Kevin Byrne Interview

KW- Did you ever think your record would be around as long as it did? 

KB-  I thought that a sub nine would last at least a few years, but certainly not this long.

KW- What do you think are the major factors surrounding WHY your record was able to stick around so long? 

KB-I think the record lasted as long as it did because of several factors. First, in my era there were no indoor national championships, so there were very few opportunities to run a deuce in a race with other two milers capable of running that fast. Second, I don’t think some people were willing to put the work in, which would be 70-90 miles a week over an extended period. And third, there was some luck involved along the way. For example,  Craig Forys could have taken the record down in each of the last two years, especially last year, if his races had gone differently.

KW- Give us some idea of what it was like to run in the 70's, the training- the ridiculous times, comp. etc.

KB- The 70’s was a high mileage, never back down era. We trained hard, we raced hard, we raced often. We never trained on grass or trails, and never really had any easy days, other than on Fridays before a meet, and we NEVER took a day off. There were many cool runners to emulate: Marty Liquori, John  Walker in the all-black New Zealand uniform, Filbert Bayi the front running maniac, Mary Decker, Bill Rodgers and Frank Shorter, the great Villanova runners,  Eamonn Coughlan, Don Paige(9 Watches at Penn!) and Mark Belger(10 Watches at Penn!), and of course Pre, and I could go on and on.

KW- Themes, physical, mental, etc on what it takes to get to the top in high school and beyond. 

KB- Perseverance. EVERY runner has ups and downs. There are days and even weeks where you don’t train or race well. You need to stay with the plan and “roll with the punches”. No one workout or race defines a runner. Success in running is the result of the cumulative effect of training and a consistent approach over weeks, months and years. If you put it all together once or twice a race every season you’re having a great year. 

KW- How did running prepare you for life in the real world. 

KB- Running is microcosm of life. If you put the work in, and are prepared mentally and do the best that you can on that particular day, you will generally perform well and more importantly should be satisfied with the result. Sometimes even when you are ready, something bad happens that’s beyond your control, and its not fair. But as my dad told me and I tell my son, sometimes life isn’t fair, so deal with it! J. The measure of success is how well you deal with the curveballs life sends you.

KW- What are a few pieces of advice you 'd offer kids today in re: the distance running? 

KB- Do the little things consistently: stretching, eating right, hydrating, sleeping, and using common sense. Leave the training specifics to your coach. Your job is to take care of the other stuff.

KW Feelings on burnout? 

KB- I think burnout should be a very big concern for all coaches and runners. I believe mental burnout can be overcome with changes to workouts, limits on number of races, and sometimes running events other than a runner’s specialty. Physical burnout is another story. I am a firm believer in miles having a cumulative effect both good and bad, and as such believe that runners should be given time off between seasons with at least a week of no running between XC and indoors, and definitely one to two weeks off before resuming summer training. I also believe in giving runners an occasional day off during the year here and there as needed. It won’t affect their fitness level at all, and allows the body and mind to recharge and for the training to “sink in”, and just may avoid an overuse injury or two.

KW- Tell your most inspirational running story. 

KB- This one’s easy. Back in the mid 1970’s Hammond Indiana HS had the two of the best two milers in the state, Rudy Chapa (HS record holder at 10K and Collegiate record holder at 3K -7:37! at Oregon) and Carey Pinkowski (sub 9 min two miler in HS-all American at Villanova). Throughout their HS careers they logged their miles together (and lots of them, reportedly at times over 100 miles a week) and were trailed in practice relentlessly by a fellow name Tim Keough, who, when compared to his two superstar teammates, was considered merely a decent runner. If memory serves, he was about a 9:45 as a junior, good but nothing compared to Chapa and Pinkowski. Keough continued to train with and behind Chapa and Pinkowski, and as a senior got closer and closer to them in training and races. Finally, in a big meet at the end of the year, Chapa had the two mile in hand heading off the last turn of the last lap, and heard footsteps. As he glanced back, thinking it was Pinkowski, he was shocked to discover it was in fact Tim Keough, who hung on and ran sub nine! Hammond Indiana HS is still the only HS in history with three sub nine minute two milers in the same year.  Perseverance.  (Hammond High School (setting for the famous movie A Christmas Story) in 1975 had three runners go under 9 for the full- two miles, their converted 3200m times sit 1,2, and 4, in Indiana State High School  History…1. Rudy Chapa 8:48.27, 2. Tim Keough 8:50.06, and 4. Carey Pinkowski 8:53.44.  Never been done before or since!!!!) Good article on FL Champ Mike Fout chasing Chapa’s record .

KW- Describe the relationship you had with your coach. 

KB- I had a great relationship with my coaches on the HS and College level.. I was able to tell them my doubts and fears and most of all the immense pressure I felt trying to be great every single week. Conversely, they were very good about getting in my face if I didn’t execute the race plan or workout correctly. I was very fortunate to have great HS and college coaches, and looking back I can honestly say that most if not all of my failures were of my own doing, i.e. I did not listen to my coach.