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| How Two Runners Ditched Training, Gained 30 Pounds, and Became Olympic Contenders |
Imagine stepping away from your sport for two years, gaining weight, and then returning faster than ever. That's the incredible story of Conner Mantz and Clayton Young, who are now the top two qualifiers for the U.S. Olympic marathon trials. But their journey is far from typical, involving missions, unexpected breaks, and rediscovering the joy of running.
At the peak of their high school careers, Mantz and Young, then 18 and 19, took a detour most athletes wouldn't dare. They embarked on two-year missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, trading rigorous training for service and cultural immersion. While missions often mean a physical decline for elite athletes, for these two, it proved transformative.
Mantz went to West Africa, facing limited exercise and calorie-dense meals. Young found himself in a Spanish-speaking community in North Carolina, trading sprints for occasional jogs and gym sessions. Both saw their weights balloon by 30 pounds, seemingly jeopardizing their athletic futures.
Returning to college, the challenge was daunting. Building back fitness felt like climbing a mountain. But something unexpected happened. The break ignited a renewed passion. Young, once driven by competition, returned "more hungry and ready to go." Mantz, no longer obsessed with performance, found joy in running again.
The key, experts say, lies in the mental break. Taking time away from the singular focus of their sport allowed them to build "more rooms" in their lives. Young learned Spanish, gained life skills, and even dabbled in construction. Mantz learned valuable lessons about simplicity and happiness from living in poverty.
This broadened perspective translated onto the track. Freed from self-imposed pressure, they ran with newfound freedom. Young attributes his success to his mission, saying, "Those were definitely the biggest years of growth in my life." Mantz echoes this sentiment, finding less nervousness and greater enjoyment in running.
Mantz and Young aren't anomalies. Keira D'Amato, a top women's qualifier, took a 10-year break due to injury and motherhood, returning to smash records. Betsy Saina, another contender, found rejuvenation after taking time off for the pandemic and welcoming her son.
