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California International Marathon — a reminder to be grateful

December 6, 2018 by Brent

California International Marathon

Frustrated. That’s how I felt immediately following last Saturday’s California International Marathon. I was able to run a qualifying time for the 2020 Boston Marathon, and I’m proud of my effort and the way I forced myself to keep moving forward when my legs wanted to give up. But I have also set high goals […]

Filed Under: Race reports Tagged With: California International Marathon, CIM, CIM 2019, fitness, Las Vegas, marathon, motivation, race, race report, run, runner, running, Sacramento, training, US Marathon Championships, west coast

August please go away; you’re the worst

August 26, 2017 by Brent

August please go away

It happens every year. August rolls around, and my training falls apart. But this year will be different, right? No Louisiana heat and humidity. Instead, I have California breezes and coastal views. Still, same story (I was sick for the whole first week, including a three day stretch where I barely left my room). August […]

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: August, August please go away, Berlin Marathon, california, distance, Fall racing, fitness, heat, humidity, long run, marathon, marathon training, run, runner, running, southern california, speed work, west coast, worst month

2017: average isn’t good enough any more

January 9, 2017 by Brent

2017

P.J. Fleck’s words boomed through my car radio. As 2017 starts, I can’t shake them. Fleck, then the football coach at Western Michigan, was giving an interview on the Jim Rome show on December 19. (If you want to listen, you can here: Fleck interview). His team was preparing to play Wisconsin in the Cotton […]

Filed Under: Life Tagged With: 2016, 2017, fitness, marathon, motivation, new year, PJ Fleck, resolution, run, runner, running, training, west coast, Western Michigan

Looking back at 2016, a year of extremes

January 5, 2017 by Brent

2016

2016 didn’t kill me. Although at times I felt it was trying. Maybe I survived because I’m not a celebrity. Or a Cuban dictator. Or Mariah Carey’s manager. The new year is off to such a hectic start that I haven’t had much time to look back at 2016. But it deserves some retrospective attention. […]

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: 2016, Boston Marathon, fitness, life change, marathon, marathon running, motivation, PR, race, run, runner, running, training, west coast

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

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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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