Running Is Bliss…

By definition, runners understand the meaning as having fun on every run, even the tough ones. The meaning is two-fold for the Gore Pirates track team as junior distance runner Ty Bliss is creating a treasure chest filled with gold setting his vision for the state championships in May.

Last fall after running the fastest time in Class 2A to qualify, Bliss fractured his distal fibula while preparing for the OSSAA cross-country championships. With a mindset of determination to succeed, Bliss pushed through the injury to finish the 5k competition.

Motivated to regain a championship level performance, his mental conditioning and physical rehabilitation program now has the Gore runner back on path.

“Before my injury I was running 60 miles per week and now I’m back to between 40-50 miles per week,” said Bliss who first discovered his “bliss for running” in the fifth grade and has since discovered the primary discipline required to reach the finish line ahead of the field. 

With spring track events at full speed, Bliss has returned to a top-level performance. Opening the season by winning three gold medals at Wilburton including the 800, 1600 and 3200m events coupled with running the final leg in the 4x800m relay where the Pirates finished third, Bliss has added double first place finishes at Heavener and Warner by winning the 1600 and 3200m to bring the gold medal count to eight in the opening three meets.

The results speak for themselves, according to the Pirates track coach Brandon Tyler.

“His work ethic has enabled Ty to return to championship form,” said Tyler. “He doesn’t have an off button, he just keeps going when others begin to slow down. Ty’s self-motivation to win is gold medal caliber for sure. ”

Mentally and physically, Bliss admits his strategy varies from race to race.

“I try to control myself on the first lap of any race because that’s where most guys are going to tire themselves out by running faster than they can maintain. If I am confident I can win by a large margin I will settle into an ambitious pace and try to run every lap at the same speed,” explained Bliss. “When I feel like it’s going to be close, I run right behind whoever is in the lead to save energy so I can kick in the last 200 meters for the win.”

The “smart pace” is no surprise when evaluating Bliss off the track. In the classroom, he ranks number one in the class of 2022 with a 4.13 GPA including being part of the school’s academic team and National Honor Society as well as being active in Stuco, FFA and the Pirates skeet and trap shooting teams.

While he maintains top-notch ambition overshadowed with humility, the two words that matter most to Ty Bliss... hard work.

“A champion in every sport only reaches his goals through hard work and in my sport it’s impossible unless you’re willing to dedicate yourself on a every day basis.”