SKID ROW FRONTMAN Brendan “Brush” Shiels is more used to making records than breaking them but that’s exactly what the popular Dubliner is hoping to do when he targets the 100 metre world record.
Usain Bolt need not fear however as the pint-size Irish rocker is aiming to break the over-70 100m dash when he turns 70 in October.
The current record is held by USA’s Bobby Whilden, who clocked 12.77 seconds in 2005, but Shiels is confident of completing the extraordinary task and has even written a song entitled ‘The loneliness of the short-distance runner.’
“I start off the day exercising while the kettle is boiling. I’ll do 50 press-ups and some Qigong (Chinese mediation) in that time before taking some of Sean Boylan’s herbal remedies,” Brush said.
It’s hard to believe Usain Bolt is only five seconds faster than me, bearing in mind I’m still running with my hat and coat on.
Brush had a chance meeting with double European indoor champion David Gillick, who has offered his services to him, and the recently-retired Irish athlete has huge admiration for what he is trying to achieve.
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Speaking to The42, Gillick said: “It’s amazing for a 69-year-old man to be in the physical shape that he is and his flexibility is nearly as good as mine.
“Most people that age would struggle with the practical things in life like getting out of chairs and climbing stairs so what he’s doing is amazing.”
The 31-year-old has huge respect for the globe-trotting entertainer who suffered heart failure only two years ago and believes he will give this challenge everything.
“He’s an inspiration to everybody and I hope he can do it. It’s great that he’s investing the time and energy to try and achieve it, most people wouldn’t dream of it,” Gillick said.
His healthy lifestyle is still reaping benefits and it’s great that he’s setting these goals for himself and that he’s hungry for a challenge at his age.
Shiels never ran in his youth but he is currently completing 100m in approximately 14 seconds and Gillick sees huge room for improvement.
He quipped: “At the moment he’s doing it full-clothed with a big heavy jacket on, a hat and normal runners and on a sandy track.
“Brush hasn’t put on a pair of spikes yet and he’s still doing the old-fashioned start so there is definitely room for improvement.
“I’m optimistic that he can shave some time off. If we can get him in some Irish green lycra and get a few Masters races under his belt then you never know.”
The former 400m runner has been keeping busy since retiring and along with developing a cookbook and some work for psychologist Enda McNulty, he has taken a session in Santry with Shiels and is a source of athletic advice.
Gillick did however admit that Shiels’ music was a bit before his time but that his enthusiasm was infectious and that he would do anything possible to help him conquer this challenge.
* The Irish Masters record for 100 metres of 13.81 was set by Patsy Forbes of Mid Ulster in 2012.
Brush Shiels working with David Gillick in attempt to break world 100m record
SKID ROW FRONTMAN Brendan “Brush” Shiels is more used to making records than breaking them but that’s exactly what the popular Dubliner is hoping to do when he targets the 100 metre world record.
Usain Bolt need not fear however as the pint-size Irish rocker is aiming to break the over-70 100m dash when he turns 70 in October.
The current record is held by USA’s Bobby Whilden, who clocked 12.77 seconds in 2005, but Shiels is confident of completing the extraordinary task and has even written a song entitled ‘The loneliness of the short-distance runner.’
“I start off the day exercising while the kettle is boiling. I’ll do 50 press-ups and some Qigong (Chinese mediation) in that time before taking some of Sean Boylan’s herbal remedies,” Brush said.
Brush had a chance meeting with double European indoor champion David Gillick, who has offered his services to him, and the recently-retired Irish athlete has huge admiration for what he is trying to achieve.
Speaking to The42, Gillick said: “It’s amazing for a 69-year-old man to be in the physical shape that he is and his flexibility is nearly as good as mine.
“Most people that age would struggle with the practical things in life like getting out of chairs and climbing stairs so what he’s doing is amazing.”
The 31-year-old has huge respect for the globe-trotting entertainer who suffered heart failure only two years ago and believes he will give this challenge everything.
“He’s an inspiration to everybody and I hope he can do it. It’s great that he’s investing the time and energy to try and achieve it, most people wouldn’t dream of it,” Gillick said.
Shiels never ran in his youth but he is currently completing 100m in approximately 14 seconds and Gillick sees huge room for improvement.
He quipped: “At the moment he’s doing it full-clothed with a big heavy jacket on, a hat and normal runners and on a sandy track.
“Brush hasn’t put on a pair of spikes yet and he’s still doing the old-fashioned start so there is definitely room for improvement.
“I’m optimistic that he can shave some time off. If we can get him in some Irish green lycra and get a few Masters races under his belt then you never know.”
The former 400m runner has been keeping busy since retiring and along with developing a cookbook and some work for psychologist Enda McNulty, he has taken a session in Santry with Shiels and is a source of athletic advice.
Gillick did however admit that Shiels’ music was a bit before his time but that his enthusiasm was infectious and that he would do anything possible to help him conquer this challenge.
* The Irish Masters record for 100 metres of 13.81 was set by Patsy Forbes of Mid Ulster in 2012.
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Brush Shiels David Gillick Fitness Health life in the old dog Usain Bolt