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Elephants, fleas, futility, and self limitation

March 24, 2017 by Brent

self limitation

Imagine you are chained to the ground with no power to break free. You are a captive, held in place by an immovable object. How long would you struggle before accepting your fate? I can’t remember the first time I heard the story of elephant training, but I was reminded of it this past week […]

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: Boston Marathon, BQ, fitness, futility, goals, life, long run, marathon, marathon training, motivation, negativity, patience, perseverance, race, run, runner, running, self doubt, self limitation, Shreveport, tempo, training, training plan

Back on track — literally (time to add back speedwork)

December 9, 2016 by Brent

on track

As of last night, I’m back on track. Literally. My running in the past six months hasn’t been the best. I struggled through sickness, and my monthly mileage dropped to the lowest it’s been in three years. But for the past three months, I’ve rebuilt my base. November was a breakthrough running month in a lot […]

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: fitness, goals, marathon, marathon training, motivation, run, runner, running, San Diego, Shreveport, speed work, tempo, track, track work, track workout, training, training plan, west coast, workouts

No running music? Make your own rhythm

December 7, 2016 by Brent

running music

  I made a decision in September of last year to give up running music. I had just completed my running coach certification class, and the teacher had been adamant. “As a coach, you should be an example for the running community. That means no running music. No earbuds. Set an example of safety.” His message, […]

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: cadence, earbuds, fitness, goals, headphones, long run, marathon, marathon training, motivation, music, run, runner, running, running music, running rhythm, San Diego, Shreveport, speed work, tempo, track, track work, track workout, training, training plan, west coast, workouts

The perfect run — where did that come from?

December 5, 2016 by Brent

the perfect run

I haven’t driven many sports cars in my life. Currently I have a Nissan Xterra. Before that, a Pathfinder, Hyundai Accent, and ages ago, an ’89 Ford Bronco II complete with stick shift and broken ignition. But I can remember the feeling of being behind the wheel of a car with a lot of power (always […]

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: Dallas, fartlek, fitness, goals, Katy trail, long run, marathon, marathon training, motivation, patience, race, run, runner, running, speed work, tempo, training, training plan, workouts

Searching for my lost running gears

July 13, 2016 by Brent

running gears

I mash my foot to the floorboard. My RPMs rise higher and higher, yet I can’t shift up. If my body is a running machine, then I’m missing crucial running gears. I learned how to drive with on a stick shift, a 1989 Ford Bronco II. The gears were butter, barely any need for the […]

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: Boston Marathon, fitness, goals, heat, heat running, long run, marathon, marathon training, motivation, patience, race, run, runner, running, running gears, speed work, tempo, track work, track workout, training, training plan, workouts

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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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