Rob Murphy

Interesting morning.

I really wanted to get in a nice long run early before it got too hot. But Abby woke up early with me and, since I feel like I haven't seen my kids at all this week, we loaded the dog in the car and went to the park. So I didn't get going on the run until after 8. By then it was getting warm and my motivation was lagging.

So I headed out unsure of exactly what I was going to do or how far I was going to run. Usually not a recipe for a quality run. So I was plodding along 21st East towards Foothill when I ran into James Moore (fiddy) running much faster than me in the opposite direction. I believe he was sent by God to provide me some motivation :) I made a U-Turn, convinced him to make a short detour past my house so I could grab some Gatoraid and a GU and joined him for the rest of the run.

So, managed a nice, hard, hilly 20 miler with a lot of good conversation.Quite a few miles in the low to mid sixes in the middle and a long, hard slog up to Wasatch Blvd. around 11 miles. Ended up doing 20 in 2:22 (7:07 pace). 80 degrees at the end.

All in all, a really good run as I push towards Twin Cities in a few weeks. Thanks James! Hope I didn't slow you down too much.

6 AM: Easy run with the cross country team. Legs feel pretty good after yesterday. Maybe a few more miles this evening.

So I did this run today where I ran a little bit fast and a little bit slow. I call it my "little bit fast, little bit slow" run.

Ran slow for a while then ran a half mile at about 5:10 pace. Then I ran slow some more then I ran a quarter mile at 5:00 pace. I repeated this about six times.

When I was running the fast parts I was thinking I should call myself "Speedy McSpeedypants".

Easy eight miles this morning around Sugarhouse Park.

I'll probably get in a couple more warming up and cooling down with the team this afternoon at our Pre-Region meet.

Three more in the PM running back and forth over a cross country course.

The Alta boys and girls triumphed mightily at our meet today over the six teams in out Region. Been a while since my boys won a big meet. The times weren't that great as it was in the mid 90s and very windy, but I was pleased with how they competed.

Took the day off.

Nice easy run plus some fast striders and a couple 400's at half marathon race pace just to get the body parts feeling the pace. Beautiful, cool morning at XC practice.

Gave my runners the afternoon off and I will book it on up to Pocatello as soon as school ends today to hook up with the Shadley's for the race tomorrow. 

Finished second in the Pocatello Half today to a kid that was born the year I ran my first marathon. Bet I could have beat him back then!

Ran just behind, with, or just ahead of Jeff Shadley the entire way. I actually thought I had a pretty good lead on him at the end so I was surprised to turn around and see him crossing just a little over 10 seconds after me. He's one tough racer just a week after a 2:48 marathon.

My goal was to run a decent time without running so hard that it compromised my training for Twin Cities and I feel I accomplished that. This is a tough course, rolling hills the entire way and a prety good headwind much of the way. Jeff and I took turns drafting for a while.

As always, one of the best organized, pleasant, awesome for families, races I run each year. Had a great time with the Shadley family at the hotel last night and at the finish today. We all went swimming at the super cool Pocatello pool after.

Did I mention they had beer at the finish? They wouldn't let me have one because I didn't have an ID!!!! Not even after I showed them my Masters trophy. But the punk who was born the year I ran my first marathon was walking around with one.