This is the first entry in a series from Jordan Mann, this year's surprise fifth-place finisher in the U.S. steeplechase and mixed zone media darling. This weekend, he will chronicle his experience competing at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Championships (NACAC) in Toronto, Canada. 

About a year ago, I had a conversation with my sister about Usain Bolt and stardom. 

I’d just returned from London, where I’d watched the 2017 World Championships after my first-ever European track season, and as part of the fanfare surrounding Usain Bolt’s last attempt at gold on the world stage, my friend’s family and I sat down to watch a documentary that both chronicled his journey—his hopes, wants, dreams, and insecurities, as well as his rise to fame—an analysis of what makes him such a compelling figure even among the pantheon of elite track and field athletes. In short, the movie suggested Bolt rose to fame in such spectacular fashion not only because he had the talent to be a transcendent athlete, but also because he had the personality to transcend athletics. 

I joked with my sister about it: “Man, if only I was better at running and social media. I love attention, and definitely have the demeanor to be a star.” 

About a year later—the day after #NACACyearletsgo, the fifth-place finish in the USATF Outdoor Championship steeplechase, and that mixed zone interview—she got on the phone with me: “Yeah, you were right—you definitely have the demeanor to be a star. Everyone’s watching this interview like, ‘OMG, THIS GUY’S SO FUNNY!’ and I’m thinking, ‘That’s just my brother…’ Too bad you’re not better at running!”

I’m trying my best, Madison! 

Undoubtedly, the attention I’ve received will look more like a drop in the pond of crazy things B-circuit bros (And other mid-level runners, however you identify) have done for exposure more in hopes of a New Balance Chanukah (i.e., receiving some paper from the apparel companies that give ‘em shoes) than anything resembling fame or stardom. 

In the grand scheme of things, I’m just another 8:28 guy who happened to give a funny interview after finishing fifth at USAs, and, as Ray told me after, “you only get one of those.” But still. The journey of that weekend was so wildly rewarding because I felt an outpouring of love for the person I am, the dude I’ve been, and the man I want to be. 

I had brothers calling me "the realest" and commenting “100s” for “black people love anime,” DMs from runners looking to go to (anime) cons, and most importantly, messages from young athletes who expressed feeling like people count them out, like people don’t believe in them, and who felt kinship with and inspiration from me that I’m humbled to have incited in any capacity. 

And let me reassure you: I am the dude in that interview. 

Like I said, when my sister watched the interview, she said, “That’s just my brother.” I went out for some drinks a few nights after the race with some old friends from Springfield, Illinois, who I hadn’t seen in maybe six years, and they said they watched the interview and thought, “Good to see he’s still the same dude at heart." 

Mann reunited with his friends in Springfield, Illinois.

Alex Stanton, a teammate from my Brown days, even sent me a screenshot of this text between her and her boyfriend:

She later said it would make a great profile for a dating app. 

But to my first point, it’s the fact that, somehow, just being myself managed to do all that. And that’s freaking awesome. 

So, of course, I have larger ambitions in this whole thing than I did a couple months ago—my PB steeplechase happening in a tactical race indicates I can run faster now (and, if not for a small foot injury when I was in Kortrijk, I fully believe I would have). 

My season in Europe, featuring a 3K in which I closed the last 1000m in 2:25 and nipped Patrick Tiernan at the line, as well as a 5K PB for the win in the third heat at the Night of Athletics (I thought I told ‘em about those slow heats in 2014) indicates that if I can stay healthy and happy and keep enjoying the sport, my best running is still ahead of me.

Like I said on the phone to FloTrack, I’m just a dude in this whole thing. I have hobbies, interests, and a life outside of track. 

Mann after placing fifth in the 2018 USATF Outdoor Championships steeplechase.

I might have been this (see above) shocked to have finished that half-second off of fourth place in Des Moines, Iowa, but while I’m far from ready to proclaim world championship-or-bust about my career anytime soon, I do intend to establish myself as a fixture among the elite U.S. steeplechase in the near future. 

In other words, if you run that U.S. final 100 times, there may be more times I get beat by my boy Tripp rather than Haron and MJ, but still, next year, I’m out to prove it wasn’t a fluke. 

And oh, there’s still that thing called the NACAC coming up on Sunday. I’m about this excited: 

But more on that tomorrow. 

If you made it all the way here, I hope you can wait :)