Running Through Challenges: A Father-Son Story from 'Go Run™

Jon & Harrison Teuber - 'Go Run Spotlight

'Go Run continues to be a positive outlet in many people's lives by offering free, timed runs from March through November. We got the chance to speak with Jon Teuber and his son Harrison to share their personal story and connection to 'Go Run.

Q: Tell us about your running journey! How did you start participating in 'Go Run?

A: Harrison: "I ran cross country and track every year in middle school and in high school. I started participating in 'Go Run when me and my Dad wanted to find new runs."

Jon: "Harrison is a young adult impacted by several lifelong medical and developmental challenges, including epilepsy. Harrison is a runner at heart, and ran cross country and track throughout middle school, high school and in a post-high school transition program. Completing school programs in 2019 created a big disruption for him to maintain running without a team program. We have always seen the benefit of running in Harrison's life - literally keeping him grounded.

We learned about 'Go Run during the pandemic and saw it as an opportunity to get out at a time when going anywhere was challenging for everyone, especially for someone with underlying health problems. It was also an opportunity for Harrison to find some consistency in running again without having to rely on me (a much slower runner) or finding a consistent companion to run with him.

Harrison ran the 5K routes at nine 'Go Run events in 2021 and started again at the first 2022 'Go Run. By mid-2022 and into 2023, his seizure patterns became much more frequent and impacted his cognition and his walking and running abilities. We kept showing up for 'Go Run in 2022 but by mid-year, he was selecting the 1 mile route and doing that at a slow walking pace, unable to run more than a few steps at a time, so we took an extended break.

Following extensive medical tests throughout 2022 and 2023, Harrison had a brain surgery procedure in spring 2023 that included more than two weeks confined to a hospital bed, loss of muscle tone, and several months of limited physical activity afterward. Getting back to running seemed like a longshot -- simple walks around the block took a lot of effort and patience."

Q: Describe your most memorable 'Go Run experience.

A: Jon: "After not being able to participate in 'Go Run for most of 2022 and 2023, we took a chance and decided to return for the final event of 2023 and Harrison was thrilled to be back. Over the winter, Harrison expressed interest in returning in the spring. Harrison spent considerable time in the fall and winter walking and doing short walk-runs on a treadmill and working with a trainer who works with adults with higher needs, to work on his strength and coordination and to get moving again.

Coming back to 'Go Run in 2024 was beyond amazing to see him able to run and enjoy a full 5K again, even when walking is still a challenge for him. Harrison is back to 5K running distances, approaching times that he had a few years ago. A year out from surgery, seizures that were too frequent and disruptive to every part of his life have now become much less frequent again."

Harrison: "My favorite 'Go Run memory is hitting the finishing shoot."

Q: What is your favorite part about the 'Go Run experience?

A: Harrison: "I like the races and I like trying to see different parks."

Jon: "I appreciate that my son can run in a safe and supportive environment, enjoy the camaraderie with the volunteers and fellow runners and I enjoy how easy 'Go Run makes it to show up and run.

Those of us who know Harrison best know that the attached photo at the start and end of a 'Go Run race shows Harrison at his most joyful. We are very grateful for the 'Go Run program. 'Go Run makes running accessible, consistent, provides a supportive community and introduces us to parks around the city. Signing up for large, competitive, infrequent and expensive events where there is risk of losing Harrison in a crowd is not feasible or of interest to us, and the 'Go Run program offers him a chance for consistency and community that he may not otherwise experience. As an adult with disabilities, making connections in the community is very challenging. 'Go Run makes that easy, consistent and natural. Harrison can just show up as a runner, as a member of the community, and be himself."

Q: What advice would you offer to a new runner or someone who wants to start running?

A: Harrison: "Give it a try!"

Jon: "I'll second what Harrison said. Go Run makes it super easy to show up, no complicated sign-up or check-in and supported by encouraging volunteers and fellow runners. It's a great way to see different parks and enjoy the best way to start a Saturday morning at whatever distance and pace you can. Start somewhere."

Q: Anyone you would like to thank or give kudos to that has helped you on your running journey?

A: Harrison: "I would like to thank Dominique, my brother James, my high school coaches and running partners, my Mom and my Dad and the 'Go Run helpers"

Jon: "Our family has been supportive of our runs, and family and friends join at times. I'm grateful for the runner who picked up my slow pace at Horner Park one race and ran with me through the end - an example of fellow supportive runners. Thank you to CARA and Dominique and the 'Go Run volunteers who show up every week to make these events happen and make them safe, inviting and fun! We know it takes effort and commitment and we are grateful for that."

To learn more about 'Go Run, visit www.cararuns.org/gorun