• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Uncategorized

Clayton Murphy: On Finding His “Old Self”

Dave Hunterby Dave Hunter
May 18, 2022
0
0 0
0
SHARES
129
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Clayton Murphy had a big win at the American Track League Puerto Rico Classic, held on May 12. Clayton, two time Olympian and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist at 800 meters, is back in Akron, Ohio and training with his college coach.

Dave Hunter, head of the unofficial Clayton Murphy track club, reached out to Clayton and spoke with him about his race, about his rebuilding in 2022 for the long season and about how good it feels to be racing well.

RelatedPosts

This Day in Track & Field, May 22, Paavo Nurmi races in front of 35,000 fans at Harvard (1925), Don Quarrie ties 100m WR of 9.9 (1976), by Walt Murphy

Six thoughts on the World Relays

Deep Thoughts on the Grand Slam Track Kingston Meeting

Murphy_Clayton-FH3-OlyTrials21w.jpg

Clayton Murphy takes the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon, photo by Kevin Morris / @kevmofoto

Clayton Murphy: On Finding His “Old Self”

May 18th, 2022

Professional track & field athletes know that performance levels are subject to ups and downs. In most competitions, these athletes are well prepared to perform at their best. But on some days that sharp, finely-honed edge just might be missing. Perhaps only a small percentage might have endured the wide swings in performance that have challenged 800m specialist Clayton Murphy during his years as a professional. After a sterling collegiate career which included multiple NCAA titles, Murphy turned pro and embarked on what has been a world-class career.

In 2016 the Nike athlete capped off a terrific inaugural professional year in Rio by capturing the bronze in the Olympic 800m final. But then some ups and downs interfered. In 2017, Murphy didn’t make the USA’s world championship team when sweltering weather conditions nixed his ambitious attempt at a 800m/1500m double.

In 2019 at the Doha world championships, a well- \performing Murphy appeared ready to climb the podium again, but news that his coach Alberto Salazar had been banned from the sport on the morning of the 800m final sent his head spinning, destroying his focus, and he finished last in the final. In 2021, Murphy was terrific in the Olympic Trials, looking great in the rounds, and successfully defending his Olympic Trials 800m title. And he went on to look sharp in the early rounds of the Tokyo Games. But in the 800m final, he finished last. Yet after the Olympics Clayton rebounded to make the podium in the 2021 Diamond League final finishing 3rd in the 800m. And by season’s end, Murphy was ranked as the #1 American 800m performer by Track & Field News.

Murphy knows that periodic nagging tweaks and injuries played a major role in last year’s absence of consistent performances. “I had a lot of little nagging things (that impacted last summer and the indoor season) and lingered into March for me,” he notes. Clayton and his support team know that the way to success is appropriate rest and consistent strength training that allows dedicated athletes to train hard while side-stepping the interruption of injuries. “I think professional training is built around who can train the best on the edge, who can train on the edge of the cliff without falling off. And if you don’t train on the edge of the cliff you’re at a disadvantage because you’re not training as hard as everybody else. And if you train too hard, you go off the cliff and you’re dealing with injuries. So it is a fine line that I think a majority of professional athletes walk. It’s how well you and your coach can balance both sides of that. There’s a teeter-totter balance of a good athlete: sometimes you’re on one side; and some time you’re on the other side. You’ve got to just try to be in the middle most of the time. I think we (Coach Lee Labadie and I) have really been able to balance the conservative side of that line more or less the last 6 weeks. And now we have to find our way to get closer to the edge without going off the edge prior to USA’s.”

The two-time Olympic Trials Champion, who is a stickler for detail and is constantly examining little items to make himself a better athlete, has also been working on cultivating differing race positioning and racing styles. “I used to be much more of a back runner. And I’ve to become more of a mid-pack runner. I’ve really become more comfortable in the front third of the race. That’s kind of my most comfortable spot,” explains Murphy, who is also working on expanding his racing strategy. “Developing that secondary race style of running from the front with a little more confidence is for sure something that I’ve spoken with Coach [Labadie] about and it is something that I will work on. There were a couple of meets last year in the Diamond League where I was toward the front. I think I am extremely close to developing that confidence and strength to lead wire to wire or control the race from the front. Tokyo showed that running from the back of the race at any pace is tough when everybody is on such a level playing field. And not executing there kind of woke me up a little bit to where I need to develop several race styles to race different people in different races around the world.

Murphy and Labadie have developed a racing schedule that provides Murphy with performance stepping-stones leading up to the USATF national championships in June where the composition of the USA team competing in the world championships will be determined. Three of those meets are: the Birmingham Diamond League meet (May 21st); the Prefontaine DL Classic (May 28th); and the NYC Grand Prix (June 12th).

But prior to those three gatherings, Murphy traveled to the Caribbean to compete in the American Track League’s Puerto Rico Athletics Classic held May 12th. In the 800m final, Murphy would have the opportunity to test his early-season fitness in the 800 meters. Some notable athletes would be in the 2-lap field including Michael Saruni (2021 Kenyan national 800m champion and NCAA 800m record- holder at 1:43.25), Shane Streich (new American indoor 1000m record holder at 2:16.16), and 23-year-old Ryan Sanchez (800m bronze medalist in the ’19 World Championships and 2021 Puerto Rican national 800m champion with a PR of 1:44.82).

As the race unfolded, the two early-race pacers took off on a break-neck, ill- advised opening pace, passing 200m in sub-22 seconds and leaving the field far behind. Murphy wisely remained patient in the opening furlong, tucked in on the rail in 6th position. “I just settled in there in a comfortable pace,” explained Murphy. “It was a little breezy, the wind and rain was kinda coming in all night. It wasn’t great running weather. So I kinda tucked in there and layed low. I played it nice and safe I guess.”

When the pacers finished the opening lap in 49.95 and stepped off the track, Sanchez and USA’s C.J. Jones were thrust into the lead. Murphy, now in 4th and behind Saruni, split 400m in around 52 seconds. On the 2nd lap, the two-time Olympic Trials 800m champion began to shift gears, moving up on Saruni’s shoulder with 300m remaining. With 200m to go, Murphy, still in 4th and 15 meters back, had work to do. Clayton, who has an 800m PR of 1:42.93, gained ground around the final curve but was still down 10 meters in 4th position as the leaders entered the homestretch. But Murphy, a veteran of coming from behind, knew what to do. Clayton swung wide into lane 3 and began his final drive, dropping Saruni and moving into 3rd. Continuing to close, Murphy caught the lead duo with 30 meters remaining and sailed on for the victory, even shutting it down over the final meters and offering a vigorous salute as he crossed the line. His winning time of 1:45.54 places him #6 on the world list and is the top American performance early in this outdoor season. Saruni (1:46.14) hung on for 2nd while Sanchez (1:46.42) grabbed 3rd.

Immediately after crossing the line, the victor was visibly elated: smiling broadly, clenching his arms, and crowing “He’s back!” In his post-race interview, Clayton shared his race thoughts. “I left it all to the end, super patient through 600 meters that’s for sure,” offered Murphy. “I knocked the cobwebs out there racing 800 meters. I am super happy to see the time and the finish.” When told he looked like his old self out there, his reply was quick. “I felt a lot like my old self,” Murphy revealed without hesitation. “I told myself when I crossed the line. ‘He’s back!'” grinned the winner. “That was the confidence I needed.” / Dave Hunter /

Author

  • Alfonz Juck

    Alfonz Juck is a husband, father, statistician, announcer, journalist, organizer, agent usw, following track and field since 1972. EME NEWS is a news service relating to the sport of athletics. It is published on daily basis with additional updates, as required. Copyright is held by Alfons Juck, TOP ATHLETICS, a.s., Krikova 10, 82107 Bratislava, Slovakia. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The redistribution and/or direct reproduction of material from EME NEWS is prohibited unless permission is given by c TOP ATHLETICS (such as being included in a subscription agreement).

    View all posts
Previous Post

Marcell Jacobs opens with 10.04 in Savona, ran 9.99 windy (+2.3) in the heats!

Next Post

2022 RunBlogRun Spring Middle Distance Daily Track Training (800m-5000m), Week 19, Day 4

Alfonz Juck

Alfonz Juck

Alfonz Juck is a husband, father, statistician, announcer, journalist, organizer, agent usw, following track and field since 1972. EME NEWS is a news service relating to the sport of athletics. It is published on daily basis with additional updates, as required. Copyright is held by Alfons Juck, TOP ATHLETICS, a.s., Krikova 10, 82107 Bratislava, Slovakia. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The redistribution and/or direct reproduction of material from EME NEWS is prohibited unless permission is given by c TOP ATHLETICS (such as being included in a subscription agreement).

Similar Post

DAY 1 report: Ethiopians take 1-2-3 in the women’s 10,000m at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest
Coffee With Larry

Coffee with Larry, May 23, 2025, adidas Atlanta City Games, Doha, Rabat, European Cup and Sound Running’s TRACKFEST!

May 24, 2025
Coffee with Larry, August 7, 2024, A Superb Women’s Pole Vault, A Surprise in Men’s Discus, and a stunner in the Men’s Steeplechase, this is the Paris Olympics!
Diamond League

Rabat DL is 4th stop on Diamond League series: Chebet, Tebogo, Wanyonyi and national hero El Bakkali!

May 24, 2025
This Day in Track & Field, May 23, Dutch Warmerdam breaks own WR in PV (1942), Daley Thompson breaks own WR in Decathlon (1982), compiled and edited by Walt Murphy
Athletic History

This Day in Track & Field, May 23, Dutch Warmerdam breaks own WR in PV (1942), Daley Thompson breaks own WR in Decathlon (1982), compiled and edited by Walt Murphy

May 24, 2025
European 10,000m Cup coming soon! May 24 in Pace, France! Free to watch on European-Athletics.com
European Athletics

European 10,000m Cup coming soon! May 24 in Pace, France! Free to watch on European-Athletics.com

May 23, 2025
2024 NIKE Pre Classic Presser, Section 3: Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Josh Kerr and Yared Nuguse, the MILE of the Century!
Spring Training

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, May 23, 2025, week 10, day 5, Tenth Week of the season, easy Friday!

May 24, 2025
Weber 91.06 WL, Cherotich 9:05.08 WL, Masalela 1:43.11 WL, Tia Clayton 10.92 WL in Doha Diamond League
Coffee With Larry

Coffee with Larry, All About the 2025 Doha Diamond League Meeting

May 24, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

April 5, 2023
2023 Nike Pre Classic: Two Amazing Days of Track & Field!

Noah Lyles, The Clock Doesn’t Lie

March 7, 2024
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

February 6, 2025
Grand Slam Track’s Kingston Slam Comes to a Close with 12 Slam Champions

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, April 11, 2025, week 4, day 5, fourth week of year, Friday is an easy day!

April 12, 2025
Mondo Duplantis and the Jump that made him the greatest of all time

Mondo Duplantis and the Jump that made him the greatest of all time

8
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

7
My Five Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon, by Oliver Hinson

My Five Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon, by Oliver Hinson

7
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
DAY 1 report: Ethiopians take 1-2-3 in the women’s 10,000m at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest

Coffee with Larry, May 23, 2025, adidas Atlanta City Games, Doha, Rabat, European Cup and Sound Running’s TRACKFEST!

May 24, 2025
Coffee with Larry, August 7, 2024, A Superb Women’s Pole Vault, A Surprise in Men’s Discus, and a stunner in the Men’s Steeplechase, this is the Paris Olympics!

Rabat DL is 4th stop on Diamond League series: Chebet, Tebogo, Wanyonyi and national hero El Bakkali!

May 24, 2025
This Day in Track & Field, May 23, Dutch Warmerdam breaks own WR in PV (1942), Daley Thompson breaks own WR in Decathlon (1982), compiled and edited by Walt Murphy

This Day in Track & Field, May 23, Dutch Warmerdam breaks own WR in PV (1942), Daley Thompson breaks own WR in Decathlon (1982), compiled and edited by Walt Murphy

May 24, 2025
European 10,000m Cup coming soon! May 24 in Pace, France! Free to watch on European-Athletics.com

European 10,000m Cup coming soon! May 24 in Pace, France! Free to watch on European-Athletics.com

May 23, 2025

Popular Stories

  • Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

    Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Noah Lyles, The Clock Doesn’t Lie

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, April 11, 2025, week 4, day 5, fourth week of year, Friday is an easy day!

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • An epic pole vault competition

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
DAY 1 report: Ethiopians take 1-2-3 in the women’s 10,000m at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest
Coffee With Larry

Coffee with Larry, May 23, 2025, adidas Atlanta City Games, Doha, Rabat, European Cup and Sound Running’s TRACKFEST!

May 24, 2025
Coffee with Larry, August 7, 2024, A Superb Women’s Pole Vault, A Surprise in Men’s Discus, and a stunner in the Men’s Steeplechase, this is the Paris Olympics!
Diamond League

Rabat DL is 4th stop on Diamond League series: Chebet, Tebogo, Wanyonyi and national hero El Bakkali!

May 24, 2025
This Day in Track & Field, May 23, Dutch Warmerdam breaks own WR in PV (1942), Daley Thompson breaks own WR in Decathlon (1982), compiled and edited by Walt Murphy
Athletic History

This Day in Track & Field, May 23, Dutch Warmerdam breaks own WR in PV (1942), Daley Thompson breaks own WR in Decathlon (1982), compiled and edited by Walt Murphy

May 24, 2025
European 10,000m Cup coming soon! May 24 in Pace, France! Free to watch on European-Athletics.com
European Athletics

European 10,000m Cup coming soon! May 24 in Pace, France! Free to watch on European-Athletics.com

May 23, 2025

Recent Tweets

Next Post

2022 RunBlogRun Spring Middle Distance Daily Track Training (800m-5000m), Week 19, Day 4

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

Select a password for yourself. (minimum length of 8)

Paste here the user biography.

Provide here the twitter screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the instagram screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the facebook profile URL. i.e. http://www.facebook.com/RunBlogRun

Provide here the linkedin profile URL. i.e. https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-eder-5497253

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved