DAVID BYRNE GETTING READY TO TO TACKLE BTU 30 SPARTAN TRAIL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
After doing mainly exploration for The North Face, David Byrne is focusing on races again and working hard on improving his ITRA ranking. After a few appearances at the Tarawera Ultra and finishing 1st place at the Trail Run Australia Snowy Mountains 2021, he looks forward to tackling the Brisbane Trail Ultra 30.
Originally a track runner who used to race 800 and 1500m, in his teenage years David participated in World Junior Championships and Cross Country representing Australia. When he stopped competitive athletics, he took a break from running and got involved in gym training and cycling. But he always loved running and his love for the sport made him come back into it by a chance encounter while spectating at an event. David was drawn back after falling in love with the idea of taking on mountains and remote trails. Trail running offered him the possibility of exploring new places and running in the wilderness, something that few other sports could do.
After running for such a long time, David’s favourite thing about trail running is the camaraderie that he finds in the events he participates in and how he gets to share awesome experiences with like-minded people. On top of that, trail running always takes him to places he would have never thought of exploring.
BTU: How does combining elite training with other activities impact your daily and personal life?
David: It’s a challenge at times. I have a toddler and a 7-week old baby, plus a crazy pug dog! Add into the mix a very busy work life and it makes for chaotic days. But getting out for a run is my release, so I always find the time to train
BTU: What drives you every morning to train and prepare for these events?
DB: For me a large part of the motivation is my competitive nature. I’m motivated to keep pushing and getting as fit and strong as I can be so I can throw down at races.
For David, what makes road running so special when comparing it to road running is the difference between the city setting and nature. Road running is, to him, an urban thing, where runners are typically surrounded by buildings and it doesn’t take them to wild place. On the other hand, trail running is all about emerging oneself into the wilderness and leaving the stress of a hectic life behind.
BTU: What type of emotions do you feel when you are running such long distances and how do you manage them?
DB: It’s always a roller coaster. You can feel amazing early on and then have rough patches where you question whether or not you’ll make it. But there’s always moments of euphoria that lift the spirits and make it all worthwhile.
BTU: According to your experience, what advice would you give to someone who is starting their journey in the Ultra Trail world?
DB: Don’t rush into doing the long stuff. Take the time to get your body conditioned to the rigours of trail running. Get strong and experienced in the different terrain, then slowly go up to the longer distances.
BTU: What do you think of the reach this sport can have on people in order to inspire them? If people were to be inspired by your achievements, what would you like to be looked up at for?
DB: The thing I think I’d like to be known for, is my passion for sharing knowledge. I’m a big believer in working with others to better develop your understanding of things, be it in my professional life, learning to be a better father, or in this instance, trail running. Having come through an elite athletics background I was blessed to work with amazing coaches and health practitioners that all furthered my knowledge of running. So now I try to impart some of that with others that are open to hearing these ideas.
What he has taken from his experience in trail running and what he likes the most about this scene is that for most people it is not just about achieving a time or position in a race, but he has found a more holistic approach to running and embracing everything about an event.
BTU: What are your must haves for races? Do you have a preferred race kit?
DB: I’m pretty relaxed about most things. At the moment it’s all about my new favourite shoes, The North Face Vectiv.
DB: What do you expect about the Brisbane Trail Ultra and the Cairns Port Douglas Trail Ultra?
DB: In Brisbane I’m expecting a fast race from the start. I’m doing the 30km event and the course looks tough early, with plenty of punchy climbs. But then it flattens out in the final 10km or so. In Cairns I’m looking forward to exploring the rainforest trails in a tropical paradise. I love that part of the world and can’t wait for race day!
The BTU team wants to thank David for his time while getting to know him better and can not wait to see what he achieves when he comes to Brisbane for the BTU 30 Spartan Trail World Championship.