At an occasion that tends to favor these with earlier course data, Barkley Marathons first-timer Ihor Verys of Ukraine however dwelling in Canada received the 2024 version of the notorious occasion on March 22 in a time of 58 hours, 44 minutes, and 59 seconds.
Verys credit working along with veterans of the occasion for the early laps, operating alongside a robust group together with John Kelly and Jasmin Paris at instances, for his personal success and that of a record-breaking variety of runners this 12 months. The relative newcomer to the game placed on a masterclass on navigating the bodily, emotional, and psychological difficulties of the occasion.
On this interview, Verys talks about his strategy to the race as a first-timer, why he thinks there have been so many finishers this 12 months, his relative newness to ultrarunning, his enjoyment of his first Barkley expertise, and whether or not he intends to return sooner or later.
Study extra about this 12 months’s Barkley Marathons in our outcomes article.
[Editor’s Note: The following interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.]
Ihor Verys (left) and Jodi Isenor, who crewed Verys, pose with the Ukrainian and Canadian flags on the 2024 Barkley Marathons end. All images courtesy of Ihor Verys.
iRunFar: Ihor, congratulations in your Barkley end. That’s unbelievable. How do you are feeling about that?
Ihor Verys: It’s nonetheless sinking in. It’d take just a few months, possibly years. I nonetheless can’t consider it. I nonetheless generally really feel like I would simply get up someplace in the midst of Frozen Head State Park, and I simply fell asleep and it’s all only a dream. [laughs]
iRunFar: You’ve nonetheless received 37 hours and a complete lot of books to go.
Verys: Yeah, I’m misplaced on the way in which to ebook 5, and I simply dreamed about ending, however in reality, search and rescue has been in search of me for days now. [laughs]
iRunFar: [laughs] Properly, it means you’re sleeping properly. Congratulations on that.
Verys: Yeah, thanks.
iRunFar: Earlier than we get into the small print, it’s actually uncommon for an individual to complete Barkley, however to complete it on their first strive. I’d love to listen to your perspective on that. What do you attribute to with the ability to end in your first time on the market?
Verys: They are saying that there are extra failers than finishers, however I at all times attempt to have a special mindset, wanting on the individuals who completed it and say, I do know most people fail at Barkley, however there are 17 finishers. So why can’t I be considered one of them? Considered one of my inspirations was Aurélien Sanchez from final 12 months. He was additionally a Barkley virgin, but he accomplished it the very first 12 months, and he completed being the primary one final 12 months. So I checked out earlier instances and eventualities, and plenty of different Barkley finishers did it on their first try, and I undoubtedly derived loads of inspiration from them.
In fact, I really feel prefer it can be attributed to all of the coaching and preparation that comes with gearing up for Barkley. It’s not your typical race. You possibly can’t simply present up simply having just a few miles in your legs over earlier months. You must practice your power. You must practice your navigation expertise, and I spent many, many months and years doing so. And after they got here all the way down to Barkley, I used to be simply prepared.
iRunFar: Yeah. It’s removed from straightforward, however do you suppose it’s barely simpler that we now have 20 finishers and all of the expertise of the years of people that didn’t end, such that loads of classes have been realized? As an illustration, did you study so much from earlier Barkley entrants, whether or not they’re finishers or not?
Verys: Completely, you possibly can undoubtedly study from them. I feel another excuse why we had 5 finishers this 12 months — it has nothing to do with the course being straightforward, in reality, the course was tougher, new sections have been added — is simply that we labored as a group for the primary 4 loops. So we labored in opposition to Barkley, and by placing all of those minds collectively, we have been capable of accomplish such a feat as 5 finishers. It’s a historic end, and I’m actually proud to be part of it.
Ihor Verys prepping maps and ready for the conch to sound earlier than beginning the 2024 Barkley Marathons.
iRunFar: That was my first query in regards to the play-by-play. That first lap it did seem to be people have been working collectively. That was the case?
Verys: The primary loop was distinctive, in line with the veterans. As a result of it was my first 12 months, I didn’t know what to anticipate. I didn’t understand how many individuals would be capable to be within the lead pack, and we ended up having virtually 20 folks shut collectively for a lot of the first loop. After I chatted with John Kelly, I requested him, “Is it regular?” And he mentioned, “No. By now there ought to be 5 folks most. I’ve by no means seen such an enormous practice this far into the primary loop.” I requested him, “What do you suppose, is it a tricky crowd, or do you suppose individuals are simply operating lower than their means?” And he’s like, “Properly, I suppose we’ll see later.” [laughs]
The group was getting smaller and smaller. And on the finish, we had this little group of seven folks, and 6 folks, after which simply 5 folks that might be within the lead. Then, there was one other little group with Jared Campbell and Greig Hamilton a bit of bit behind us. They’d their very own group there. We have been attempting to stay collectively. I suppose it was John, myself, Damian Corridor, and Jasmin Paris at all times round there. And for a while, Sébastien [Raichon] from France was there as properly. Sébastien may not essentially converse English, however we have been capable of converse one navigation language, which was wonderful. He helped us, we helped him, and it was teamwork. It was really teamwork on the market, and I feel that’s why we had 5 finishers.
iRunFar: How lengthy have been you operating with folks? I imply not essentially each minute, however for essentially the most half.
Verys: Within the second loop, 5 of us completed with Sébastien, however Sébastien needed to take an extended break after that. So, for the third loop, there have been 4 of us: John, Damian, myself, and Jasmin. The 4 of us lasted fairly some time, all the way in which into the fourth loop. After which it was John, Damian, and myself on loop 4. The three of us labored collectively. Jasmin was simply behind us. Then, loop 5, we’re all on our personal. We have now to take [alternating] instructions. That is the place true Barkley begins, on loop 5, as a result of it’s simply you and the course, and in the event you haven’t realized by now, Barkley will educate you a lesson.
A relaxed and composed Ihor Verys performs nighttime pit cease chores between loops.
iRunFar: Was it very best timing for many of loop 5 to be in daylight?
Verys: The primary three hours have been in darkness, after which the solar got here out, lovely climate. I used to be joking that Laz[arus Lake, the race director] did the beginning in order that it ends at 5:00 p.m. so he may go to mattress proper after. [laughs]
He was like, I don’t need to take care of that in the midst of the night time.
iRunFar: On that lap 4, I’m simply going again a bit of bit. Did you end up operating out in entrance alone at any level in a while loop 4?
Verys: All three of us have been collectively. I left a bit of bit early on loop 4 as a result of there was a bit of path, so I took it straightforward digesting meals that I took on the camp, and I loaded up loads of energy in order that John and Damian may catch up. As soon as they caught up with me, the three of us labored collectively. I didn’t need to go alone. I used to be pretty snug going fully alone for loop 4, however I figured if we’ve got this chance of working collectively for another loop, why not take it?
iRunFar: So principally, did you do the entire loop collectively?
Verys: Yeah. Loop 4 was the slowest as a result of it was the second night time. Everybody’s sleep-deprived and drained. We made a bunch of errors, however these weren’t essential errors. I feel our loop 4 was 14 hours, which may be very gradual. However hopefully we have been capable of repair these errors and prepare for loop 5.
iRunFar: So that you’re ending loop 4. Possibly there’s one course that most individuals really feel is simpler, otherwise you personally really feel is simpler. How did you determine who was going to get to decide on first and in what course for loop 5? Do you dash into the checkpoint to rise up first or did you really talk about it as a bunch?
Verys: The rule is that whoever is able to depart first will get to decide on the course. I didn’t need to sleep. I simply wanted to alter socks and sneakers, and I’m able to go. John needed to take a nap, as he was falling asleep a bit, and we misplaced Damian by the tip of the loop 4 within the darkness. I don’t know the place he went, however he would possibly share that story in some unspecified time in the future. However anyway, as we have been ending up loop 4 with John, I requested him, “Is it okay? I feel I’m not going to take loads of time within the camp. I’m simply going to eat, change sneakers, and I’m out of right here. And I’ll take clockwise.” He mentioned, yeah, he’s high quality with that as a result of he needed to take a break. And for me, clockwise. The rationale why I needed to take it’s as a result of I simply got here from counterclockwise, so it’s form of recent in my mind. I used to be considering throughout these first three night time hours, I ought to be capable to find these books. And hopefully, when the solar is out, there can be aid.
iRunFar: You thought that’d be simpler than, regardless that you’d gone that final lap within the different course, it had been 14 hours plus your break that you just had gone?
Verys: Properly, the rationale it was 14 hours was as a result of it was night time. Night time loops are at all times slower. The counterclockwise course additionally begins with a path part. So, it’s really simpler to start with at the least. However then it relies upon, you already know. Some folks say it’s simpler, some folks say it isn’t. I figured I’d take clockwise and take my probability on that.
iRunFar: How did that closing lap go? Did you will have any huge points or issues?
Verys: It’s humorous, I used to be telling my crew, Jodi Isenor, that the one loop the place I didn’t make errors was loop 5. Whereas I used to be very nervous as a result of I used to be on my own, I did memorize so much over the primary 4 loops. And after they got here to the purpose the place I wasn’t positive if this was the spot, I simply trusted my compass. The compass won’t ever mislead you. I relied on the compass 100%, and it didn’t let me down. There was one spot with one ebook that I overshot a bit of bit, however I used to be capable of determine it out and retrace it again and discover it. However aside from that, I landed just about each single ebook spot on. It did take me a bit of bit longer than if I have been with another person, simply because I used to be at all times ensuring I used to be in the correct course, I used to be in the correct spot, confirming with a map, confirming with options, confirming with landmarks and my compass. And you already know, in the event you belief your compass, it’s going to steer you to the correct spot, and that’s what occurred to me.
iRunFar: You had left on loop 5 with sufficient time that you just have been higher to confirm that you just have been in the correct spot getting in the correct course to spend a bit of bit of additional time doing that than guessing and simply trusting with out verifying.
Are there any highlights on that final loop? Something that was simply nice or stood out positively?
Verys: In case you discover the ebook, or you already know the place you’re, it’s simply this little child second. I’m like, Oh my gosh, I did it! Heck yeah! And it simply offers you that motivation and that power to maintain going. And you discover the second ebook and also you’re like, oh my god, I’m so good at it! It’s simply these little moments and also you’re like a bit of youngster there in the midst of nowhere, discovering these little books, and each time I discovered it, it simply gave me additional power for the following push, regardless that I had fairly horrible points with my toes. However it might assist me to overlook about that ache, to shelf that ache, depart it for later, and simply transfer on to the following one.
Each time I did it, I used to be simply so happy with myself, happy with the whole lot that my crew, Jodi taught me, as a result of I knew that I used to be not doing it only for myself. I’m doing it for him. I’m doing it for Canada and Ukraine. There are such a lot of folks which can be behind me, standing for me, cheering and supporting me, and I simply didn’t need to allow them to down. Having this thought in my head, it helped me to get via that loop alone.
iRunFar: It appeared like by the tip of the third loop your toes have been in fairly horrible form however what occurred? You had a really lengthy approach to go on dangerous toes.
Verys: I ended up creating trench foot. I don’t know in the event you’re aware of that, however I had the identical difficulty on the Damage [100 Mile] a few months prior, however I simply needed to go along with them from one loop there, which is like 5 hours. Hereafter loop three, I already had them, and a loop takes 12, 13, 14 hours, so you possibly can’t actually change your sneakers and socks, usually sufficient. And my toes, I suppose they’ve child pores and skin or no matter, and so they develop these trenches.
Each step was very painful. After I completed loop 4, I referred to as my crew, and I feel Laz heard that too as a result of he talked about it in his write-up. He really noticed my horrible toes as I took off the socks, and even Laz didn’t consider that I’d be capable to end it. I simply informed myself one step at a time, one ebook at a time, and I shelved the ache. I forgot about it for some time and I simply took it off the shelf on the finish of the race.
iRunFar: Typically, the reviews about you all through the race have been that you just have been calm, actually clear-headed, and aside from your toes, fairly able-bodied. Had been these reviews proper or was there much more struggling occurring, and also you simply have been capable of keep calm outwardly?
Verys: I feel these reviews are pretty truthful. I didn’t have some other points. I used to be very pleased with the way in which my physique responded. I had no points with vitamin. I had no points with sleep deprivation. Apart from my toes, my physique felt nice. I had zero cramping. My muscle tissue felt nice. I felt good climbing. My quads have been nice descending. Apart from these toes, which is nothing within the huge scheme of issues. Navigation was working properly. So general, these items of the puzzle, as soon as I put them collectively and realized, you already know what, there are such a lot of issues that would have gone flawed, however they’re going proper. It gave me the boldness to look good, too. I suppose folks noticed that in me after which they put it of their report.
iRunFar: Did you get pleasure from any of it?
Verys: You already know what? I loved each single second of it. Possibly as soon as on loop 4 in the midst of the night time, we ended up within the flawed spot — I didn’t double-check and nobody in our group double-checked. I used to be like, oh my goodness, I’ll by no means ever do it once more, silly. But it surely was very short-lived. Possibly a pair seconds after that I simply felt so privileged to have the ability to do it.
My mindset was, I don’t should do it; I get to do it. That’s what helped me get via it. Even the night time earlier than the conch was blown, I used to be there like a bit of child sitting in my car. I’m like, oh my gosh, I’m within the Barkley camp, ready for the conch to be blown. This occasion has been on since 1986 and I get to be part of it. It doesn’t matter what the result’s going to be, I’m part of the Barkley household now. And that made me so glad and so appreciative of life and this chance.
All reviews coming from the race indicated a robust and glad Ihor. They usually have been right.
iRunFar: I heard that you just possibly joked while you completed that the race ought to be six loops, not 5. May you will have finished a sixth loop in the event you wanted to or have been you fairly finished at that time?
Verys: Possibly my toes weren’t pleased with that joke, however once more, the remainder of my physique felt nice. It was a joke, after all. I simply checked out my watch and noticed that it was nonetheless sub-59 [hours]. I’m like, whoa, we received one other hour right here to go. So, in the event you throw in one other loop for 12 hours, we’d be capable to try it. However once more, it’s all a joke. In fact each loop at Barkley is a grueling problem. You see that half of the sphere was gone after the primary loop, and Barkley is as laborious as everybody imagines it. It’s really worse than everybody imagines it. It’s actually laborious to clarify as a result of no one’s allowed to be off-trail there. The one factor folks see is rat jaw. And rat jaw, in reality, is likely one of the best sections on the Barkley course, simply to present the attitude of how horrible the off-trail sections are. [laughs] However I actually loved it. I anticipated that. I skilled on one thing like that, and once I confronted it, I used to be prepared.
iRunFar: How did you practice for Barkley?
Verys: Properly, dwelling in Chilliwack[, British Columbia], we’re blessed to have loads of loopy technical trails. Tremendous steep, tremendous rocky, tremendous rooty. You don’t essentially should go off-trail, you possibly can simply keep on these trails. They’re fairly dangerous, being really marked trails. So I spent loads of time in my yard climbing and descending these trails, constructing these climbing legs, constructing power, ensuring I may climb and descend for lengthy hours nonstop.
I’d spend loads of time learning maps and doing navigational practices, which might be essentially the most neglected a part of Barkley, as a result of many robust athletes can get via 4 loops, however the fifth loop while you’re by yourself and you need to know the map. You must know the compass. You must know easy methods to use it. And in the event you don’t have that talent, Barkley will eat you. So, I needed to practice in loads of navigational features. I signed up with the native membership and did orienteering races. I even did the Western Canadian Orienteering Championships, the place I completed second to final. It’s all about expertise. You don’t should be an ideal orienteerer at Barkley, you simply should be a superb orienteerer at Barkley. After all of the months and years of coaching, this does put together you for Barkley.
Barkley is hard. The strongest and smartest on the planet, Barkley can nonetheless eat you, so you need to respect the course. You possibly can’t simply come unprepared fully. I’ve seen individuals who come who’ve by no means seen the map earlier than and who don’t use a compass, and I’m like, you already know what? This course will destroy you. This course will eat its younger.
Individuals need to depend on others, so that they present up and so they suppose they’ll latch on to veterans, however a number of the veterans are exceptionally robust and quick athletes. You are taking John Kelly, he’s an extremely match athlete. And if you wish to cling on to him, you’ve received to be tremendous match. Regardless, even in the event you can follow a veteran or Jared Campbell, as an illustration, you possibly can follow him for 4 loops. Properly, very cool, however what about loop quantity 5, proper?
That is the place the race begins. Right here, you’re by yourself, and that’s how Barkley destroys so many good athletes.
iRunFar: You will have simply had nice success at Barkley, 58 hours and alter. You have been on the market with Harvey Lewis throughout his actually lengthy Huge Canine’s Yard Extremely final 12 months. You have been the second furthest ever, however you’ve additionally run 15:44 at Badger Mountain 100 Mile, right? That’s operating fairly quick over 100 miles. Do you like these many-day occasions? Or do you additionally just like the shorter, quicker stuff?
Verys: The ultrarunning scene, generally, begins from 50 kilometers on, however I discover my power in these longer occasions the place we take 100 miles and longer, particularly the programs that require power, so there can be technical, steep, gradual programs. I’m not essentially a really quick individual. In case you put me on the marathon distance, I’ll suck. However on the subject of one thing that’s going to final lengthy and I can preserve a sure tempo over hours, days, and nights, I feel that’s very interesting to me.
I do actually like that feeling when the whole lot in your physique tells you to cease, however your thoughts overrides it, and you retain pushing and discovering new boundaries of your physique and thoughts. I actually prefer to be in that house. That’s once I get a runner’s excessive. Generally I can surf that wave for hours. That’s what I actually get pleasure from.
Ihor Verys will get a hug from his crew, Jodi Isenor, after profitable the 2024 Barkley Marathons on his first try.
iRunFar: Operating-wise, what’s subsequent for you? Something you’re wanting ahead to?
Verys: My subsequent few races are going to be native right here in Canada. I’d actually like to journey throughout Canada or go to totally different provinces, run races, in these provinces, and take part in these smaller occasions, and assist these native race administrators and our native races. I feel they want loads of consideration and we are able to collectively each develop and develop our sport in Canada. I maintain repeating that Canada’s fairly often within the shadows of ultrarunning. Our ultrarunners are exceptionally gifted. We have now so a lot of them, however they’re usually forgotten, and I feel bringing some highlight to Canadian races and areas is one thing I’d actually like to work on within the subsequent few months.
Then, outdoors of Canada, I’m going to Colorado in September to do the Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile. That’s on the schedule. Apart from that, we will see. My schedule shouldn’t be set but fully. So, I’m open to strategies.
iRunFar: Do you see your self ever attempting to return to finish Barkley once more, or are you one and happy and finished?
Verys: I’ll by no means reply that query since you’re not imagined to share that data. However, you already know, on loop 4 once more, when issues have been fairly low in some unspecified time in the future, I informed myself that, oh my goodness, I’ll by no means ever do it once more. Why would I put myself via these rings of hell? Nonetheless, once I touched the gate the fifth time, once I was capable of chat with the older legends of Barkley, once I received to expertise not solely the course however the whole historical past and all of the folks concerned in Barkley, all of the tradition. Barkley tradition is so distinctive. It’s so historic. I informed myself, it might be actually cool simply to stay part of this household. We’ll see. Life will present if I’ll find yourself at Frozen Head State Park once more, however you’ve received to determine easy methods to get in first. [laughs]
iRunFar: So going away from Barkley particularly, I’d like to know a bit of bit extra about you, your private background, typically and, then, possibly speak a bit of bit extra about operating. So the place are you from?
Verys: I reside in Canada. Initially, I’m from Ukraine, however I moved to Canada virtually 9 years in the past now.
iRunFar: How previous have been you then?
Verys: I used to be 21 years previous. I moved to Canada as a pupil attempting to expertise a brand new tradition, a brand new language, a brand new nation. I actually liked the folks and the way they reside right here. I at all times needed to remain right here, and by no means went again. I received into operating in all probability a 12 months after I moved to Canada. I’ve by no means run earlier than wherever. I don’t have monitor expertise.
iRunFar: Had been you an athlete rising up?
Verys: Soccer, I suppose. We have been all enjoying soccer in Ukraine. It’s our sport. However that’s about it. I wasn’t an athlete. I really hated operating. We had these 3k races in class and I didn’t get pleasure from them in any respect. However then once I moved right here, this was a superb alternative for me to search out that psychological well being instrument that can assist me to take care of the stress and challenges of dwelling in a brand new nation. Operating is a extremely low cost sport and also you want just a few runners, and also you’re all set. So, I began operating, only for enjoyable attempting to clear my thoughts. Finally, I began doing half marathons, marathons, and after COVID-19, I transitioned to trails.
iRunFar: How did you discover the paths? How did you come into that?
Verys: COVID-19 occurred and we weren’t allowed to be outdoors, proper? You have been imagined to self-isolate, and in the event you have been operating on pavement, everybody’s going to see you and everybody’s going to guage you. Like, hey, you’re imagined to be inside. You can’t be outdoors. So, I found trails. They have been again in Manitoba, the province the place I used to reside. We had trails simply outdoors of town. So, I can escape to the paths. Nobody’s going to see me there and nobody’s going to guage me, and that’s how I received into path operating.
Then, on trails, I bumped into different ultrarunners or path runners, and from them, I realized that folks can really run greater than a marathon distance. I used to be like, oh, actually? Let me look into it. So, I began exploring it. I used to be like, okay, it appears like I can go additional than marathon distance.
Afterward, I tried a quickest recognized time (FKT). It was 125 kilometers, and I felt nice. It was on a well-known path in Manitoba referred to as Mantario Path, and it’s a preferred FKT path. I felt actually good, particularly the second half, and I used to be like, wow, I feel I’m hooked on going lengthy distances now. After that, I moved to British Columbia, within the mountains the place I reside now, and I signed up for my first 100k mountain race, and I ended up profitable it. It was my first extremely, and the remainder is historical past. I’ve been doing these long-distance races ever since, and I’ve been having fun with it.
iRunFar: It’s simply laborious to think about you discovered path operating solely 4 years earlier than ending Barkley. That’s unbelievable.
Verys: Yeah, I suppose it’s a bit lower than 4 years. I by no means consider it that manner. However I suppose you’re proper.
iRunFar: Individuals suppose you would possibly want many years of path and extremely expertise to complete Barkley. Nope, 4 years. And even lower than that for ultrarunning expertise. What was your first ultra-length run? Was it that FKT, or what was your first extremely?
Verys: It was in September 2021. There was a 100k race simply on the island right here, the Finlayson Arm 100k.
iRunFar: So principally two and a half years since your first extremely in September 2021.
Verys: Yeah.
iRunFar: Okay, that’s form of humbling for the remainder of the world.
Verys: [laughs]
Ihor Verys along with his crew, Jodi Isenor, altering garments and refilling his pack between loops.
iRunFar: If I have been you, I’d should be dreaming. Alright, “So what is feasible? I can do that in two and a half years…”
Verys: I really feel dangerous now. [laughs]
iRunFar: No, you shouldn’t. You’re much more superhuman than you thought you have been.
Verys: I suppose I simply by no means consider it. I at all times suppose ahead, and once I end Barkley, I’m like, okay, what’s subsequent? The place do I must work to enhance? I nonetheless contemplate myself a pupil of the sport. I’m nonetheless studying some issues. Simply because it’s been just a few years, and I’m nonetheless studying, okay, what meals will work? What vitamin, what garments? Ought to I sleep? Ought to I do that? How briskly? How ought to I practice? I don’t have a coach. So, I’m looking for what works for me the perfect, and I like to be a pupil of the sport. I like to do all these difficult occasions as a result of they at all times reveal your weak spots, particularly in occasions like Barkley. It should undoubtedly present your weak spots, however then you possibly can work on them, enhance your self, and make your self even higher for future adventures.
iRunFar: You got here to Canada to review. What have been you learning?
Verys: Worldwide enterprise. I simply did a two-year school program. I had my diploma in Ukraine. I’ve a bachelor’s diploma in worldwide relations. However due to the state of affairs, due to the revolution we had there, I didn’t need to work for the federal government that was in cost at that time. It was an anti-people authorities. For me, as a possible for future diplomatic envoy, as a result of that’s what the worldwide relations school is educating you, I didn’t need to signify that authorities, and subsequently I made that selection to return to Canada and check out a special path in my life. At that time, I used to be solely 21, in order that’s fairly younger. This chance got here up.
iRunFar: What does work seem like nowadays for you? What subject are you working in?
Verys: I work in insurance coverage, which is so bizarre. I’d by no means suppose I’d find yourself on this subject, however I’m doing industrial insurance coverage as an account supervisor. I work for an enormous, worldwide firm referred to as HUB Worldwide. I spend loads of time within the workplace. Operating helps me, as soon as I’m on the market, to ease the stress. I actually benefit from the open air, and while you spend that a lot time within the workplace, you undoubtedly want the day out.
iRunFar: Yeah, properly, you bought 58 hours and alter of day out this previous week, so good. Ihor, thanks a lot on your time, and congratulations in your Barkley end.
Verys: Thanks, Bryon. It’s an honor and pleasure. I actually recognize your curiosity in my journey.
