Catching up with Dayna Pidhoresky

By: Hayley Bennett

I was lucky enough to catch up with Dayna Pidhoresky early last week, a difficult feat with the busy schedule this former Windsor Lancer is keeping these days. Earlier this year, Pidhoresky joined our Mizuno Racing Team, and we couldn’t be happier to have her on board. The young Canadian runner is taking the racing scene by storm, smashing former PB’s and keeping her opponents on their toes. Enjoy a behind the scenes look into what Pidhoresky is up to these days and where this successful young runner is headed for 2012!

Age: 24

Age you started running: hmmm, young — maybe 8 or 9?

Favourite Distance for a Race: 10K (at the moment!)

Coach: Josh Seifarth

Favourite training shoe: Mizuno Wave Precision

Favourite racing shoe: Mizuno Wave Ronin

Walk us through a usual day for you right now

Not every day is the same but most commonly it will consist of either:
Wake up around 5:45am then run (usually about 13K). After that I head off to work (I work full time at a specialty running shoe store.) Most often I fit in another easy 10K after work. Then go home, refuel, and relax.

Other days may consist of a higher volume workout so those days I usually do not have a second run. When I am not working or running I am usually in recovery mode (wearing my Mizuno breath thermo compression socks.)

Do you train with any other runners or groups?

No, but I am really grateful to have my coach bike beside me for many of my workouts. Often times he will run with me for some of my training runs as well.

What is your favourite workout?

A staple workout for me is 4x2K but I also enjoy 3K + (2x2K) + (3x1K)

With such a successful year behind you what are some of your favourite memories or races from 2011?

2011 has been a very enjoyable racing year for me. I will never forget the finish for Around the Bay in Hamilton. I remember being in a lot of pain toward the end of that race (my hip had tightened up a lot over the 30K course) and I was really looking forward to the end. As I rounded the corner and headed down the tunnel into the COPPS Coliseum I was greeted by fireworks, the finish line, and my parents. I was so thankful that they made the trip to see me race even if that meant they would really only see me start and finish.

Another memory would have to be when I raced the CRIM 10 Miler in Flint, Michigan over the summer. It was exciting to be running beside Catherine Ndereba for almost the entire race. For me it was a great experience to race this World Champion and Olympian.

And finally, I was very happy (and surprised) by my Canadian 10K Road Race title. After finishing second in my last two Canadian Championship races, cross country and the half marathon, it was great to finally get the win. That race for me was about working hard until the end and it paid off.

Do you have any Running and or Racing goals in mind for 2012?

Of course! I hope to continue improving my times over all distances. Also, if my winter training goes well I am looking forward to debuting the Marathon in Ottawa this coming May. The Marathon will be my main focus and peak race for the Spring of 2012 and I am excited to see how my body reacts to that distance. I am also hoping to get in some more competitive races this coming year so that I can test my fitness further and become more familiar with racing tactically.

Personal Bests
5K – 16:18
10K – 33:02
10 Mile- 55:26
Half Marathon -1:11:46