Rob Murphy

Unplanned and unwanted off day.

10.25 mile treadmill run. Kept it at about 7:20 pace most of the way. That's the type of run I've been avoiding lately - the medium long, medium tempo run that I get so much out of. Time and wimpiness have been conspiring against me.

I'm going to have to come to terms with the 4:30 to 5:00 am runs that I hate so much. It's kind of a trade-off between good health and fast race times. Or I could get a job closer to home or one that I don't have to be at at 7 am. 

Two Olympic thoughts. Why isn't cross country running an Olympic sport? Why is there no running version of the biathalon? 

Easy six.

10.25 miles on the treadmill. Avereged 6:50.

Spent too much time today following the Facebook discussion related to Steve and Walter's plans to once again host a group R2R2R run in the Grand Canyon over Memorial Day weekend. As someone who's done this run a couple times (see my blog photo) with people on both sides of the issue, I found the debate interesting to say the least. I'll sum up the position of both sides as succinctly as I can...

Pro Large Group R2R2R argument - I want to do this. It's stunningy beautiful. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment. It's not really that risky. The National Parks belong to me and are there for my enjoyment. It's epic and there are no limits to my epicness. People have been wrong about me before. A guy died 3000 years ago running a marathon in Greece so should we all stop running marathons? It's selfish and elitist to keep these things small.

Anti Large Group R2R2R argument - It's too risky. It's too hot. Too many inexperienced runners. Large numbers exponentially increase the risk of something bad happening to somebody in the group. NPS hostility to risky group events might lead to an outright ban and ruin it for everyone. You could get sued. You could go to jail. Someone could die.

That's about it. I won't be doing it because it's too close to another race I am taking seriously and I don't recover as fast as a lot of people on this blog. Also, I hate large groups being basically an introvert. And, I'm the only person in North America who wasn't invited.

Busy upcoming few days. Ann's in Minnesota to be with her mom for her last round of chemo and a conference with her doctor so I'm single parenting. Except for the fact that she left dinners in the fridge for every night she's gone which is awesome!

It's easier now that Abby can watch Andy while I run though.

PM: I got in a 10k on the treadmill while Abby was at swim practice.The gym was an unpleasant madhouse.

Treadmill workout.

6 X 1 mile with 1/4 mile jog. 6:39, 6:35, 6:31, 6:27, 6:22, 6:18.

One mile jog to Highland High.

Eleven miles in 1:20 with Jake, Josh, Jon Kotter, Collin, Kramer, and Ashton.

1.25 mile jog back home.

Off to Cub Scout stuff now with Andy.

Here's a pretty cool infographic on the value of sleep. Got it from Jay Johnstons twitter.

Click on it to make it larger.

PM: Two mile walk around the neighborhood after a huge dinner at Ruth's with Abby and Andy.