Breaking the Wall

April 19, 2024

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Location:

Orem,UT,United States

Member Since:

Jan 27, 1986

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Olympic Trials Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

Best marathon: 2:23:57 (2007, St. George). Won the Top of Utah Marathon twice (2003,2004). Won the USATF LDR circuit in Utah in 2006.

Draper Days 5 K 15:37 (2004)

Did not know this until June 2012, but it turned out that I've been running with spina bifida occulta in L-4 vertebra my entire life, which explains the odd looking form, struggles with the top end speed, and the poor running economy (cannot break 16:00 in 5 K without pushing the VO2 max past 75).  

 

Short-Term Running Goals:

Qualify for the US Olympic Trials. With the standard of 2:19 on courses with the elevation drop not exceeding 450 feet this is impossible unless I find an uncanny way to compensate for the L-4 defect with my muscles. But I believe in miracles.

Long-Term Running Goals:

2:08 in the marathon. Become a world-class marathoner. This is impossible unless I find a way to fill the hole in L-4 and make it act healthy either by growing the bone or by inserting something artificial that is as good as the bone without breaking anything important around it. Science does not know how to do that yet, so it will take a miracle. But I believe in miracles.

Personal:

I was born in 1973. Grew up in Moscow, Russia. Started running in 1984 and so far have never missed more than 3 consecutive days. Joined the LDS Church in 1992, and came to Provo, Utah in 1993 to attend BYU. Served an LDS mission from 1994-96 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Got married soon after I got back. My wife Sarah and I are parents of eleven children: Benjamin, Jenny, Julia, Joseph, Jacob, William, Stephen, Matthew,  Mary,  Bella.  and Leigha. We home school our children.

I am a software engineer/computer programmer/hacker whatever you want to call it, and I am currently working for RedX. Aside from the Fast Running Blog, I have another project to create a device that is a good friend for a fast runner. I called it Fast Running Friend.

Favorite Quote:

...if we are to have faith like Enoch and Elijah we must believe what they believed, know what they knew, and live as they lived.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie

 

Favorite Blogs:

Click to donate
to Ukraine's Armed Forces
Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 870.94
Saucony Type A Lifetime Miles: 640.15
Bare Feet Lifetime Miles: 450.37
Nike Double Stroller Lifetime Miles: 124.59
Brown Crocs 4 Lifetime Miles: 1334.06
Amoji 1 Lifetime Miles: 732.60
Amoji 2 Lifetime Miles: 436.69
Amoji 3 Lifetime Miles: 380.67
Lopsie Sports Sandals Lifetime Miles: 818.02
Lopsie Sports Sandals 2 Lifetime Miles: 637.27
Iprome Garden Clogs Lifetime Miles: 346.18
Beslip Garden Clogs Lifetime Miles: 488.26
Joybees 1 Lifetime Miles: 1035.60
Madctoc Clogs Lifetime Miles: 698.29
Blue Crocs Lifetime Miles: 1164.32
Kimisant Black Clogs Lifetime Miles: 720.62
Black Crocs 2023 Lifetime Miles: 1312.70
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
12.351.000.001.2514.60

A.M. Ran with Jeff. He was taking it easy, I did quarters. First one was around 74, I messed up and did not start the watch until 200 into it. But the last 200 was 37. Then 71.0, 70.0, 71.5, 71.7. 200 meter jog in between. Did not feel quite right in the last two quarters, legs were heavy, the effort was hard in the last 100, HR got up to 166 instead of 163. Possibly the jog in between was too brisk - I was trying to make sure Jeff would get to work on time. Also the footing on those stretching was rather rough, too many twigs and other stuff that has fallen off the trees, so I may have not been as efficient due to Five Finger holes. Then 2 miles later did the last quarter in 68.5. Jeff paced me this time, that helped. But also HR was only 163 and I felt more like myself. The footing was better.

Then after jogging for 0.75 we ran a "fat" mile, after the quarters it was not fat at all, but we ran it anyway in 5:43.6. Again no tricycle to get Jeff excited. But I had to tell him to hit the brakes after the first 100 at 5:20 pace. The pace varied, but HR was normal for the pace. Then we jogged briskly to the finish, total time 1:12:13, Jeff made it to work on time.

2 with Benjamin in 15:57.

P.M. 2 with Jenny in 18:22. Julia ran the first 1.5 with us in 13:56. 0.5 with Joseph in 5:10.

Five Fingers 2 Miles: 12.10Bare Feet Miles: 2.50
Night Sleep Time: 7.75Nap Time: 1.00Total Sleep Time: 8.75
Comments
From richborget on Thu, Jul 30, 2009 at 23:00:02 from 71.199.12.164

Hey if you would be around and okay with me tagging along in the morning I think I would come again. I signed up for the 5k Saturday like you suggested. We'll see how I do.

From AmberG on Thu, Jul 30, 2009 at 23:35:43 from 64.255.89.25

Thanks for your comments after the Bryce Canyon 1/2. I am amazed that you think I have the potential for a possible OTQ! I've honestly never even considered that in my lifetime! Your suggestions on training are very helpful!! Just wanted to say THANK YOU!

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