• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
BarBend

BarBend

The Online Home for Strength Sports

  • News
    • CrossFit
    • Strongman
    • Bodybuilding
    • Top Athletes
    • Powerlifting
    • Weightlifting
    • Competition Results
    • Latest Research
  • Reviews
    • Recovery
      • Best Cold Plunges
      • Best Saunas
      • Best Mini Massage Guns
      • Individual Recovery Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Best Protein
        • Best Whey Protein Powders
        • Best Vegan Protein Powders
        • Best Whey Isolate Protein Powders
        • Best Mass Gainers
        • Best Protein Bars
      • Best Pre-Workouts
        • Best Pre-Workouts for Women
        • Best Pre-Workouts for Men
        • Best Non-Stim Pre-Workouts
        • Strongest Pre-Workouts
      • Best Creatine
      • Best Electrolyte Supplements
      • Best Greens Powder
      • Best Meal Replacements
      • Best Nitric Oxide Supplements
      • Best Fat Burners
        • Best Fat Burners for Men
        • Best Fat Burners for Women
        • Best Non-Stim Fat Burners
      • More Supplements
        • Best Supplements for Muscle Growth
        • Best Supplements for CrossFit
        • Best Supplements for Weight Loss
        • Best Supplements for Bodybuilding
        • Best Supplements for Men
        • Best Supplement Stacks
      • Individual Supplements Reviews
    • Equipment
      • Cardio
        • Best Treadmills
        • Best Rowing Machines
        • Best Exercise Bikes
        • Best Ellipticals
        • Best Recumbent Bikes
      • Strength
        • Best Adjustable Dumbbells
        • Best Dumbbells
        • Best Kettlebells
        • Best Barbells
        • Best Squat Racks
        • Best Free Weights
        • Best Weight Benches
        • Best Resistance Bands
        • Best Slam Balls
        • Best Weighted Vests
        • Best Leg Extension Machines
        • Best Cable Machines
        • Best Power Racks
        • Best Pull Up Bars
      • Best Home Gyms
        • Best Smart Home Gyms
        • Best Gym Equipment Under $100
        • Best Home Gym Essentials
        • Best Home Gym Flooring
      • Individual Equipment Reviews
    • Fitness Accessories
      • Apparel
        • Best Weightlifting Shoes
        • Best Cross Training Shoes
        • Best Gym Bags
        • Best Gym Shorts
      • Training
        • Best Weightlifting Belts
        • Best Knee Sleeves
        • Best Lifting Straps
        • Best Grip Strengtheners
        • Best Wrist Wraps
        • Best Lifting Gloves
      • Individual Fitness Product Reviews
    • Certifications
      • Best Sports Nutrition Certifications
      • Best Personal Trainer Certifications
      • Best Nutrition Certifications
      • Individual Certifications Reviews
    • Programs
      • Best Online Workout Programs
      • Best Workout Streaming Services
      • Best Home Workout Programs
      • Individual Program Reviews
  • Nutrition
    • Diets
      • Carb Cycling
      • Vertical Diet
      • Reverse Dieting
      • Carnivore Diet
      • Ketogenic Diet
      • Intermittent Fasting
      • IIFYM Diet
    • Fat Loss
      • Macros for Fat Loss
      • Calorie Deficits
      • Natural Fat Burners
      • Cut 2 Pounds Weekly
    • Muscle Gain
      • How to Dirty Bulk
      • Go From Cutting to Bulking
      • Eat These Carbs
      • How to Eat for Muscle
    • Supplement Guides
      • Pre-Workout
      • Whey Protein
      • Mass Gainers
      • Greens Powders
      • Creatine
      • BCAAs
    • Nutrition Tips
      • Daily Protein Needs
      • Pre- and Post-Workout Nutrition
      • Foods With Creatine
      • Bulking Tips
  • Training
    • Workouts
      • Back Workouts
      • At-Home Workouts
      • Chest & Back Workouts
      • Full-Body Workout
      • HIIT Workouts
    • Exercise Guides
      • Deadlift
      • Bench Press
      • Back Squat
      • Overhead Press
      • Bent-Over Row
      • Lat Pulldown
      • Crunches
      • Farmer’s Carry
    • Best Exercises
      • Shoulder Exercises
      • Back Exercises
      • Chest Exercises
      • Glute Exercises
      • Ab Exercises
      • Hamstring Exercises
      • Quad Exercises
      • Calf Exercises
      • Biceps Exercises
      • Triceps Exercises
    • Programs
      • Push-Up Program
      • Pull-Up Program
      • German Volume Training
      • 5/3/1 Program
      • Powerbuilding Program
      • The Cube Method
      • 5×5 Program
      • Bodybuilding Programs
      • Build Your Own Program
    • Fat Loss
      • How to Burn Fat
      • Spot Fat Reduction
      • How to Train on a Cut
      • Body Conditioning
      • Workouts
        • Kettlebell Circuits
        • Dumbbell Complexes
        • Farmer’s Carry Workouts
    • Muscle Gain
      • Muscle Hypertrophy Explained
      • How to Build Muscle
      • How to Maintain Muscle
      • What Researchers Say About Muscle Gain
        • Workouts
          • 20-Minute Workouts
          • Kettlebell Circuits
          • CrossFit Workouts for Muscle
          • Bodybuilding Workouts
  • Calculators
    • Protein Intake Calculator
    • Macros Calculator
    • BMR Calculator
    • Squat Calculator
    • Calorie Calculator
News

WWE’s Megan Morant Teaches Sheamus Marathon Training To Build Strength and Stamina

The SmackDown host joins Sheamus in an uphill Celtic Warrior Workout.

Written by Scott Felstead
Last updated on August 3rd, 2023

Future WWE Hall of Famer Sheamus is adept at going out of his comfort zone for his Celtic Warrior Workout series on YouTube. In episode 121, the man from Dublin trained with WWE correspondent Megan Morant during her marathon prep.

With the Boston Marathon taking place on April. 17, 2023, the duo began their session at “Heartbreak Hill,” on mile 20, deemed the most challenging part of the marathon where hearts, hopes, and dreams are tested to the limit.

Morant, a seasoned runner, says Heartbreak Hill is where the race truly begins. To make things tougher, mile 20 of the Boston Marathon includes a hill for good measure. “My heart’s already broken,” joked Sheamus as they got to work. Check out their training session in the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piMt-wsEI10&t=15s&ab_channel=CelticWarriorWorkouts

[Related: The CrossFit Fran Workout Explained and Scaled for Every Skill Level]

As Morant readies for her fifth Boston Marathon and eleventh marathon in total, the seasoned runner explained that the Boston Marathon is the “Superbowl” or “WrestleMania” of marathons. That made Sheamus nervous after he admitted that he hadn’t been on a proper run in many years.

The only thing I do is run from rope to rope.

Still, the fighting Irishman was game as ever, understanding that pumping iron is not the only way to build muscle and strength. A study published in the Exercise and Sports Sciences Reviews found that athletes use a repetitive weight-bearing motion when running. Sprints and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) runs also alter protein metabolism and induce skeletal muscle hypertrophy, leading to strength and muscle gains. (1)

Megan Morant’s “Heartbreak Hill Repeats” Workout

Below are the exercises undertaken, followed by a breakdown of the process.

Warmup

  • Hamstring Stretch
  • Leg Swings
  • Striders— x four (100 meters)

Workout

  • Uphill Run followed by Downhill Jog — x two

The Finisher

  • Steeper Uphill Sprint

Workout Breakdown

Morant usually runs 50-60 miles per week. She explained that the essential part of this workout is pacing yourself. They conducted a leg warmup to promote blood flow and flexibility before striding up and down Heartbreak Hill.

With their hearts pumping and oxygen flowing, the pair started the main workout with a decently paced run up the hill and a slower jog back down. If you are predominantly a gym warrior, you should consider adding runs to your routine.  A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that running was linked to the increased lifespans of 85 percent of participants. (2)

Running pumps out chemicals called endocannabinoids, which boost mood (hence the name “runners high”). For those in a cutting phase, running is a great way to scorch fat, burning up to twice the number of calories than training with weights while strengthening bones. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sheamus (@wwesheamus)

Running, as a highly aerobic activity, raids both fatty acid and carbohydrate storage for energy. It makes the heart more efficient and leads to a lower resting pulse — runners’ hearts pump more oxygen, increasing their stamina. (3)

Since Morant is a highly-developed runner, she left Sheamus in the dust. “Come on, Sheamus,” encouraged the SmackDown reporter. Morant, who completes marathons in under three hours, explained that long runs are great for meditation.

It’s therapeutic, and you get to be outside.

“I just realized I’m an unfit mess,” said Sheamus — a legend of the WWE ring, who is anything but unfit. This supports the notion that there are always new methods to challenge physical limits.

I may fail once, twice, 10 times, but it’s all about the challenge. It’s all about the brave change.

Undeterred, the Celtic Warrior put his all into the final uphill run and downward jog.

The Finisher

After an impromptu Irish jig by the WWE duo, Morant explained that the goal of the finisher was to tire themselves out until they felt like they had nothing left in their tanks. They undertook one last hill, a steeper one than before, “because the clock doesn’t stop until you cross that finish line.”

Sheamus tried to sneak a head-start on his colleague but soon trailed behind the more experienced Morant. “I absolutely hated this workout,” joked the Irishman. “But, I’m really happy that I did it. That’s what this challenge is all about. Push yourself beyond your comfort zone.”

References

  1. Konopka, A. R., & Harber, M. P. (2014). Skeletal muscle hypertrophy after aerobic exercise training. Exercise and sport sciences reviews, 42(2), 53–61. https://doi.org/10.1249/JES.0000000000000007
  2. Chakravarty, E. F., Hubert, H. B., Lingala, V. B., & Fries, J. F. (2008). Reduced disability and mortality among aging runners: a 21-year longitudinal study. Archives of internal medicine, 168(15), 1638–1646. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.168.15.1638
  3. Cantwell J. D. (1985). Cardiovascular aspects of running. Clinics in sports medicine, 4(4), 627–640.

Featured image: @wwesheamus on Instagram

About Scott Felstead

Scott "Future" Felstead has covered health and fitness stories professionally for over a decade, interviewing international athletes from the world of CrossFit, Weight Lifting, the Olympics, MMA, Hollywood, WWE, and Strongman. His life-long passion for self-improvement provides accessible fitness tips from notable sources, including record holders, world champions, and gold medallists, providing inspiration for readers at any stage of their own wellness journey.

View All Articles

Primary Sidebar

Latest News

Best Cyber Monday Fitness Deals (2023)

Program Glutes Like Two-Time Figure Olympia Champion Erin Stern

Phillip Herndon (125KG) Hits 2 Single-Ply All-Time World Records at the 2023 IPA National Championships

Russel Orhii (83KG) Raw Squats 22 kilograms Over IPF World Record For a Double

Jesus Olivares (+120KG) Raw Deadlifts 5 Kilograms Over His IPF World Record

Latest Reviews

Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge Tub Review

Redwood Outdoor Thermowood Garden Sauna Review

Future App Review

Bells of Steel Hydra Rack Review

Assault Runner Elite Treadmill

Assault Runner Elite Treadmill Review

BarBend

BarBend is an independent website. The views expressed on this site may come from individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the view of BarBend or any other organization. BarBend is the Official Media Partner of USA Weightlifting.

  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Sections

  • CrossFit
  • Strongman
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Weightlifting
  • Reviews
  • Nutrition
  • Training

More

  • BarBend Newsletter
  • BarBend Podcast
  • The Ripped Report
  • 1RM Calculator
  • BMR Calculator
  • Macros Calculator
  • Protein Calculator
  • Squat Calculator

Policies

  • Accessibility
  • Advice Disclaimer
  • Cookies Policy
  • Disclaimers
  • Disclosures
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Copyright © 2023 · BarBend Inc · Sitemap