Rob Murphy

Just Cuz Half Marathon

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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:	0.00	Month:	58.50	Year:	468.47

Sat, Nov 06, 2010

Race: Just Cuz Half Marathon (13.9 Miles) 01:20:00, Place overall: 4

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Total Distance
1.10	0.00	13.90	0.00	15.00

This race was the best of times and the worst of times for me.

It started out really well. I moved into the lead at around 6 miles and ran by myself for the next 5.5 miles. I'm not completely sure why, but I really felt good. I came through 10 miles in 55:50. At 11 miles I looked back and couldn't see anybody which kind of surprised me since Jeff Shadley was in the race and also Rob Rhode who I knew had run a 2:51 this summer at the Deseret News Marathon and is improving rapidly.

At this point I decided to relax a bit in case Jeff or Rob closed the gap I would have something in the tank. But mostly I wanted to enjoy the last couple miles of what I thought would be my first race win in many years. And at 46, maybe my last?

Then it all fell apart. I missed a crucial turn just after the 11 mile point - actually the only turn on the entire course. Maybe they could have had someone at that turn just in case the first place runner happened to be a moron? When I finally realised something was wrong about a half mile later, I slowed down and walked a bit. Then I stood by the side of the road looking very confused I'm sure, then I doubled back at about a 7 minute pace. Eventually I came to where I should have turned and finished the race. But I wasn't running very hard as I was thouroughly depressed and couldn't see anyone ahead of me or behind me.

I hit the split button on my Garmin at 13:1 - 1:15:30. But I'm pretty sure I would have run around 1:14 if I hadn't screwed up which would have been a PR. Even so, it was only 3 seconds slower than my pr which was pretty good considering all the time I wasted deciding whether I should double back or not.

Rob, Jeff, and another guy passed me when I was running my bonus mile and so I finished 4th, running 13.9 miles in 1:20ish. Great day for Rob running 1:17.

And now, the Utes are getting crushed by TCU.

Oh, and one more thing... this race had stew, chili, and cornbread at the finish, and basically all you could eat, which was awesome. I was thinking how great a certain sudsy, grain based beverage would go with my Chili. Pocatello may be in Idaho, but it ain't that far into Idaho. I ate my fill and regretted it several times on the 2 1/2 hour drive home. I suspect there's a reason most races opt for bananas and other "gentle" things.

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

Comments

From Lily on Sat, Nov 06, 2010 at 19:19:03 from 67.199.181.73

LOL! Well despite the wrong turn, you still have a super great time, and we know you would have gotten the 1:14 easily! Well done!

From allie on Sat, Nov 06, 2010 at 19:29:13 from 174.23.195.124

nice race, rob. that is a real bummer about the wrong turn though. that has to be frustrating. but it's great that before the bonus mile you were feeling good, in the lead and on pace for a PR. shows what great shape you are in right now.

From Rob on Sat, Nov 06, 2010 at 19:43:57 from 204.15.86.95

Great job Rob. I was honored meeting you today and really appreciate all the advice you gave me. Give me a year more of training and I'll give you a rematch, and hopefully stiffer competition.

From Kory on Sat, Nov 06, 2010 at 20:20:48 from 24.116.159.75

Great to meet you. I wish I could have talked to you longer if I wasn't busy doing the computer. Next time Jeff Shadley, you, and I need to have dinner together or something.

I'll let you know when I head up your way.

From Scott Ensign on Sat, Nov 06, 2010 at 23:46:25 from 70.58.47.122

geez, I hate wrong turns in races, they ahould have had it marked better. what a bummer. I'd call it a moral victory for sure. nice job, great to see you running so well.

From Walter on Sun, Nov 07, 2010 at 09:48:04 from 24.10.169.110

Great run Rob! I did the same thing this year in the Ogden Half marathon and know exactly how you felt when you go off the course and have to go back. I thought when I saw your race being 13.9 miles long I had to see this blog! lol Great job hacking it out and getting a great time with the confusion. BTW your not too old to run. You just proved it so dont stop now, plus Ill be in the masters in April so you can use my competition. lol

From jtshad on Sun, Nov 07, 2010 at 10:04:51 from 69.20.183.178

Great run today, you were on fire and running extremely well. I wish I could have run with you but when you passed me I knew that this was a day that was not going to work out. Sorry about the turn, they do need to mark it better. You came back with a vengeance from the R2R2R, you should feel good about a strong finish to the year!

From Steve on Sun, Nov 07, 2010 at 13:21:55 from 72.57.240.228

Rob! Excellent! You are certainly on track for Austin. Has the overall strength training helped that you mentioned you were focusing on.

From Jon on Sun, Nov 07, 2010 at 14:42:50 from 98.71.130.239

Best of times and worst of times- sounds about right. Oh well, these things happen. You still ran awesome. We've all missed turns sometimes.

From Mark on Sun, Nov 07, 2010 at 20:28:43 from 173.169.163.101

Such an awesome race before that missed turn, can't believe it wasn't marked off better. Still, a very respectable time and place.

From Teena Marie on Sun, Nov 07, 2010 at 21:35:59 from 174.19.55.243

Are you kidding me????

Dang!!! My heart dropped when I got to the portion of your report about missing the turn. STINK!!!! Not sure what else to say.

Btw, what is a sudsy, grain-based beverage??? HA!!! :) :) :)

(I suppose you will have to go back and officially reclaim your 1:14.)

From Bret on Mon, Nov 08, 2010 at 05:19:12 from 216.234.133.229

Oh no!! Cannot imagine the sinking feeling of realizing you have gone off course in a race you are winning. That really stinks.

However, you have to be happy with how well you were running and how well recovered you are from the Grand Canyon run. Your times and performances really are impressive and inspiring Rob.

Great Job.

From RivertonPaul on Mon, Nov 08, 2010 at 14:09:50 from 67.42.27.114

Bummer about the poor course marking. You are still a stud.

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