Never give up.

Really nice miles this week, Barry! How was your New Years? I am anxious to see what 2009 brings :)

Thanks. My news years was great, i had a good day with my wife. What races do you have planed for this year? My next race is in April 18, in Salt Lake marathon. But i am planning on running the half and not the full.

You are really knocking down the miles this week! Good job.

Great run! It's late but I hope you had a happy holiday season!

Thanks, glad to hear you are doing better. The stomach flue really sucks. Keep up the good running!

Thanks you, i had a good holiday. It sounds like you had a good vacation, that is great. When do you start school again?

Excellent mileage and pace, Barry!

Can I bother you with questions about your pre- and post-run exercises? I want to make sure I'm doing them right... Ok here I go:

On the before-run workouts, when you “duck walk” – are you standing and taking normal-size steps, or down with your butt closer to the ground taking little steps?

On the heel walk, do you have your entire foot on the ground except for your toes, or do you lift the entire toebox so that only the end of your heel is touching the ground?

For the after-run exercise, do you bend your knee at all, or is your leg straight pretty much and you move your entire leg up and down? Do you do them one after the other very quickly, or do you do it slowly and calculated, holding the muscles tight up and down for a few seconds?

Sorry to bug you but I’m just trying to do whatever I can to make this shin pain go away!

Thank you Barry, have a great day!

I have no problems answering your questions.

1. For the duck walk I have been walking normal or should I say as normal as I can get.

2. For the heal walk I only have my heel touching the ground.

3. For the post exercise I usually do my right leg then my left leg three times. I usually around 25 per leg before I have to stop from the burnings and I usually keep my leg straight. And I usually do one leg right after the other.

I think a lot of these exercises I usually go by how I feel. You may have to do them differently; my best advice is if you think you have to adjust one or another that it is ok. The last time I started getting shin splints they went away fast by using these exercise and I did some icing to help with the swelling. And don't worry you and not bothering me at all, I just hope what I am saying makes sense. Please let me know if you have anymore questions.

Barry, impressive mileag recently. Your running strong to start out the new year, keep it up!

Thank you very much! I am wanting to reach a goal of 80 miles before my next race in April. This week i am hoping to get 75 miles, then next week i going to take an easy week of only 50 miles. Then start to work my way back up again. And good luck on your race and enjoy Disney World!

You are definitely ing up the miles! Good job!

Barry nice mileage for the week, but be careful not to go above 10% over your above high mileage week.

Thanks jim, let me tell you that it is a challenge to run this much. How is the stomach doing?

I was thinking about running 75 miles this week and the most i have ran was 64. I was thinking that the extra would not hurt me because i am only running 50 next week. I don't know, i could be wrong! Anyway, thanks!

Great work! You are becoming a two-a-day master.

Thank you! Let me tell you that two a day starts to suck after a while. But running two a day helps with the mileage.

I think 2-a-days are a great way to go, but try to get in at the very least 1 longer run (2 hrs) per week if long distance is your game. Remember I'm no expert though. You know your body better than me.

Thanks for the advice. i would like to one day run a marathon, but for now i would like to work on my half marathon. But doing more long runs would would benefit me. When is your first race this year? I am running one in April.

Rockin' miles Barry! That is amazing! You are smart to take some time off and an easy day today and week next week. :) GREAT JOB!!!

thank you very much. I also hate it when drivers yell at you and swear at you when running. I think that is why i like the treadmill so much!

Ohhhh I hate when I can't sleep! But nice job getting your run in!

How do you usually work on your core muscles? Sometimes I do my core work when I'm watching TV or talking to my roommate, instead of sitting down and doing nothing. You can do some leg raises standing up while you help your kids with their homework... I also have one of those big plastic balls, it's much better than the floor! Or, if you like yoga, the plank pose and sun salutation works your core like nothing I've done before! Thank you for your shin splints advice, I think it's starting to work! Keep me posted on your progress!

Barry, try doing them in front of the TV. Try to get used to doing them right before bed, plus that raises the heart-rate before bed which is good. Once you get in the habit of doing them then it becomes easy.

Also you could try doing your core muscle work-out on the machines at the gym.

Lucia,

I was doing sit-ups but i started getting lazy and then stopped. Thanks you for the advice on watching TV and doing core workout, but by that time i am really tired and have no motivation. Also, with the shin splints you need to keep doing them even after the pain is gone. I have been doing them or at least the pre-running exercise. But for the post i do some really good stretching with my calf muscle. But please remember this is after the pain in my shin has been gone for a while. Did you try the glue stick and bandaging?

Kory, My problem with doing core work out and watching TV is by that time i am really tired. But i will learn to work through this problem and get the job done. Thanks for your help.

Nice 14 miles today!! Great pace too.

Thanks! How is school going? Also, when are you going to run your next marathon?

School is going pretty well... this semester should be a little less hectic than the last one so that is always good!

I don't think I am going to do a spring marathon, so it probably won't be until fall. Have you planned one yet?? You know you want to :)

I am glad school is going ok for you. Is this your last semester? I have not planned a marathon yet. I have at least two half marathon planned, one in April and one in May. I am hoping to run a marathon this year, but i am not sure when.

I see that you run everyday at a 0.5 incline. Do you ever come back down? LOL.

Nice run this morning and good luck on the second run today. I need to start getting some doubles in but haven't done many to this point.

It's amazing how the body adjusts :) Great miles!

Just to let you know that i am planning on running in the Ogden 1/2 marathon. I know that you are running the 10K, but while i am there i would like to visit with you, if possible?

Yay! I am going to run the 1/2 too! Yippe! We can meet! I will be waiting for the full's to finish, so I will be around post race for a while! I can't wait to meet you!! Are you bringing your family?

We might be able to meet and the beginning, with your bight shirt i should spot you a mile away :). I really like the Ogden 1/2 marathon course, that course is my favorite one to run! Have you ran that course? I think my wife will be there, but i am not sure.

Yes- I'll be there. Hopefully we can get on the same bus so we have a chance to chat :) Painters was my first half, so Ogden will be my second :) I am pretty excited :)

You're running great. Don't take offense to this advice, but be sure to incorporate some steeper hills. The body adapts quickly so you have to keep it challenging and applying a new stimulus.

I am not offended at all! Thank you for all the help. I was thinking about adding some more incline in my running. I was thinking about waiting a month before my race and start adding some incline. I am just having a hard time knowing when to add and when not to. Thanks again!!

Barry - why are using an inhaler? Do you have asthma?

I think i am getting asthma. The job i work i re-manufacture toner cartridge; and in the process of remaining the cartridge i inhale a lot of toner and i think my lungs are being affected. So i started using an inhaler and it has made a big difference.

I just wondered, as I have read a few articles lately about whether or not using it helps distance running (if you use it when you don't have asthma). It is actually on the banned drug list for sprinters (without medical release), but it is still debatable whether it unfairly helps distance runners. I know there was a big debate about Dana Torres (the swimmer) using it as well. Interesting, from what I have read it does not surprise me that it helped you for the last "sprint" in your run, but it is interesting that you say you have felt it help you when you take it in the middle of your runs too.

take care, you are a very nice guy to see "my bloody valentine" with your wife ;-).

Good Morning. I thought I stop by and say hi! Nice miles this morning! Have you picked a first full marathon?

Barry how would you rate the movie as far as being scary? Or was it just all blood and guts type movie?

Nice run today

I have not picked a marathon yet, but soon i hope. How is school going for you this semester? I am glad to hear that you are running again. Are you going to try to run Boston next year?

The movie did have some parts where i jumped, but not too many. In some spots i thought it was pretty funny. The Blood and guts was not too bad. What is your plan for mileage this week? I am going for 60.

Megan, What is Hal Higdon's Boston plan for running a marathon? I am sorry you are feeling sick, i guess that it is that time of the year.

Don't really have a plan. I'm just running by feel and whatever time I have left after my morning devotion. Right now I don't have time to do doubles so that's not an option, and I'm really not ready to start doubles right now anyway.

At least you got a good run in today. Great job on the faster miles.

Thanks Jim. What is your plan for mileage this week?

Barry, I would like to get around 60 this week. I had a couple of good weeks the first of Jan but I have slipped back the last two week so I need to get back on track. You are having a great month especially considering that it is Jan.

Nice running the last couple of days. Pray everything works out with your Dr's visit!

Glad to hear the doctor's visit went well. Awesome mileage, and solid running.

Thanks. But i do have to say you did awesome on you race. Wow, how are you feeling after a race like that?

Thanks. The doctor visit went really good. Thanks for the prayers.

Thanks. The soreness is surprisingly light, but my knees have been bugging me. I think they'll be alright in another day or two.

Looking at your goals list, with the kinds of solo miles you're putting in, you could run a marathon right now, and probably at a pretty respectable time as well.

Oh, and might I add that I love your blog title, because Jesus does love runners, even with all of our little oddities!

Barry, From the stuff I have read you need to have your incline at 1% to have the same effort as running on the road due to the "assist" that the moving belt gives you. I never go lower than 1.5% and I find that when I run outside it is less of an effort than on the treadmill. Your mileage is looking good...KEEP IT UP!!!

Bill, I have read the same thing, but they also said that if you did not want to use the incline that you could speed up the treadmill up by 13 seconds and that is the same as the 1.0 incline. That is why i was doing 0.5 and 8:00 miles. But, i am wanting to loose more weight and i think by adding the extra 0.5 that would help. Thanks for the encouragement and you are also doing awesome and keep it up.

Barry I don't think you need to lose more weight. If your running to keep the weight down that's good. Put don't get obsessed with trying to lose weight because you will reach a plateau where your body won't lose anymore weight.

To get a boost in your running performance you should run outside to get the affects of race conditions when the weather gets better.

I just think that the more weight i loose the faster i can run :). I have been thinking about running outside when the weather get better. Anyway, how are you doing this week? I have not seen any blog entries lately? Are you running?

This is a huge week for you Barry! Nice work! Hope those shins are doing OK - mine are slowly getting better for the most part - elevating my feet at night, plus those exercises you gave me, is making a huge difference. Happy running!

Barry don't run anymore and do 11 miles with me Saturday morning early. You will reach 70 miles. Besides a longer endurance run would be good for your training.

Where did you want to run and at what time?

I am glad to hear that your shins are doing better! Have your tried some stuff called mayo-med, i think that is the name? Also, you should really try wrapping your shins, it works!

It don't matter where we run or start. I would like to start at 7am so that we can get done early. I'll probably keep on running and do more than 11 miles or maybe not, because I'm not training for any marathons right now. I'm only running for fun and fitness. If you have a good place to start let me know.

I think a good longer run for you outside would be great for your Half Marathon in Salt Lake. We could run some downhill and that would be good, but that depends on what you feel like doing and will go your pace since your training and I'm being a slacker.

How about running from the start of Pocatello course toward town? I think i could handle some downhill like that.

Kory,

I just say the temperature for Saturday Morning and it is going to be 17 degrees. I am sorry to say that is too cold for me. So lets try for next weekend.

Great week Barry!

Thanks, you also had a great week. What is your plan for next week?

Barry, great run. Thanks for running with me. It was a lot of fun to run with someone. Maybe next time will try to slow the pace down to get more time on our feet. Expect when it's that cold you want to get done as soon as possible. Have a great day.

Thanks for inviting me along! I though about it and decided to go with Gina tomorrow after my run. The more I though about it the more it made sense, even though the drive sucks the time with Gina is worth it all, Thanks!! Have a great day and God bless.

Nice run and congrats on hitting your goal of 70 this week. Also, strong pace on the run today.

Thanks Jim. Also, congratulations on hitting you goal. I have knowtice that when i take a protein power the usually helps with the muscle pain. Something to think about. Have a great day!

Barry, I will simply try to run as much as I can next week because my wife and I are heading on a vacation. It would be great to hit at least 60.

By the way, you're right about protein. I've found that when the back of my legs start to complain I try to incorporate more protein into my diet along with more water. That seems to help a lot. Could be mental.

Nice work! Enjoy the massage!

You are like a machine ing out the miles! The massage sounds nice.

Thanks. I was going to tell you that the doctor i have been going to told me about this natural medication to help with shin splints if you are interested. Here is the website http://www.naturamart.com/standard-process-ligaplex-ii-150-capsules.html . Also, if you can explain to me how to put pictures on the blog i will show you how to wrap your shin. I think showing you pictures will help you to understand what i am talking about.

Thanks, i do have to say when running this much all i feel i do is work and run! Great job on your tempo running!!

Good run Barry. Remember what I said, don't run because you have to but run because it makes you happy. If your happy than you'll meet your goals. Running becomes a chore when you schedule the same routine everyday. Just my thoughts and you can ignore them if it's to close to home.

Great running Barry. I was able to get your Garmin 305 to connect via usb and download the training runs, and I reset the firmware. But it still will not turn on even after a charge. I think there is probably no hope for it.

Thank you so much. Do you think it might be because of water in the watch? Also, what time did you want to run on Saturday and where did you want to run? I was thinking the same course then add two miles more miles. I think i will ask Kathy if i can use her watch, that is if she is not using it.

Great job on the mileage this week! Sorry to hear about the Garmin. I just got one for Christmas and hope it lasts longer than a year and half.

Same time tomorrow Barry 6:50 or earlier. It's going to be a lot warmer tomorrow than last week. Do you want to run 14 miles?

Where do you want to run?

Barry, We may want to leave earlier tomorrow around 6:30am to do the run. If you want to start at the same place let me know.

No Problem anytime you want to run together.

Is Dobbie a terrier of some kind? Very cute Barry!

Good run Barry - next time you should try to start out a little slower and zoom home the last few miles, honestly it will help train you for the last few miles of a race ...

Take care, enjoy your cut-back week.

Thanks, dobbie is a miniature pinscher. The course i ran was really hard not to run fast in the beginning. Plus this is the first time i have ever ran that much in a week. And i do have to say that i am very proud of myself! What is your running plan for the week?

I am not sure yet, I am waiting to talk to my coach. It is going to be a tough week since I will be in DC ... I will be in meetings from very early in the morning until very late at night most of the week. Plus, travel time from my house to the hotel will be about 8-9 hours! I am thinking it will be slightly more mileage than last week but probably no "hard stuff" until next week, just easy running.

I understand about courses! I am glad you did some longer mileage - you should be proud!!

Send your wife a dozen roses to work, or you could surprise her with Jewelry.

Nice runs Barry. The snow was great running outside today. It felt so warm.

I was informed today that Gina did not want flowers and if i bought her some she would get really mad. Also, I guess i am going to send in my Garmin to get fixed. It is a lot cheaper than buying a new 305 and they have a warranty if it breaks. Thanks for looking at it! I was thinking about running eleven miles on Saturday instead of ten. Is that ok with you? How about 7:00 A.M Saturday and same eleven mile course as last time?

Hey Barry

Congratulation on 13 years of marriage may God bless you and Gina this year.I know by the time you get this it might be to late but go with your heart on what to get her So where is Gina going this weekend? Anyway hope you have a great evening with some much needed quality time with your queen that God gave to you. And by I would hope your not reading this tonight:)

Rachelle

Thanks you. Gina was going to go to Boise, but now it looks like she is not going to go. But then she might, i don't know what she is doing. She wants to spend time with her daughters. And you are very right about God giving me a Queen and a wonderful woman. She is such a blessing to me along with being awesome person! We had a Great dinner and wonderful evening! Thanks for the message and God bless.

Barry

Hi Barry, If you want to run the same place could we start at 6:50am. I probably will run a few more miles before you get there or a couple more at the end of the run.

Barry, I wouldn't try doing the seven week 20 milers in a row. This is something you have to build-up to. I would wait till next year to attempt that. You haven't done too many 20 milers and this could really cause you to get injured. First you need to just get used to running one 20 miler every three weeks.

How about we run 12 miles tomorrow. That will really help your endurance on such a low mileage week?

Running twelve miles sounds good to me. What time do you want to start?

Barry

Barry, sounds like you are chomping at the bit to try a marathon. Keep that motivation going, but keep an iron fist on the reins just like Kory indicated. Consider going for a longer run, but only go until you start to feel uncomfortable. I'd say that will happen around 12 miles. Then build up from there each week as your body dictates and cut back some weeks. Just my 2 cents worth.

Very nice run! Looks like you could have ran close to your half PR on a training run! You are making great progress.

Great run Barry!

Thanks, I do have to say because of Kory helping me get off the treadmill and running out side that has made a big difference. Great job on your 16 miler.

Thanks, When is your first race this year?

Wow, that's excellent pace! I need to see that movie, I hear good things about it. Have a great day Barry!

Nice run and very strong pace! You are going to surprise yourself and us alike in 2009, Barry!

Thanks, i do have something i need to tell you. I was talking to my message therapist about shin splints and he suggested to me, something i think might help you. He told me to pick a sock up with my toes at least 15 per foot three times. I have not done this but i think you should try this and see if it helps.

Also, please let me know if it works.

Barry

Thanks, i know we will have a great year of running!

Barry - yes I heard about the picking up a sock/towel and I do it while I'm at my desk, thanks for the reminder though! I think that between all your tips and exercises, and running with shorter strides/landing more on the ball of the foot instead of the heel, the shin problem is under control. Now i'm dealing with something new but it's not serious and hopefully I'll be back to running strong soon. I'm glad you're doing well! Keep up the good work!

Nice run. I'm thinking Saturday that we need to leave by 6:30am to drop both cars off and different places. The temperature show be warmer this Saturday as well. Let me know if that's okay. Or we could do a early morning run on Friday like at 6am.

Kory, Call me when you have a minute. I a thinking about running fifteen Friday instead of Saturday.

Great run Barry!!

Nice week of running. You seem to be really picking up the pace on all of your runs.

Thanks, i think the treadmill was slowing me down. Now the question is, was that a good thing or not?

Barry I didn't have a problem deleting one of my shoes out of my list. I think your doing it wrong. Just click the "delete shoe" button next to the shoe, but don't un-check the shoe when you do this.

Barry, I would guess I'm going to be at both marathons this year if work permits. I would be glad to meet you for once and even go for a post race meal afterwards.

That sounds great! I will pray that your work will allow you to run these races. Do you have any time for these races? I would like to run a 1:28 for Salt Lake and a 1:25 for Ogden. Kory was thinking i could run a 1:20 for Ogden, but i think that is too much for me right now.

Why not run the half at SLC and then do the full at Ogden? Good stepping stone.

Because i have chosen Ogden to be my PR course for my half marathon. But, Kory and i will be training on the Pocatello Marathon course so i am thinking about running that as my first marathon. So what i mean is we will be doing all my long runs done on that course to help my body to adapt to it. I did talk to my wife about having post race meal (Salt Lake) with you and she thought that was a great idea.

Barry, I'm going to rest my foot to see if I can get it ready to run with you on Friday. If it still hurts I won't be able to run. But I will let you know.

What I wanted to do was at mile 13 on the course was do a tempo run for the last few miles just to get some speed done. Then when you reach the car you could just pick me up along the course however to whatever distance I'm at past the car. I really hope my foot heals but it doesn't look promising. Just pray for me.

Kory,

You will be in my prayers for your foot! Please keep me informed. Thanks for letting me know and have a good day.

Barry

Barry, Your mile pacing is looking good. You are going to do GREAT in Salt Lake in April!!!

Thanks you very much. But you have been doing awesome and i think your next marathon race will be awesome! I have been impressed by how much you have been running and you keep impressing me every day. Keep up the good running! Did you say that you were going to run Salt Lake Marathon or Ogden?

I will be running both of them. Are you and Kory still doing 16 tomorrow?

I am planning on running, but i am not sure about Kory. Are you interested in running with us?

I would love to run with you guys. Just let me know the details and I'll see if it works with my schedule.

Bill,

Call me at 760-7830 for details.

Awesome run today! Good job stretching out these longer runs. Your pace continues to stay fast as you go farther.

I posted the top 13 times including the top 3 women on my race entry. Tee was 2nd woman with 59:49.

Your miles are insane! Holy Cow! You are just smokin' the rest of us :) Is Ogden your next race?

Well, thank you very much! My next race is April 18, Salt Lake 1/2 Marathon. I have been wanting to tell you that for Ogden that there is a lot of down hill on the 1/2 marathon course and if you are not use to it your legs will be really soar after the race. Also, what day is your race in march? With all the running you have been doing, i know you will kick butt. Talk to you later.

Barry

I have a 1/2 March 28th in Riverton and a 10k in April. I want to race every month for the year. I do run hills everyday. There are hills everywhere around here. Now that the snow has melted, for the most part, in the canyon, I can focus part of my long runs there to make sure to adapt my legs a bit. I am a bit worried about the Riverton 1/2 as it is very hilly. I think I will make sure that my speed work uses downhill to help with the racing. I think all of my races are down hill, except Riverton. Yikes ;)

Hi Barry... good run. I'm not going to be able to make the bowling tonight. I've been up late the last two nights and I'm very tired. Also I want to keep off my feet to see if I can run at least by Friday. But that could be very doubtful.

You are really cranking the miles this week so maybe that explains the tired legs. I'm sure your body will adjust and will start reaping the benefits.

Thanks. I hope your meeting go good. When is you next race? I think you told me, but i forgot. Where do you work where you go to a lot of meetings, if you don't mind me asking?

Barry, What's your plans on Friday to run. That's if I'm able to run I would try to run with you guys.

I would like to be at the start of Pocatello course by 4:30 A.M.. I am not sure if Bill is coming or not. How is your foot doing?

Barry, my next big race will be the Indy half marathon. It is the first week of May. It is a really large race (35,000 people) and you get to run a lap around the Indy 500 track. They give special medals to the first 500 finishers which is my goal. I will need to be around 1:26 to 1:28 to do that depending on the weather. As for the job I am in sales for a computer consulting company. We sell primarily to the Federal government so I have to travel to govt. locations. Don't like the travel but fixing computer problems for customers is fun. Have a great day.

My foot is there. :-). I haven't done any running on it since last Friday. But I did do the Arc Trainer today for over an hour and it doesn't seem too sore. How many miles are you planning on running. I don't know if I want to try to run over 10 on it just coming off the injury, or even if its better.

I am thinking about running between 18 - 20 miles. Also, Bill will not be running with me.

Barry, Nice job getting another long run in. You are definitely ready to cross over to the dark side and run marathons.

My question to is? Is the Dark side ready for someone like me :). Sorry I did not run 20 like i said i would.

Barry

You are the ideal candidate for the dark side my young runner. There is power in the dark side.

80 miles for the week.....NICE JOB!!!!

Are you SURE you're a HALF-marathoner. You are running marathon-like miles now and keeping a nice pace while doing it.

SERIOUSLY....GOOD JOB!!!!

Barry, no problem. I was originally only going to run 8 miles. I just though I would extend it. You've ran 80 this week and didn't need to do anymore. I haven't been running so it was good for me to extend it to gain the fitness back.

Great run Barry I enjoyed it.

Well, thank you very much for the complement. But you are the man, you ran 117 miles this week and that is just crazy! Keep up the good running. My plan this week is to run 50 miles, so my long run this week will be 13 miles. So if you are interested Friday will be my long run day. Let me know if you would like to go or not. Have a good day!

Barry, I may have to work late Thursday night. Because they changed our maintenance nights from Tuesday now to Thursday night. If I have to work late can we do the 13 miles on Saturday?

I am open to running Saturday if needed. I am just not sure if i want to run the Just Cuz course this week. Maybe, just maybe the Pocatello Course? What course would you like do my long run on?

Barry

Barry I don't need to work this Thursday night. We don't have to do the long run Saturday if you don't want to, and can do it Friday.

Concerning the course I guess it depends on what time we need to get up and get done by. The Just Cuz course would be faster. Although, we could drive both vehicle through Inkom and park one at the 13 mile mark and then drive to the top. The problem with this is that would take sometime. Or we could run the course that we've been running and stretch 13 miles out of it.

If you wanted to run Pocatello course i could drop my car off in Inkom Thursday night so we would not have to make the extra drive. I am open to the same course we have been running. Let me know what you would like to run.

Barry

I really don't care. Whatever easiest for you. I might run the last two miles faster to try and get in 14 or 15 miles.

Kory,

If you are feeling better by Friday i was thinking about running the Pocatello Marathon course. I will drop off my car around the 13 mile on Thursday and Friday we just drive up to the top and run to my car. Then later on that night we could drive up to the top and pick up my car. Does that sound ok to you?

That would be okay, but it could be icy for the first 6 or 7 miles because that course portion never really gets the sun. We've had quite a few snow showers recently too. But if you want to do it than that's fine. I have a foot doctor appointment on Monday at 10:30am.

I will try not to run much tomorrow.

You are getting so stinking fast! Holy cow!

I was up getting ready for my long run today. I was give some bad news yesterday. My son is going to Iraq in a couple of months. I though that being in the Air Force that he would not go, i was wrong way wrong. He told me on the phone that this is the first time they are sending them over. He said that he will being doing a lot of traveling. And i think that is not good. That is when he is in the most danger because of road side bombs. I am scared, very scared! Sorry i needed to talk to someone and i knew you were praying for him, plus my wife does not know yet. That will be a very bad day when she finds out, a very bad day!!!!

Oh Barry I am SO so sorry! Three of my cousins and my neighbor have served in Iraq. It is really really hard. There really aren't words, except please know that there are many many people who pray for your son every day. The service of our young men and women is not dismissed by most Americans. Our hearts and prayers are with them and their very special families.

I am very sorry to hear about your son Barry. All I can say is that I appreciate the sacrifice that your son and your family are making for me.

Thank you very much! I just have to say that i put my trust in God to keep him safe.

The prayers will help. God always hears and answers our prayers. We can't live without the beautiful peace that He gives to us.

Is is taper time already? You are going to have such a great marathon. It will be so fun to met you :) Are you doing the half? I have it in my mind that you are doing the full.

Thank you, I am running the 1/2 for Salt Lake and Ogden. I am getting really excited for Ogden. Is your family going to watch you finish your in Ogden?

The family will probably not come :( They will be there for the marathon finish in June :) Who knows though, maybe I can talk them into it :)

Sorry to hear about your ankle. A combo of prayer while icing works really well.

Thanks, and Amen!!

I find at times that I run better at night. It's probably do to your legs are loose and more blood flowing in the muscle because of the days activities.

Since your running a race in a few weeks and your ankle is swollen take a couple days off. Don't risk a training day for a race that you've trained for so long. Your important training run this week is Friday, save you ankle and rest for that.

My situation is different I'm not training for a race so I don't have to be as cautious with my injury. I'm cutting back though. I'm not ruling out running with you on Friday.

I am SO sorry about your ankle! That is such a bummer :( Take it easy. It will heal and you will be fine with out running for a few days :) RICE baby RICE ;) (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation ;)

Smart man! Way to listen to your body. You want to preserve it for the race and long run.

Good luck with the ankle Barry ... try to keep it up (on a table or a chair) and keep up the ice. Rest well and come back strong!

Hope your ankle is not too bad and heals quickly!

yeah I agree, goo don you, rest and ice with elevation best thing, a couple of days isnt too bad, when you think if you keep training on it, it would be at least a couple of weeks! keep :)

Thanks, i just took an ice bath to help with the swelling and i soaked my foot in Epson salt and white vinegar and i have been taking 800 MG of ibuprofen. Well the swelling is gone but a little soar, on a scale of 1 - 10 and one being no pain I would say that it is at a 2 at the most. Thanks for all your support, you are all awesome in my book!!

Great run. How's the ankle? Are you going to still want to run 15 miles on Friday?

The ankle is good and i was thinking about running 16. If that is ok with you? I would still like to get 60 in this week and I am not planning on running Saturday, so the extra would help me to reach my goal. Also, can i use your trailer Friday?

Sure you can use my trailer. Where do you want to run Friday?

Pocatello marathon course?

Sounds good. We will want to meet at my house at 5:30am.

Sounds good to me, but i am not working tomorrow and we could run later if you would like too. I am going to drop off a car tonight in Inkom. Also, what size of ball do i need for your trailer?

I have to work tomorrow and I have a meeting at 9am so we would still have to go at 5:30 so I can be to work at least by 8:20am.

I'm not sure what size I will have to check the truck/trailer and get back with you on that.

Barry I wouldn't run tonight if your tired. Save your legs for tomorrow. 56 miles vs 60 miles for the week isn't a big difference especially when your tire.

Save your legs for tomorrow.

I think that it is Tired Thursday. It must be in the air. Our bodies must be some what freaked out by the GORGEOUS weather :) tomorrow is another day... another 16 miles ;)

I have to agree that is it tired Thursday! Congratulations on running your 6:57 pace, that is awesome. With some more training i know you can do more runs like this. Keep up the good work. Just remember nobody said that it was easy, but only worth it in the end!

Barry - You did great. Your the Man! Keep that confidence high. I do enjoy doing these runs with you.

Great run! You have some serious pr's ahead. I've enjoyed observing your improvement. Keep up the good work!

Thank you! I am glad to see you are feeling better. I am really surprised you can find time to run with six kids, I had a hard time with three step kids :). When is your next race?

Nice easy morning :) That sounds like a perfect way to start the day :)

Nice start to the week. How much longer until your race? Your training is looking good and looks like a big PR is coming.

Thanks Jim, my race is April 18 and May 17 and i am getting really excited. Then after that i am not sure what i am going to do. You had a nice run this morning. I want you to know i was jealous that you went to Hawaii. I hope you had a lot of fun :). Have a good night!

I've in these conditions all the time and they are not bad. The trick is to keep your head down and push forward. Great run.

Where are you running at tomorrow.

Start at the top of Pocatello marathon course the back side of the course. I did not ask you, because i read that you were not going to run this week. I hope that is OK.

Barry

Are you running with anyone?

Does running with Jesus count? Other than Him, no.

What Time are you doing it?

I was thinking around 5:00 A.M.

Barry I'll go with you and you can run the 16 miles and I'll run 8 miles. I don't want to run that many miles on my first day back from running.

I'm sure you understand that. If this won't work for you than let me know. I would love to do 16 miles and probably could do it. But I need to be smart and heal this time.

Something to think about. In marathon training, 4 weeks out the most you would do is 20 miles for a long run for a 26 mile race. Since your running a half marathon race you will only need to do 12 miles tomorrow and do some of them at MP or tempo pace.

I won't think you would need to do 16 miles tomorrow since your race is only 13. You've build your endurance up now it's time for a little more intensity miles.

I don't want to steer you away from running 16 miles tomorrow, but really to maintain your fitness now for the race I would only do 12 or 13 miles.

Barry,

According to Tinman a running coach he thinks 8 miles is too much for me. He only suggests 20 minutes of running. Go here and read what I posted.

http://forum.therunzone.com/showthread.php?p=7339#post7339

What did you want to do? I am thinking about running 14 miles.

Barry, very nice pace today!!! You are looking awesome for that half-marathon in 3 weeks.

Is your family going to Salt Lake with you or are you on your own?

Thanks, my wife is going with me to Salt Lake. Did you want to try to have dinner with us on Friday? We could meet you some where. How are you feeling for the Marathon?

That would be GREAT. We will have to plan something when we get closer to race day. I am feeling pretty good right now so we will see how the race goes.

Great job Barry! You nailed the tempo and Half Marathon pace in the in-between miles of the warmup an cold down.

Thanks, i almost thought i started out too fast. But i am not sure, because i felt tired toward the end. Also, i can not run tomorrow morning, but i still can come to the GYM with you all and visit if that is ok with you? I will explain later why i can not run.

You might have started out the first tempo mile too fast, but you got through it and that's what counts. You so start doing tempo runs of 3 miles each week between a 6:10 - 6:20 pace and this would give you a good anaerobic workout.

Me I'm so out of shape running fast that I'll have to start all over again. I like the idea of eating donuts all day and not running. :-)

Donuts, did someone say donuts? That is what i ate for breakfast, and they were good :).

Give me a call after 5pm sometime tonight and we can discuss tomorrow.

Great pace today!

Great run today! You are going to destory your PR in the half!

Great mileage this week!! Enjoy the cut back. Are you tapering for a race? I haven't been keeping up to date lately so I am out of the loop.

Thank you, and yes i have a race April 18 and May 17. How was your trip to Los Vegas?

Exciting! I am sure you will do great!

Vegas was good... it was very overwhelming at times, it's just a crazy place. But I enjoyed seeing some of the nicer hotels, they were so elaborate and unique! Could have done without all the loud neighbors coming home at all times of the night, but that's Las Vegas for ya!

Hi barry, well done good training and I can't believe you can have an ice bath for that long that's amazing well done 10 mind is my max .. :-)

Barry, I won't do any sit-ups this close to your race if you haven't been doing them consistently. Because by some chance they cause back pain, then your training is for nothing.

You don't want to add anything extra during your taper.

Thanks, i thought that sit-ups would not hurt, but i see your point. How did your daughter test turn out?

Have a fun date night! Those are the best :) David is out with his two little brothers tonight. They always joke, "Bro's before Ho's" They are such DORKS!! They are going to Rodizio's and pig out on meat! Real man stuff ;) I am off to wrestle a bunch of little boys to bed!

Speaking of little boys, how is your son doing?

He is doing good, he will be done with school in two weeks. Then in he will be home for a couple of weeks. Then off to Florida, then off to Afghanistan for six months. One of these days he needs to tell his mom where he is going, because i am not going to open that box of worms. Also, i wanted to say great job on running 15 miles today that is awesome. How are you feeling? I know you will sleep good tonight. Also, that will help you with you 1/2 and full marathon. Well enjoy wrestling with the little ones.

thanks BArry- I had forgotten that the extra miles with help with the 1/2's.

Your wife still does not know??? Oh boy, I imagine that it will really hit the fan when she finds out. As a mother, I can't even imagine my own reaction. Good luck :)

Barry, Thanks for the comment and suggestion. Just leave me your number before the race and I will look for you after the race. Run tough, stay strong..

Steve,

My phone number is 208-760-7830. Would you mind if i give you a call and ask you a question?

Barry

Lets do 11 miles on Friday. Would that be okay?

Sounds good to me. What time?

7:18 is not pushing yourself? Wow... I'm very impressed!

Barry, You have definitely come a long way. Are you excited? I truly believe that Jesus loves runners.. Good luck and stay in touch. Steve.

Nice run...I'll read later.

Nice run.....it looks like you are ready to do some serious damage in Salt Lake!!!

Where are you having dinner Friday night in Salt Lake? Are you going to the pasta dinner or just to a restaurant? I did not buy a pasta ticket yet so I was wondering.

Thanks for asking. Gina and i were thinking about eating at a restaurant. What hotel are you staying at, Marriott?

I'm at the Radisson. It is right next to the Energy Solutions Arena so I am close to everything.

What time was you thinking about eating? Do you know how far the Radisson is from the Marriott, that is where we are staying?

It's only a few blocks away. I was thinking of eating around 6 or so.

Would you mind if i give you a call around 4:30 next Friday? Then we could plan where to go and eat dinner.

That would be great.

Barry, Hay is in the barn now, You know you can do it now. Jog easy, rest...

Thank you so much for all your help. Please let me pay for your post race meal next Saturday to show my appreciation.

Barry

Thanks for the prayer and can't wait to see the results of your race...I'll pray that God helps you to do your best!

So what are your goals for Saturday? I normally have 3 goals, a bare minimum goal, a realistic goal, and that "dream" goal if everything goes just right.

I know you will be under 1:30....but how far under???

Thanks Bill, I would like to get a 1:28, i think that is a 6:48 per mile pace. I think that is the pace you would like to get under three hours marathon right?

A 1:28 comes out to a 6:43 average. We should probably start together so we can go out at the right pace and not start too fast. The Salt Lake course starts with some downhill and it is easy to push too fast of a pace early on. A slower 1st mile will pay BIG dividends later on.

Sounds like a plan to me and thank you for the help. Is the course more flat or up and down hill? I only ran it once and i can not remember much.

For the half-marathoners the first couple of miles are rolling, mostly downhill. The rest of it is pretty flat til the last couple which have a slight uphill until it flattens out at the end.

Barry here's the toe socks I was talking about

http://www.amazingsocks.com/web-pid-RUN+QTR-Injinji-Tetratsok-Running-Quarter-Toe-Sock-with-CoolMax-item.htm

What time were you coming Friday to drop your computer off because I have to work All night Thursday.

I could bring my computer over tonight if that will work better for you. If i bring it over Friday it would be around 10:00 A.M..

Good luck in Salt Lake, your training will result in a good race for you.

Barry I have to go back to work tonight at 11pm and probably will not get done until 3 or 4am. You could drop it off at the daycare tomorrow or tonight sometime after 8pm. We have to travel to Blackfoot for a soccer game. If you want to bring it by around 8pm that would be good.

At least I get Friday off.

Thanks Barry, You also. You deserve to run well and will after all this grueling work. Good taper..

Good luck tomorrow! I can't wait to hear your report. I'm sure you will do great.