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Home » 2020

Making 2021 the year of the coaching cliché

January 11, 2021 by Brent

2021

The sun rises over Lake Mead during my first trail run of 2021, a year full of promise. One day at a time — my 2021 motto The words grate across my eardrums. “We just have to take it one day at a time.” It’s a phrase I’ve heard countless times. In my previous life […]

Filed Under: Life Tagged With: 2020, 2021, 2021 preview, blog, fitness, morning person, motivation, personal, run, runner, training, year preview

Looking back at 2020, a year of growth amid uncertainty

January 4, 2021 by Brent

2020

I snapped this picture at the start of summer. Red Rock Canyon’s scenic drive, along with my favorite trailheads, were closed down. It is a fitting 2020 image. Looking back at 2020 I scraped a layer of skin off the top of my right hand a few days before Christmas. It wasn’t a big deal, […]

Filed Under: Life Tagged With: 2020, 2020 review, 2021, life, marathon, motivation, new year, New Years, seize the day, training, year in review

My 12 days of Christmas Strava segments

December 28, 2020 by Brent

Strava segments

Finishing the final run of my 12 days of Strava segments, Christmas Day at Floyd Lamb Park. It’s the final month of 2020. A pandemic has turned the world upside down for most of the year. Finding training motivation has been difficult, and most races have either postponed or cancelled completely. Boston did both. Widespread […]

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: 2020, 2021, fitness, motivation, run, runner, segment, strava

Still on the 2020 start line, and ready to make the most of the year ahead

January 10, 2020 by Brent

2020 start line

The sun about to rise, as seen on a recent early-morning trail run from Calico Basin. Ready to make 2020 the best year yet In the middle of my fourth 1-mile repeat during this morning’s workout, I had four consecutive thoughts. First, “my right Achilles isn’t tight or hurting!” I can’t remember my last run […]

Filed Under: Life Tagged With: 2020, 2020 start line, fitness, marathon, marathon training, motivation, run, runner, running, start line, starting line, sunrise, training

Wrapping a disappointing running 2019 with hope for what will come next

December 31, 2019 by Brent

Wrapping a disappointing running 2019

My running year ended almost exactly like it began — with a surge of hope on a picturesque trail. Missed race goals and injury struggles filled the middle, but I couldn’t script a better start or end. My hope, as we all turn ahead to 2020, is that I can learn from my 2019 missteps […]

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: 2019, 2020, Arizona, Boston Marathon, fitness, Hope, marathon, motivation, Nevada, peace, PR, race, run, running, Sedona, trail running, training

About me

Brent Shirley My name is Brent Shirley, and I'm a stay-at-home dad with experience writing and selling running shoes. Married to a surgeon (she's much smarter than me). Certified RRCA running coach and 11 time Boston Marathon qualifier (2015-25, although I missed the cut in 2015-16). 50 sub 4 finisher.

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