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Member Highlight: Jon Murchinson

November 29, 2019 by Jenelle Potvin Leave a Comment

Jon Murchinson has been an active club volunteer since 2014, DPMR Board Member since 2017, the main force behind the DPMR Instagram page for the past few years, and is also going on three years of serving as chair of our Retail Committee (thanks for all the awesome swag, Jon!). When not volunteering for the club, you might find Jon running the trails of Truckee or Marin, or volunteering at any number of other races. Jon’s smile and energy are contagious – one of my fondest Jon-sightings was during a low point for myself at the Marin Ultra Challenge – he just popped out of nowhere, jogged with me for a bit and totally brought me back to the reason I was out there. If you ran Castle Peak 100k this year you may have seen Jon – he both pre-ran a section of the course and then worked the night shift in the Palisades. Jon’s volunteered as a sweep for Western States for the past three years (read about his experience from 2018 here), and has also been a tremendous help to our monthly newsletter contributing Member Highlights (alternating with Renee), regular race reports and more.

Jon’s enthusiasm, energy, smile, encouragement for fellow runners, and his eagerness to share his love for our community through his photographs, writings, and endless hours of selfless volunteer work are just a few reasons I think you should get to know Jon a little better, as this month’s Member Highlight.

~

Where are you from and where do you live now? I’m originally from Scarsdale, NY. My wife, two kids and I live in San Francisco.

Betsy Nye and Jon sharing a cold frosty beverage at the Julia Milon Memorial AS at High Camp during the 2019 Broken Arrow Skyrace.

When did you begin running and/or long-distance running, if that applies? Why? I started running short distances after I moved to NYC following college. I had signed up for the Chilmark Road Race and needed a consistent way to train so I started by running the reservoir loop in Central Park, moved on to the Outer Loop and then started running NYRRC events. I focused on 5Ks and 10Ks for several years with my longest race being the Cherry Blossom 10-miler, when I lived in DC. I had no interest in long distances at the time such as what I considered to be self-inflicted punishment of running a marathon.

Do you race? Does racing motivate you? If not racing, what motivates you? I do like to race and having a race day goal is motivating but haven’t done so this year beyond the Broken Arrow 26K. What also motivates me is enjoying nature and friends while on the trail.

Do you have any dream races (either hoping to qualify for or get selected for)? I ran Sierre-Zinal in 2018, which was my first experience racing in Europe. My family and I vacationed in Courmayeur afterward and the atmosphere, terrain, scenic beauty and people there were enchanting. So all of this is a long way of saying that I would love to run one of the UTMB events one day.

Do you have a favorite on-trail food or nutrition strategy? Favorite post-run meal or beverage? I swear by Huma gels and Tailwind when on the trail but my nutrition “strategy” for races is not exactly a science. I try to supplement those two items by eating solid foods (PB&J, potatoes, chips, etc.) for as long as possible. In the later stages, I’ll add in Mountain Dew or Coke if (when) my energy is flagging.

Jon and the rest of 2019 WSER Sweep Team 2 at Red Star Ridge.

What was your favorite running experience this past year? My favorite running experience of the past year was sweeping Western States. I’ve been on the WSER sweep team for the past three years and it is always an inspiring and humbling experience. This past July I swept from Red Star to Robinson Flat and in previous years I have done the section of the course from Robinson to Devil’s Thumb. Regardless of the segment, I always enjoy the camaraderie of my fellow sweepers and the perseverance and determination displayed by cutoff-fighting runners who are far removed from the glamour and spectacle of the leaders. I’m grateful for the privilege to volunteer for States.

What was your most challenging/ character-building experience this past year? I developed a Baker’s Cyst behind my left knee in 2018 that has caused me to significantly reduce my running mileage. This has presented me with physical and mental challenges as I am not able to get out and run with the frequency I’d like to do so and has caused me to feel less connected to the trail running community. Thankfully the cyst has subsided considerably with rest so I’m hoping that 2020 will be my comeback year!

What are your upcoming racing/adventure plans? I’m entering the TRT 55K lottery when it opens on December 1 so wish me luck.

What do you do for a living? Is it hard to fit in time for training? I work in executive communications for software company SAP. The thing that makes finding training time difficult is having two school-aged (14 and 11) kids who both have lots of activities! I coach my son’s lacrosse team from late January to early June so that obligation takes time away from running adventures on Saturdays and Sundays but of course, it is a trade I’m more than happy to make.

Jon during a Ninja Loop outing on SCA Trail overlooking the San Francisco Bay.

What led you to join the DPMR? Back in 2014 I needed to get myself into better shape so I started running in Golden Gate Park. We have a house in Truckee and I was interested in running in the area. I stumbled upon the DPMR site on-line and attended my first event – the Roller Coaster Half Marathon – on a whim. I was 100% certain that I would not be the type of runner who even considered distances of marathon length and beyond on a trail (I hadn’t even run 13 consecutive miles at that point) but I was game to try anything once. I was pleasantly surprised by the welcoming and remarkably self-effacing people that I met that day. I spent most of the morning running with Diana Schlaff (we went 13+ with some bonus miles tacked on when we got lost) and it was a great introduction to DPMR and led me to the realization that maybe these ultra running folks could be my people.

What has been your favorite DPMR experience so far? My favorite DPMR-related experience was pacing DPMR member Dan Brounstein at the TRT 50 miler in 2017. It ranks as my favorite due to the combination of the strikingly beautiful course, the number of familiar faces (runners, pacers, crew, and volunteers) seen during the event and the fact that he finished the race, due of course to expert pacing!

Favorite local trail? My favorite local trail in the Bay Area is the Ninja Loop. It is a beautiful, hilly loop that rewards runners with a gorgeous view of the bay at the end.

What other outdoor or indoor interests do you have? After trail running, alpine skiing is my other true outdoor passion.

Any interesting facts about yourself you would like to share? I once overslept and missed a flight on Air Force One.

 

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7
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5:30 pm Back at 5:30pm! And pending weat... @ Trout Creek Pocket Park
Back at 5:30pm! And pending weat... @ Trout Creek Pocket Park
Feb 7 @ 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm
Back at 5:30pm! And pending weather! DPMR Weekly Social Run & Hangout @ Alibi Public House, Truckee @ Trout Creek Pocket Park
Keep an eye on Facebook for cancellation due to weather. And, because of shortening days, our weekly social runs on Tuesday evenings are now meeting at 5:00pm instead of 5:45pm Photo credit: Steve Woo These[...]
Feb
12
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8:00 am The Racing Gnome Snowshoe Race @ Prosser OHV Parking Area, Truckee
The Racing Gnome Snowshoe Race @ Prosser OHV Parking Area, Truckee
Feb 12 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
The Racing Gnome Snowshoe Race @ Prosser OHV Parking Area, Truckee
Join us for our annual Racing Gnome Snowshoe on February 12th, 2023! There will be two options – a 5K and a 10K distance race. All experience levels are encouraged to race! Details can be[...]
Feb
14
Tue
5:30 pm Back at 5:30pm! And pending weat... @ Trout Creek Pocket Park
Back at 5:30pm! And pending weat... @ Trout Creek Pocket Park
Feb 14 @ 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm
Back at 5:30pm! And pending weather! DPMR Weekly Social Run & Hangout @ Alibi Public House, Truckee @ Trout Creek Pocket Park
Keep an eye on Facebook for cancellation due to weather. And, because of shortening days, our weekly social runs on Tuesday evenings are now meeting at 5:00pm instead of 5:45pm Photo credit: Steve Woo These[...]
Feb
21
Tue
5:30 pm Back at 5:30pm! And pending weat... @ Trout Creek Pocket Park
Back at 5:30pm! And pending weat... @ Trout Creek Pocket Park
Feb 21 @ 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm
Back at 5:30pm! And pending weather! DPMR Weekly Social Run & Hangout @ Alibi Public House, Truckee @ Trout Creek Pocket Park
Keep an eye on Facebook for cancellation due to weather. And, because of shortening days, our weekly social runs on Tuesday evenings are now meeting at 5:00pm instead of 5:45pm Photo credit: Steve Woo These[...]
Feb
28
Tue
5:30 pm Back at 5:30pm! And pending weat... @ Trout Creek Pocket Park
Back at 5:30pm! And pending weat... @ Trout Creek Pocket Park
Feb 28 @ 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm
Back at 5:30pm! And pending weather! DPMR Weekly Social Run & Hangout @ Alibi Public House, Truckee @ Trout Creek Pocket Park
Keep an eye on Facebook for cancellation due to weather. And, because of shortening days, our weekly social runs on Tuesday evenings are now meeting at 5:00pm instead of 5:45pm Photo credit: Steve Woo These[...]
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What are you waiting for? Register for Racing Gnom What are you waiting for? Register for Racing Gnome now and join the fun! 5k & 10k courses. Check the link in bio for more info!
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The full moon and the fog put on a show for our fi The full moon and the fog put on a show for our first snowshoe run of the year!! What a special evening! 
Did you know we have a snowshoe loaner program? And a snowshoe race in February?

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Full Moon Snowshoe Run tomorrow Jan 6th Join us t Full Moon Snowshoe Run tomorrow Jan 6th

Join us tomorrow for a run lead by our one and only Renee! Just a bit of additional fresh powder to top off the magic of the snowshoe run. No snowshoe... No problem, we will have some that you can borrow.

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Join us for our annual Racing Gnome Snowshoe on Fe Join us for our annual Racing Gnome Snowshoe on February 12th, 2023! There will be two events – a 5K and a 10K distance race. All experience levels are encouraged to race!  Learn more and sign up today! https://donnerpartymountainrunners.com/snowshoe-races/
❄️ Explore Winter Wonderland with snowshoes ❄️

Did you know DPMR has a snowshoe loaner program? Learn more in the newsletter (link in bio) and get ready to enjoy the snow.

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Still looking for some holiday gifts? Show off you Still looking for some holiday gifts? Show off your club pride with the newest in DPMR swag. New bandanas and license plate frames have arrived! These items are great for holiday giving or the perfect treat for yourself. Head on over to the store and check out all that’s new (and some super-sale items too)!

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Looking for some reading while you cosy up inside Looking for some reading while you cosy up inside and watch the snow? Check out our #bookofthemonth by @aude_hofleitner in this month's newsletter. And maybe you'll use the weekend to snooze off!

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The DPMR Annual Pub Run is happening on Sunday. Se The DPMR Annual Pub Run is happening on Sunday. See you in Meeks Bay by 8am (come early for coffee!)

As usual when DPMR organizes a party, the weather invites itself. It is going to be chilly 🥶 and there may be a bit of snow towards the top from overnight flurries ❄️ . Dress accordingly and that will make the post run fun in the pub even more enjoyable!

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Our runners are ready to shred! After the usual T Our runners are ready to shred! 
After the usual Tuesday social run, DPMR runners joined "Go With The Flow" organized by @tahoemountainsports and @ortovox at @alibialeworks and are getting ready to hit the slopes this winter. It was a fundraiser for @savycenter and @antoinemcgrath won the BIG prize!! Next one is Nov 15th, block your calendar, and before that, see you on Sunday for the Pub to Pub run.

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Cheers to the Donner Party! Join us for the Annual Cheers to the Donner Party! Join us for the Annual DPMR Pub Run.

October 23, from Meeks Bay (Meek Creek Trailhead across from the Meeks Bay Resort) to Auld Dubliner in Palisades Village, Olympic Valley. As always, the full course is 50 kilometers. The only “aid” station will be exclusively serving whiskey. More details on the website.

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