track 2011

Right now I'm in Eugene, Oregon for the last meet of the year. Maybe I'm just getting older and more sentimental but I've really been thinking and reflecting about this track season. This year like all years has had some ups and downs and twists and turns. It's amazing to look back and realize how much I've learned and how blessed I am to just be able to travel around with my best friends and do something I love. I only have one more season left and I realize that more than getting PRs and winning every race it's about the memories and friendships you make that will last. (Totally cheesy I know but I really believe that) Three years down...one more to go.
Justin Bieber "Baby" was my anthem this year. I listened to that song before every race. That's a lot of races probably like 15 but I'm telling you right now...it never got old. Love JB.

JUNIORS (plus Katie Palmer). Our class is seriously the bomb. We have serious Junior pride and maybe it's because Tom Holmoe the athletic director himself told us last year we had the best skit at XC camp that he's ever seen. I didn't say it....he did. Oh and I will always be able to tell pictures from the middle of Junior year track because I took this gray headband from Lacey and wore it every single day for two maybe three weeks straight and it was hilarious because it was her favorite. I mostly wore it just to spite her.

This year for the first time I had to cross train for a week because of a slight injury I had in my back/bum area and I also got an iron IV. Yes this whole bag of fluid was dumped into my body. I learned a lot from this whole experience and it made me super thankful for when I'm healthy and made me have more compassion for girls that have been injured since September. It's not fun but aqua jogging for one day was actually pretty entertaining but it was one day.

My mom and I cheering at the meet. The man in front of us kept plugging his ears because I was cheering so loud and when my teammate would come around the turn he would plug his ear in anticipation. It was super funny.

Before the mile at Idaho State. First indoor race. Wooden track. Family drove up. 5 1/2 months later and the season is now over. Time flies eh?

Most of the time we stay at really nice hotels like the Marriott or the Double Tree (FREE COOKIES every time you walk in. Yeah it's the bomb) but here in Eugene we are staying at the Shiloh Inn. These are our keys. Need I say more?

This picture was taken freshman year in Laramie, Wyoming.

Almost a full two years later in Albuquerque. Look how far we've come.

The New York meet is the bomb (hence why I did a whole blog post about it). Some of the reasons: family, hotel four blocks away from Times Square, subway rides, bagels, broadway, thriving in my home town, etc etc)

The quad. We've seen each other cry, laugh, win, puke, lose, trip, scream, get heartbroken, giddy with excitement, in immense physical pain, dance at practice and locker room and at lifting, eat, get made fun of by another member, and the list could go on. We are like siblings and my season would not be the same without these three girls.

The BACON BAR. It's a maple bar with bacon on the top. Voodoo donuts is the place to be in Eugene and Alec, Randi, and Chloe took us there. Looks weird? Well it's actually to DIE for. So good.

Penn Relays. 4x800 on Saturday afternoon with 48,531 fans watching. Finally some respect for our sport. It was out of control. The only problem is it makes all other meets look sissy comparatively. Oh and literally hundreds of Jamaicans were chanting my name as I ran because my parents and grandparents were in the stands and the Jamaicans just wanted somebody to cheer for so hundreds started yelling SARAH SARAH SARAH and you could hear them on the other side of the stadium. Best. Thing. Ever.

Mt. Sac. All making bingo cards for one of our team meetings. Kari and I got a pedicure after we went to the beach and it was cold in Provo. Woo hoo.

I've had the great blessing to have family come to so many of my meets. Here in Oregon my cousin Alec and his wife Randi and precious little girl Chloe came. My parents and grandparents have come to many meets. Jayne got to come to Stanford this year. Matthew came and watched me at BYU as well as my aunt Camille and Gary who drove down to watch me run a 4x4oo in the rain. My Edwards grandparents also came to a few meets in Provo and Annie and her family were in New York. Oh and Kelli my cousin/roomie came and watched at BYU. Love all these people and it really means a lot to me.

Our cool downs consist of a lot of stopping and taking pictures as can be seen by this but I mean it's all about the journey not the destination? That's what I keep telling myself when I'm too tired and try and think of a way to make a run more pleasant.


IN CONCLUSION: Track is almost over and after I go race the 4x400 in a few hours I will get a two week break which my body is really wanting right now especially my left hamstring. I'm really lucky to be here and I love my team and coaches a lot. I've learned a lot running wise and a lot in life as well. I just am very grateful.