With his long summer of travel and running finally winding down, we caught up with Tommy “Back-half” Barlow to get all the details. He became the 282nd person to officially complete the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning and the 18th person from Utah to do it.
It got off to a rocky start with a injury that needed some last minute TLC before the long drive to Western but Tommy not only got his finish but he did it under 24 hours. He then followed that up with a couple sub 24’s at Vermont and Leadville before tackling his home course in the Wasatch mountains.
Thanks to Tommy “Back-half” Barlow for hanging out with the TrailManners crew.
(PC: Kenzie Barlow)
Contest Alert:
Show Notes:
- Grand Slam of Ultrarunning
- Western States 100 (23:26)
- Vermont 100 (22:15)
- Leadville 100 (23:40)
- Wasatch 100 (26:44)
- CONTEST
Don’t forget to pre-order your TrailManners Beanie. We will ship the limited edition lid warmers mid November.
Joel is the co-founder of TrailManners.com, owner of KatBlu Web Designs, and Owner of Bomber Athlete.
I would LOVE to see how much I could stuff into this thing!
I’ve completed my first two ultras in past 10 weeks, and now I am filling up my calendar with more ultras and longer distances. Winning this would be epic since now I need #AllTheGear to stow #AllTheThings and #AllTheFood so I can do #AllTheRaces.
#AllTheBest,
Henry
Did some extra hours at work this month so my wife (who still is my boss at our salon) agreed to give me the money to register for Javelina…so I’m not even considering asking her for a new pack or belt 😂😂 but getting this one for the race would be sweet
Because my shoulders are sore from pack rub.
Congrats Tommy and a great listen. I would love to use one of those packs to mark/sweep some of the the small local events that the Mesa Monument Striders put on, or to just rock around town when I don’t have enough pockets…
Congrats Tommy and a great listen. I would love to use that pack to mark/sweep some of the local events that the Mesa Monument Striders put on.
Would love to have this out on three day of the Foothills Trail later this month! Great job this summer man! Proud of you!
The belt would go great with my running outfits and it would bring out the color of my eyes.
I would love this belt. I’ve been looking for something I can easily pack for races that will be light and flexible but also hold what I need between aid stations. This looks like a pack that won’t mess with my gait or center of gravity. Thanks for the episode!
This pack would be a great addition to the arsenal and allow me to redistribute some weight from existing packs to a more economical location. Congrats on the Grand Slam!!
Well done Tommy, impressive doesn’t really cut it.
This Salomon belt would be nice for shorter runs and for racing, I like to keep the hands free.
Tommy is a bad ass. If he can go from Ironman to a grand slam finisher, maybe i should give it a whirl.
Nice! I am right there with you!
EAGLE!! Congrats again Tommy!
I’ve just started getting my feet wet with trail running, this pack would be great.
Just getting into trail running and having this waist belt would be a sweet addition to the gear i already need to buy!
Congrats, would love to test this pack out here in the foothills of Denver CO. Cheers!
I would love to try one of these waist packs and get the pack off my shoulders, which often chafe.
I would love this because Tommy challenged me to get into trail running and I need to gear up.
I attempted a 100K with a camelbak mule, I need something smaller and way lighter. Great Listen.
What Tommy accomplished is truly remarkable!
After months of negotiations with the wife, I was finally approved to purchase a Salomon Skin Pro 10, even though she didn’t see the worth for the price. Well, to her avail, and after much resistance, she took it upon her self to take it with her on the Tetons Ragnar this year. Well, long story short, this is now “her” running pack, and I am left to fend for myself, to find a “replacement”. So, you can see how I clearly need to win this belt, right?
I’m new to trail running and need the best gear! I’ve got my Solomon Trail Shoes but the S Lab Belt would really make me #badass!
I would love to win this! Why? Because I have an S Lab vest (which I love) but it’s too much for shorter runs. I have a generic handheld but hate it. Puts me out of balance and the sloshing noise drives me crazy!
I have a bone spur in my shoulder and my hydration packs cause extreme pain at 30+ miles. I need to try other forms of carrying fuel!
I don’t need it but I would use it all the time!! Thanks for doing what ya do !!
Nobody will notice that I’m running naked when wearing the S Lab belt.
Tommy Barlow is my choice for president. Well done and great interview.
I am leaving a comment to try to win the pack!
Sounds like I will have a new podcast to check out!!
Great interview with Back Half Barlow! He’s one tough SOB, and a pleasure to run with all summer.
Sandbagger!!! 🙂
Hahahha. Sand baggin’ in your shadow bro! The Crimson Cheetah will be ours one day….oh yes, it will be ours!
Considering doing my first ultra next year. I use your podcast for inspiration. Great podcast guys. Keep me coming!
Tommy — Lots of good memories. Thanks for the mentions. 🙂
Aric and Joel — Great interview! Must listen for anyone who ever wants to run any of the Grand Slam races, or the run the full Grand Slam.
The S-labs belt pack? Because all I ever train or race with is waist belt packs! I should try this one — it looks pretty light and speedy.
Love this podcast!
So many comments! Such a good episode!
I need this to help hide my plummer crack while on the run.
I never said it would be easy I only said I would comment.
Love that I found this page! I’d love the pack because my camel back pack is too small for my increasingly longer runs! (Husband has been out of work for a while so no splurging here)
Love the bus!!
Great post!
I’d like the belt to help me keep up with my dang little brother who already made the jump from marathons to ultras and left me behind!!
Wow! Great job. It’s amazing what you’ve accomplished and with great times.
Good stuff!
Pick me, pick me!!!
I would love a waist belt for short runs or to add to my other pack for longer runs.
I listened to this podcast on my way back from New Mexico and loved it! Very inspiring and made me want to run another ultra next year.
I have been running trails for two years and have recently increased mileage to start entering longer distance races. My Camelbak is leaving my back sweaty and would love to try Solomon’s belt set.
I have yet to do my 1st 50k, but the backpack I used killed my back on my last run. This would be awesome to win! Plus…if I spend any more $ on gear right now my husband will murder me.
Loved the post
I’d use this belt to replace my current hydration system that I’ve used for 3 years and has a couple holes in it. I’ve been considering getting a hydration belt for a couple months as I transition to more minimal running.
Congrats on the Slam Tommy! You rock!
I need one because Josh Korn runs with one and he’s really fast!
I need the pack because I spent all my free cash at the Salomon tent sale. Hehe. Seriously though, I did.
So glad I found y’alls podcast. Great interviews that have inspired me to get off the road and into the woods again. I could totally use a hydration belt now that I’m running longer distances. Thanks for the awesome podcasts!