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Cascade Express marathon — wrapping up a painful and transformative Boston Beard 2024

September 16, 2024 by Brent

Cascade Express

This is one of the toughest race reports I’ve written. I ran the Cascade Express marathon on September 7, a race capping 12 solid weeks of training. The temperature at the starting line was far too warm. I struggle in races and general training in hot weather, so I struggled for most of the 26.2 […]

Filed Under: 2024 Boston Beard Tagged With: Boston, Boston 2025, Boston Marathon, Boston qualifier, BQ, Cascade Express, Cascade Express Marathon, fitness, goals, God, life, marathon, marathon training, motivation, race, run, runner, running, training

Boston Beard 2024 week 9 — finding running inspiration where I can

August 19, 2024 by Brent

running inspiration

Summer is my least favorite season for marathon training. Or running in general. The heat and humidity zaps all energy and forces paces to slow to the point where I question every goal I have set. So I’m only grinding out the summer miles for one reason: one last shot at hitting a 2025 Boston […]

Filed Under: 2024 Boston Beard Tagged With: Boston, Boston 2025, Boston Marathon, Boston qualifier, BQ, fitness, goals, marathon, marathon training, motivation, Olympics, Paris Olympics, race, run, runner, running, running inspiration, training

2024 Boston Beard: week 1

June 24, 2024 by Brent

Boston Beard 2024 week 1

I don’t like the scratchy feeling of growing a beard, especially in the summer. Which is why it made complete sense to grow one as motivation back in 2013. I wanted to qualify for the Boston Marathon, and I wanted a daily reminder of my lofty goal. A hot, itchy, food mess gathering reminder. Eleven […]

Filed Under: 2024 Boston Beard Tagged With: 2024 Boston Beard, Boston Beard, Boston Marathon, Boston qualifier, BQ, BQ 25, fitness, goals, marathon, marathon training, motivation, race, run, runner, running, training

2019 California International Marathon review — for whom the bell does not toll

December 13, 2019 by Brent

California International Marathon

At the finish area of the California International Marathon, which ends at the California State Capitol Building in downtown Sacramento. I knew going into the 2019 California International Marathon that hitting a Boston qualifier, and getting to ring the BQ bell, was unlikely. Inconsistent training gave me some doubt, but a nagging Achilles issue really […]

Filed Under: Race reports Tagged With: Boston, Boston Marathon, Boston qualifier, BQ, california, California International Marathon, CIM, fitness, marathon, marathon maniacs, motivation, race, run, runner, running, training

One wrong turn can turn a special race into a nightmare

November 5, 2017 by Brent

wrong turn

Nothing will bring down a running high like a mid-race detour. From knocking out miles and building momentum to frustration and helplessness. One wrong turn can completely change mood and motivation. I know many runners who have taken a wrong turn in a race — some make getting lost a habit. But I avoided such […]

Filed Under: Race reports Tagged With: 26.2, 50 states marathon club, Boston Marathon, Boston qualifier, BQ, fitness, marathon, motivation, race, race report, run, runner, West Virginia, wrong turn

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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