Chapter 1: A New Beginning

In mid-July 2019, my life was starting to improve. I was making strides in therapy, spending more time with friends, and enjoying runs both solo and with Aidan. Quality moments with my eldest son, Matthew, were becoming more frequent, allowing me to feel like I could finally move forward.

One Saturday morning, while watching Matthew and Aidan play in the backyard, my phone buzzed with a text from my best friend, Don. "Hey Steve, you should sign up for the Cruise In Shoes 5k race." The idea of a 5k seemed ridiculous to me. I had shown I could run a mile competitively, but a 5k? I hadn’t attempted one since 1995, and the event was only three weeks away—far too soon to train properly. After a brief exchange of messages, I paused to reflect and decided, "Why not?" I replied, “Okay, I’ll do it.”

I began my training, yet the entire concept felt a bit absurd. Here I was, making a comeback to running, all because my friend had encouraged me to tackle a 5k. I logged as many miles as I could, questioning why I had let Don convince me. Despite my hesitations, a spark of curiosity ignited within me—what could I achieve in this race, given my current state?

For me, running had always been about competition; however, now I was grappling with overcoming the deepest depression I had ever faced. Running had become a lifeline, transforming my struggle into something manageable. I realized that without seeking help and reconnecting with running, my situation could have turned out much differently. This wasn’t just a nostalgic return; it was a rebirth.

August 17, 2019

It was early morning as I stood alone outside Shrine High School in Royal Oak. As one of the first runners to arrive, I felt a surge of nervous energy. With an hour to go before the race, I had ample time to warm up and mentally prepare.

After about 45 minutes, Don showed up. Though my nerves were still present, I tried to embrace a lighter mindset. I jokingly told him that as long as I finished ahead of him, everything would be right in the universe. This humor alleviated some tension, but I still wondered if I could perform well during the race.

As we gathered near the starting line, my competitive spirit kicked in. I nudged forward slightly, but not too much; it had been nearly 24 years since my last 5k, and I had to be realistic about my placement. When the horn signaled the start, I was eager to take off, but I found myself boxed in by slower runners. Some were even taking selfies, which only added to my frustration.

As I jogged along Woodward Avenue, I gradually navigated past other runners until I found my rhythm about half a mile in. Suddenly, it felt like I was back in cross country, but this time on the streets of Royal Oak. I maintained a good pace and crossed the finish line with a time of 26:16, securing 10th place out of 25 runners in my age group. Finishing that race was a clear sign—I was fully back in the running game.

My return was a personal triumph, yet I knew challenges lay ahead.

Section 1.1: Embracing the Challenge

As I embarked on this new chapter, I realized that overcoming mental barriers was just as important as physical training. Running had become my form of therapy, a way to confront my struggles head-on.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Impact of Support

Chapter 2: The Race Day Experience

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