Raul Mier was skimming through the International Firefighters Association Newsletter in December when he saw the advertisement for the 2001 World Police and Fire Games in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Mier, who recently completed his rookie year with the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue Department at Engine 8 on Broadway and 50th Street in West New York, left for the weeklong games on June 8 and will compete today (Sunday) in the Toughest Competitor Alive competition.
These games include about 10,000 athletes from more than 60 countries in 70 events, including archery, badminton, rugby, flag football and softball.
The toughest competitor alive competition includes a series of eight events beginning with a 3.1 mile run. The run is then followed by a 20-meter rope climb, a shot put throw, bench press, pull-ups, 10-meter dash, 100-meter swim and a 726-foot obstacle course.
Building character
Although Mier does not consider himself a tough guy, he does feel that the competition best fits Hudson County’s description.
“I don’t consider myself a tough guy, ’cause I am not,” said Mier. But he added that he wouldn’t feel right representing Hudson County in badminton or archery. “It is just the demeanor of Hudson County, whether it is Hudson County politics or the Hudson County football player. I’m from Hudson County. It says something right there.”
“This event best represents the character of the community,” said Mier. “From the working mom raising her children to the immigrant struggling to open his own business.”
While Mier planned to go into the games with a tough guy image in order to represent Hudson County, he did not think that these intimidation tactics were going to matter once he was in Indianapolis.
“I want to win, but that is not important to me,” said Mier, acknowledging that there would be better athletes from all around the globe at these games. “Just having the community and the fire department recognized is important.”
“Whether I come in first or last, we are all still winners,” said Mier. “It is really just me against myself.”
Basic training
While Mier is not banking on Hudson County’s reputation to win the competition, the 32- year-old feels that he is ready for this competition.
Mier probably received his best training on his physically demanding career path. Mier has spent six years as a Marine Corps Reserve, which included nine months of active duty, four years as a Union City Police Officer and this last year as a firefighter.
“This is definitely the most exhausting physical experience I have encountered,” said Mier about being a fireman. However, Mier still found it necessary to eat healthy and train three to four times a week for this competition.
“I won’t train more than three or four times a week,” said Mier, who has continued a healthy lifestyle since he was in high school. “At 32, if you don’t have it, you don’t have it.”
Mier dedicates one day of training to running and swimming, one day to pulling exercises and the last day to pushing exercises.
“I give 150 percent every time I train,” said Mier.
The North Hudson Firefighter Association is sponsoring Mier in these games.