Bring On The Battle

    A few weeks ago I was contacted by a member of the BattleFrog Race Series and asked if I would be interested in running as a member of the BattleFrog team.  I never heard of this race so I was very intrigued.  After going to the website BattleFrog Pittsburgh and checking everything out, I was sold.  I have never done an obstacle race before and this one is designed by the Navy Seals.
  Yesterday I received an email from them again confirming my code for free entry and I will also be getting a media pass for parking.  I am very excited to be doing this race, but I am super nervous.  The race is Saturday Sept. 27th, which does not give me a lot of time to train.  Luckily I am in my marathon training so the 9 mile run wont be too much trouble.  I have decided to add another day of cross training into my marathon training in hopes of helping me out.  The marathon is the most important race for me right now.  Even if I don't get my BQ I have something I need to prove to myself.  This race however will be a challenge and when it comes to running I don't shy away from a challenge, so 9 miles and 25 obstacles....bring it on!!!!
   I will be sharing my progress on my training like I do for my marathon on Sundays.  One downfall of this race is it is the day before the Great Race, so I will probably end up selling my entry for that.  So if you know anyone looking for an entry to the 10K let me know.  

  Have you ever done an obstacle race?  If so do you have any tips you would like to share with me?

The Gift of Running: Sunday Interview

      Since it is the holiday season I have decided to interview the person that has given me the gift of running for this Sunday’s interview. The first time I ever really knew I wanted to run was in 1987. I was standing on the sidewalk at my father’s work waiting for him to run by. As he ran by everyone started to cheer his name and clap for him. I remember just standing there in awe looking at all the people and thinking they are cheering my dad. At the age of 8 years old then I looked at my dad and thought he was like a superhero or something. I knew at that point I wanted to have those cheers for me one day.

      Almost everything I have learned about running has come from my father. He is the one person that I really look up to as a runner. There are just so many things he has taught me, my posture, my breathing, and not to worry about the time. To this day when I have a question about running I go directly to him. One thing I admire the most about him as a runner is that it didn’t affect our family growing up. Ask any marathoner about the training and they will tell you that it takes a lot of time away from family and friends. I know this from firsthand experience, luckily I have a wife that not only supports my running but is very understanding to the demands of training. In my interview you will see how my father was able to train and have it not get in the way of being at home. So hopefully you will enjoy reading this interview as much as I did asking the questions to my mentor, my inspiration, my father William Byrne

SB- When and why did you first start running?
WB-It was 1983 and I was 35 years old and I wanted to see if I could finish the great race. I started to train and realized that it came very easy to me.



SB- You have run races all over the country of different distances, which is your most memorable and why?
WB-The Pittsburgh Marathon in 1985. It was the first year they had it and the crowd was amazing. It still is the single largest sporting event in Pittsburgh with how many people lined the streets to watch and cheer on the runners.



SB-Are there any races that you didn’t get to run that you wish you would of?
WB-New York marathon (he tried to get into the lottery 4 times but never made it in) and the Cherry Blossom 10 miler in DC. (What is nice though is that he did get to see me run in the NYC Marathon and he got to see my brother run in the Cherry Blossom.)



SB-How has running changed over the years from when you first started running to the running of today?
WB-The price of races has gone up significantly and now with the internet you are able to see when races are online. Back when I ran you had to wait for the Sunday paper and it would list all the local races and that is how you knew what day the races were. You registered my mail or on the day of the race.



SB-Is there anyone that inspired you when you were running?
WB- Not a single person per say but the amount of people out there doing it was inspiring.



SB-When you were training what was your training?
WB- During the marathon I would run 6 miles to work and 6 miles home every day. Then on Sunday I would run my long slow run which could be up to 20 miles. Off season or not training for the marathon I would just run home from work. (This is why I never realized that my father was training as hard as he was because he never missed time with us. On Sunday he was home before I woke up most of the time and during the week I just assumed he worked until 6.)


SB-If you wouldn’t have been injured would you still be running?
WB-Absolutely! (My father had 3 disks in his spine degenerate and had to have surgery on it. He still walks for exercise but his running days were over at that point.)


SB-How do you feel when you see the younger people in our family run and friends of the family running as well?
WB-Envious but very proud. (When I talk to my dad I can tell how proud he is not only of me but of everyone he knows that runs. Even when we did the interview he was telling me about my friend who I interviewed earlier Anna Dillon and he was telling me how he thinks she has all the intangibles to be great.)



SB-How will you feel when I beat your best time for a marathon? (Even though he has always wanted me and my brother to be great we still compare times and it is bragging rights in the family.)
WB-Proud, let’s just hope I live that long though. (Don’t worry dad your about to see your time fall in May)



SB-Anything you can say to someone just starting out or thinking about running?
WB-Make your own schedule, don’t try to do what someone else is doing. Do It because you want to be healthy if anything. And remember no matter how bad you are there is someone who is worst. Run and you will see what a great experience it is.


      What I did forget to mention is my father not only started running while he was in his 30’s but he was running weighing around 200 lbs for most of his running career. His times were good enough for him to be looked at and respected by other elite runners in the area. So my goals for running aren’t to be just great but my goal is to be half the runner my father was.

Nicole Matich Interview

This week my interview is with Nicole Matich. Nicole is a very good runner who I have ran a few races with and see her very often while training. I would consider her one of the better woman in her age group and if it wasn't for injuries I think she would be one of the elite woman in Pittsburgh.


SB- When and why did you start running?

NM- I was on the cross country team in junior high. That was my first running experience. I reunited with running in college as a stress reliever. Running really helps with my anxiety, so running in college really helped me.


SB- This past May you ran your first marathon. How did you train for that race?

NM- I didn't train particularly well for my first marathon. I planned on training with this really cool guy named Shaun, but I got injured and I had to take a month off from training. I followed the Hal Higdon novice 1 training program for a marathon, but since I got injured I had to stop. So, I gradually added miles on my long runs to make up for the miles I lost from my injury. I would run about six miles during the week, and then on Saturdays (my long run days) I started with seven miles, then the next Saturday I did eight, and so on and so forth. Regrettably, I only trained up to 15 miles. But thank goodness that was good enough because I finished the marathon!


SB- Will you be running the Pittsburgh marathon this May and if so how will your training differ from the previous year?

NM- I won't be running the Pittsburgh marathon in May. I debated on running it, but my body is still in recovery from the marathon this past May! I will be running the half marathon. I will train more effectively for this one. I'll follow a strict schedule and not skip days! When I do run another marathon I will follow a more structured schedule and stick to it!


SB- What is your ultimate goal with running or what do you hope to accomplish?

NM- If you were to ask me a year ago what my ultimate goal with running is my answer would have been to qualify for the Boston marathon. The fastest race I ever ran was the Turkey Trot 5 miler last year, with an average pace of 7:36 a mile. I used to be really fast, but since I got hurt I really put running in to a different perspective. Speed doesn't matter to me anymore. My ultimate goal now would be to run another marathon, injury free, and to average less than a ten minute mile. Running a marathon is an accomplishment enough, who cares about speed!


SB- Are their any runners you look up to or anyone that has mentored you along the way?

NM- My sister and brother in law influenced me to do the half marathon in 2012. That's what got me going. My good friend John mentored me for my first half marathon, and he helped me mentally prepare for the full marathon as well. Shaun, you have been an inspiration as well! John and Shaun helped me the day before the marathon when I was getting cold feet. They helped me stick with it. When you talk to people who have been through it, who can give you pointers and inspire you in any way, you want to hold on to those people!

SB- You have a twin sister that is also a runner. Do you compete against her during races and training or do you try to motivate each other?

NM- Gab and I have never really been competitive. It's funny though, because when we were on the cross country team in junior high school she would always be the person to beat me. There were 12 girls on the team, and my sister was the 2nd fastest and I was the 3rd. But it was never really a conscious competition. We motivate each other with running, and we give each other tips. When it comes to competing, I am always my own biggest opponent, because I always want to improve.


SB- Like me you are a runner who has had to over come some injuries, describe the feeling when you finally run a race after being injured and what was your injury and how did you cope with it?

NM- I have had my injury for a year and a half. My sacroiliac joint was inflammed on the right side of my hips. My hamstrings were so tight they pulled on my pelvis and caused the joint to inflame. It's funny, because I had my injury during the marathon, but it didn't give me any trouble at all during the race. I literally broke down in tears when I crossed the finish line because completing the marathon seemed so out of sight to me because of my injury, and running it without having to stop or walk was so liberating. I went to physical therapy for a month to cope with it. I stretched four times every day, and I still sit on a cushion in my car to prevent irritation.


SB- You have been running a few years now, do you see a change in the running scene in Pittsburgh?

NM- I definitely see a change in the running scene in Pittsburgh. I forget the exact numbers, but I think the amount of runners in the 2009 marathon compared to the amount of runners in the 2013 marathon increased dramatically. Running is definitely getting more popular and it's awesome to see Pittsburgh embracing it. I know the store TrueRunner opened in Shadyside, and I know Dick's is selling more Brooks brand running shoes now. I remember in college the only place to buy Brooks was FInishLine, now Dicks has an array of models of that brand. It's really cool to see this hobby expanding.


SB- As a female runner do you think that gender has anything to do with ones performance? And do you think woman runners are looked at different than the men runners?

NM- I think gender has a little to do with running and pace. Obviously a woman can't run as fast as a man, so that definitely is an aspect, but other than that I really don't think it has anything to do with one's performance. I'm not positive, but I am pretty sure women may be more prone to injury, since we have wider hips than men. I'm convinced running is 90% mental and 10% physical. No matter what gender you identify with, as long as you have the drive and motivation to make it, then you will. I know plenty of talented athletes who say to me, "I could never run a marathon" and I myself have never identified myself as athletic, so if women could empower themselves, then they can definitely run like I did! I may be completely wrong, but I don't think women are looked at differently than men as runners. I reel like runners are gender neutral. We all understand each other. I love the quote, "never underestimate the strength of a woman. Never **** with one who runs 26.2 miles for fun."


SB- Anything you would like to say to anyone that is just starting out or maybe thinking about getting involved with running?

NM- The first thing I tell beginners is don't worry about pace. It's easy to beat yourself up if you haven't improved your PR. I used to do this all the time, but now I am trying to tell myself time doesn't matter! It's easy to go overboard. Second, I tell people to STRETCH STRETCH STRETCH. You want to prevent injury. And just like Nikki said, anyone can run, anyone. If you put your mind to it, and devote your physical and mental energy towards it, you WILL get there. Remember, you won't get there overnight. Work hard each day, and keep your mind on the prize. You kind of have to be very stubborn if you want to quit. Don't take no for an answer! I ran a marathon with only 15 miles of training. If I can do it, you can do it!

Interview with Nicollette Byrne

     Since last week I did not post a Sunday interview, due to the holiday week. I have decided to post one in the middle of this week to make up for it. This weeks interview is with my cousin Nicollette Byrne. Nicollette ran her first race on Thanksgiving morning. She participated in the Pittsburgh Turkey Trot 5K and ran an impressive time of 34 minutes. So i figured this week we would get some insight from a person who is just starting out running.

SB- The Turkey Trot 5K was your first race, what made you want to run it?
NB- In high school I was extremely active, playing every sport I possibly could. Not only did I love being in shape, but the completion aspect was addicting. After seeing you and many of our other cousins running races, I thought it'd be fun to possibly do together, a good way to get/stay in shape, and a way to get back to the competitiveness.


SB- How did you train for the race?
NB- I used to go to the gym 2-3 time a week where I would do 30-45 minutes of cardio and some strength training. I only decided to do the Turkey Trot about a month in advance. I started by running as far as I could outside until I had to stop. (Which was only about .7 miles!) From there I ran 2-3 times a week adding .25 every run. I don't know how effective/efficient this would be for everyone, but it got me to where I wanted to be.


SB- Were you surprised to see how many runners showed up for the race even though it was only 30 degrees out?
NB- I was! Before the race I was nervous I'd be the slowest or newest runner, but it was awesome to see so many different people out there doing something so great! Everyone was so motivating and friendly, I'm glad the Turkey Trot was my first race.


SB- Now that you ran your first race do you think you will run more?
NB - I definitely want to do more as soon as possible! I want to start by improving my 5k runs, and possibly move on to longer races. (Hopefully the 5 mile trot next year!)


SB- Describe how you felt when you crossed the finish line?
NB- It was honestly exhilarating. There were a few times training in the cold and snow at 7am when I questioned why I was running, but rounding the corner to the finish line confirmed why I was doing what I was doing. Not only was our families there to cheer me on, but I also was so proud of myself for completing something I never thought I'd do. The rush and high you get at the end of a race is amazing.


SB- Any runners you look up to, or that inspired you along your journey to running your first race?
NB-Our family is my greatest inspiration. Everyone who has been running is so different, it really made me realise that I could be a runner if I really tried. Our cousin Mike is an incredibly smart and acheived writer, Katie is a full time mom of 2 kids, Gab and Nicole are hard working sisters, and you are a multiple marathon runner who can drink a case of beer in a weekend. If all of you are not inspiration enough, I don't know what is.


SB- When you were running the race what was going through your mind?
NB- Its weird how fast the 3 miles went by compared to when I was training. I usually focus on my music to keep my pace, but I can't even tell you what I listened to that morning. I think I was in such awe and overcome with adrenaline that I didn't have much time to think. I'm interested to see if this changes with the more races I run.


SB- A lot of people say running is easy and anyone can do it. What do you think about that statement?
NB- I think that those people are 100% wrong. That statement is insulting to all runners, whether we jog 1 mile or run 26. Running not only takes an enormous amount of physical endurance, but it also takes even more mental endurance. I experienced firsthand that running even a beginners 5k requires dedicated training. No one can wake up one day and decide to run a marathon.

SB- Your time was very respectable for someone who never ran a race. Do you think your time could have been better or do you think you trained to the best of your ability?
NB- Thanks so much. I went into the race not caring about how long it would take me to complete it. I was happy that I was able to get out there and run a 5k, so I was extremely happy that my time was faster than when I had trained. Like I mentioned earlier, I only trained for about a month so no I do not think I was trained to the best of my abilities. I am still shocked at how much I improved in that short month, so I know that with more time will come more improvements. Now that my first race is complete, I know I will be paying more attention to that time!


SB- Anything you would like to say to a person that might just be getting into running or thinking about running a race for the first time?
NB- YOU CAN DO IT. As long as you are dedicated to yourself and your training, you will improve. Never doubt your body's ability; your mind is the only thing against you. I have the highest respect for everyone who signs up for a race. Whether you run for only the first .5 mile or if you sprint the whole thing, you are doing more than most people! I couldn't run a mile a month ago, and I completed a 5k this weekend in just less than 35 minutes. Again, YOU CAN DO IT.

Trotting It Up

     I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving as much as I did.  This year I decided to run in the Pittsburgh Turkey Trot alongside 7,000 plus runners.  This was my first year to ever run the race and it was actually my first five mile race I ever ran which is kind of crazy considering all of the races I have ran. The weather was bitter cold on the morning of the race and it was very hard to stay loose and warm.  It took about two miles into the race until I actually felt like I was comfortable. I ended up finishing the race with a time of 40:02. Not the best time, but not the worst time. As I get older I am starting to not worry too much about the time (at least not in short races). When I was in my early twenties I went into every race thinking I had to place in my age group and finish in the top ten. Recently though, I use the short races as a training platform for marathons. I have always had trouble gauging how fast I am going in a race. I would always start out running a fast first mile then die down later in races. Now I am starting to learn how to pace myself and I am starting to be able to tell how fast I am running, even when I throw a surge in.

      I guess the point I am trying to make here is there is always room for improvement and every race or every run you do is a chance for you to master your craft.  Do not get discouraged if you don't get it right the first time.  I have always believed when running a race, the best athlete will not always win but the person who has worked the hardest and the person who is willing lay it all out on the line that day will be the one to cross the finish first.  So keep fine tuning your runs and then when you are ready to let it all out, do it.  Even if it is for one race let go and take yourself to the point of no return and I guarantee you, you will walk away feeling like you did your best. You may not win the race but you will more than likely run your best time.

    I am waiting for that moment hopefully in my next marathon.  So yes, I can go out and try to run a 30 something five mile race or I can take those 5 miles as a stepping stone to reach my ultimate goal.  I think I will take that 40:02 and hold my head high and know its just a small step towards the big picture.

Interview with Anna Dillon

This week I decided to interview a good friend of mine, Anna Dillon. Anna approached me a few years ago and told me she wanted to start running.  After running a few times with Anna I eventually convinced her to run a 5K race with me (the selling part was me telling her she would get a free t-shirt).  Anna may not be at the top of the woman class right now when it comes to running, but she possesses all of the skills to one day reach that level.  She has the form and the endurance; all that she lacks is the confidence. One day I hope Anna will see what I see in her. If she just lets go and doesn't listen to her mind when it says to stop or give up, I would not be surprised to see Anna run a sub twenty minute 5k.

SB- 1. When and why did you start running?
AD-I started walking a few years ago for weight-loss purposes. Slowly the walking turned into an occasional jog, then running. You are the one who encouraged me to run. You probably don't remember, but I told you I wanted to start. You invited me to run with you at Wilkins school. You said you hadn't ran in a while, so I thought I would kick your butt. Wow was I wrong! I still run for weight-loss but I also run to destress. It is the part of my day that I do not think about work, dinner, cleaning, or laundry.

SB- 2. How often do you run and what distance do you normally do?
AD-I used to run four or five times a week about 3 or 4 miles. Now with a newborn, I'm lucky if I can get out for 15 minutes! It is getting more difficult now that it's getting darker. I am excited for spring when I can take him with me.

SB- 3. Do you prefer to run alone or with a group while you are training/ exercising?
AD- I prefer to run alone. I love music. One of my favorite parts of running is turning up the music and just going! But I never ran with a group before. I don't know if I would enjoy that.

SB- 4. Do you have a goal for when you run? ( a time, a distance)
AD-I like to time myself. I usually run the same routes, so I try to beat my previous time. I am not always successful. I still can't figure out why sometimes I do so good, and other times I do so horrible.

SB- 5. As a mother who runs, a lot of woman can look up to you. Do you think it's been harder to run since you became a mother?
AD-Yes! Running was the first thing I would think about after work. My entire day would revolve around how quickly I can get my shoes and earphones on and get going. Sometimes I would change at work and start my route from there. My husband and I are still adjusting to becoming parents. Our life and house have become pretty chaotic. Running now revolves around naps, feedings, and my husbands schedule. Not to mention the colder weather and darker evenings. It can be hard to find the time, But I take every chance I can get.

SB- 6. Is there anyone you look up too as a runner?
AD-I look up to you. You have always encouraged me and told me I could do it. You have taught me that I do not need to be perfect or excellent at it, as long as I enjoy it.
I also look up to my sister who is a full-time worker, wife, mother, and runner. She runs every chance she can get. And kicks butt!

SB- 7. What will be your next race and how will you go about training for it? Or if there is no race in your future how do you decide your workout?
AD- My next race is undecided. I really wanted to do the marathon relay, but due to the baby, training has become difficult. Exercising has also become difficult. My waistline is suffering! I think I will do the local races next year. I always enjoy a free T-shirt!

SB- 8. Since you have started running would you say there has been a change in the running in Pittsburgh?
AD-I am not sure if there was a change, or if I was just ignorant to how much running there is in Pittsburgh. There is a whole world outside of local 5K's. Before running myself, I never noticed how many runners are out there. Have you ever gone to Mount Washington?! They must be the healthiest people in the United States. They are always running!

SB- 9. Do you think female runners are givin the same respect as a man during a race or training?
AD-Truthfully, I don't know. I would assume yes, but I have never been in competition with elite men and women. I have always done fun races where everybody is encouraging.

SB- 10. Any advice or anything you can say to someone who may just be starting out or about to take up the sport of running?
AD-Just do it! Don't be scared or embarrassed like I was. I would also say not to get discouraged. That is much easier said than done because I still get discouraged a lot! Just sticking with it has made me better and I enjoy it more.

Night time running

     Living in Pittsburgh we get to see beautiful changes in the weather. The fall brings leaves turning from green to orange and red. We also get to see our sunset go from around 9:00 pm to around 5:00 pm.   The Pittsburgh marathon is ran in early May. This means most runners, like myself, are forced to train in the dark night or the dark early mornings.  There are many things you can do to help with running at night.  Wear bright colored clothes so you will be visible to cars in the dark. If you are going to wear your head set while running, listen to the music at a low volume so you can hear the traffic around you. Some drivers have trouble seeing at night so you want to make sure you are aware of your surroundings. Technology has also helped night time running.  There are many little gadgets and lights you can purchase from blinking red lights that clip on your clothing to hand held neon lights that give off a fluorescent glow. I recently purchased knuckle lights from TRUE RUNNER. These are LED lights that you strap to your hands. These lights allow your hands to still be free to run, yet they illuminate the path you are running on and allow cars to see you. I was also informed by the employee assisting me at TRUE RUNNER that there is also a head band with a built-in light and an Under Armour hat that has small lights built into the brim. Prices range from $40 to $55 for these products. These prices might seem costly, however after using the knuckle lights I purchased, I believe they are worth every penny. A way to completely avoid night running is to use the treadmill. I suggest running on an incline of 1 or 2 to simulate the various elevations of running on pavement. The question is, can you stand to be on the treadmill in one spot for a long period of time. My preference is to invest in a gadget that will help when I run at night and get out on the pavement.  However, each person is different so run anyway that makes you feel comfortable, just do it safe.

Do you prefer to run on a treadmill or on the pavement? Share your opinion in the comments.

Mike Smith Interview

       Every week I will be showcasing a runner with a 10 question interview.  I hope to interview people of all athletic levels to illustrate how each person is different in the ways they train and prepare for races.  I will also be interviewing casual runners, who may only be running for the purpose of losing weight or to de-stress. My goal of these interviews is to show how people began their journey and where they are now.
       My first interview is with Mike Smith.  He is my cousin, so I have been privileged to see him grow as a runner.


SB: When and why did you start running?
MS: Junior High Track and Cross Country team. Running is a great sport that emphasizes self-discipline, especially when you're not strong enough to play football!

SB: How often do you run when training for a race? Do you still run when your not training for a race?
MS: Depends on how close to the race. I try to keep up a 3-4 times a week run during the month leading up to it, even if it's just a 5k. And my running comes and goes in spurts. I haven't ran once since my last race (Great Race 10k), so I hope to start again December 1.

SB: What is the next race you are training for? And do you have any goal for that race?
MS: Pittsburgh Half Marathon (though I may run one or two small races in between). I ran it for the first time last year, and had to walk a few times beginning at mile 10. I certainly wish that didn't happen, but my pain was terrible and walking helped lessen it for a bit. So my goal this time is to run without stopping, which by itself should knock off a few minutes.

SB: A lot of runners have certain rituals they do before a race or before a run, is there anything you do?
MS: I'm usually too antsy before a race to focus on any routines. The only must-do before a race is peeing.

SB: What brand of shoe do you wear while running and why?
MS: Asics. Only because that's what the guy at True Runners gave me. But these new shoes have been great so I'll probably stick with them.

SB: What do you think about people who say running is not a sport?
MS: False, false, false. Besides the obvious (Track & Field, duh), how can one consider competitive racing where there's a clear start, goal, finish, and order of finishers NOT a sport? It's a physical activity that includes competing against other people. If that's not a sport, I don't know what is.

SB: Your wife and her twin sister also run, do you ever compete against them in races or would you say you try to motivate each other to do better?
MS: We certainly motivate each other to do better, but I don't think we compete against each other. I usually beat Gab in 1 out of 4 races, and my sister-in-law is usually way ahead of both of us. My favorite aspect of running is competing against myself. Other runners can help (i.e. motivation) or hurt (i.e. distraction) in that process, but once that gun fires, I'm on my own.

SB: Is there anyone you look up to as a runner and why?
MS: Well you obviously, for your consistency in training and accomplishment in your races. Plus so many people in our family. I remember it was amazing watching my sister-in-law cross the finish line for her first marathon. Gab, for all of her races. And it was awesome watching our cousin Katie cross the finish line of her first 5k last year, and then her first 10k last month. My friend Allison is also an avid runner and often blogs about it; it helps motivate me when I'm being lazy.

SB: I understand you will be running for a charity at the Pittsburgh half marathon can you describe what is the charity and how people can donate?
MS: I'm running on behalf of The Neuropathy Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating research and providing resources for patients with neuropathy. Neuropathy is a simply a neurological disorder affecting the motor, sensory and autonomic nerves, which can either be a direct symptom from another disease or for a completely unknown reason. They're a great organization and I'm happy to be running on their behalf. Here's a link with a ton more info (with a link on how to donate to my cause!):
http://www.neuropathy.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=8565

SB: Is there anything you would like to say to someone that might be on the fence about running. Words of encouragement a helpful hint anything?
MS: Running is a cheap an easy sport to get into that serves as a way to increase your self-discipline while also helping whip you into shape. Racing (and competitive racing) is just a bonus, but even running a few miles every week can make a huge dent in your exercise needs. But it's also a sport that's prone to injury if not done the right way. The web has a plethora of resources on how to avoid injuries: stretching, cross-training, things to focus on, things to avoid, etc. Be a *smart* runner or else you'll spend the majority of your time recovering from injuries.

Footwear

I am sure alot of runners get this question.  What shoe should I buy if I want to start running?
I wish there was just one answer to this question, but unfortunately every person's body is different and every person has a different way of running.  If you really are just starting out I would suggest you go to your local running store and have an employee tell you what type of foot you have.  The type of foot you have depends on the type of shoe you need.  Take me for example I am in the small percent of people that underpronate.  So my shoe selection is always not as good as everyone's but if I try to wear a shoe that is not made for me i get blisters real bad and start to get shin splints.  I am also a huge Brooks shoe fan.  Brooks seems to make the perfect shoe for me.  I know when you are starting something new the tendency is too start cheap and once you see if you like it then start spending money.  I would highly advice for running you not do that.  Wearing the wrong shoe can cause more damage.  Pay the extra money for a good pair and start out running in something that is for you. Hey if you decide that running is not for you put the shoes on ebay. There is always someone looking to buy a cheap pair of shoes.   I would like to hear what shoe works for other people, so please feel free to tell me what brand stand by and why.

Running Sport or Not?

Many people will ask the question is running a sport? The answer is yes, not only is it a sport but its one of the oldest sports,  dating back to the early Olympics.

       As a runner I hear it everyday, running is not a sport.  This statement cracks me up when people say it.  One argument I hear is "well anyone can do it."  This is true, anyone can run.  But not every runner is competing in races and training for marathons or races week in and week out.  I can go outside and pick up a bat and ball but that doesn't make me a baseball player.  There is a difference in a person who is running to lose weight and a person who is running for the sport of it.  If anyone had the chance to watch the NYC Marathon this year they may have picked up on just how much of a sport it is.  A group of runners bunched up for 20 miles jostling for position, looking back and fourth at each other to see who will make the "move".  And then it happens one runner takes off as if to say lets see what you guys have and pushes the pace and soon you have a race within a race.  Its a tactical sport in which people draft off each other and wait to use their kicks at the end.  So yes anyone can run but not everyone is runner.

       Hopefully with this blog I can give some advice to other runners and people looking to run for whatever reason it may be.  Also i would like to hear what works for other runners, what shoe they prefer and why, some race tactics they use and so on.....  And last but not least i hope to inspire people who are on the fence about running to give it a try and come into the running circle.  Once you give it a try you will soon see this is an addicting sport.