Clayton Murphy, a Nike professional and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist in the 800 meters, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing April 26 in the USATF 1-Mile Road Championships Presented by Toyota as well as racing April 30 in the men's 1,500 meters at the 112th Drake Relays Presented by Xtream Powered by Mediacom and Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Des Moines, Iowa. Murphy revisits his third-place finish in the USATF 1-Mile Road Championships last year, followed by his victory in the 1,500 on Jim Duncan Track at Drake Stadium, and how much he appreciates the opportunity to race twice in a five-day span in the same city. He also reflects on his victory at the USATF 1-Mile Road Championships as part of the Grand Blue Mile in 2017 and how much he enjoys concluding the race in front of such an appreciative and supportive crowd on Grand Avenue. Murphy explains how meaningful it is to open his outdoor schedule in Des Moines and how active he plans to be in May in preparation for the USATF Outdoor Championships in June at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. He examines the fields in both the road mile and the track 1,500, and speaks about being able to trust in his closing speed and time his kick correctly, despite the environment. Murphy analyzes the quest of Erik Sowinski, who competed at Iowa, to produce his 200th career sub-1:50 performance in the 800 meters and his opportunity to achieve the feat April 30 at Drake Stadium. He reminisces about being a roommate of Sowinski in 2015 at the World Championships and how much Murphy has appreciated his friendship and guidance since turning professional. Murphy also expresses gratitude for Sowinski as an elite pacer in the sport, and how that has only added to his legacy. He shares how meaningful it was to run 1:43.17 last year to win at the U.S. Olympic Trials, especially overcoming a hamstring injury that nearly resulted in him not competing at all in Eugene. Murphy also speaks about his appreciation as a fan of the sport to watch younger competitors producing fast 800 times in April, but also continues to focus on his long-term vision making the U.S. team and racing for a medal at the World Championships in July at Hayward Field.

WATCH USATF 1 MILE ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS PRESENTED BY TOYOTA ON APRIL 26