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Brandon Cates

@whohatescates

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Tar Heel : ΦΒΣ : Broncos apologist : Sports aficionado : wanna-be athlete
5X26.2 🏅 5X13.1🏅

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I wanted to take some time to tell you about my grandmother, whom we sadly lost yesterday. She was the matriarch and the tying bond of our family and saying she will be greatly missed would be an understatement.

She was the first person who taught me about God and the power of prayer and she was the living testimony of those truths. She fought through many different ailments and illnesses over the course of the last decade or so, but she carried herself with level of grace and dignity throughout the challenges that were brought to her.

The one lasting thing (among many lasting things) that my grandmother taught me and that I wanted to share with you was a sense of doing things the right way. She wasn’t the perfect person, but she carried herself with a level of self respect while remaining humble and assertive. Those are virtues I try to live my life with every single day.

Grandma was the kindest person I knew and I’ll miss the talks and the calls with her as she helped to guide my life. She had a knack for being funny without even knowing it and there’s no question that’s where I get that from 😂.

There wasn’t a conversation in my entire life where she didn’t tell me she loved me and I did the same for her. Telling her that I loved her one last time last week was a moment that will never forget and thankful that I was provided that opportunity.

She would not want me to be sad as I type this and I honor that wish. I know she is in a better place because she taught me God is real and never makes a mistake. I am a result of the fruits of her work here and I await the day when we will meet again.

Rest in peace grandma. by @whohatescates

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4 months ago

Anybody who knows anything about me knows this one thing among all others, I LOVE Michael Jackson. I have been waiting for this movie for years and while it didn’t meet all of my expectations, I definitely appreciated seeing his life brought to the screen. Jaafar Jackson bodied those performances and it felt like you were legitimately watching a Michael Jackson short film or concert. He definitely embodied the spirit of his uncle. Long live the King of Pop!

Also if you didn’t think I was gonna do the most for the premiere, then you don’t know ball. I’ve been true to this for a long time. by @whohatescates

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6 months ago

“Everybody it’s Bob from Marketing” 😒

#Halloween2025 #Martin #Bossanova #AwesomeDude #AnotherOne #PeoplesChamp by @whohatescates

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a year ago

Chapter 40: The “Attitude” Era

One of reflection, gratefulness, and appreciation.

Knowing that a few that walked this journey with me didn’t get a chance to make it this far, I’m using this era of life to live unapologetically and celebrate the moments, both large and small. That’s the embodiment and essence of living with attitude.

As a wise man once said, “and that’s the bottom line, because I said so!” by @whohatescates

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a year ago

Now normally Halloween is my time, but this year it’s PRIME time

Swipe til the end for a motivational boost! #CoachPrime #WeComing #CoachCates by @whohatescates

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2 years ago

#MedalMonday Chicago Marathon edition:

Another marathon down and I’m extremely proud of the work I was able to put in during this cycle. I moved yet again and switched jobs for the second straight marathon training season (0/10 would recommend btw) but the dedication to the goal was never lost in the shuffle. I was able to shave off nearly 25 full minutes from my previous marathon in April and have a new benchmark going forward. Shoutout to everyone for their support and my two ‘Burghs (Pittsburgh and Williamsburg) for the ample amount of time we spent together in training both from a physical and mental sense.

4 stars down, 2 to go

This not the last dance though… taken in Chicago, Illinois by @whohatescates

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2 years ago

Season 39, The “Bad” Era by @whohatescates

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2 years ago

“The sun is up, the sky is blue…It’s beautiful, and so are you.” - John Lennon taken in Dreams Puerto Morelos Resort & Spa by @whohatescates

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2 years ago

Yesterday, I completed the @londonmarathon marking my 3rd world major and 4th marathon overall. This was one of the best experiences I have ever had. This training block was tough and many times lonely. There was no cheer squads to find or even a person to motivate you to keep going. I made sure to include the times during this race where I struggled because as much as you want to succeed, the struggle should be acknowledged as well. I learned a lot about willpower and perseverance on the many solo runs I did in this cycle and for that I am eternally grateful.

A special thank you to @blacktrailrunners for providing this opportunity to me and providing a space for runners of color as well. #MarathonMonday taken in London, United Kingdom by @whohatescates

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2 years ago

“And that was cold blooded!”

#ImRickJamesBitch #Halloween2023 by @whohatescates

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3 years ago

#MedalMonday

Finally returned from my marathon hiatus and completed the Berlin Marathon this weekend. It was a truly rewarding and and humbling experience to get this medal. This was one of the hardest mental challenges I’ve had to deal with to date. I left a very comfortable situation and uprooted my entire life in the middle of the training cycle and there were quite a few days where I was either over it or didn’t want to see it through. I am really thankful for perseverance, mental fortitude and the strong support system I have.

To the #BerlinBoyz @jfrye3 @innkeeperfreddie @vbgrounded , thank you for accountability. When we talked about doing this race many months ago, it was an ambitious training plan that we did together. You guys really pushed me when I didn’t know if I could or wanted to be pushed anymore and it’s appreciated. Truly indebted by your friendship.

To the 10 Mile Monday Crew, the Kenilworth Crew, @districtrunningcollective and the @saturdaylongrun crew thank you to you all for helping to both build character and fostering a sense of community.

To the Berlin crew, we showed up and we should out. Sharing this experience with you all is something I will not forget. I’m proud of each and every one of you.

To myself, thank you for giving yourself grace. Moving and starting a new job away from family and friends was a difficult decision and I’m glad you continued to pursue the finish line despite the challenges of the training cycle.

To everyone else who supported from near and far, I see you and I appreciate you. You mean much to me and I carry your support and well wishes.

Be not as you are, but as you should be. Gracious and thankful for this moment.

#berlinblackish
#blackrunners
#blackmarathoners
#berlinmarathon taken in Berlin, Germany by @whohatescates

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3 years ago

Say hey to Brandon.

He resides in Pittsburgh, PA and Berlin will be his 3rd marathon, and 2nd world major. Brandon doesn’t have any races post Berlin yet, but he plans to keep training for whatever potentially lies ahead.

“I want enjoy the moment, because that is truly all we are guaranteed.”

It’s a go in less than 24hrs! 💫

#berlinblackish
#blackmarathoners
#blkrunners
#instaracing
#berlinlegend
#berlinmarathon
#blackdistancerunners
#26point2
#wmmajors
#werunthis taken in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by @whohatescates

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3 years ago