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Taper madness is real, and it’s terrifying

December 17, 2016 by Brent

taper madness

Typically, I don’t taper. I hate the mental craziness that comes along, the taper madness. I have read many blog posts from athletes tapering. Those stories normally curse the weeks directly preceding a big race. Taper madness, triggered by inactivity following weeks of intense training, includes wild food cravings, outbursts of misdirected frustration, and sometimes the […]

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: Boston Marathon, BQ, fitness, goals, long run, marathon, marathon training, motivation, patience, plan, race, race plan, run, runner, running, San Diego, taper, taper madness, track, track work, training, training plan, workouts

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

Sneaking in a final Shreveport track session

August 24, 2016 by Brent

Shreveport track

Shreveport-Bossier City has the third largest metropolitan population in Louisiana, and it comes in behind New Orleans and Baton Rouge. There are less than 500,000 people here. It would barely crack the top ten area populations in Texas.  Yet, here in a much smaller setting, the running community is thriving. I will argue that it rivals running groups from […]

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: fitness, goals, heat running, humidity, ladder workout, marathon, marathon training, motivation, patience, runner, running, Shreveport, speed work, summer, summer running, track, track work, track workout, training, workouts

Track workout provides rude welcome

June 22, 2016 by Brent

What’s your go-to excuse after struggling through a tough track workout? It’s the heat and humidity. My legs were already tired. I haven’t run that hard in a month, so I’m rusty. My stomach was acting up. I have a race coming up, so I was taking it easy. I’ve used every one of those at some point. […]

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: fitness, heat, humidity, ladder workout, marathon, marathon training, motivation, race plan, run, runner, running, speed work, track, track workout, training, training plan

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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