Breaking the Wall

March 2026

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15% off for Fast Running Blog members at St. George Running Center!

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:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 210.00 Year: 707.00
Saucony Type A Lifetime Miles: 640.15
Bare Feet Lifetime Miles: 450.37
Nike Double Stroller Lifetime Miles: 124.59
White Slip Resistant Crocs Lifetime Miles: 3464.44
White Slip Resistant Crocs 2025 Lifetime Miles: 615.95
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
177.0017.0016.000.00210.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
10.000.000.000.0010.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-02 11:43:19
Workout Totals: Distance10.000Time1:19:05.60Pace7:54.56
10 total. Easy pace.
Leg 1:
Distance2.000Time15:54.20Pace7:57.10ZoneEasy Miles
With Leigha.
Leg 2:
Distance3.000Time24:10.30Pace8:03.43ZoneEasy Miles
With Benjamin and Matthew.
Leg 3:
Distance5.000Time39:01.10Pace7:48.22ZoneEasy Miles
With Benjamin.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
10.000.000.000.0010.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-03 20:24:58
Workout Totals: Distance10.000Time1:19:53.90Pace7:59.39
10 total. Easy pace.
Leg 1:
Distance2.000Time16:31.90Pace8:15.95ZoneEasy Miles
With Leigha.
Leg 2:
Distance3.000Time24:01.50Pace8:00.50ZoneEasy Miles
With Matthew.
Leg 3:
Distance5.000Time39:20.50Pace7:52.10ZoneEasy Miles
Alone.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
8.000.002.000.0010.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-04 12:03:42
Workout Totals: Distance10.000Time1:19:29.90Pace7:56.99
10 total. We did a rabbit chase mile time trial on the track. I paced Leigha and Bella in separate heats. Benjamin paced Stephen and Matthew respectively. Mary raced Leigha. Results:

Matthew 5:39
Stephen 5:48 PR
Bella 6:32
Leigha 7:04
Mary 7:27

Today for some reason was just not a PR day. Bella and Leigha both missed their PRs - Leigha by 5 seconds, Bella by 3. Matthew also did not have a good day and missed his PR by 12 seconds. I think something is different about different days - it often happens that most of us run well or the other way around depending on the day - even when there is nothing that obviously stands out in terms of weather.
Leg 1:
Distance0.500Time4:51.20Pace9:42.40ZoneEasy Miles
Warm-up,
Leg 2:
Distance1.000Time7:04.10Pace7:04.10ZoneThreshold Miles
Pacing Leigha.
Leg 3:
Distance1.000Time6:32.90Pace6:32.90ZoneThreshold Miles
Pacing Bella.
Leg 4:
Distance0.500Time4:37.30Pace9:14.60ZoneEasy Miles
To the car.
Leg 5:
Distance2.000Time16:30.20Pace8:15.10ZoneEasy Miles
With Matthew.
Leg 6:
Distance5.000Time39:54.20Pace7:58.84ZoneEasy Miles
Alone.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
10.000.000.000.0010.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-05 12:40:27
Workout Totals: Distance10.000Time1:18:44.40Pace7:52.44
10 total. Easy pace.
Leg 1:
Distance2.000Time16:05.30Pace8:02.65ZoneEasy Miles
With Leigha.
Leg 2:
Distance1.000Time8:19.00Pace8:19.00ZoneEasy Miles
With Mary
Leg 3:
Distance2.000Time15:20.20Pace7:40.10ZoneEasy Miles
With Matthew.
Leg 4:
Distance5.000Time38:59.90Pace7:47.98ZoneEasy Miles
Alone.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
10.000.000.000.0010.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-06 10:53:16
Workout Totals: Distance10.000Time1:19:45.90Pace7:58.59
10 total. Easy pace.
Leg 1:
Distance2.000Time16:32.50Pace8:16.25ZoneEasy Miles
With Leigha.
Leg 2:
Distance1.000Time7:54.50Pace7:54.50ZoneEasy Miles
With Mary.
Leg 3:
Distance1.000Time8:28.80Pace8:28.80ZoneEasy Miles
With Benjamin and William.
Leg 4:
Distance2.000Time15:43.50Pace7:51.75ZoneEasy Miles
With Benjamin and Matthew.
Leg 5:
Distance4.000Time31:06.60Pace7:46.65ZoneEasy Miles
With Benjamin.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
4.006.002.000.0012.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-07 12:10:48
Workout Totals: Distance12.000Time1:30:32.50Pace7:32.71
12 total. We did the rabbit chase. Leigha paced Mary, and Stephen and I paced Bella, but I ran the last mile at my pace. Results

Benjamin 9:51 (4:51, 5:00)
Matthew 11:43 (6:42, 6:01)
me 12:44 (6:19, 6:25)
Bella and Stephen 13:02 (6:19, 6:43)
Mary and Leigha 15:27

I also ran the last 6 miles from the house out and back at a faster pace in 43:46 averaging 7:17, which was faster than my race pace in the 15K two weeks earlier.
Leg 1:
Distance0.980Time8:36.80Pace8:47.35ZoneEasy Miles
Warm-up.
Leg 2:
Distance2.000Time12:44.50Pace6:22.25ZoneThreshold Miles
Rabbit chase tempo run.
Leg 3:
Distance3.020Time25:24.90Pace8:24.93ZoneEasy Miles
With Benjamin and Matthew.
Leg 4:
Distance6.000Time43:46.30Pace7:17.72ZoneMarathon Pace Miles
With Benjamin.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
10.000.000.000.0010.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-09 11:52:25
Workout Totals: Distance10.000Time1:18:56.50Pace7:53.65
Leg 1:
Distance2.000Time15:57.90Pace7:58.95ZoneEasy Miles
Alone.
Leg 2:
Distance2.000Time15:31.50Pace7:45.75ZoneEasy Miles
With Leigha.
Leg 3:
Distance6.000Time47:27.10Pace7:54.52ZoneEasy Miles
Part with Matthew, part alone.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
8.000.002.000.0010.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-10 10:44:09
Workout Totals: Distance10.000Time1:15:46.20Pace7:34.62
10 total. Benjamin paced me through 2 miles down the canyon in 12:33 (6:11, 6:22). Stephen ran the first mile with us, then his back gave out. This was my fastest time since the calf injury.
Leg 1:
Distance0.980Time8:39.80Pace8:50.41ZoneEasy Miles
Warm-up.
Leg 2:
Distance2.000Time12:33.30Pace6:16.65ZoneThreshold Miles
Tempo run.
Leg 3:
Distance1.020Time9:08.70Pace8:57.94ZoneEasy Miles
To the car.
Leg 4:
Distance2.000Time15:25.30Pace7:42.65ZoneEasy Miles
With Leigha.
Leg 5:
Distance4.000Time29:59.10Pace7:29.77ZoneEasy Miles
With Matthew.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
10.000.000.000.0010.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-11 11:58:17
Workout Totals: Distance10.000Time1:21:58.70Pace8:11.87
Leg 1:
Distance3.000Time26:48.00Pace8:56.00ZoneEasy Miles
With Mary.
Leg 2:
Distance2.000Time15:55.60Pace7:57.80ZoneEasy Miles
With Matthew.
Leg 3:
Distance5.000Time39:15.10Pace7:51.02ZoneEasy Miles
Alone.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
8.000.002.000.0010.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-12 12:22:19
Workout Totals: Distance10.000Time1:18:52.90Pace7:53.29
10 total. We did a rabbit chase. Stephen paced Leigha and they ran 13:53, course PR for Leigha. I paced Bella and we got 13:09. Matthew got 11:23 if I remember right.
Leg 1:
Distance0.980Time8:14.70Pace8:24.80ZoneEasy Miles
Warm-up.
Leg 2:
Distance2.000Time13:09.20Pace6:34.60ZoneThreshold Miles
Pacing Bella.
Leg 3:
Distance3.020Time25:57.00Pace8:35.56ZoneEasy Miles
To the house with Matthew.
Leg 4:
Distance4.000Time31:32.00Pace7:53.00ZoneEasy Miles
Alone.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.000.000.000.006.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-13 12:02:37
Workout Totals: Distance6.000Time47:36.10Pace7:56.02
6 total. Not sure why I ran only 6, I think the day was busy and there were some issues either with the calf or the hamstring.
Leg 1:
Distance2.000Time15:49.90Pace7:54.95ZoneEasy Miles
With Leigha.
Leg 2:
Distance4.000Time31:46.20Pace7:56.55ZoneEasy Miles
With Matthew.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
10.000.002.000.0012.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-14 11:55:22
Workout Totals: Distance6.000Time47:32.60Pace7:55.43
12 total. We did a rabbit chase. 2 miles down the canyon I paced Bella to a new course PR - 12:56. I think Leigha paced Mary, do not remember what they got, I think 15:09. Matthew got 11:33 if I remember right.
Leg 1:
Distance6.000Time47:32.60Pace7:55.43ZoneEasy Miles
Part with Benjamin, part alone.
Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-14 17:35:10
Workout Totals: Distance6.000Time46:28.90Pace7:44.82
Leg 1:
Distance0.980Time8:17.30Pace8:27.45ZoneEasy Miles
Leg 2:
Distance2.000Time12:56.70Pace6:28.35ZoneThreshold Miles
Pacing Bella.
Leg 3:
Distance3.020Time25:14.90Pace8:21.62ZoneEasy Miles
With Matthew.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
10.000.000.000.0010.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-16 11:52:40
Workout Totals: Distance10.000Time1:18:24.70Pace7:50.47
10 total. Easy pace.
Leg 1:
Distance2.000Time15:57.70Pace7:58.85ZoneEasy Miles
With Leigha.
Leg 2:
Distance2.000Time15:14.00Pace7:37.00ZoneEasy Miles
With Matthew.
Leg 3:
Distance1.000Time8:10.60Pace8:10.60ZoneEasy Miles
With William and Benjamin if I remember right.
Leg 4:
Distance5.000Time39:02.40Pace7:48.48
Split 1:Distance5.000Time39:02.40Pace7:48.48ZoneEasy Miles
Cumilative:Distance5.000Time39:02.40Pace7:48.48
Split 2:Distance0.000Time0:00.00Pace0:00.00ZoneEasy Miles
Cumilative:Distance5.000Time39:02.40Pace7:48.48
Split 3:Distance0.000Time0:00.00Pace0:00.00ZoneEasy Miles
Cumilative:Distance5.000Time39:02.40Pace7:48.48
Split 4:Distance0.000Time0:00.00Pace0:00.00ZoneEasy Miles
Cumilative:Distance5.000Time39:02.40Pace7:48.48

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.002.002.000.0010.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-17 10:59:32
Workout Totals: Distance10.000Time1:17:52.70Pace7:47.27
10 total. Benjamin paced me through the 2 mile tempo down the canyon. I ran 12:22 (6:06, 6:16). My endurance is still lacking but I was able to run my fastest time since the calf injury. Stephen made it to 1.25 but then his back started hurting and he could not go faster than 7:20 pace. I think he got something around 13:30.
Leg 1:
Distance0.980Time8:46.80Pace8:57.55ZoneEasy Miles
Warm-up.
Leg 2:
Distance2.000Time12:22.30Pace6:11.15ZoneThreshold Miles
Tempo run.
Leg 3:
Distance2.020Time18:07.20Pace8:58.22ZoneEasy Miles
To the car.
Leg 4:
Distance2.000Time15:01.80Pace7:30.90ZoneMarathon Pace Miles
With Matthew.
Leg 5:
Distance2.000Time15:45.10Pace7:52.55ZoneEasy Miles
With Leigha.
Leg 6:
Distance1.000Time7:49.50Pace7:49.50ZoneEasy Miles
With Bella and Matthew.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
10.000.000.000.0010.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-18 12:01:47
Workout Totals: Distance10.000Time1:19:26.00Pace7:56.60
10 total. Easy pace.
Leg 1:
Distance2.000Time16:26.90Pace8:13.45ZoneEasy Miles
With Benjamin, William, and Matthew.
Leg 2:
Distance2.000Time15:50.70Pace7:55.35ZoneEasy Miles
With Leigha.
Leg 3:
Distance1.000Time7:40.50Pace7:40.50ZoneEasy Miles
With Matthew if I remember right.
Leg 4:
Distance5.000Time39:27.90Pace7:53.58ZoneEasy Miles
Alone or maybe with Benjamin.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
8.000.002.000.0010.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-19 11:57:25
Workout Totals: Distance10.000Time1:19:34.90Pace7:57.49
10 total. We did a rabbit chase. I paced Bella. She ran a PR - 12:49 (6:26, 6:23). Stephen paced Leigha and they ran 13:59. Benjamin ran 9:40. Matthew was not having a good day and got 11:56 if I remember right.
Leg 1:
Distance0.980Time8:29.70Pace8:40.10ZoneEasy Miles
Warm-up.
Leg 2:
Distance2.000Time12:49.00Pace6:24.50ZoneThreshold Miles
Pacing Bella.
Leg 3:
Distance2.020Time18:48.30Pace9:18.56ZoneEasy Miles
With Matthew.
Leg 4:
Distance5.000Time39:27.90Pace7:53.58ZoneEasy Miles
Alone - or maybe with Benjamin.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
10.000.000.000.0010.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-20 10:36:28
Workout Totals: Distance10.000Time1:17:57.20Pace7:47.72
10 total. Easy pace.
Leg 1:
Distance4.000Time31:19.50Pace7:49.88ZoneEasy Miles
With Benjamin and Matthew if I remember right.
Leg 2:
Distance2.000Time15:34.70Pace7:47.35ZoneEasy Miles
With Leigha.
Leg 3:
Distance4.000Time31:03.00Pace7:45.75ZoneEasy Miles
Alone.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.004.000.000.0010.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-21 08:14:49
Workout Totals: Distance10.000Time1:19:18.30Pace7:55.83
10 total. Did a 4 mile tempo run down the canyon in 27:10. It was somewhat unplanned - decided to run faster on a whim. Benjamin did it in 20:52.
Leg 1:
Distance4.000Time35:37.10Pace8:54.27ZoneEasy Miles
Warm-up.
Leg 2:
Distance4.000Time27:10.50Pace6:47.62ZoneMarathon Pace Miles
Tempo run.
Leg 3:
Distance2.000Time16:30.70Pace8:15.35ZoneEasy Miles
Distance/cool-down.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
5.005.000.000.0010.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-23 12:04:03
Workout Totals: Distance7.000Time52:28.60Pace7:29.80
10 total. Went a bit quicker for 5 miles trying to keep up with Benjamin and Joseph.
Leg 1:
Distance2.000Time15:32.80Pace7:46.40ZoneEasy Miles
With Leigha.
Leg 2:
Distance5.000Time36:55.80Pace7:23.16ZoneMarathon Pace Miles
With Matthew, part with Benjami and Joseph.
Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-23 16:13:40
Workout Totals: Distance3.000Time23:49.30Pace7:56.43
Leg 1:
Distance3.000Time23:49.30Pace7:56.43ZoneEasy Miles
Alone.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
8.000.002.000.0010.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-24 10:52:37
Workout Totals: Distance10.000Time1:17:57.90Pace7:47.79
10 total. Did a 2 mile tempo run down the canyon. Benjamin paced me. I got 12:16 (5:58,6:18). Fastest time since the injury, but still lacking endurance. William ran 12:29, he kept up for the first mile. Stephen also kept up for the first mile, then felt his back was hurting and slowed down to 7:20 pace, but then he kicked in 82 seconds for the last quarter and finished in 12:49. So I think his back hurting might actually be a fatigue-induced panic attack.
Leg 1:
Distance0.980Time8:24.30Pace8:34.59ZoneEasy Miles
Warm-up.
Leg 2:
Distance2.000Time12:16.30Pace6:08.15ZoneThreshold Miles
Tempo run.
Leg 3:
Distance1.020Time9:28.40Pace9:17.25ZoneEasy Miles
To the car.
Leg 4:
Distance6.000Time47:48.90Pace7:58.15ZoneEasy Miles
Alone.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
10.000.000.000.0010.00

Fast Running Friend Workout - 2026-03-25 11:49:30
Workout Totals: Distance10.000Time1:19:59.80Pace7:59.98
10 total. Easy pace.
Leg 1:
Distance2.000Time17:32.50Pace8:46.25ZoneEasy Miles
With Mary, Bella, and Leigha.
Leg 2:
Distance4.000Time31:32.30Pace7:53.07ZoneEasy Miles
With Matthew.
Leg 3:
Distance4.000Time30:55.00Pace7:43.75ZoneEasy Miles
Alone.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
177.0017.0016.000.00210.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
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