Rob Murphy

April 16, 2024

15% off for Fast Running Blog members at St. George Running Center!

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:	0.00	Month:	58.50	Year:	468.47

Tue, Dec 03, 2013

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

I haven't run today and don't intend to. The plan was to get my guys going on their run after school and then head to the gym for a longish run on the treadmill. That didn't happen. Instead, we watched videos of last year's Foot Locker West race and talked about race strategy. We also watched video of the 2000 race where Ritz, Webb, and Hall went 1-2-3. Whatever Dathan Ritzenheim has or hasn't accomplished since then, he was one hell of a high school runner. I'm not sure I've personally seen anyone better. I think it was pretty inspiring for Kramer to watch it.

One thing I think about a lot as a coach is how much courage it takes to be a top runner. Yes, there's the talent aspect which is essential, but the longer I do this, the more I'm convinced that courage is what makes a champion. Ritzenheim ran with courage rare for 17 year old.

How do you coach or teach that?

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

Comments

From Cody on Tue, Dec 03, 2013 at 18:28:21 from 76.27.36.99

That is awesome! Is that race (2000) on youtube or is it a private copy? I could look but I am feeling lazy...

From Jason D on Tue, Dec 03, 2013 at 22:10:14 from 24.1.80.94

You provide the conditions for it as much as you can/know how to I think (it's interesting that you put teaching and coaching together). The young gent obviously has natural talent, but you've given him an environment to excel as well (running with Jake, guidance and coaching, and so forth). I think giving him examples of excellence is beneficial as well (watching the FL west 2000 race).

I often struggle with the question "how do you teach that?" (in some sense I teach writing to college students). In short...age-old but essential and important question!

But perhaps your question was rhetorical :-)

From Bret on Wed, Dec 04, 2013 at 10:57:11 from 96.45.118.12

I have never seen a video of that race, but read an article or two on it - Definitely agree with your assessment of the courage of Ritz - I still think he demonstrates that. What he doesn't have in natural talent, he has more than his share of guts and courage.

From Jake K on Wed, Dec 04, 2013 at 11:07:17 from 199.190.170.24

That race is a big part of why I got interested in and excited about running.

Ritz has had a heck of a career. 13 years later he's still going strong. For some reason he doesn't get all the credit he deserves (probably b/c he hasn't run a SUPER fast marathon). But man... 12:56, 3 Olympic teams. He just needs to run on more asphalt/concrete so his legs don't fall apart at the end of the marathon.

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