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Clausen, Favor (Continued from page 9)

Clausen, Favor (Continued from page 9) competing schedule, lasted about a right next to the Russians. month. "In Greece, had we been required to run just once, maybe we would've done better," said Favor, "but that's something you have to get used to. It was a very good experience, meeting people from different countries. I gained about five pen pals." Clausen, a former long distance runner, first became interested in racewalking after seeing a demonstration at the Stevens Area Running Club. Clausen owes a majority of his success to Reebok, which sponsors him in meets all over the country. "There is no way I'd be where I am today if it wasn't for Reebok," he said. "Racewalking consumes more training time. During a race, you must maintain your form for the entire distance and that's a little tougher than running. "Because of the form - using a full range of motion - you use all of your muscles. With practice it becomes more natural than running, especially at the point where I am now.' Clausen has been competing since February of this year and admitted his season "is getting to be very long. "I peaked somewhat during the indoor season and then afterwards during the outdoor season, I was putting in heavy mileage. I was training about 100 miles per week and then started training for the summer during April and May. "I was physically ready for the summer, but mentally it's hard to hang on. The competition in Greece was incredible. Everyone had the capability of winning. It was a good experience and I'll know what to expect rext time." Clausen said the hectic schedule drained most of the athletes and the stress of the trip added to the problems faced by the U.S. team. "I'm used to traveling by now," he said, "but it's crazy. Most of my trips are three days. Competitively, the Romanians are out for blood. They live in everyday training situations. If you want to do well, you have to forget about all manners. I had some international experience and knew a little of what to expect. You get to know that an elbow here and there won't hurt. "The experience prepared me for the future. I know where I have to be in front. Internationally, you have to be ready for anything. You can't plan a race among the competition. Instead, you have to plan it around yourself. It's a personal effort." All of the athletes were told not to talk about anything but running with the athletes from the communist countries. During opening ceremonies in Greece, the Americans were lined up Ducks Unlimited names Scherwinski Darrell Scherwinski of Plover has been appointed to a position with Ducks Unlimited. Scherwinski will serve as a national trustee on a volunteer, non-paid basis. Other recent volunteer appointments "We started talking with the Russians and the photographers began taking all kinds of pictures," said Favor, who was a co-captain for the U.S. team. "We traded pins them, which was a real big thing with all of the countries. The Russians were real neat and friendly. It's too bad what happens between the governments." The language barrier created a few communication problems, but interpreters helped overcome them. Athletes from other countries wanted to know what life was like in the United States. "Most people are satisfied with their life because they don't realize what's out there," said Clausen. "They are very sheltered and generally approached you on the streets. We were willing to talk, and tried to make comparisons between their lives and ours. They kept asking for American money to buy U.S. goods. "At the end of the meet in Greece, I traded my dress uniform with an Australian. Americans are like celebrities to them." Although Favor and Clausen were happy to visit other countries, neither expressed any desire to live overseas. "When we got back to New York, everybody started clapping because of how happy we were to be back," said Favor. "The whole team appreciates how lucky we are. It was nice to see America again. "The trip took a lot out of us, but it was a good experience, especially finding out what other cultures are like. You have to go there to really understand what it's like. The best part was meeting people and getting to know them. "I was really impressed with the Romanians. After my race, the girl from Romania who won came up and kissed both my cheeks...which is a custom there. She also gave me a sweater with the Romanian flag's national colors across the front. They wanted to give us whatever we needed." With college practices coming soon, the Stevens Point athletes will not get much of a break. "I got a training schedule from my coach at Wisconsin and am now doing a lot of distance running," Favor said. "I enjoy it so much that it relieves the pressure. It's a part of my life now and I look forward to it. It will be a lot of hard work, but I'm looking forward to running and hopefully training with the top runners at Madison. "It's neat because in Point I'm the top, runner and now I'm going to be training with top caliber people in Madison and I won't be No. 1. It will give me something to push for." Although he will compete in a few meets, Clausen said he won't peak for any race until March. "I'll mainly be racing in New York and during Christmas break, I'll train down south,' he said. "All of my races now will be 20K and, because of the longer distance, I'll have to put in more training miles. College will be tough, but I'm looking forward to it." Not many cities the size of Stevens Point can boast of two world-class athletes like Favor and Clausen.

Article from 23 Aug 1986Stevens Point Journal(Stevens Point, WI)

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