Quest for 4:00 - The Training of an Irish Runner

They say that great writers, programmers, artist, etc...steal. So, in effort to create more regular content I'm doing just that! So here is the first of my weekly "Friday Fives" (and not only that, it's two days late, coming on a Sunday!)

The catching up edition, aka Chris hasn't posted a blog in a really long time so here's what's new, what he's up to, and what he's thinking about.

1. Race Report - Shamrock Half Marathon goal was successful! I finished the March 21st race with a PR of 1:56:50. Ran with a steady effort which earned me my best time yet (as well as a couple of major blisters on my feet!) It felt really good to cross the finish line and see the clock leading with a "1" for the first time ever, and I look forward to improving even more.

2. Training updates - on the flip side of things, my weekly running has really tanked since that race. I had a couple of solid 30 miles weeks, and then the "real life" schedule got the best of me and steady running just vanished. Or I should say, I *allowed* my schedule to get the best of me. Take ownership and don't make excuses!

3. Crossfit - the past three weeks I've been attending the Takeoff! class at Crossfit Hampton Roads. While I am familiar with short, intense workouts, and whole body training, their style is still a new method of working out for me. In some areas we have a conflict of wills - Crossfit doesn't care much for long, slow, cardio, where as a marathoner I thrive on it - but I'm still liking it for cross training, and for the community it offers. I will have an end of training report in two weeks when my class has finished.

4. Coaching - I am now a RRCA (Road Runner's Club of America) Certified Running Coach! Once I finish my goals & business objectives, I will begin offering my services as a coach, helping others achieve their running & racing goals, as I work to achieve my own.

5. Change in mission plan - Originally, I set this site up to record my training as I promoted my business as a Team Beachbody Coach. WHile I still believe in Beachbody's products, and overall mission, I realize I am not doing enough on my own promoting the business to make much of it on my own. So, while I will occasional post things related to their products, I'm going to focus more on my RRCA Coaching business and building that.