The Humblest is the Peer of the Most Powerfull

January 2026

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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

 

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Miles:This week: 6.50 Month: 6.50 Year: 267.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
267.000.000.000.00267.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
4.500.000.000.004.50

PM: 4.5 treadmill miles. Short weight workout. Still sick.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
8.000.000.000.008.00

AM: 8 miles in the Dimple Dell Gully.

The United States attacked another country today. This time it's Venezuela.

 

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

AM: 10 mile hike around Sugar House Park with a 35 lb. pack. That was hard! Back in my Army days we would do the standard 12 mile road march with a total load of 50-60 lbs. I remember the first time I did it I was really cocky thinking it was an event I would dominate but in my officer basic school class I was just slightly above average. Guys I would easily beat in the 5 mile run would destroy me. Turns out there's an art and technique to it that the prior service active duty guys had mastered. They also knew what boots to wear instead of the basic Army issue boots.

I did this in support of Andy who officially becomes a Marine at 0600 Pacific Time Wednesday. Tomorrow morning at 0200 begins The Crucible which is the culminating event of their boot camp training and encompases everything they have learned. It takes place over 54 hours between Monday and Wednesday and requires them to march between 45 and 48 miles with a 60 lb. load. They get a total of 4 hours sleep in short stretches and less than 4,000 calories. Lots of other fun stuff as well. It finishes Wednesday morning with a final 9 mile march that ends at the top of a 700 ft. hill called "the reaper". At the top they are awarded their eagle, globe, and anchor pins and can then be addressed by their name and rank and "Marine" instead of simple "recruit". It's a big day and I'll definitely be thinking about him at work Monday and Tuesday.

This will all happen unless he breaks a leg or something which is not unheard of. 

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Comments
From Tom K on Sun, Jan 04, 2026 at 15:07:38 from 47.206.202.65

Keep the Marine stories coming, Rob. You must be proud. My Boy #2 swore in for deferred entry to the Marines last week. We're thinking he will be going fall 2026. I'm sure this is not your intent, but you are providing me a great preview. Thanks.

From Rob Murphy on Sun, Jan 04, 2026 at 17:20:03 from 73.228.106.104

Oh, wow! That's great to hear. Andy will be home on leave for 10 days beginning on January 24 then he goes to Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp Pendleton for 4 weeks. After that he will be in school for, if my understanding is correct, about a year at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. So he's got over a year before he's "in the fleet" as they say.

From jtshad on Mon, Jan 05, 2026 at 06:27:23 from 75.174.0.14

We will be thinking of Andy this week and the challenges ahead.

From Vis on Mon, Jan 05, 2026 at 21:40:06 from 64.255.87.115

Thanks for sharing. Let’s go, Andy!

From Jon on Thu, Jan 08, 2026 at 22:17:41 from 108.81.183.172

Congrats to Andy.

What will he be taught for the year in Pensacola? That's seems a long time to teach something for a 4 year recruit, hopefully he enjoys it.

From Rob Murphy on Fri, Jan 09, 2026 at 09:33:29 from 163.248.33.245

Because of the length of his schooling, he has a 5 year enlistment. Aviation mechanic. Don't yet know what aircraft he will be working on but they are investigating him for a top secret security clearance which suggests the F-35

From Jon on Sat, Jan 10, 2026 at 05:19:31 from 174.225.223.122

Ah, he won’t be at the front of the battle, he’ll be at some air base or carrier miles away. That’s nice.

From Rob Murphy on Sat, Jan 10, 2026 at 12:13:27 from 73.228.106.104

You are right Jon, that is nice.

Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
8.500.000.000.008.50

PM: 8.5 treadmill miles. Averaged 8 minute pace for 7 miles. Good run.

Here's how Marine Corps mail works. Today we got two letters from Andy. One dated December 22 and one December 25. They both arrived on January 6. San Diego to Salt Lake shouldn't take that long.

The good news is he qualified expert on the rifle range. So he will be able to wear the expert rifleman badge on his uniform at graduation. He seemed pretty proud of that. He also wants to stay an extra day in San Diego before coming home so we can go to the zoo and In-N-Out burger with his friends. So he's the same Andy.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
9.500.000.000.009.50

PM: 8.5 eliptical miles, 1 mile row.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
9.250.000.000.009.25

PM: Good run on the treadmill at the gym. Did a 1.25 mile warm-up at 10 to 11 minute pace then 8 miles averaging 8 minute pace.

Good run except 7 out of the 8 televisions facing the treadmills were on the news showing the federal government shooting young women in Minneapolis in the head over and over again on a seemingly endless loop. I complaind to the management and asked if maybe they could turn some of the TV's to some sports or Home and Garden Television.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
3.000.000.000.003.00

AM: Jogged to the gym. Lifted weights. Jogged home.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.500.000.000.006.50

AM: 6.5 snowy miles up and down Grandeur Peak.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
9.000.000.000.009.00

PM: 9 treadmill miles including 7.5 straight at 8 minute pace. I'm happy with that.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.000.000.000.000.00

Walked 10 miles, weights etc...

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.250.000.000.006.25

PM: 6.25 treadmill miles. 20 pull-ups.

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

AM: 10 treadmill miles. I did 9.25 between 7 and 7.5 mph and then walk/joged a cool down.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.500.000.000.006.50

AM: 6.5 miles up and down Grandeur Peak. Very little snow. Sad.

200 push-ups

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
3.000.000.000.003.00

Lots of walking and a 9 mile bike ride.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.500.000.000.006.50

PM: 6.5 eliptical miles.

Heading to San Diego tomorrow for Andy's boot camp graduation.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Comments
From Jon on Thu, Jan 22, 2026 at 22:45:32 from 108.81.183.172

Hey, where did Jeff go? Disappeared from FRB? Did he just make account private?

From Bob on Fri, Jan 30, 2026 at 08:09:11 from 12.104.218.248

Hey, I just noticed that too. He can't leave, he's a FRB gold card member like you guys!

Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
2.000.000.000.002.00

Haven't done much the past few days. Lots of walking and some push-ups and sit-ups every day.

Back at it tomorrow.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
7.250.000.000.007.25

PM: Went to the gym with Andy and did 7.25 treadmill miles. Great run.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.000.000.000.000.00

11.5 MILES OF WALKING. 100 PUSH-UPS/100 SIT-UPS

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
2.000.000.000.002.00

PM: 2 miles on the treadmill. Weights.

https://youtu.be/Z-AvSY1Nw0I?si=FGJD8tlbairS1z9L

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
7.000.000.000.007.00

PM: 7 miles in the Dimple Dell Gully. The plus side of zero snow this winter.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Comments
From Bret on Fri, Jan 30, 2026 at 07:26:18 from 104.28.77.21

I have been seeing photos of your part of the country - so unusual not to see snow everywhere this time of year. Is it just dry or is it warmer than usual as well?

From Rob Murphy on Fri, Jan 30, 2026 at 21:30:17 from 73.228.106.104

We've been below 32 about 8 times. I have weeds growing in the cracks of my driveway in January! One tenth of an inch of snow as opposed to the normal thirty by this time.

Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
7.500.000.000.007.50

AM: Went to the gym with Andy. 7.5 on the treadmill.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
7.500.000.000.007.50

Late AM: 7.5 miles in The Gully. Unbelievably warm and sunny. Wore shorts.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.000.000.000.000.00

Just a fair amount of walking and a hot tub soak.

Andy left us again today. This time probably forever. We had a nice 8 days at home with him for his post boot camp leave. Now he's off to Camp Pendleton for MCT for the next 4 weeks then to Pensacola (we think) for his MOS training.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
9.000.000.000.009.00

PM: 9 eliptical miles.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
8.250.000.000.008.25

PM: 8.25 eliptical miles.

I've been struggling lately and haven't really felt like doing much for the last couple weeks so just doing the minimum. Work stress, worrying about the country, achy achilles ets. Just doing the minimum.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.000.000.000.000.00

PM: Lots of walking, weights.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
8.500.000.000.008.50

Late AM: 8.5 miles on the treadmill.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.500.000.000.006.50

Noon: 6.5 miles in the Dimple Dell Gully.

Super Bowl was mediocre. Bad Bunny haltime show was awesome!

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Comments
From Jon on Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 22:04:41 from 108.81.183.172

I was rooting for Seattle so I enjoyed the game. I don't mind a good defensive battle.

I will say I saw "MVP runner up" Drake Maye only 4 times this season, in his 4 playoff games. I was not impressed. Either he played a lot better in the regular season, or he was over-hyped (and yes, I know their competition during the season was soft)

Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
9.000.000.000.009.00

PM: 9 treadmill miles.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.000.000.000.000.00

PM: 5 mile walk. Weights.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
9.000.000.000.009.00

PM: 9 mile eliptical plus some other stuff.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
8.250.000.000.008.25

PM: 8.25 treadmill miles.

 

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.000.000.000.000.00

Lots of hiking with Ann in Arches National Park.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
7.000.000.000.007.00

AM: 7 miles around The Neck loop in Canyonlands NP. Lots of hiking as well.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
2.000.000.000.002.00

AM: 2 miles up and down "Park Avenue" in Arches NP.

Heard from Andy ar Camp Pendleton yesterday. He got 8 hours liberty but had to spend most of it waiting to get his hair cut and doing laundry. He will be in the field this week so, of course, the weather calls for rain.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
9.000.000.000.009.00

PM: 9 eliptical miles then went to the dentist and got my teeth cleaned.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
4.250.000.000.004.25

PM: 4.25 treadmill miles, weights.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
4.500.000.000.004.50

PM: 4.5 eliptical miles, more weights.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
9.500.000.000.009.50

AM: 8.5 eliptical, 1 mile row.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.500.000.000.006.50

AM: 6.5 miles up and down Grandeur Peak. Had brunch with Abby and Ann after.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.000.000.000.000.00

No workout due to parent-teacher conferences. I talked to two parents that were former students of mine. Sheesh...

I did manage a fair amount of walking and push-ups.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Comments
From Bret on Tue, Feb 24, 2026 at 10:58:06 from 146.75.232.145

You know you are old when you are doing parent teacher conferences with former students! :) It seems like those are signs that maybe retirement is near?

From Rob Murphy on Tue, Feb 24, 2026 at 12:28:34 from 163.248.33.245

Right???

I think two more years after this year. Maybe three.

Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
9.000.000.000.009.00

PM: 9 ELIPTICAL MILES.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.500.000.000.006.50

PM: 6.5 miles in the gully plus a little swimming and slightly warm tubbing.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
7.000.000.000.007.00

AM: 7 miles up and down Grandeur Peak.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
3.000.000.000.003.00

AM: 3 mile jog, lots of lifting.

Andy arrived in Pensacola today. I think he has six weeks of school at the Pensacola Naval Air Station and then on to Cherry Point NC for more schooling.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.500.000.000.006.50

AM: 6.5 miles around the Foothill Loop.

Undeclared war with Iran Day 2.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
267.000.000.000.00267.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
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