Race Media

David Byrne (NIKE) - Six Foot Track Champion and 28 min 10km runner - Sydney, Australlia pre race interview - Skyrunning Asian Championship - MSIG SK50

Are you sitting down as you'll want to read thru this for some big surprises as the Australian's know how to run........Feb 7 2015 just got that much more exciting.

1.    Any idea on number of marathons you have run over the distance of 42k?
I’ve run 6 races of 42km or further. I’m yet to have competed in a road marathon but plan on having a crack at a fast one this year.

2.    What got you into running?
I started with Little Athletics as a child and enjoyed the competition. I had success early on which motivated me to keep at it. This lead to representing Australia at various championships and events and now I find myself going to longer distances and bigger challenges.

3.  What is your definition of trail running.
Any event where there’s little or no road running and loads of single track!

4.    Where was your first trail running race?
Sydney Trail Series in Centennial Park. It was more like a cross country course than a real trail run. But through that I saw another side to a sport I had always loved. My first ‘Real’ trail run was the Buffalo Stampede. It had mountains, single track and technical sections too. I loved it!

5.    Favorite trail running course and distance?
I am yet to have tested myself beyond 50km, so at the moment I prefer the shorter end of the spectrum. 50km is a nice distance that requires strength and endurance, and depending on the course can involve elements of speed too. If I had to pick a single a favourite trail it would be The Buffalo Stampede. The terrain is varied and the scenery is fantastic.

6.    Most memorable race?
The 2014 Six Foot Track race has a special place. I went into it having little experience over the distance or big hills and didn’t think I had a chance as the field was strong and I wasn’t in super shape. In the end I kept it together and had a good day out to take the win. It’s an iconic Australian event and to win it on my first go was pretty rewarding!

7.    Favorite training course?
I love Centennial Park in Sydney. Yeah, it’s not a trail runners heaven, but there’s a trail around the perimeter that rolls up and down with some technical bits and plenty of fast sections. It makes for enjoyable running and is in the heart of the city. I’ve been training there for 15 years so it’s kind of a second home to me.

8.    As you do so many big long distance races (and in the mountains!!) how do you prepare to combat the challenges of injury that humble some of the best runners each year?
Massage is an important element, as is lots of rest, but the single most important thing is preparation. You need to gradually build volume, intensity and vert into your training to mitigate against injury. A properly periodised training regime will include the occasional low key week to aid in recovery and absorb the work being done.

9.    What are your personal and/or team goals for the year?
2015 is all about supporting the Oceania Skyrunning Series and also trying to qualify for the Australian 100km team. If I can be consistent in my racing and keep injury free then I hope to get a fast 100km into the legs while maintaining a focus on the nig vert races in Australia and New Zealand.

10.    What are the biggest differences between racing in Europe compared to racing in North America or Asia?
Europe has a huge trail running culture and attracts incredibly deep fields. As the sport grows in Asia more top runners will come across to take on the best in this region. In terms of courses, Asian races typically have fewer of the big mountain passes and more steep, staired sections and in place of snow you’ve got more heat and humidity.

11.    Have you ever had a running coach and what did you learn from them?    Which teammate or coach has taught you the most over your career?
I’ve had a couple coaches over the years. The biggest lesson learnt was patience. You need to be focused on a goal and have the commitment and patience to gradually work towards it. Too many runners are greedy and want to race every weekend and hate the idea of missing out. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it can hamper you achieving the big picture aspirations.
The team mate I learnt the most from would be Jeremy Roff. He’s a very good track runner and a close friend. He showed me that anyone can achieve big things, regardless of natural ability. He wasn’t a particularly talented runner but toiled away for many years before cracking it and is now a 3:34 1500m runner!

12.    What is your typical race day routine?  Do you have any prerace superstitions?
I like to relax and watch movies. Anything to keep my mind off racing and help me stay calm. I’m not one for superstitions.

13.    What is the one moment in your career that you are most proud of?
Running in my first World Cross Country Championships in 2006. It’s an incredible event with huge depth and to make the team is tough.

14.    Personal records?
800m: 1:48
1,500m: 3:40
3,000m: 7:58
5,000m: 13:49
10,000m: 29:06
10km (Road): 28:40
Half Marathon: 63:44

15.    Ever injured? Which kind and how serious?
I’ve had a lot of issues with Achilles tears and more recently, patella tendonopathy. The first major Achilles tear came from a surfing accident and cost me a place in a major championship. Since then it has been recurring thanks to scar tissue.

16.    Hot or cold weather runner?
The heat is always something I’ve coped well with. In Australia it’s generally quite mild to hot, so all my training is in these conditions.

17.    Morning or evening runs?
I’m a grump in the morning! I like my sleep but more importantly I need an hour or so of activity before my aching body starts to feel a little better. The evenings are when I run my best.

18.    What is your motivation?
I enjoy new challenges and doing things that people say I’m not suited to. I’ve always been a short distance runner and when I started the longer stuff people said I would struggle. Similarly, hills were never my strength. So now I am really motivated to prove I can handle big mountains and long distances.

19.    Ever DNF?
Yep! I’ve had to drop a couple of times due to injury or illness. I’m a big believer that you’re better off dropping and recovering to fight another day, rather than making an injury or sickness worse and prolonging recovery. That said, I always fight to the end and will only DNF if things are getting really bad.

20.    Race I'd like to forget:
The North Face 50 Australia. I entered after having the previous 6 weeks off with patella tendonopathy and set sail as though I had not missed a day. About 15km to go my knee exploded and I was in agony and ended up hiking to the finish and came 8th.

21.    One part of your body that has never seen Body Glide:
All of it! I’m keen to give it a go as my simple approach of not using any anti-chafing cream occasionally leaves me a little sore. Thankfully I’ve never had any real issues with chafing, but in the last few months it has reared its ugly head.

22.    Best part of running:
Seeing the wilderness and the feeling of accomplishment after a long run.

23.    If I didn't run I__ ___.
I would cycle!

24.    I can't run without_________.
My Suunto Ambit3

25.    Favorite gel flavor?
Endura Grape

26.    How many days after a marathon do you usually start running again?
The next day I like to do a short jog. I think active recovery is important.

27.    What is your typical night before the big race meal?
Spaghetti bolognaise and a beer.

28.    What's the farthest you've ever run at one time?
6 hours…not sure of the distance.

29.    Any other comments to encourage ultra runners to go the distance?
The longer you run, the more rewarding it gets. That’s why I hope to run 100 mile events eventually.

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What excites me most about racing in Hong Kong is the opportunity to test myself against top class athletes on a course that’s steep and technical. I’ve heard a lot of great things about trail running in Hong Kong and the awesome running culture there, so to experience it first hand will be special.