Have Speed, Will Travel

Former UNI star, Nike pro record-setter tells Comets how running took him all over the world

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — During a question-and-answer session with members of the Charles City High School and Middle School cross country teams, former UNI national champion and American record setter Tyler Mulder was asked if he ever got nervous before a race.

“I get nervous just talking to you guys,” Mulder said. “I’m not really good at speaking in public, so this is something I’m just getting used to.

“It took me a while before I was no longer that nervous before races.”

Mulder gave his talk at the middle school Tuesday. He had been approached by fellow Northern Iowa alumnus and Charles City girls cross country and track coach Amanda Rahmiller to speak to the Charles City athletes about what it’s like and what it takes to run at the Division 1 and professional levels.

“I’ve been all over the world,” said Mulder, who talked about his experiences traversing the Diamond League racing circuit that landed him in places like Morocco where he was the only one in his immediate vicinity who spoke english.

“I was worried about going out at night thinking that if I got lost, I wouldn’t know how to ask for directions back to the hotel,” Mulder said. “But I ran one of my best races there.”

Mulder was also asked about being on the same track with Kenyan 800-meter world record holder and two-time Olympic gold medalist David Rudisha.

“After about 600 meters, he was about this far in front of me,” Mulder said while holding out his arm. “I could almost touch him. Then he kicked it up at the end and he ended up several arm lengths ahead of me.”

Mulder prepped at Unity Christian High School in Orange City for which he set Iowa State Track and Field Championship records in the 800 run and 1,600 medley relay before graduating in 2005.

He continued his career at Northern Iowa where he became an NCAA indoor national champion in the 800.

Midway through his college career, a strong showing in the 800 at the Drake Relays against world class competition got Mulder thinking he could run professionally. He eventually reached that goal in 2009 when he signed to run for Nike before moving to the West Coast to join the renowned Oregon Track Club.

As a pro, Mulder ran the 800 leg of the American indoor record-setting distance medley relay in 2010.

Aside from his record-setting and notable performances, Mulder did mention he endured his share of off days during his career.

“I’ve had bad races and meets … we all do,” he said. “I could be an injury … it could be waiting too long to make your move, or starting out too fast.”

Poor performances can also stem from an ill-advised event workload, which Mulder took on during one of his Drake Relays appearances. He was influenced to enter in the mile run, which resulted in a last-place showing and threw him off his game for the rest of the meet.

“Now I’ve never been much of a miler … even though I’ve run a 3:57,” Mulder said while getting several chuckles from the audience.

The 800 was Mulder’s specialty as he managed in continually reset personal-bests throughout his professional career. But with Olympic dreams remaining elusive and injuries catching up with him, Mulder recently retired from running professionally and has accepted a coaching position at Hawkeye Community College in Waterlo, which will start cross country and track programs in 2017.

“I had planned to run until I was about 34 years old,” said 29-year-old Mulder, “but I always saw myself getting into coaching eventually.

“When this opened up, I saw the opportunity.”

Adhering to the “never say never” phrase, Mulder doesn’t discount a possible return to track.

“But right now my focus is on coaching,” he said. “When it comes to running and coaching, you’ve got to choose one. You can’t do both because you’ll end up being good at neither.”