Rob Murphy

Striders 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: 31.75 Month: 142.00 Year: 396.22
Race: Striders Half Marathon (13.1 Miles) 01:18:30, Place overall: 10, Place in age division: 1
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
4.000.0013.100.0017.10

Steve Anderson and his girls came for a visit yesterday and stayed the night which was great for me because Steve volunteered (after I asked him) to chauffeur me up to Eden, Utah for the start of the race this morning. I was up at 4 AM and out the door at 5:10.

My goal was to run each mile in around 6 minutes or, hopefully, a little under. One of the most useful measures for me of decent fitness returning is to be able to run at 6 minute pace for a long time without too much distress. Today's race was all about confidence.

I ran the first mile in 5:52 and was pleased that I was able to avoid going out too fast. My splits for every mile thereafter were right around my goal. Came through six miles in 35:30, Ten miles in 59:30, 13 miles in 1:17:58 (slowed a little bit on mile 11 to have a small confrontation with the high schoolers manning the water stop there. As I approached, I saw the stop with a table placed about 10 yards off the road and four or five kids standing around it talking. I asked them if they had any Gatorade and one of them nonchalantly gestured towards the table. I stopped and told them that I wouldn't want them to tax themselves too much by actually handing the drinks to the runners as they passed and gave them a brief class on how to operate a water stop).

They were not particularly eager students and did not respond well to my sarcasm.

Anyway, I was pretty happy to cross the finish line in 1:18:30 in tenth place and the second master. I don't think I'll ever beat Walter Brown (41 year-old punk) again. Picked up a $50.00 check for my efforts which exceeded my entry fee by $5.00. Always nice to come out ahead.

From what I understand, there was a titanic battle for the win between between Bryant Jensen and Riley Cook. A couple really tough racers those guys. 

This was a really well run race directed by real runners who obviously know what they are doing and care about runners. That always makes a difference.

Stopped by The Habit Burger Grill for a huge cheeseburger with Steve on the way home.  All y'all who live near Sugarhouse that haven't tried that place really should make it a priority. 

PM: Walked three miles around the neighborhood. I ate too much today and needed to burn some calories. 

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Comments
From Bam on Sat, Apr 06, 2013 at 13:50:58 from 89.126.28.24

Well run Rob. Sixes at our age is good going:)

I hope you bought Steve a huge cheeseburger too. I like the name of that pad, especially the 'Habit' part.

Hope you're not too sore tomorrow.

From Rob Murphy on Sat, Apr 06, 2013 at 13:54:41 from 24.10.249.165

Thanks Bam. Yes, lunch was on me. It was the least I could do for a guy driving me 50 miles round trip at 5 AM.

From Bret on Sat, Apr 06, 2013 at 14:13:02 from 96.228.167.228

Excellent race Rob - I particularly enjoyed the story of the workshop you gave to the water stop slackers. I could just picture your demeanor and their bewilderment. 6's for a half as Bam says, at our age - is really quite good. Congrats.

From Rob Murphy on Sat, Apr 06, 2013 at 14:19:29 from 24.10.249.165

Thanks Bret.

We can't pass up the opportunity to instruct the young can we?

From dugco on Sat, Apr 06, 2013 at 15:09:32 from 68.35.221.180

Well done, Rob. I felt the same way in my race this morning - pleased I didn't go out too fast - oh, wait, my first mile of a 10K was 45 seconds slower than yours in a half - ah well, kinda the same.

From ACorn on Sat, Apr 06, 2013 at 16:08:15 from 24.2.76.146

Congrats on a great race!

From RileyCook on Sat, Apr 06, 2013 at 17:05:52 from 65.130.68.80

Nice race Rob and way to get on the young-en's case! Youth these days! Am I right?

It looks like you're getting your fitness back and things are going well...I'm happy for you.

It was good chatting with you.

From Jason D on Sat, Apr 06, 2013 at 20:00:59 from 24.1.80.94

The more time I spend on the blog the more I like you, Mr. Murphy; I don't care what Bam says about you. That parenthetical is a gem. Good race too.

From Jon on Sat, Apr 06, 2013 at 21:21:28 from 107.203.52.135

Dead on 6 pace. Nice job, Rob.

From Steve on Sun, Apr 07, 2013 at 09:16:03 from 66.87.126.146

That was an awesome morning Rob. Gotta do it again. That could be one of the smartest races I've seen run. Too bad there weren't others for you to pace against.

From Jake K on Sun, Apr 07, 2013 at 14:25:10 from 67.177.11.154

I was very happy to see the 1:18 - so much for not making predictions. Good, smart race Rob.

From allie on Sun, Apr 07, 2013 at 14:46:42 from 161.38.221.168

nice race, rob. you easily won for the coolest shorts in the field.

From Mattrow on Mon, Apr 08, 2013 at 07:38:57 from 132.3.57.79

Nice Race, I wish I could say the kids listened to you but when I went by they were still just standing with cups on the table.

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