Rob Murphy

Top of Utah 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: Top of Utah Half Marathon (13.1 Miles) 01:16:32, Place overall: 13, Place in age division: 1
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
2.000.0013.100.0015.10

I had no right to expect to run well today, but I did.

I registered for this race months ago back when I planned to make a serious run at the masters division on the USATF Circuit. Before I failed to properly register on time for the Murray 5k and before I stupidly decided to do the Des News Marathon instead of the 10k.

So, even though my training has been spotty and my mileage low, the family and I trucked up to Logan last night and stayed at the posh Weston Inn which was free due to out massive accumulation of Best Western rewards points over the past decade. Had a nice dinner and walked around the downtown area amongst all the newly returned USU students. Watched a band who's lead singer reminded the kids of Shel Silverstein from the back to their book, The Giving Tree.

I slept awesomely without any mistakes for a full 5.5 hours which might be a pre-race record and might account for my decent time.

Got to the starting line, milled around, hung out in the POP's for a while and ran two miles for a warm-up. More than usual.

The race went well from the start. Ran around 5:45 pace for most of the first 10 miles including one 5:31. Struggled a bit the last couple with a 6:31 mile between 11 and 12. Regrouped for a 5:57 for the last one. I ran alone after I left by buddy Steve Anderson a little after mile six. I could at least see Sasha for most of the race and I was hoping maybe he would roll his ankle or something in his Crocs so I could catch him. No such luck.

I stopped my watch when it said 13.1 even though I wasn't yet at the finish line which is my new policy. I believe the race time said 1:16 45. I like my 1:16:31 better so I will go with that. Either way, it's my fastest half marathon in the last two years.

They doubled the announced prize money so I picked up $50.00. It lasted about two hours before Ann and I went to the new flatbread pizza restaurant in Downtown Sugarhouse for lunch where I had a delicious pizza and a couple BEvERages. Then I went home and napped

I have to say that my award for winning the 45-49 age group might be the best ever. It's a big rock-trophy that weighs about 20 pounds. I got tired carrying it to the car.

Up next, the Fabulous Alta Peruvian Downhill Dash and BBQ Bash 8k. Many people refuse to run the APDD&BBQB citing the quad punishing nature of the decent. That means more food and beverages for me after.

Oh yeah, I've learned how to insert links. 

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Comments
From Jason D on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 10:08:01 from 166.147.104.158

Excellent, Rob. I'm still waiting for you to chase that half PR you were talking about a few months ago (A Jason never forgets!). From what I recall it's about a minute or so faster than this.

From Jake K on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 13:25:44 from 67.177.11.154

Pretty darn good, Rob.

From CollinAnderson on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 13:38:57 from 70.196.197.180

Wow, that's a great time. Congrats!

From Teena Marie on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 14:41:27 from 70.211.7.135

What what???? You're an animal!!!!

From allie on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 17:12:08 from 97.117.89.133

great race today, rob. congrats on the heavy trophy + cash for lunch.

From Wesley Hunt on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 18:44:11 from 74.82.64.161

Very, very impressive, brother. Love unique awards...they make for better stories. Did I mention your time is very inpressive? Dang you were rollin'.

From Rob Murphy on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 18:59:19 from 24.10.249.165

Thanks Wesley. Always good to hear from my favorite blogger in Arkansas.

From Jake K on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 19:03:36 from 74.214.234.19

Wow, this report really came to life over the past couple hours. Pretty soon you'll be teaching AP Web Design, with all these fancy new hyperlinking skills.

You definitely win best race report.

From Burt on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 19:12:28 from 174.19.199.67

Great job. You took a nap after eating flatbreat pizza? Aren't you supposed to pass right out after eating frenchbread pizza?

From Jon on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 20:00:30 from 107.203.52.135

Great job, Rob. Glad to hear you raced well.

By the way, how do you sleep without any "mistakes"? And congrats on the learning how to add hyperlinks.

Are the trophys still the red rock with a running guy on top?

From Bret on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 20:03:39 from 72.91.143.44

Awesome. Loved the report. Glad you had a good race and slept well too! 😃

From Rob Murphy on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 20:09:06 from 24.10.249.165

Jon - Yep, same ones. I've never run the TOU Half and I sucked both times I ran the marathon. So no trophys.

Remember the comedian Steven Wright?

"I woke up this morning and my wife asked me how I slept. I said I made a few mistakes."

From SlowJoe on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 20:23:51 from 24.32.57.229

Sorry that Sasha didn't roll an ankle, but congrats on the runner-up finish anyway. You've given me something to aspire to: inserting hyperlinks. I think with consistent study and practice, inserting links will be possible for me within the next 5 years. Congrats again.

From Dave Taylor on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 20:40:35 from 174.23.73.24

Oh wow, Now I wish I would have come up there and run it. It would have been quite the masters race with us three!

From Jake K on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 20:55:03 from 74.214.234.19

I didn't realize you've run the TOU marathon. So when I was giving you advice on the course before the race, that really wasn't necessary.

From Rob Murphy on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 21:08:31 from 24.10.249.165

I ran 2:59 in 2007 Jake. I hit mile 25 in 2:41 and suffered the mother of all hamstring cramps with about a half mile to go and took about 18 minutes to run the last mile. I literally could not walk or even stand. I sat on the side of the road, in view of the finish line, for several minutes massaging the thing. Walked across the finish line a few seconds short of 3 hours.

From Jake K on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 21:10:24 from 74.214.234.19

I remember the story (it was once featured in your running accomplishments), but didn't realize it was at TOU. Man, I love their races!!!

From Rob Murphy on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 21:15:37 from 24.10.249.165

It was 2006

From Amiee on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 21:17:13 from 166.70.240.95

Wow nice work Rob! I especially enjoyed the nap link which motivated me to take three today :) See you at the Peruvian Downhill where we can toast to many a grain-based beverages!

From Matt Poulsen on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 21:20:46 from 12.156.137.98

Very impressive, Rob! Nice work!

From RileyCook on Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 22:15:26 from 174.52.234.49

Rob, congrats on a very well-run race! You have been running quite well the last few months.

From Steve on Sun, Aug 25, 2013 at 07:01:37 from 66.87.113.130

If you would have included pictures I would have given this the report of the year award. There's still work to be done.

From Rob Murphy on Sun, Aug 25, 2013 at 07:09:44 from 24.10.249.165

I haven't figured that one out yet Steve.

Did you get Abby's book?

From Fritz on Sun, Aug 25, 2013 at 17:45:36 from 97.117.62.242

Great race Rob. A 2 year PR without expecting it must be a great feeling. Plus a free/expensive lunch to go with it.

From dugco on Sun, Aug 25, 2013 at 17:57:13 from 68.35.221.180

Excellent work, Rob. You remain my idol... as far as race reports go. I dont aspire to run that fast or that far with any frequency.

From MarkP on Sun, Aug 25, 2013 at 22:01:17 from 75.162.222.122

Nice race. It's hard to stop the Crocman.

From jtshad on Mon, Aug 26, 2013 at 07:38:03 from 141.221.191.225

Great race! Nice time, sounds like a fun day overall.

From SpencerSimpson on Wed, Aug 28, 2013 at 13:20:21 from 63.82.19.2

you looked very relaxed and smooth today Rob. Fun to see ya again. Look forward to running more...Great job in the masters...

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