Rob Murphy

March 29, 2024

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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

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Miles:This week: 31.75 Month: 142.00 Year: 396.22
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
22.250.000.000.0022.25

22 and a quarter in 2:42 (7:18) - surely one of the most miserable runs of my life and one that may defy my narrative powers to describe. But I will try after I take an hour long (or however long it takes to drain the hot water heater) shower.

After thirty plus years in this sport, you'd think I'd know how to dress for it. I didn't get on my way until after 1 PM. With long runs I usually like to get them out of the way early, but Ann worked a 13 hour shift last night and had to sleep. So I had to wait until she woke up. It was snowing hard all day, but let up some just before I started. I was wearing tights plus 3 layers including my wind jacket with hat and gloves. After about 2 miles I was too hot so I ditched a shirt behind the Blue Plate Diner.

The plan was to go out and back up Emmigration Canyon. Usually I struggle to maintain a pace just under 8 minutes going up, but today I was cranking out 7:20 miles going up. I was mentally patting myself on the back for my supreme fitness when I turned around to head back down at 10.5 miles. Then the 20 (maybe 30?) mph headwind hit me. I struggled to maintain the same pace going downhill! Also, I was quite sweaty under my jacket and was freezing cold with what must have been a 10 degree wind chill. Even better was the stinging pellet-snow in my face. I really wished I was wearing my ski goggles. Then my gloves, which are not water proof, got soaking wet along with my socks and I began to fear frost bite. Many of you will know that Emmigration Canyon was the route the Donner Party took into the Salt Lake Valley in 1846. I began to fear that I might become stranded up there and have to resort to cannibalism. But, since I was running alone, I would have no one to eat! My mood was quite low as I contemplated an hour plus of running into this hellish headwind.

I finally made it into Ruth's Diner about 15 miles into the run. I went into their bathroom and dried my gloves in the hand dryers and warmed my hands at least. By then the snow was coming down so hard that I could barely see the road out in front of the diner. The hostess asked me if I wanted some hot chocolate or a cup of coffee which really sounded good. But I didn't want to get too comfortable so I politely declined. Once back on the road (this is the high traffic portion of the canyon), I began to be splashed by every passing car. There was a lot of standing water in the road and I really enjoyed the slushy shower from every car going by. Such a treat! I was really regretting casting aside that shirt early into the run and was shivering while I ran - something that doesn't happen too often.

Made it into Salt Lake and circled the block a couple times to add some mileage.

Spring in Utah!

This run had the highest suck factor of any run ever. I was really wishing Steve Anderson was with me as we have done this run together a couple times and it would have been nice to have someone to share the misery with.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Comments
From Rob on Sun, Apr 10, 2011 at 02:45:15 from 72.254.90.15

Wow! Maybe I don't want to come back home. Nice weather report. Way to get through it.

From allie on Sun, Apr 10, 2011 at 03:23:18 from 174.23.241.50

that eye-pelting snow was the highlight of my run as well. terrible running weather today.

i am glad you made it out of the canyon -- since the alternative would have been eating yourself.

From jtshad on Sun, Apr 10, 2011 at 09:42:46 from 69.20.183.178

A real character builder, or as a non-runner would call it..."what an idiot!". Seriously, that is a tough run, I was glad you were able to chat with me yesterday after that one. Adversity will make you a stronger runner.

From Teena Marie on Sun, Apr 10, 2011 at 11:30:26 from 67.2.71.182

"But I didn't want to get too comfortable, so I politely declined."

This is where Jeff's non-runner quote would be highly applicable with non-runners.

As for what runner's are saying, it is something more like this: "What a stud!"

Seriously ... your toughness (both mental and physical) is off the charts! :) :) :)

From Bret on Sun, Apr 10, 2011 at 20:19:58 from 64.132.156.74

"Highest suck factor" is my favorite part of the report - way to work through the adversity Rob. Makes running in the heat and humidity seem easy.

From Smooth on Sun, Apr 10, 2011 at 21:15:03 from 67.2.74.200

U DA MAN, Rob!!! WOW!!! WAY TO CONQUER the highest stink factor!!! :)

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