Micaela DeGenero, a PUMA professional athlete and the 2022 NCAA Division 1 indoor mile champion representing Colorado, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing April 23 in the USATF 1 Mile Championships as part of the Grand Blue Mile in Des Moines, Iowa, in addition to racing April 27 in the women's elite 1,500 meters at the 114th Drake Relays Presented by Xtream and Powered by Mediacom at Jim Duncan Track inside Drake Stadium. DeGenero reflects on placing ninth last year in 4:34.06 at the USATF 1 Mile Championships in her debut at the event and how beneficial it was to gain a better understanding of the course layout in preparation for this year's race. She also revisits finishing fourth April 13 in the Boston Athletic Association Invitational Mile and how much DeGenero appreciates not having to worry about pacing and lap splits in road races, and just being able to enjoy the competition. DeGenero also expresses gratitude for the opportunity to have multiple racing opportunities this season in Des Moines, after only participating last year in the USATF 1 Mile Championships, and how much she enjoyed the environment. She explains the challenges of battling a stress reaction during the winter, which prevented her from racing during the indoor season and how much it has meant to return to competition for the first time since August. DeGenero also shares the shift in her training this year and being more independent after previously collaborating with Colorado coaches Mark Wetmore and Heather Burroughs during her first year as a professional athlete, and how impactful the support of PUMA has been in allowing her to make such a significant decision. DeGenero analyzes being able to run sub-4:10 for the third consecutive year in the 1,500, and her aspirations to build on that consistency during the spring and summer. She examines how valuable the experiences have been racing at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials, in addition to the USATF Outdoor Championships the past two seasons, and her pursuit of advancing to the final in June at this year's Olympic Trials at Hayward Field in Oregon. DeGenero also discusses how meaningful it has been to remain in Boulder following her graduation from Colorado and how instrumental training at elevation has been in her career.