Find the blog of mother runner/triathlete Tyson Cluever here.
Before 2010, my running consisted of laps for conditioning for junior high and high school sports. I was never fast, but I wanted to be fast. I really did. I tried my hand (foot?) at track as a 7th grader. I told the coaches I wanted to be a sprinter and run the 100- and 200-meter dash, just like the other girls on the track team. They looked at me and all 140 pounds on my 5’ 2” frame (I’m of Norwegian and German descent; I eat meat and potatoes. ‘Nuf said.), and told me they thought I’d be a better distance runner. I told them no way was I doing the mile run—it seemed too far and too hard. So, at the next track meet, I ran the 200-meter dash and participated in a sprint relay. Sprinting was hard, so I told the coaches I’d do the mile at the next meet. I never had a fantastic mile time and wasn’t one of those that trained to run a 5:48 mile. My best time was probably an 8:30 mile. After that I decided track wasn’t for me—it was too hard.
After college, I got a job, moved home, quit smoking, got married, had my son, and finally decided to get in shape after seven months of carrying around an extra 40 pounds my little frame didn’t need. I started walking while pushing my son in the stroller and soon discovered I could handle some jogging intervals. Soon, I was only jogging, taking no walk breaks, losing weight, toning up, feeling better about myself and life in general, and my son was getting some much-needed fresh air. I was happy. Every day. I ran my first 5K in 39:45 and was hooked on this thing called running. Even though I was one of the last runners to finish that first 5K race, I finished. I did something not everyone can, or wants, to do.
Hundreds of training miles, a dozen 5Ks, two half-marathons, one marathon, and several triathlons later, I keep running and moving, to train for and reach for the next level. I no longer aspire to be fast: I aspire to endure. I aspire to inspire others to get up and move, to finish every race before the guy on the gator/four-wheeler/golf cart tells me to go home. I lace up each and every day because it is hard, because running is physical, because running is a challenge, because there are those in this world that can’t, because of the rush. I am a member of the elite club of runners, who choose to lace up every day, or a few days a week, for a few miles or for a lot of miles. I am now training for a half-Ironman triathlon in July.
I run to show that any goal is achievable as long as you have the determination, perseverance, and humility to continue on, to endure. I don’t finish in first place, but I finish. I don’t know who said it, but I love the saying, “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.” I am changed because of the challenges of running.
I have never heard of the challenge/change expression but it’s a great take away nugget from your story, Tyson. Thanks!
[I no longer aspire to be fast: I aspire to endure.]
This is so inspirational! I began running at 45, and know I will never be fast. However, it is so easy to compare myself (my pace, distance, fitness) with others. Running has given me so much; confidence, determination, endurance. Thank you for sharing your story! Maybe my mantra can be “endure.” :)
Stacy! Welcome to the world of running! I started at 26 and thought I was nuts for a while. I like to try to improve my times little by little but in the end, it’s all about finishing. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll break into an age group win and start making noise. :-) If not, at least I’m there. At least I finished! You are doing a great job just by getting out there and trying something new. We all know how hard running is and how hard it can be to filter out all the other stuff. I always compete with myself, no one else. I’m the biggest competition at each race. Keep on enduring! You can do it!
What great words of wisdom! “I aspire to endure.” and “changed because of the challenges.” Fabulous. Thank you for sharing “Why You Run.”
Thank you for reading!
Soooo very, very proud of you. Love you to the moon and back and can’t wait to see and hear of all your accomplishments. I have a feeling there is a cheerleader from afar just grinning too, I just know it. You will always be first in our book!
Wendy
Thanks Wendy
I think about her all the time while I’m running. She’s a huge motivator when I’m down to my last drop of GU, when my legs hurt, when my blisters burn, and when I think I can’t do it. She, and my mom, get me across the finish line and back home. :-) Inspiration. Race day is coming up soon! I would LOVE to see you there! If not, maybe the next week when I’m on the couch, recovering. lol. Love you lots!
I love that you strive to endure…. I am not fast but I do strive to finish a race! Great post :-)
We are so proud of you Tyson! You are an inspiration to try new things. Love you!
Thank you!
Great story….thank you so much for sharing with us all.
Great job Tyson! Keep up the great work! I hear ya about doing the first 5K and getting hooked on it. I did my first and got 3 more this next month. Very inspiring!
OMG, I remember my first season of racing. I was like: I’m gonna do this one, and this one, oh and this one…Remember, you can always race yourself. But, NOTHING compares to a big group of men and women, coming together to pound the pavement. How did your first 5k go? Soon, you’ll be looking for a 10k, a 21k, then a 50k….I’m not kidding. It’s addicting. :-) Good luck and please, post your race stories on Facebook so I can follow!
Loved reading your story today, you will do great in the Tri! Thanks for the inspiration.
Tyson this is awesome! So inspiring! Thanks for sharing!
You have always been a champion to me, my first successful pregnancy who arrived six weeks early weighing in at 4 lbs. 7 oz. and spent 30 days in neonatal ICU. I look at all you have achieved and to say I’m proud of you doesn’t say enough. I run with you in my heart and your angel runner is always beside you. She always has been as you know. I love you more than you can imagine. Thank you for Jon (my favorite son-in-law) and for Kael, the most amazing grandson ever.
I love you mom.
Tyson, I love your post but, I admit, I may love your mom’s comment even more :) Thank you both for your beautifully inspirational words!