The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Junior Isaac Murphy Q&A
02.13.2012 | Track & Field / Cross Country m, Track & Field / Cross Country
Feb. 13, 2012
AUSTIN, Texas -- TexasSports.com sat down with junior Isaac Murphy, a multi-event athlete on the Texas Men's Track & Field team, to discuss a variety of topics including how he got into the decathlon and what motivates him during meets.
What is your favorite event within the decathlon? 100m because it is the first event. I also enjoy events on the second day because that is when you face the most adversity and you have the most opportunities to make a good score for the team.
How and when did you get involved in the decathlon? I came to Texas as a sprinter, when Mario was coaching some of the other multi athletes, he asks everyone to do tests such as physical strength, I scored well across the board and he thought I would do well competing in the decathlon and hethalon.
Can you describe the decathlon? It is very different, from most of the events because it is long and grueling. It is more about the feeling and the ideas that you get after it is over, that is what sets it apart. There is a feeling of triumph and the respect you get from others and yourself when you are good at the decathlon.
What is the most memorable event thus far as a Longhorn? Most memorable outside of the decathlon, was last year at the Texas Relays in the 4x4. It was the first time running in a relay on a big stage and I ran well. I remember feeling anxious before the race and how I felt after the race because I ran faster than I thought was possible. Inside the decathlon, my most memorable event was the 1500m last year at Outdoor Nationals. I had not been having a very good score up until the 1500m and based on the previous personal best, I was not to score as hard as I did. I remember Mario telling me that I could run faster and to go for it. I responded to him yelling at me while I was in the race and it worked out. That moment also helped me and him develop a relationship, that is why I will always remember it.
Besides the multi- events within the Decathlon, how does it differ from other events? I feel like it is more a personal competition because the dynamics are different than other events. In other events you compete against your competition, in doing so you don't make friends with the people you are competing against. In a decathlon the guys really know each other; we hang out after the decathlon, we joke around, we are buddies. It is more of a competition of your body and mind versus the other athletes. You try to see how hard you can push yourself thus when you succeed it is more personally gratifying.
Do you spend an equal amount of time practicing each event? No, our coach does a really good job at dividing up how much time we can spend on an event but we have to develop a level of communication where we can tell him what we think we need training wise. He then will accommodate that. He does a good job of giving us what he need as deca-athletes.
What is practice like for you? It is hard. I feel like practicing for ten events adds stress amongst everything else going on in your life. When I think about practice I think about the extra hour here and there, that we spend practicing that other athletes aren't. Balancing the other parts of your life along with practice is hard.
What are your goals for this indoor season? Top eight at the National meet.
How does this season differ from previous ones? I feel more solidarity with the team. I feel that way because at the Arkansas Invitational, the second day of the decathlon was taking long, the meet was over by the time we got to the 1000m yet the whole team stayed to watch us compete. During the race, I could hear the rest of the team yelling and cheering. It felt like we were the only guys there and it meant the world to me. I will remember that feeling forever, more than winning a championship. I feel that defines the team. Because the team was watching and supporting me, I set a new personal best in that event during that meet.
How does this season differ for you? I feel better than I have ever felt before. I feel more experienced, I know what to expect and handle situations.
Athletes can hear one person over everyone else during events, who's voice can you hear? My mom, because it is powerful thinking back knowing that she is then knowing.
What flavor of ice cream describes you? Homemade vanilla, because it is my favorite.
What is your hype song of choice? Kenrick Lamar- Rigor Motis
If you had the opportunity to go anywhere, where is the one place you would like to go? Europe, my grandparents are Norwegian so I would like to move around Scandinavia for that reason and because you hear a lot good things about it.
What are your post -graduation plans? I would like to attend grad school for family and marriage counseling
