The World's Toughest 10K.

Dear running coach,

I put my fotobug shoes into good use early this morning as the sun started to peek over the Sandia mountains. I arrived with 8 minutes til the official race start time. I didn't want to warm up for the race, a choice I made the night before. (Actually, a choice I made the night before while standing in the dark where I remembered the starting line drawn last year.) At ten thirty Saturday night, I asked my husband to drive me to I-25 and Tramway so I could stand in the dark and be face to face with the challenge us runners have. The hype, the start, the energy, tension, anticipation...... the lack of sleep, wondering if the right foods were consumed, thinking if I trained enough... the list goes on. But as I stood there, wearing my fotobug shoes, I came to terms with the steep incline and faced my pre race jitters while my husband waited patiently in the car for me. (He is so flippin' rad!) I slept a little better than I normally would before a race day and the drive to the race wasn't filled with anxiety like it normally is. Eight minutes and counting, right before the gun went off, I remained calm and collected. The gun went off and I gently started my incline making sure that Lincoln stayed by my side for at least two miles. (After that, I didn't see him again!) He is known for taking off way too fast and then paying for it the last couple of miles (as you know). So, I pulled the reigns on him and he stayed with me. I listened to Randy (our new running coach) and kept focus on one person in front of me, trying not to look away... with each step climbing and always thinking of positive things, never the pain. It was a personal best for me in the WT10K, over four minutes faster than last year, placing GOLD. You said that I would run faster and you were right and the race itself felt awesome! Lincoln ran his longest distance in a race so far, he came in 23rd overall! We are already talking about doing it again next year....

I hope we made you proud!

Love, Sarah

Here are some of my favorite images from the race!

Getting up early is totally worth it to see this view! How lucky are we?!

Never ever.

Look at Lincoln's perfect runner legs!! (on the left)

He pushed it to the end. I am one proud sister, lemme tell you!!!

It's hard to see with such a condensed image file but my favorite part of this image is in the background. On the right, you can see three guys standing in the background. It's my two younger brothers and my husband. I zoomed the image in and Daniel looks shocked, Lincoln is smiling and David is checking out my PR time with his 'I'm proud of my wife face' grin.

Since Lincoln left me in the dust, I had to carry him......pft! (Side note: Mom took this with her point and shoot and I LOVE IT!)

The Eastbrook Studios Team was the official photographer for The World's Toughest 10K! Pamela with That's A Wrap! Event Productions called us to document the race. How exciting!! Since I was running in the race, superphotomom Cece and THE talented Guadalupe captured the race. They had a blast! Pamela organizes many races throughout the year, she is always super organized and she makes sure to cater to the needs of runners. We hope to see you photoblog readers sign up for future races!

Saying goodbye.

I am realllllly bad at saying goodbye. This weekend, I had to face 'a goodbye'. There are many reasons that I find goodbyes hard. My past is scattered with getting attached to someone I care about and then having to say goodbye..... some are for a little while and others I know I won't see again. And because I can't control that space of time, it makes it that much more difficult for me. This week I had to say goodbye to a wonderful family and my running coach. His training and support has made such an incredible difference in someone that means the world to me... my brother, Lincoln. I learned that my running coach is leaving for an opportunity that will benefit his family, which makes me glad he is going......and for selfish reasons I am beyond sad.

Before they left out of town, I documented his family. As long as I stayed focused on joyful baby Issac, I was able to compose myself...... just long enough to take their photos.

Sweet face.

Perfect hair.

Cute tush.
i love this one.

I adore the anticipation on Issac's face in the 'peek-a-boo' game.

I truly believe that only a mother knows what this feels like.... happy Mother's Day beautiful Ivy.
I don't understand why this door is low.... and why it needs a sign to warn people but, I love it!

LOVE it. love them.

Lincoln and I have a tradition at the end of our races together. Winner gets to be carried. The image below was from Lincoln's first race ever. 5k Run for the Hills where he placed third! On a side note: The following images were taken with moms camera phone or point and shoot.

I placed first in my age division. 10K.

Lincoln placed second! We also entered this race as a team and got fourth place together. Our team name was: Hungry Hippos...... when we run long distances (while training) we talk a lot about what we are gonna eat afterwards.

Dear running coach, Lincoln needed you more than words can ever describe. A little over a year ago he lacked direction in life and confidence in himself. No matter how many times I would tell him that he could do whatever he wanted with his life, he would remain stagnant. He simply just needed someone else with a different perspective (and on the outside) to tell him so. That's where you came along. There was a pivotal moment when I knew that Lincoln believed in himself. We had just finished a seven mile run and I was driving Lincoln home. Both of us were on a runners high, talking all the way home about what we were going to eat and how satisfying our hill workout felt. Lincoln was just about to get out of the car when he turned to me and said, 'Sarah..... I am pretty awesome, huh?' My heart burst with happiness and as I held back tears the only thing I managed to say was, 'Yes Lincoln, you are.' A year ago those words would have never come out of his mouth. He wasn't saying it to be boastful, he said it because he was proud of himself. The support that the running group and your positive coaching has given to him is something that I will forever be thankful for. Lincoln needed you more than even he knew and these days he has so many ideas about what he wants to do with his life that it's hard for him to choose! We will miss you soverymuch. Love, Sarah

the fotobug.... is now a shoe?!

A couple of weeks ago I got a message from one of my customers, Trang, who has become a dear friend to me. She is known as my 'floating bride'. She had asked me what size shoes I wore. I was so busy working that I just wrote her back and didn't really inquire as to why she wanted to know. Well, three weeks later she handed me a box with the most beautiful shoes inside! She told me it was a thank you gift for everything I have done for her. For her???? I strongly feel like it's the other way around! I am so busy working, working, working that I forget to eat. I often get calls and messages from Trang asking me if I have eaten yet. Most of the time I haven't even considered making time for myself to eat. But, Trang does. She takes care of me. She knows that I can drink a fresh coconut at any hour of any day and she knows that I can put peanut butter sauce on anything and love it. (My mouth is watering just at the mere thought!) She knows how much I need to eat because I am an avid runner and I need the extra energy. Trang is a great listener and a wonderful human being. And knowing that she cares about me means so much to me!

Check out my new fotobugs!

Running in pink shoes makes me go faster.... I just know it! You better watch out Lincoln... and Steve... and everyone else in my running group that is faster than me!

Trang, I love you pretty lady! xox

Thank you.... for just being you. <3

Just for today...

...I am going to tackle my new years list with a realistic attitude.

For me, it's easier to think of life in a smaller sphere of time. When I go running I simply place one foot in front of another. I can't just start running thinking that I will run 20 miles. But I know that I can run 5 miles easily. I will just run 5 mile increments four times. You see, I suffer from (self diagnosed) fourteen-a-phobia. Anytime I have to run a distance farther than fourteen miles I feel fear. I am afraid of many things that might happen during the run but, mostly I fear that I won't be able to finish the distance. A couple of weeks ago I completed a fifteen mile run and the reason I got through it was thinking about taking each mile, one at a time. I went through 'my lucky list', which is where instead of thinking about the physical pain or negative things (ie.; it's too cold to be running, my knees hurt, I am hungry, I can't do this...) I choose to concentrate on the things I am thankful for, like how my AWESOME running coach will be waiting for me with hydration or how I am thankful to have family.... or cheese.

I truely believe that all big things were once something very small. So, this year my list will consist of all things small in hopes that in the end it will have become something much greater. Here is part of my 2009 list:

Just for today I....

will talk less and listen more.
will think before I act.
promise to ignore the person who will cut me off in traffic.
will make a better effort to let the elderly go before me in line at the grocery store.
will ignore the pile of laundry on the floor.
remind myself about the little things in life that really matter.
will laugh at myself.
will pray for someone who is suffering.
call someone just to let them know I was thinking about them.
remind myself that perfection is unobtainable.
try something new.
let go of something old.
pick up litter.
won't text message while driving.
donate my time selflessly.
will sleep in an extra 20 minutes, maybe 25.
make more time for my handsome hubby and my family.
will try to accept the things I cannot change.
am going to stand up for something I believe in.

Just for today, I will not suffer from fourteen-a-phobia.