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Freedom Run



I decided to celebrate my freedom by running the Freedom Run 10k.
Not exactly my favorite kind of race
but definitely one to make me feel alive and happy.

For this girl
endorphins = happiness.

I know. I know. It's not everlasting happiness.
But I will take it.
The more happiness, the better.
Right?


My motto for this race:

"A lot of people race to see who is fastest. `
I race to see who has the most guts."
-Steve Prefontaine

It's time for me to show some guts in racing and training.
Time to get out of the grey zone and push myself hard.
Time to really hurt and put it all on the line.

I wanted to run sub 40 minutes.
That is a 6:25 pace.
That is fast for me.

The plan was to start out fast and try to hold it.
If I was going to die at the end, so be it.

Fortunately, I had some great company for the Sufferfest.
It went something like this:
I convinced Jen.
Jen convinced Carlee.
Carlee convinced Heather.

Here we are ready to race


We also have matching shoes!
Zoot, we love you!


I was especially grateful to be able to run next to Jen
for more than half of the race.
I love to train and race with that girl!

Well,
I went out hard but not hard enough.
I was trying to show some guts
but I failed.
Why is it so extremely difficult for me to get out of my comfort zone?

I was definitely going at a decent pace and having fun.
But, once again, I was too scared (or comfortable) to shift into that higher gear.

The end result:

40:22
7th of 607 women
37th of 1233 starters
"Only" 3:31 behind my hero, Kassi Andersen!

I am actually happy with my time.
Considering that there was quite a bit of uphill, especially at the end.
But I did not give it my best shot.
I was being conservative, as usual.

My vision:
Going all out,
leaving everything I have out there on the course,
crossing the finish line,
collapsing.

The reality:
Going almost all out,
holding back just in case,
crossing the finish line,
thinking:
"Oh, well, that was nice. Can we do it again?
This time I'll push harder, I promise!"

Since there was no repeat of the run,
I went on a nice bike ride instead,
planning my next 10k race....


Do any of you have these same issues in training and/or racing?
I am really curious...

PS: I forgot to mention that Travis Snyder did me (and James Lawrence and everyone around us) a huge favor by driving his ATV next to us, so that the Freedom Festival Camera Dude could be right in our faces for about a mile. Thanks! Now we kinda know what it feels like to be some famous pro!



Comments

Barbie said…
I always hold back a little in the run leg. I think I just get scared that I could injure myself as I am not a naturally gifted runner. Put me in the water and thats where I give it my all. No holds barred.
July 12, 2010
Leslie said…
Sarah that's still a great time! Great job! You could come do Des News 10k with me on the 24th if you want :) I wanted to do the marathon, but I don't think I'm going to.
July 12, 2010
Nate + Carlee said…
Yay! So glad that you talked Jen into talking me into talking Heather into doing this run! I actually really enjoyed it, and I LOVE those Zoots! Maybe someday I will be fast enough to run with you instead of doing races "at the same time." You are such a FAST runner. I will catch up...maybe.
July 13, 2010
Jamie Pearson said…
Wow you are impressive!
July 18, 2010
wilson4 said…
Have you found the pictures Travis' camera guy took from the ATV while we were running? I really want to see those.
July 20, 2010
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