Rob Murphy

Jupiter Peak Steeplechase

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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

Sat, Aug 02, 2014

Race: Jupiter Peak Steeplechase (15 Miles) 02:17:55, Place overall: 28, Place in age division: 3

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Total Distance
15.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	15.00

Today I learned that I suck at mountain trail racing. There isn't a single part of it that I'm good at. I'm mediocre on the steady uphills, I suck on the steep uphills, and I really suck on the downhills.

I'm really bummed at how many people passed me the second half on the downhills. Some of them didn't even look particularly fit.

On the other hand, Blake Bennion does not suck at it. He ran 2:01 to finish 8th overall and was mixing it up with some really good guys. Way to go Blake!

On a positive note, I did hit 50 miles for the week.

Oh, and the race people insisted it was "about 16 miles". My Garmin said 14.87 when I crossed the finish line and that included the extra quarter mile I ran when I took a wrong turn.

I just heard a quote from Patrick Star (I'm watching Sponge Bob) that helped me put today's race in perspective. "Then it's ok to lose, as long as you had fun doing it". It was pretty fun out there this morning.

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

Comments

From Steve on Sat, Aug 02, 2014 at 12:10:55 from 66.87.76.68

You have to be the most brutally honest guy alive. I doubt you suck at any of it though. Good race.

From Rob Murphy on Sat, Aug 02, 2014 at 12:17:28 from 24.10.247.181

I lost to five women and five masters runners. Some of the masters guys beat me by five minutes. And I'm talking about guys I usually beat in road races.

A woman that finished over a minute behind me at Des News nine days ago beat me by six minutes.

I was running side by side with Blake at 5 miles. He put 16 minutes on me over 10 miles! And I'm pretty comparable to Blake in a road 5k or 10k.

From Fritz on Sat, Aug 02, 2014 at 12:57:59 from 71.219.129.59

Nice job Rob. Downhill trail running does take some getting used to. I am sure after a few more races like this one none of those trail folks would pass you.

From RileyCook on Sat, Aug 02, 2014 at 13:13:56 from 174.52.80.196

Downhill trail running takes a certain amount of recklessness that I don't possess. I could never be a good trail racer for that very reason. I don't dare go kamikaze on the downhills and that's essential in trail racing.

So, you're not alone. I would get passed pretty easily on the downhill as well.

From Rob Murphy on Sat, Aug 02, 2014 at 14:17:32 from 24.10.247.181

Thanks guys. I honestly thought I'd be running sub-6 minute miles on the downhills. Instead I kept seeing 7:15. The big blister on my right heel didn't help matters.

From Jason D on Sat, Aug 02, 2014 at 14:21:40 from 76.179.128.4

It will take some time. I run slower on steep downhills than I do on flats roads. I fall a lot, so you can see my caution.

There's a different mix of fitness : technique mix. Or fitness to cojones as the others are pointing out.

Looks like a good day for Blake.

From Bob on Sat, Aug 02, 2014 at 15:59:48 from 98.222.16.15

Don't let "hill bombers" bring you down. You had a good week considering and can always improve on downhills with practice.

From steve ash on Sat, Aug 02, 2014 at 16:27:14 from 174.52.33.62

I agree with all of the above. I kind of have to wonder if trail running is almost as much a skill as it is a given level of fitness. My hat is off to you Coach Murphy. Mixing it up is good..

From Bret on Sat, Aug 02, 2014 at 16:35:22 from 70.193.130.215

The upside is that you had the best race report in recent memory. I am sure if you really wanted to learn trail running you'd eventually not suck at it as you say if you gave it some time. Glad you had fun.

From Tom Slick on Sat, Aug 02, 2014 at 16:37:24 from 69.171.160.165

I would say not to bad at all! Was this your first steeplechase and you took 28th overall. How many total runners were there? Way to get out there and do new stuff...

From Steve on Sat, Aug 02, 2014 at 19:26:31 from 66.87.76.68

http://jeb.biologists.org/content/204/18/3225.full

I remember a few years back on a run in Minnesota with you, you mentioned briefly "the govenor" theory. I think about it a lot, especially when starting up training again. Like I'm doing now. Hard downhill running isn't so much reckless as it is letting your brain know that the conditions are different. It's like telling yourself that there are no rules. For a few miles...

From Jon on Sat, Aug 02, 2014 at 19:43:37 from 107.203.52.135

Hey, you survived and still placed high in a race. Even if you think you suck. I would have been amazed if you hit the times you mentioned to me a few weeks ago, though I didn't say anything so as not to discourage you. It takes some getting used to, esp the downhills. But, suck or not, it's always a ton of fun. Nice job.

From Jon on Sat, Aug 02, 2014 at 19:58:29 from 107.203.52.135

Practice really makes perfect on trail downhills. Compare my times first vs second year at Jupiter. http://jon.fastrunningblog.com/blog-08-08-2009.html

From Cody on Sun, Aug 03, 2014 at 15:36:38 from 76.27.36.99

It just takes some practice and a lot of callouses on your brain to allow yourself to run that fast. Glad to see you out mixing it up on a tough trail race. That is pretty sweet!

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