Rob Murphy

Deseret News 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
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Miles:This week: 31.75 Month: 142.00 Year: 396.22
Race: Deseret News Marathon (17 Miles) 01:49:00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
1.0017.000.000.0018.00

Today I ran the Deseret News Marathon and dropped out at mile 17. I was in 6th place coming out of the canyon but my right knee was hurting pretty bad and I didn't want to run 9 miles on it. I was at 1:49 when I quit at 17 miles.

My first ever DNF. I'm bummed about that but I'm happy I will be able to run and race again soon. 

Almost everybody on the blog ran great races today. My buddy Bret jetted in from Atlanta last night at 10 pm, slept a couple hours and then ran a PR for the half marathon.

I won't be running marathons anymore. I don't like them and I generally don't do well in them. I enjoy racing 5ks, 10ks, 15ks, half-marathons, and I also enjoy 50 mile trail runs. But I don't like marathons. I know much of my problem is mental. I was running well for a long time today (just under 1:22 for the half) but I was struggling to have a single positive thought. Maybe I could struggle to overcome this, but why when there are so many races I do enjoy running? 

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Comments
From dugco on Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 09:35:39 from 68.35.217.251

Always impressive when a coach actually adheres to advice that he likely would give one of his athletes. Wise move, Rob. Back at it in a flash.

From Trevor Baker on Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 10:13:09 from 174.27.254.33

Wise move. may keep you running with a few days off rather than a month or two. I agree, if you don't like a certain race, no need to do it. Great job today! Get that knee taken care of!

From Amiee on Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 10:15:20 from 155.98.164.38

I would have to say that marathons just look silly, especially that one :) Sorry you had a bum day out there, but I am glad you didn't completely ruin your knee so you can enjoy the rest of the summer!!!

From Bret on Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 10:34:31 from 24.10.249.165

Many thanks for the hospitality and the pre-race pancakes. Sorry about your knee issues - but you'll be glad you did not do any long term damage and be back at it. Do the half next time!!

From Teena Marie on Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 10:42:00 from 65.130.28.159

Wow, very impressive first half!!

So sorry about the knee. Freakin' joint!! :) :) :)

Anyway, so smart to pull out. I am pretty certain the you can meet all of your short and long term goals of "Hav[ing] fun, not get[ting] fat, and stay[ing] fit" with the distances that you do love! Seems like a no-brainer to me!!

Take care of that knee. :)

From Jake K on Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 10:47:53 from 67.177.11.154

Sorry it didn't go as planned, Rob. I was sort of shocked to see you walking... I was mentally preparing myself to run the last 7 miles with you (which might have been tough).

But on the bright side, you didn't push yourself to the point of getting injured, and I'd hate it if you got hurt for the rest of the summer. I've been enjoying running with you several times a week and I want to keep that going.

From Rob on Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 12:40:42 from 206.71.84.68

Sorry Rob, DNF was very hard for me to deal with as well. I still want to go run your Gully run with you sometime.

From runningafterbabies on Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 13:08:59 from 174.52.130.66

Sorry it didn't pan out, but kudos on pulling the plug before you did some serious damage. I am with you on the marathon thing! I struggle with that distance mentally too.

From Rob Murphy on Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 13:15:42 from 24.10.249.165

Thanks everyone. This blog is a great place.I feel better already.

From SpencerSimpson on Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 17:22:12 from 63.82.19.2

you're a stud. plain and simple. just an injury and nothing you cannot overcome again. Enjoy the upcoming races, your days are not done in any event...

From RileyCook on Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 18:38:18 from 174.52.234.49

Sorry about the knee Rob. DNFs are the worst; I should know I have a few under my belt. I don't blame you either on disliking the marathon; I still haven't had one I'm happy with.

Despite the circumstances it was still good to see you after the race and say hi. Keep your head up!

By the way, I have a 110% brand knee sleeve that comes with ice sheets that are easy to put in the sleeve. And it's been awesome for me. It makes it way easy to ice and you can do it very often. The sleeve also is compression; so you get both the ice and the compression. It helped me a ton when my knee was hurting in April. You may look into...and I promise I am not sponsored or paid to say anything good about 110%, it's just been an awesome product for me.

From Wesley Hunt on Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 18:43:41 from 74.82.68.144

I do not accept that your last marathon is a DNF, nor do I believe you should assert absolutes following a really bad (or really good) race. Why not temper your expectations and commit to running Boston, Minnesota, or somees other race you love in 3:00 hours?

You're part of the freaking reason I've run sub-3:00 four times in the last five marathons I've started.

Of course you made the right decision to DNF...you know your body better than anyone. Of course you should do more shorter races and trail running if that's what you enjoy. But don't swear off 26.2 without reflection.

From Rob Murphy on Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 18:56:44 from 24.10.249.165

Thanks Wesley. I'll try to elaborate more on what I mean tomorrow. Basically I'm just not going to force things. The major problem today was that I really didn't want to run a marathon - just felt like I needed to. I should know better.

From Rob Murphy on Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 18:57:22 from 24.10.249.165

I appreciate the tip Riley.

From Steve on Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 19:17:19 from 68.24.131.104

So sorry to read this tonight. I've been excited all day to read your report and see how it went. I've DNFd three times. Always glad a few weeks later that I did but I know that's no consolation.

From Jon on Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 20:18:19 from 107.203.52.135

Rob- sorry about the DNF. They suck- I've had a few. But I found ones where there was a legitimate injury concern are much quicker to get over than ones where you're just a wimp. I hope you view this one as the former. Had you quit hiking in the grand canyon a few years ago, that would have been the latter. But you didn't- you climbed out, proving your toughness. Get well and get back to it!

From allie on Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 21:16:50 from 97.117.88.144

i was sad to see you go, but it sounds like you made the right call. no sense in putting yourself through those terrible final miles if you are just going to end up injured and regretting it.

smart move. hope the knee is feeling okay now.

From Josh E on Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 22:50:20 from 75.169.31.22

You were right on target. Your fitness is there. Just sucks that you were prepared for a good one and had the knee issues. Do what you must, but you're too young to give anything a lifetime ban I think.

From Rachelle on Thu, Jul 25, 2013 at 10:51:12 from 159.212.71.25

I think you made a smart choice Rob and I admire that. It would have been miserable and stupid to run 9 miles on a bummed knee. Hang in there and keep on keeping on. You will live to run again.

I also agree that marathons are hard and I'm not the biggest fan either. But that is what makes them fun...kind of...figuring out how to best deal with them. Give it some time and maybe you'll decide to throw youself into the fire again sooner than you realize.

From steve ash on Thu, Jul 25, 2013 at 11:08:44 from 174.52.100.252

It was good to talk to you yesterday Rob. I think sometimes it's just not our time on certain days but when things heal up and you rebound you'll pop a good one. You definitely have the fitness and the background. Stay strong and keep plugging away.

From Kendall on Thu, Jul 25, 2013 at 12:27:44 from 208.187.252.10

Let me guess...you woke up pissed off and signed up for TOU Marathon?

From Jason D on Thu, Jul 25, 2013 at 17:47:49 from 24.1.80.94

Nothing I could say at this point would be of any value given the excellent comments above. So I will wish you the best and keep reading your blog to see what you do next.

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