ASICS elite athlete Clayton Young discusses his running journey, goals, Strava, and favorite ASICS shoes. The hosts also review the new MetaSpeed Sky super shoe and share their thoughts on its performance. Clayton's victory at the 2021 Gate River Run is highlighted.
Clayton Young's journey showcases the impact of addressing health issues on performance.
Tactical race decisions and key moves led Clayton Young to a remarkable 15K victory.
ASICS' support for Clayton Young aligns with his values, fueling his professional development.
Clayton Young's strategic race approach and pace management secured his podium finish.
Deep dives
Motivated by Love for Running and Family Support
Clayton Young discovered his talent for running in grade school through a fun school program. Over the years, with support from his family and top-tier training partners at BYU, he excelled in the sport. Balancing the love for running with family commitments and academic pursuits fueled his drive to succeed.
Iron Deficiency Revelation and Performance Boost
After facing disappointing race performances, Clayton discovered a severe iron deficiency that was impacting his running. By proactively addressing this issue with supplements and IV injections, he managed to make a remarkable comeback, which culminated in a significant win at the 15K championships. This experience highlighted the importance of addressing underlying health issues in enhancing performance.
Race Strategy and Pacing
Approaching the 15K championships with measured expectations due to recent underperformance, Clayton focused on staying with the pack during the race. By covering key moves and adapting to strategic surges from competitors, he navigated the challenging windy conditions to maintain his position among the frontrunners. Tactical decisions during pivotal moments helped him secure a remarkable performance.
Joining ASICS and the Power of Believing in a Brand
Clayton's partnership with ASICS stemmed from mutual respect and support for his existing team and training environment at BYU. Choosing a brand that believed in his potential and valued his current setup reinforced his confidence and commitment to continuous improvement. The alignment of vision and values with ASICS provided a strong foundation for Clayton's professional career development.
Strategic Moves and Key Moments in the Race
Throughout the 15K championships, Clayton strategically covered critical moves initiated by competitors, ensuring he remained in contention for a podium finish. An early breakaway by a fellow racer posed a challenge, but Clayton's race awareness and pace management allowed him to capitalize on key opportunities and position himself for success, ultimately leading to a memorable victory.
Race Strategy and Shoe Technology
The podcast episode delves into Clayton Young's race experience where he strategically utilized his track background to secure a top position in the race. Clayton's knowledge of having better closing speed than his competitors allowed him to make a decisive move towards the finish line, showcasing his ability to handle race dynamics. Additionally, the discussion on the new Metaspeed Sky shoe by ASICS highlights Clayton's positive experience with the shoe, suggesting its potential to compete with and even surpass other racing shoes in the market.
Balancing Professional Running and Engineering
Clayton Young opens up about balancing his professional running career with his passion for engineering, reflecting on the challenges and rewards of managing both roles. With a focus on incorporating engineering concepts into his athletic pursuits, Clayton envisions a career path that combines his love for running and engineering, aiming to design and test shoes for optimal performance. As a dedicated father of two young daughters, Clayton navigates the demands of family life alongside his athletic and academic endeavors, highlighting the importance of finding equilibrium amidst diverse responsibilities.
This week on the Drop, it's an ASICS bonanza. First, Thomas, Robbe and Meaghan share their thoughts on the brand's newest super shoe, the MetaSpeed Sky (13:48). Then, Thomas and Meaghan are joined by ASICS Elite runner Clayton Young to talk about his running journey, using goals as motivation, Strava and his favorite ASICS shoes (30:27). Clayton won the 2021 Gate River Run on the men's side.
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