What is wrong with Clayton Murphy?

there is a truth to people redlining once and never being able to go back to that well again. I do not think it's true of a mid distance runner like Murphy. Guys like that have had to do it over and over again for the better part of several years. it is part of what separates them in the first place.

mid distance runners live in that zone. if that was going to happen to murphy, it would have happened a long time ago.

His max is likely around 220. He probably hits 200 in workouts.

Kobbs Hessler wrote:

Another lame 1:45 today in Paris and almost dead last. He peaked perfectly for the Trials and looked fantastic. He's been stuck a 1:45 for every other race and nowhere near the top three. WTF??

The karma from being a narcissist is finally coming back.

Too many 12 milers at 4:45 pace

high school xc coach wrote:

there is a truth to people redlining once and never being able to go back to that well again. I do not think it's true of a mid distance runner like Murphy. Guys like that have had to do it over and over again for the better part of several years. it is part of what separates them in the first place.

mid distance runners live in that zone. if that was going to happen to murphy, it would have happened a long time ago.

That aligns pretty well with my thoughts. If you don’t redline in an 800m you are usually doing it wrong. I always compare the feeling of lifting until muscle failure. It’s automatic in the beginning, takes effort but is manageable in the middle, and takes every fiber of your being and focus to maintain by the end.

The ability to be okay with a lot of pain and strain while staying focused is crucial for an 800m runner. If you can’t consistently get into that “kill mode” you aren’t destined to be an 800m runner.

I have a former teammate that ended his high school career with 52 open, 2:15 and 4:40. It’s because he wasn’t willing to redline in the 800m, which is unfortunate because a 52 and 4:40 are both decent times, but should combine to make a GREAT 800m runner.

Murphy and Hoppel were running at too close to their potential too soon, later for Murphy this year, really early for Hoppel. It is a shame because the 1:43.17 Murphy at Trials and the very sharp Hoppel from winter and early spring were in shape to medal, especially in a fast race. That reminds me, where has Wesley Vazquez been this year? With him in the field, there was a guaranteed sub 1:44 for the winner every time out, maybe better as at 2019 World's.

Runner10287 wrote:

You had me at using 220-age for Murphy’s max HR.

murphy should do MAF

What a bunch of inane drivel. Even if your BS about redlining were true, at the trials he finished and had enough energy/presence of mind to do a pose for his haters. Not like he collapsed or something at the end.

xczvzxcv wrote:

Murphy and Hoppel were running at too close to their potential too soon, later for Murphy this year, really early for Hoppel. It is a shame because the 1:43.17 Murphy at Trials and the very sharp Hoppel from winter and early spring were in shape to medal, especially in a fast race. That reminds me, where has Wesley Vazquez been this year? With him in the field, there was a guaranteed sub 1:44 for the winner every time out, maybe better as at 2019 World's.

I believe he bombed in the semis or maybe even the quarter finals. Vasquez’s racing style and training did not suit him for the tactical rounds and racing of these olympics at all.

Off the Deep End.....

We've all seen your kind many times.

https://youtu.be/ue7wM0QC5LE

Besides, Murphy was dragging his leg the final 50 meters in Paris. Id be surprised to see him race again this season.

Yeah, he was "hurt" trained through it carefully, peaked at Trials due to extra rest and now just picking up paychecks while hes young and can still use his credentials to get a starting position in meets. Maybe he'll comeback stronger next year but he's toast for this season with plenty of time to recover for next year.

Kobbs Hessler wrote:

Another lame 1:45 today in Paris and almost dead last. He peaked perfectly for the Trials and looked fantastic. He's been stuck a 1:45 for every other race and nowhere near the top three. WTF??

it is fast..

but perhaps a mental barrier..

he will break through if he doesnt quit.

This brings up the long debated issue of the timing of the US Olympic trials relative to the Olympics. Given it is so difficult to make the US Olympic team, even the best athletes have to peak at the trials or else risk not making the team. Almost no one has enough margin of error to train through trials and still make the team. Under the US qualification system, some athletes are able to perform as good or better at the Olympics than they did at the trials. Others like Murphy, Bromell, and Centrowitz, among others, performed worse. It should also be pointed out that the US men did not win a single gold medal on the track at the Tokyo Olympics. I think the issue of the timing of the US Olympic trials deserves another round of debate.

Toilet Poster wrote:

Many people (and perhaps Murphy himself) thought that the top 2 spots were a lock and it would pretty much be a battle for 3rd. Imo it’s better to peak at USAs and be an Olympic finalist than it would be to time your peak for the Olympic final only to miss out even making the team.

It is this dumb ridiculous, mofo idiotic view of American athletics that befuddles. Unless you are being totally sarcastic of course. Every other country works on having their athletes peak for the Olympics, but you and some athletes clearly think it is best to peak for Trials. Because Trials is as important as the Olympics or Worlds.

SMDH.

UltraDude wrote:

This brings up the long debated issue of the timing of the US Olympic trials relative to the Olympics. Given it is so difficult to make the US Olympic team, even the best athletes have to peak at the trials or else risk not making the team. Almost no one has enough margin of error to train through trials and still make the team. Under the US qualification system, some athletes are able to perform as good or better at the Olympics than they did at the trials. Others like Murphy, Bromell, and Centrowitz, among others, performed worse. It should also be pointed out that the US men did not win a single gold medal on the track at the Tokyo Olympics. I think the issue of the timing of the US Olympic trials deserves another round of debate.

And then we have college athletes who are expected to peak for NCAA championships, then Trials, then Olympics. When will anyone realize we have established a system designed to make our athletes fail at global championships.

Nothing.

Before or after everyone says he peaked at Olympics or "redlined". Don't forget he ran 1:44.18 at Olympics in the Semi-Finals. That was probably what was most disappointing -- having run that well to that point but then come up short in the Finals. I don't know what his contract requirements are. I believe based on what I have seen is that he didn't have the base he needed probably due to injury to keep doing what he is doing. I also think contrary to what most think it isn't speed training that is going to get you through that last 200 meters. It's a strong base. He has already proven he has the speed.

He has been racing a ton, likely not running very much mileage due to all of the races. He peaked perfectly in June, but then has been so far removed from the base work from the beginning of the season that he has nothing left and is just holding on for dear life every single race.

He'll be fine once he gets a bit of a break and gets to building some base again for next season, and hopefully times things a little bit better for world championships than he did for the olympics this year.

He's peaking for the Olympics.

2024 baby!!!

I agree with this. Who’s saying speed= a good last 200m? That’s the case in more aerobic events but in an 800m you are still usually running your last 200m the slowest even if it looks like you are “out kicking” competitors.

From personal experience I think the final stage of the 800m is determined by a combination of race specific muscular strength and how strong you are aerobically. It’s really just a matter of if your systems are strong enough to keep going after lots of fatigue