and I owe that to Steve. I am not going to sit on the sidelines and let what I thought was possible pass me by. The past two weeks during my training, any time I felt tired or wanted to give up I thought of Steve on the road doing 40 marathons in 40 days. He knew it would be hard and he knew there would be moments that would test him both mentally and physically, but he never gave up. This book is great if you are a runner, but it is just as good if you aren't. The running is just a small portion of what I took from it. This book is about seeing yourself doing something and actually seeing it through.

I rate this book a 10 out of 10, a must read.

Steve has offered to give away 2 Ebooks too 2 of my readers. So to be entered in a random drawing for the book all you have to do is comment on this post with your email, or email me at byrne1324@yahoo.com and let me know you wanted entered, or lastly leave your email on my facebook post for this blog post. Whatever way is easier for you.  You have till Sunday night at midnight to get entered and I will contact the winners on Monday. Good luck and if you don't win I highly suggest purchasing this book.
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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 15, 2016 at 8:15 AM

    Thanks for the review. I love factual reads based on experience. I often live vicariously through other runners & it motivates me to pursue higher goals. There is so much more I want to do in running & in life. I often think of those who can't do those things because of illness and it makes me less of a "candy ass" when the going gets tough. Yes, please enter me in drawing. I am almost ready to come back to social media here in a few days. The "fast" has been good for me. Stephanie W.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownJanuary 15, 2016 at 8:52 AM

      You are entered.... And hurry back to social media. We miss you

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