My True Beginning

I would like to apologize for the delay. So, here is my favorite running clip... p.s. it gets good after the first minute.... www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZHBSBG7RSs


Before I go into/write greater detail about my running and everything, I feel I should give credit where it is due.

Here's background music...leave playing while you read the rest of this post....   (cut and paste to another tab) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTQ3MNPxyfA&feature=av2e


So, in a Ron Burgundy voice: In the year 2000, the month of October, I was running the Tulsa Zoo Run 5k held at Mohawk Park in Tulsa. As a young 13 year-old kid, I sported a cheezy bead-like necklace, gym shorts, and a Race for the Cure t-shirt, in which, I thought was cool at the time and cut off the sleeves... it was 15 degrees out (Okay, perhaps it was more like in 20's. Regardless, It was cold for a young tike, like myself).

As the gun went off, I started my classical move by 1k and started picking off the local wanna-be elites. There was the idiot who always took off too fast, "When will you learn that taking off in a sub 60 400m is not going to work this time, nor anytime for that matter?!" Then came about rivilaries between two runners who would tactically surge against each other and be oblivious to everyone else, "Later, chumps!". Then there was the random squirrel that ran out in front of me, "Harold (that was his name), it's 15 degrees out! Get home and get warm!"

By 3k there was the 'stronger' of the local elites, and it included the top women of the race. Roughly 2 miles in, I spot a big red headed guy... "I'm losing to 'that' guy?!"

A sense of emergency is brought forth to pick up the pace..."I am not losing to him!"

Quickly closing the gap, I pull up beside him just before the 4k and then proceed to surge up the only hill on the course. What do you know, he sticks to me. I was starting to regret having a McDonald's breakfast at that time. A gut full of pancakes and hashbrowns, I continued to push forwad none the less... As well as my new big red-headed rival, to what appeared to be the linebacker of all runners. Coming around a turn, signaling roughly 1/2 a mile left, I continued to push as hard as my 13 year-old able body would allow, as a small cool breeze picked up, clouds covered the sky creating a solem mood...and without a hint of sweat (it was 15 degrees in all), I started to sprint (in actuality, this was only a 530 mile pace). Coming down the last straight-a-way, I looked back. Now, this wasn't a quick peak... this was the full on, Lance Armstrong look into the eyes of Jan Ulrich. "I got him!" With just a 100 meters left, the wheels started to fall off, "DAMN IT, MCDONALDS! EVERY TIME I REGRET EATING YOU!!!"

With just a short gap of 'race' left, my friend starts coming in strong! With just a small gasp of life left, a quick step in and perhaps, only beating my new found rival... by a gut full of pancakes and hashbrowns.

Delirious, as I was after every race, I thought of only one thing... "McD's was totally worth it!" 15 minutes later and hurling, "I hate you McDonalds!"

Later during the awards, as all the runners gathered inside a tent, to which, didn't have much warmth, other than the heat put off by the runners themselves... I awaited my award. I WANTED THAT AWARD! I loved medals at this time, and especially if they were unique. Not some peice of cra... excuse me... not the 'cheap' kind that you would see in your local running magazine advertising "89 cents a medal for so and so amount purchased"... they were a 'peice'.

As I waited there, all the runners waiting for the 15 minute per mile walkers to come in. I waited and waited... and froze. Being just under 100 lbs at the time, I didn't create much warmth. My rival, comes over to me, "HEY! I'm Mike! I'm with Jenks America Track Club! What's your name?!" As I stood there shivering, all I noticed was the massive hoody he had on...with the saddest face and simple thought, "That hoody looks sooooooooo warm." Perhaps reading my face, or perhaps, seeing me shiver, he quickly pulls off his triple x-large hoody (okay, it was more like a large) and says, "Here ya go, put this on!" Thank God!

Still a bit pale from the race and the cold, "My name's Clay, people call me Mud." As for the nickname Mud, Another Day, Another Story. Mike speaks up, "You're a really tough kid! You would not give up out there!"

I was soon asked, the all too common question amongst runners, "What do you do for training?"

One may wonder what went through my mind when he asked that question. Well... let me tell you!

*clears throat*

In 4th grade, I remember stuffing my face with sour straws ( a GREAT kind of candy), to such an extent, that I got sick and then some!
5th grade I remembered drinking so much coke at a high school home football game, that I not only pissed excellence, but the coke itself too.

In 6th grade, I became a legend in dodgeball and almost went pro. Oh! and I ate a lot of candy too!

Upon those thoughts, what did I actually say, "Ugh, I just run road races here and there... and play soccer."

Mike: "That's great, I'd love to have you out at Jenks America practice. You just kept fighting today... You can do great things in running, if you stick with it!"

Well, we talked for quite a while about running and what not, but I was unsure. As the months went on, I would go to a practice once in a blue moon. Mike would call me every so often to check in, "Clay! How's running going?"

My thoughts half the time, "I 'literally' have a hangover from all the skittles I've consumed in the past 3 hours, let me tell you, this is no joking matter."

By February of my 7th grade year, Mike's persistence went through. Started the season as a 5.44 miler, ended up with a 5.10 at Hershey's National meet up in Pennsylvania. As well as going from a high 19's in the 5k, to a 17.24 from February to September. I was now a runner. Although, I let go of sports like football, basketball, and so forth, I still stuck it out in soccer.

I still trained by myself for the most part, running through town... causing mischief and mayhem, people wanting to know what I was doing... as a nice young lady pulls up beside me on a run, "Hey kid, do you need a ride home or something?"

Me: "Nah, I'm good."

The lady confused as to why I was running.... proceeds to ask, "What exactly are you doing?"

Me: "To tell you the truth, I'm going home."

Now, drawn into the matter...

Lady: "Where's home?"

Me: "New York"

On another day, and just a couple summers ago, it would be the local cop that would shoot the questions:

"Hey bud, what are you doing?"

Keep in mind, when he asked this question it was 1 in the morning and I wanted to get home... and be left alone...

Me: "I'm running from the law!"  -----      (The cops were NOT amused by my humor)

As years passed, cops become friendly and waved, rather than question me. Random people no longer questioned my running... Rather, they now threw stuff. It made running 'interesting'.

As time went on, and my club coach routinely called to, "See where I was at." I would always be glad to chime back. At different times, I was running really well, and at other times, not so much.

But Mike's persistence, kept me going. Always being positive, always expecting the best. Routinely, Mike asks me during the winter and summer break to come talk to the kids (the track club he runs). Everytime I do, as a solid 50 kids coming from all parts of the state gather, in which, they will just stare at you and expect some magical wisdom (it is also important to note...they can smell fear). Well, Mike always, and I mean always, opens up with a 30 minute speech, and if you don't know Mike... he is VERY good with words. Typically, I'm just like, "WHAT HE SAID!" Okay, I say a 'little' bit more.

Mike also instilled a very different training style and mentality into me. I know I'm not the most talented guy out there, "that is fine...  I'm content with what I've been given." But, that doesn't mean I won't do something about it. As my senior xc year was coming to a close, it was far from perfect. I did more intensity, more miles. After years of seeing me train, Mike knew what I could and could not handle. He started me off with 12x400m repeats at 70-71 (1 min. rest). I would do so regulary every monday. Each week, I added 4 repeats...until I hit 40...same day, same pace, same everything, week to week. Each time I would come back stronger, and then started the 'good' time. Going from a 15.53 5k kid to 15.11 by Nike Outdoor Nationals, I would consider that a success.


Okay, so, this post may or may not be to some people's liking. It's a bit different, I know. But it is a necessity to have before I continue to post. The moral to this is, everyone can get to the finish in their own way, and on that way, I would like to give credit where it is due... To someone that has stuck with me through thick and thin, driving me to meets several hours away...  And on those meets, griping me out for getting a C in trig. "It's important to be well rounded in life." So many people proclaim multi-million dollar athletes as their heroes, which is a complete joke. In terms of who should be dubbed a hero, It's good parents (first), then beyond that, it's people like Mike. People that don't get paid to do it, yet, give so much back to the world. Never tearing others down, but rather do what is the hardest thing to do in today's world... Leading by good example.

To clarify what I'm further going to put on here: Once the end of November comes, I will put every detail of my training on here... every detail. I plan on starting at 20 400m repeats every week and add 4 as each week passes... goal is to get above 60. Current pr is 50, which was last winter (I was suppose to discuss this today, but I'll do it another time :). During this time- till Novermber, I will share stories and where I believe my fitness to be, as well as, some training here and there.

But if anyone really wants to know of my exact training before I hit 1/2 marathon training and above come november... feel free to email me at mud.mayes@gmail.com I will be glad to answer all questions.

Oh ya...in tribute to Harold...wherever he is these days... (cut and paste into your browser)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWNDOqmYuto

Last thing to note, Mike was a baller in college. Split a 46 in the 400m (not bad for a white guy) and split a 1.46 a relay (ran 1.47.1 open 800m)... He also played collegiate football and almost went pro in the NFL. Went to the preseason training camp and made the cut, heart wasn't in it and now makes bank as Geologists and coaches over 100 kids at any point in the year. Impressive.

The secret to running is Borden Chocolate Milk.

-clay j. mayes the 3rd