You should'nt be downshifting to first, ever. It's a gear for starting from a stop -- not down shifting into. Hence why it feels hard to get into, because it doesnt want to go.

In any case, I don't think you've hurt anything doing that. Also, when going into first you will probably hear a whine that is relative to the speed of the engine, mine does it - similar to when you're in reverse.

Now, the engine noise. Could either be valves or you could have bad knock. If it's ticking and gets faster and faster with the revs, it's likely valves, at 60k miles or so, it's probably due anyway.

Go get some $1.00 tools and check your clearances.