24 Hour Run Recap

     It is Saturday, November 1st at 5:00 pm. The sun is already starting to set, the clouds are rolling in and wind is whistling through the air. My cousin Chris and I start running on the track for what would be the start of our 24 hour fundraiser for Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

     We both went into this blind, and by that I mean we had no clue how this would turn out. We were told by so many people that they would stop by and run some laps for us, but you know that old song and dance someone says they will come and they never show.  As we started we both agreed we would jog 1 mile together and then one of us would jump off and the other would start. Before we were done with our first mile people started to show.  My parents were first to arrive and I got to walk a mile with my father and a lap or so with my mom. Soon after that friend after friend was stopping by. Some just dropped by to drop off some coffee before they went to the bar, while some came and ran some laps with us.
     The weather was probably in the low 40's and expected to drop to the low 30's through out the night. Our good friend Tom (@tmcjr412) came in clutch early stopping by with a pop up tent. He and his wife even jumped on the track for an hour.  As it got colder in the night we had to wrap tarps around the pop up tent to make it warmer inside for Amanda who took it upon herself to stay all night and collect donations from anyone who stopped by.  I planned for people to come early in the night and early on Sunday. I figured who would want to come out in the dark, cold night when they could be at home in bed. I was completely wrong. Thanks to our friend Don (@donniebrunnin) who came by after and walked 6 miles with us. Oh and let me point out he was in a walking boot since he broke his foot while training for the Columbus Marathon. After he left our friend Scott showed up. He was coming from a Halloween party so we were not at all surprised to see him dressed up as He-Man. If your an 80's child you know exactly who that is. Scott walked a few laps before heading out. As he was heading out at 1:30 am our friend Shay showed up and stayed for 2 hours. He did an hour with Chris and a hour with me before leaving.  From 3:30 am until 6:00 am was the only time that no one was there.  Chris did an hour while I slept in my car and then I took the next hour and a half while Chris slept. As Chris started his next hour shift he got one lap in before our friend Anna showed up to relieve us for an hour. From that point on though people showed up until the very end. Tom showed back up early in the morning and stayed most of the day taking laps whenever he could.  At one point we had at least 5 different groups of people walking or running on the track. It was awesome to see all of our friends show up and donate. Most of them didn't show up empty handed either. 4 boxes and 4 XL cups of coffee, 2 XL hot chocolates, donuts, cupcakes, candy, and pizza were just a few things brought.  Even though there were so many people that came and donated and offered to run Chris and I never wanted to just over the track. Chris ended up running and walking 20 miles while I logged 35. There was around 140 collaborative miles logged from everyone who showed up. I am still amazed of all the support we got on the track and from people who donated through the fundraising page. I don't have a total yet of the amount, but I can tell you we did a great job.

Chris and I started together and we finished together at 4:00 pm today. We decided to stick to the 24 hour theme and not go until 5.  We already have some great idea's for next year and hope everyone will come show support.  It would be to long for me to list and thank everyone who helped, but I want you to know how much Chris and I appreciate your support.  Some people went really helped out a lot and I would like to thank them.

Amanda Byrne- She was the backbone of the operation today, and stayed through the whole thing.

Don Nehez- 6 miles in a walking boot.

Shay Kelly- 10 miles with us and showed up twice and brought coffee.

Kevin Doyle- Donated twice and showed up in a walking boot to show support even if he couldn't run

Mike Doyle- Showed up 3 times and brought us coffee, or hot chocolate every time

Charlie and Anna Dillon- both ran an hour and brought pizza's and coffee

Tom Mcquade- he was basically our 3rd person and he and his wife ran twice

Chris Smith- without him I wouldn't of been able to do this, he is a beginner runner and still logged 20 miles and worked his ass off.

There are so many others I can name from Alyssa Smith to Val and Aaron Long who took laps and brought stuff.  Or Justin Reardon who was our comic relief for most of the day.  I could basically name every person who came today, everyone was amazing.

THANK YOU ALL.  

One cool thing that also happened during the run was we met some people who told us about a half marathon run this group does throughout or neighborhoods. It's free and they do it a few times a year.  It was nice to meet them and a few of  us plan on running with them.

The Week After A Marathon

     Normally on Sundays I would post each day of the previous week and tell you how I trained each day.  Well if I did that today for you, most days would say the same thing.  Rest Day! All week I really wanted to get out and run or go to the gym and work out, but I knew the smart thing to do was just rest and get my legs back under me. I honestly felt really good on Wednesday during the week and the thought of running did cross me mind. I however will need my legs to be really fresh this weekend coming up.  So everyday when I came home from work instead of changing into my running clothes and going for a run I found myself sitting on the couch and watching TV.


I felt like Al Bundy

    I did receive some good news on Tuesday. I was contacted by the Battle Frog Race Series and told I was accepted as a field team member. Basically what this means is I have my own promo code that can be used for every one of their races. Any who uses my code gets 15 percent off the registration fee. Also, anytime Battle Frog does a race that is close to me I will be invited to help work the booth or talk to people about the race series.  So if anyone is ever interested in doing an obstacle race I suggest you look into the Battle Frog.  It is a great race that will push you to the limit. My code is BFByrne so if you know anyone or you see that they are in your area please pass my code along.

With more time on my hand this week I was able to finalize some things for this weekend coming up. If you don't know yet what I am doing let me explain.  On November 1st at 5:00 pm Chris Smith @chrismith6944 and myself will be doing a fundraiser for Children's Hospital. It will take place on the track at Woodland Hills High School in Churchill. We will take turns running for 24 hours straight I think that is day light savings so it may turn into 25 hours. One of us will be on the track at all times and be running or walking. Originally when we came up with the idea we assumed it would be just me and him, but people started to ask if they could come up and take some of the running off of us if they donated. I am just coming off a marathon and Chris fractured his foot a month ago. We are both going to be put to the test but with so many people saying they will come and help out I can see our running time is probably going to be cut in half.  I figured most people wont show up during the night so that is when we will both have to take turns. This is also the reason why I started it later in the day. We want fresh legs when it is dark out.  Even if people don't want to run they can still come and donate or they can use the link and donate directly to the page set up through the hospital.  http://www.givetochildrens.org/24HourRun 
I am very excited for this event, it is going to really push me to the limit having just done a marathon. Most of all though I am glad that I can use running and give back to people who need it.  I hope everyone can stop up at some point in the 2 days and show their support. 



This week I will do some light running at the beginning of the week, but nothing crazy. I will probably go to the gym and work out most days to keep my legs fresh.  I can't wait until next week to share how the event turned out with all of you.  Until then be safe on the roads.

24 HOUR RUN (Fundraiser)

     I am happy to announce that on Saturday, November 1st from 5:00 pm to Sunday, November 2nd at 5:00 pm, Chris Smith @chrismith6944 and myself will be doing a 24 hour run in hopes to raise money for Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.  This will take place on the track at the Woodland Hills High School.  One of us will be on the track and moving at all times.  When I originally came up with the idea I was going to attempt this on my own, but then realized it would be two weeks after I run the Columbus Marathon in which all proceeds go to the Children's Hospital of Columbus; so, I recruited my cousin Chris and we decided we will tag team this challenge.
     One thing I have learned from running is you will have days that make you want to call it quits. Days when nothing goes right and you start doubting yourself, but then you find a way to keep fighting. You pick yourself up and you are at it again.We are lucky because we have the option to quit, but there are kids who can't quit fighting.  If you have ever known a kid who was sick, then you realize what a true fighter is.  They look their illness in the face and they don't give up, they continue to fight until they have knocked out their illness. All too often we throw the word hero around.  Go walk through a Children's hospital in any city and you will see what a true hero is.  It's that kid who is staring cancer in the face and not backing down. It's the kid who is told you won't walk and there he/she is in pain proving the doctor wrong.  These kids don't know what the word quit means.  Their strength, perseverance, and will to live should motivate all of us.  Not only are the kids great at the hospital, but the staff is great as well. The staff will go above and beyond to make the child and the family feel welcome.
      We are asking for everyone to help if they can. Even if you don't live in Pittsburgh, a lot of children are brought into this hospital from around the country. Any amount you can donate helps and would be appreciated.  If you can't donate please repost this and pass it on so we can get as many donations as we can.
      Also if you would like to join us during our run, please feel free to stop at the track and run or walk a few laps with whoever is on the track at the time.  Not only are you keeping us motivated you are getting in some good exercise as well. Additionally, you can also get a few people together and make a team and do the whole 24 hours with us.  Get creative; make shirts for your team and get all of your family and friends to donate through the link provided at the bottom of the page.  We will also have a donation table set up at track in which you can donate there and we will also be posting other events that we will be doing that will also go towards the hospital.  I look forward to seeing you all there and hope you will get on board and help us in this fundraiser.

Here is the link if you would like to make a donation: Remember, every dollar counts!!!!

http://www.givetochildrens.org/24HourRun

I will be donating after the run based on how many miles we log...my goal is 100 miles!!!!

Once again Chris and I thank you!!