I'm retired from racing. Really.

December 30, 2024

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Location:

Greenville,SC,

Member Since:

Feb 24, 2007

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

I also maintain a blogspot running blog. Check it out.

5k- 16:01, 1/2 marathon- 1:11:37, marathon- 2:34:16, 50k- 3:58, 100 mile- 15:19

Former World Record holder in 100 x 5k relay

Ultra history:

8-100 mile, 1-100k, 9-50 mile, 2-40 mile, 14-50k-ish

12 wins, 5 CR's, plus four 2nd, five 3rd, 4th, 4th, 5th, 5th, 9th, 16th, 20th, 28th, 38th, and 62nd place, with 1 DNF

Short-Term Running Goals:

Goals

Enjoy running, stay fit (and maybe lose a few pounds). Play ultimate frisbee.

4 year coach of Langston Middle School- love it

Long-Term Running Goals:

Unretire at some point

Run a sub-6 hr 50 miler

Win a 100 mile ultramarathon

Personal:

I have five cute kids. And I have some rockin short green racing shorts- I wear them mainly because it embarrasses my wife so much. I like ultimate frisbee, trail running, reading, and cheering for the Denver Broncos! And I have the absolute best wife in the world. And I used to run for the now-disbanded national Team Pearl Izumi- Ultra!

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:	This week:	0.00	Month:	28.00	Year:	537.50
Fastwitch Lifetime Miles:						82.50
Trail M2 Lime/black Lifetime Miles:						299.00
Road N2 Purple 2 Lifetime Miles:						222.50
Road N2 4 Grey Lifetime Miles:						104.50

Tue, Dec 14, 2010

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Crosstraining miles	Total Miles
0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00

It's 15 deg right now in Greenville (before windchill), and 32 deg in Logan. Something just doesn't seem right.

No run today- dentist during lunch, then at work too late to run.

I haven't signed up or even spent any time looking for upcoming races. I think it is because I am slowly, very sadly coming to the realization that my competitive running career is likely over. Between my work hours and extreme lack of access to good trails, my trail running certainly will only go downhill. And for road running, it is difficult to run enough miles to be competitive even under ideal circumstances. The less-than-ideal conditions here (i.e. no running trails/bike paths, very unsafe to run on many roads, particularly when dark) make it that much more difficult. I know I can certainly run recreationally and even somewhat competitively and enjoy that, but it's hard to accept that my fastest days are probably behind me. I just can't see 100 mile weeks happening. I'm pretty sad about this. I'm not seeking sympathy or pep-talks, just venting to myself. It's a bitter pill to swallow.

Weight: 0.00

Comments

From Rob Murphy on Tue, Dec 14, 2010 at 08:23:04 from 24.10.248.6

Not only that. It's 34 here in Salt Lake at the moment and 32 in Tampa Florida.

A sign of the end times?

From Paul on Tue, Dec 14, 2010 at 13:46:41 from 65.103.252.214

Seems okay to me.

From Rob Murphy on Tue, Dec 14, 2010 at 22:43:16 from 24.10.248.6

Hey Jon. As my grandma used to say, "this too shall pass". I'm betting you will find a way around this predicament.

You have to find a home away from the eastside suburban sprawl. Near downtown or north near Furman or further up hwy 25. Plenty of better running up there.

From jun on Tue, Dec 14, 2010 at 23:12:32 from 206.53.157.199

I'm with Rob on this one. Don't count yourself out yet. Even with a few years of downtime you may find another opportunity that works for you. I will always fear you as a competitor.

From Jim Kern on Wed, Dec 15, 2010 at 01:16:01 from 98.202.241.209

Jon, tell me it's not so. You are one of my main inspirations. Just chalk it up to the winter blues.

From Jon on Wed, Dec 15, 2010 at 07:26:10 from 74.177.125.243

It's too late, Rob. We signed a contract to build a house out on the far eastern side of the sprawl. No trails, no sidewalks, even further from the mountains.

From Paul on Wed, Dec 15, 2010 at 07:39:26 from 174.27.246.50

Hey, you added to your blog after my initial comment, and now it reads really brutal. Thanks a lot. So I better comment again to make myself sound like less of a jerk.

Running may not look that great right now, but realistically you have a good 20 years left or more (many ultrarunners keep going strong into their 50s). Your life circumstances and running environment may change SEVERAL times during that span. In the meantime, keep in good enough shape to capitalize when things get better. Several times I've thought for myself that "running is over" and I keep being wrong. It just changes and you adapt. I know you didn't want a pep talk, so I tried not to make it very inspirational.

From jtshad on Wed, Dec 15, 2010 at 16:32:57 from 204.134.132.225

I would like to say ditto to what Paul said. In addition, maybe this is a time to "reinvent" yourself and indulge in other life passions that can be equally beneficial to your physical and mental health.

Congrats too on the contract for your home!

From Jon on Thu, Dec 16, 2010 at 21:28:03 from 74.177.125.243

Thanks, everyone.

Paul- I didn't intentionally try to make you look like a jerk, but that sure is funny.

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