Age is just a number.

Hey nice marathon in spite of less than ideal training. It was good to meet you and chat a little before the race. Looking forward to your future running accomplishments!

Sorry that you didn't achieve what you wanted. That work schedule of yours is a beast and would be hard to cope with. Sounds like you are regrouping and getting ideas for how to change your plans accordingly.

Air Darkhorse - you have a great running spirit, bless and release this race, your best is your best on race day. There is no quit in Air Darkhorse. 500 commando points for the 3rd in age division. Some days just feel like your running against the wind, with the Silver Bullet Band.

Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out

Steve- sorry you had a bad race today. It was nice to run with your for 9 miles, though, and you really did look like you loosened up and felt better from about miles 12-17. Keep at it, follow your own advice, and success will follow you.

Steve - sometimes other things in life are more important. You have to work the schedule you have and put food on the table. That at times is going to deprive your sleep. We can't all have the perfect training schedule we do what we can.

I think it's a good analysis of your experience of knowing what you can work on. I think if you had more relax runs maybe you would have had more endurance.

Your a great man and athlete so keep your head up, and look what you've already accomplished. Maybe God is telling you your done with the competing. It's something I've had to look at in my life.

When I ran Pocatello, I had no sleep, I had an Ear Infection, and stomach issues. But before the race I felt like God was telling me you need to spend more time with me than the running. Maybe that's something he's telling you.

Steve i have to agree with Kory. Running is very time consuming. I have also felt like i needed to spend more time with God. In my personal opinion we are living in the last days and our relationship with God is extremely important. I understand the importance of wanting to reach a certain goal or time. But what matters most is what does God wants from us. In my opinion and suggestion i would take some time to reflect and focus on what God wants from you. Maybe running is or is not what He wants. But only you and Him will know. Please remember that this is only my suggestion and you can take it or leave it, it is up to you! Plus, i think you are awesome and i only want the best for you!

I agree with Jon, you know what you need to do to have success, Ive seen you do it before. Happy running!

You have received a lot of good advice so I won't add any more. Good job pushing through and finishing even though you weren't feeling it. You are a great runner and will find your stride once again.

Steve sorry we didn't get a chance to talk buddy. Our bus was delayed and we arrrived just in time to go potty and hear (it really sucks when you wake up at 4:00 and can't make it on time)the gun. I think your a stud. I think you evalutation is right on. Please never get out of the sport but keep it in perspective. You really inspire me! Let me know if you have anything else coming up. FYI Corbin ran the Wasatch 100 last week.

Sorry Steve. I know what you mean about wanting it too much... me all last year. Paul said it best "it's only running". I do much better living by that rule of thumb.

Sleep is the other thing. It really, really makes a difference. The hard part is doing it. Sometimes it's easier for me to run 20 miles a day then to get good sleep.

Anyways you'll get a good one down the road man.

Hey my friend, I can relate about the crazy work schedule.Sometimes I cant muster the energy to run because of lack of sleep.I know that I am blessed to have a job no matter the schedule, but its a tough go at times.You are a awesome runner and it will come together for you again if you just believe. GOOD LUCK!!

You've got some good points there for all of us to think about as we continue training. Thanks.

Steve, you me and James need to get together and seriously do some training together. We can become a SLC force. We'll even invite those up in the AVES. Great run up there. Are you going to do SGM?

Steve - sorry you didn't have the race you wanted. Looks like you've analyzed it well, and are ready to move on, so that's good (step 1 of healing!). I'm glad you were able to stay with us, and I always enjoying catching up with you. I'm praying for you buddy, and call or email anytime.

Thanks everybody for the vote of confidence and good wisdom.

I do wish I could have sent everyone a comment or two that was there but I have been rather busy catching up with some things.

Fabulous time, even if you don't think it's acceptable to you. We live and learn. There are always other races.

Steve, Take the time to catch up. You've analyzed your race and have taken what you can from it. The good news is you have a quick turn around and get to prove yourself in the not too distant future.

Steve - I checked your mileage data. There were only two months that were over 300 miles. Your July mileage was 174. You only started training in August.

July mileage alone would explain this blow up. You can go below 200 two months prior to a race and run a decent half, but it would be very very difficult to run a good marathon.

Another issue. After running only 174 miles the month prior you up it to 389 the next month and add a whole bunch of intensity. There is nothing wrong with 389 miles with a good portion of it fast. When you have the aerobic base to absorb it, that is. But July has already destroyed the limited base you had prior, so now you are constantly in the red zone, every workout. So you toe up the line less fit and overtrained at the same time.

What I would do from this point is make sure you run at least 10 every day in one run if at all possible. Second run is a bonus. Keep the pace slow enough so you do not need those 6 mile recovery days. This will restore the aerobic base in a couple of months. Then start adding moderate intensity. Remember that best training stimulus is produced at much less than all out effort. Good rule to follow - if you can run total distance D miles in a workout at certain hard pace but not D + 1 miles, then you should shoot for distance 0.6 to 0.7 times D. For example, if you can do 3x2 miles at a certain effort, but the 4th repeat would be difficult at the same pace, then do 2x2 miles.