How a New Runner Found His Support System

A side profile of Nathan running

Nathan Clemenson is a runner, dancer, performer and Fleet Feet manager in Austin, Texas. He didn't think he fit the description of a runner, until he decided to train for a marathon. Our latest video details his running journey and how the sport has influenced his life.

We sat down with Clemenson to discuss how running has impacted his journey, influenced his relationships and improved his mental health.

Nathan runs through a trail.

FF: You’ve spoken about coming out to your parents when you were growing up. What was that like? Did you feel like you had any expectations to live up to?

NC: It was actually pretty easy. Both of my parents said if you’re gay it’s okay. Both me and my older brother are queer, but I came out before him!

When I was in 8th grade, I was at an honors choir concert and my mom was driving me home and she asked me. At first I said no, but when we got home I said yes. She said she always wanted a gay best friend she was really supportive about it. I never came out to my dad but he kind of just knew and he's been super supportive and great as well.

I had always just been myself and I've always been crazy “Naterator,” as my parents call me. I've always gone to the beat of my own drum and wasn't really afraid of how people looked at me.

But I internalized my coming out and obviously it was a hard thing. That’s where the mental health issues spawned. You have to keep this huge secret that could just totally be the end of you.

FF: Tell us about the first run you went on. From there, how did you decide to run a marathon?

NC: When I first started actually running it was with my ex. Of course, I was being ridiculous and dancing while we were running. We did about three or four miles and I had never done that before. I was like “This is cool, I can actually do this.” I used to run with my dad sometimes when I was little but I hated it. I'm a person who doesn't like to be told what to do, so out of spite I wouldn’t want to do that. But once I actually started doing it on my own, it was like “Oh wow, I have this ability.” It was pretty cool.

I wanted to run a marathon because the guy who I was dating was doing big things so I thought I had to do something big. I started running every day, recording it and putting it on Instagram to keep myself accountable. Eventually I upped my mileage. One night I was out running by myself and thought “I’m just going to try to run a half marathon right now.” I did it and it was like “Okay, apparently I can do that now!”

I went into Fleet Feet and got fit for shoes. My other job had been kind of weird and fizzling out, so I was looking for other jobs. Eventually I got a job at Fleet Feet in Austin. I really liked the customer service there, and Ari and Taylor are wonderful people. I started running more and paced my friend for the Austin Half Marathon in 2020, right before everything shut down.

I’m going to run the Austin Half Marathon again this year, and then I’m going to work on running a sub-5 minute mile.

Nathan runs side by side with two friends.

FF: Has your local running community impacted your journey?

NC: Absolutely. The community here is super supportive and super fun. I think it's really cool because there are so many different types of people who come out to all the runs. There are so many running groups here and you can almost go to a group every morning or every night. Even if you haven't been running or showing up for a few months, once you're back it's like nothing has changed, which is pretty cool.

FF: Do you feel like running has improved your mental health? If so, how?

NC: Yeah, endorphins really help with a lot of things. I think it’s also helpful to have something that gets you out the door in the morning or at night. With depression and anxiety, you can suddenly find yourself on the coach for days on end. You just don't feel like you can even get up. So, when you have that and you have a community that you know will welcome you with open arms, it's motivating for sure.

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