Byrne Notice: Final journal entry reflects on Foot Locker Nationals

With both the Nike and Foot Locker Nationals over, I must say that both were definitely great experiences. Meeting all of the runners from across the country was very neat, and I made many new friends. 

Going into the Nike race, I had wanted to get out and get a really good start. I knew it would become crowded very quickly on the rather narrow course with around 200 runners participating. Unfortunately, I did not have as good of a start as I was hoping and got stuck behind a fairly large pack of runners. 

From that point I just wanted to stay relaxed and surge on the sections of the course that I would be able to pass people on better. I kept advancing my way up in the race, but it proved to be very difficult to make up the kind of ground that I needed to. On the course, there were hay bales and the man-made whoop-dee-doos – which did take some energy from my legs – but they were a neat addition to have in a race. 

Coming across the line at Nike, I had finished in 19th place. This was not nearly what I was hoping for, and I was disappointed in how I ran, so I then looked ahead to the Foot Locker Nationals that were only a week ahead.

During the week of Foot Locker, I ran shorter runs for the most part. 

Monday, I did a five-mile run at a comfortable pace, but faster than normal. After finishing a mile warm-up, I began the five-mile run starting around a 6:30 pace and progressively got faster with my final mile right at 5:50. With an easier run on Tuesday and coming back with a speed workout on Wednesday that consisted of an 800 and six 400s, I was feeling really good and ready for the race to be here. 

My plane left early the next morning, and after a long day of flying I finally arrived in San Diego, California. As soon as I stepped outside, the first thing that hit me was the obvious temperature change. I was still in the mindset of it being cold since there were snow flurries when I left from the airport in Louisville, but it was a change that I welcomed and was not the least bit disappointed to see. 

Once I got to the hotel and settled in, I went for an easy run with some of the guys I already knew. We headed off and ran to a nearby track. Running in actual running shorts and a T-shirt was very nice instead of being geared up in pants, a jacket, and hat and gloves. 

The next day, after grabbing some breakfast, we loaded the buses to the course. Once there, I instantly liked the course. It had great footing and looked to be challenging with the hill in it that we would hit twice during the race.

Race Day came quick the next day, but I was looking forward to it. We got to the course and I could just feel the running atmosphere all around. I started to go over my game plan in my head again and again. I was not going to get stuck behind the pack this time, and I knew that would be key for me to do well. 

I wanted to get out and just hold the pace as long as I could, then really try and have a good kick at the end.

(For video coverage of the Dec. 12 race, plus pictures via the Photos link, click here!! And check out the gallery for pictures from Ryan’s mother!)

Stepping up to the line for the race, it began to rain fairly hard. But I did not mind it in the least bit, and I actually kind of welcomed it since this season for me it was rare to run on a dry course, anyway. 

The loud cannon went off, and I got myself in good position. I was not in the very front, but back just a little. Being back a little was not bad, though, because even coming through the half-mile mark, there was a pack of 40 boys – everyone in the race. From that point, I just tried to stay relaxed and not drop off the pace. 

Coming through the first mile, I was still feeling really good. I kept up the intensity for the next mile, then when I hit the two-mile mark right around 10 minutes even, I knew it was time to start working on closing the gaps between runners and advancing myself further up. 

Right beside me was Chris Walden from Carmel High School in Indiana (click here for Chris’ personal page on the Foot Locker site … and click here for Tyler’s!). We were both working and driving together to keep advancing our way up. He was pushing me, and I believe I was pushing him to really keep on going. 

We both knew that what we were representing was not just ourselves, but also the state of Indiana. This brought me motivation and kept me working hard because I was determined to cross that line knowing I had given it my very best. 

With 600 meters left in the race, I really began to start driving. There were several kids that were definitely within striking distance for me to catch before the finish, and I wanted to make sure I made them work for each and every place. 

There was 400 meters to go, and I told myself this is it, your last 400 meters in your last high school cross country race. That was more than enough to get me going, and I gave it absolutely everything I had to get to the finish line as fast as my little skinny legs could take me. 

I crossed the finish line in seventh in 15:34 and instantly felt great. (Carmel’s Walden took 11th in 15:38). I knew I had finished well, and that I could not have run any faster on that day. 

There were no regrets about the race running through my head, just the satisfaction of being done and wrapping up my season on a high note.

Tyler Byrne