Rob Murphy

December 21, 2024

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Location:

Salt Lake City,

Member Since:

Feb 11, 2010

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

I had some success in high school and college. Winner 1985 Rod Dixon Run

Had a fair amount of success as a Masters runner for most of my 40s.

Short-Term Running Goals:

Have fun with running, explore more trails, stay healthy.

Long-Term Running Goals:

Keep running and racing consistently for as long as I can. Find what is sustainable for me over the long run.

Personal:

I teach AP European History and other courses at Alta High School. I coached the track and cross country teams at Alta for 16 years.

Married, two kids - Abby and Andy

My Twitter @murphy_rob

Click to donate

to Ukraine's Armed Forces

Miles:	This week:	36.00	Month:	91.25	Year:	1700.95

Wed, Feb 12, 2014

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Total Distance
10.25	0.00	0.00	0.00	10.25

10.25 miles on the treadmill. Avereged 6:50.

Spent too much time today following the Facebook discussion related to Steve and Walter's plans to once again host a group R2R2R run in the Grand Canyon over Memorial Day weekend. As someone who's done this run a couple times (see my blog photo) with people on both sides of the issue, I found the debate interesting to say the least. I'll sum up the position of both sides as succinctly as I can...

Pro Large Group R2R2R argument - I want to do this. It's stunningy beautiful. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment. It's not really that risky. The National Parks belong to me and are there for my enjoyment. It's epic and there are no limits to my epicness. People have been wrong about me before. A guy died 3000 years ago running a marathon in Greece so should we all stop running marathons? It's selfish and elitist to keep these things small.

Anti Large Group R2R2R argument - It's too risky. It's too hot. Too many inexperienced runners. Large numbers exponentially increase the risk of something bad happening to somebody in the group. NPS hostility to risky group events might lead to an outright ban and ruin it for everyone. You could get sued. You could go to jail. Someone could die.

That's about it. I won't be doing it because it's too close to another race I am taking seriously and I don't recover as fast as a lot of people on this blog. Also, I hate large groups being basically an introvert. And, I'm the only person in North America who wasn't invited.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00	Nap Time: 0.00	Total Sleep Time: 0.00	Weight: 0.00	Calories: 0.00

Comments

From Jake K on Wed, Feb 12, 2014 at 19:58:56 from 67.177.11.154

Epic blog entry, Bro (that's "Rob" w/ the letter re-arranged but more reflective of your personal epicness).

From Rob Murphy on Wed, Feb 12, 2014 at 20:05:37 from 24.10.249.34

Epic does not equal treadmill runs everyday while watching Dr. Phil at the gym.

From Holt on Wed, Feb 12, 2014 at 20:53:02 from 67.2.234.183

Epic recap... It was a pretty interesting "debate".

From Jon on Thu, Feb 13, 2014 at 09:36:38 from 107.203.52.135

Spot on. If it makes you feel better, I wasn't invited either.

From Steve on Sat, Feb 15, 2014 at 21:32:31 from 66.87.69.100

Not much of a debate, but at least a good look at everyone's views on the subject. One of the good things about that kind of forum is that it's away from the trail. No damage by expression. What I am concerned about is that one of the women who opposed the run called the Park Service, telling them some inexperienced runners were doing a run on a day too warm and with too many, and that the PS needed to do something about it. Of all the stupidity in this event (and there has been plenty) that one is staggering. I still don't get it. I know that person isn't a runner from the blog, isn't even a trail runner as far as I know, but that alone leaves me a bit bewildered. When I read tonight Jon's post above, I felt the same feelings for her reaction. Why would a person take the debate to the PS? Damn!

It's time to lay low. For a while.

From Steve on Sat, Feb 15, 2014 at 21:39:26 from 66.87.69.100

If I have to edit this one more time because of my fat thumb I'm going to scream.

From Rob Murphy on Sat, Feb 15, 2014 at 22:03:52 from 24.10.249.34

I feel your frustration Steve. I think Facebook may have been the wrong way to go about organizing the run.

From Jon on Sun, Feb 16, 2014 at 15:09:48 from 107.203.52.135

I deleted my post above now that everything has calmed down. I've said my opinion (too many times, probably too heated- especially above), exchanged a bit with Steve, and now I'm leaving it for good. Have a good weekend, everyone.

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