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
0.000.000.000.000.00

No possible way to run today. Last day of the term here at school and so, of course I had to spend most of the day signing transfer forms for kids who decided my AP class is too hard and need to transfer to regular U.S. History. It's amazing how many parents go along with this and even encourage it. It reminds me of my favorite HOMER SIMPSON QUOTE. BART IS SITTING ON HIS KNEE AND HE SAYS, "SON, SOMETIMES IN LIFE, WHEN SOMETHING IS HARD, IT'S JUST NOT WORTH DOING". Most parents would never dream of saying this to their kids, but they are basically communicating that exact message when they encourage their kids to bail into an easier option whenever life becomes a struggle.Also, had to answer about 20 parent emails explaining to parents why "Kaitlyn" is making her first ever B. That and grading lots of last minute stuff...

Great day for my daughter Abby. She competed in her second swim meet and did a lot better than she did a few weeks ago in her first. She swam the 50 free and the 50 back. Finished in the middle of the pack in both races.

She also got to meet former President Jimmy Carter who was here at the Kings English Bookstore signing his new book. I purchased two copies of this book back in April for the event thinking that surely between April and late October that I would be able to clear my schedule enough to get away from work a couple hours to meet a president of the United States. But no, not possible. So Ann checked Abby out of school early and took her. She got her picture taken with President Carter who shook her hand and told her she was a beautiful girl. She was very thrilled.

Ronald Reagan was the first president I ever voted for in 1984, but I'll never say anything bad about Jimmy Carter again.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Comments
From Steve on Fri, Oct 29, 2010 at 09:03:14 from 72.57.28.140

Thats the new attitude. Competition is too tough and struggles are to be avoided.

Nice workouts by the way.

From Bret on Fri, Oct 29, 2010 at 10:07:09 from 64.128.133.66

Great story Rob. I met Clinton at an event before he was president. Can't say that I would never say anything bad about him though...

There is a big push in Florida to permit better access to AP classes instead of requiring students to meet certain threshold criteria. So even if "Amber" is an average student with low standardized tests scores, her parents successfully argue she should still have the right to sign up for the more rigorous courses. Evidently this is resulting in tons of students performing poorly in the classes and a huge percentage not passing the AP exams.

From Wesley Hunt on Fri, Oct 29, 2010 at 10:44:54 from 198.8.4.24

I would have killed for the opportunity to take AP U.S. History in high school. I grew up in a small town in southern Arkansas, and despite adequate resources and the absence (as in zero) of AP courses, I was still fortunate to be turned on to History by a great U.S. Government teacher, Larry Horseman, who was an institution for decades in my little community. I actually went on to major in History at the University of Arkansas, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

I also have a "meeting U.S. Presidents" story. While interning and working with the Clinton Presidential Library back in November 2004, when the Library was completed and opened to an audience mixed with dignitaries, pols, celebrities, and FOBs (Friends of Bill), I was fortunate to meet and tour the the new facility with then President Bush, his father, Clinton, Carter and Gore. The dynamics of the group were fascinating, with Clinton and the elder Bush seemingly connected at the hip, and genuinely enjoying each other's Company, while President Bush and Gore chatted amicably with Carter keeping mostly to himself.

I was personally affected because I had, for better or worse, been critical of President Bush's policies, hawkish rhetoric, etc., but I was so impressed with him on a very basic level...the way he actually projected interest when asking me where I was from and shaking my hand, his easy-going nature with Gore and the other former Presidents, and other subtle actions. Subsequent to that meeting, I may have continued criticizing certain Bush policies, but always with a caveat...he seems like a very solid human being.

From Rob Murphy on Fri, Oct 29, 2010 at 11:09:47 from 205.127.70.66

Bret - I'll bet if Clinton had said really nice things about one of your girls you might think a little differently?

Wesley - I really enjoyed that story. Definitely one of the best I've read on this blog. You know, one of the biggest problem I have these days with politics/government is the constant demonization of the other side and the questioning of motives. Most of the politicians I've met are decent people who are really trying to the best they can.... and there definitely has to be a bond between presidents. Pretty exclusive club.

A lot of what you write about is familiar to me. My mom is from a little town in Northern Mississippi (Ripley) and I spent many summers there growing up.

From Bret on Fri, Oct 29, 2010 at 11:27:14 from 64.128.133.66

Rob - sure if he made nice comments. Creepy nice - no. (My girls are intern age.)

From Rob Murphy on Fri, Oct 29, 2010 at 11:35:48 from 205.127.70.66

Bret - oh yeah, forgot about that. Carter's 86 years old though. I think our daughters are safe.

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