yoderbegley.com
June 26, 2009

USATF National 10,000 meter Champ

Wow!  I woke up at 4:30 AM and could not go back to sleep.  I realized this year and last night were not a dream.  I won!  
This has been the year I have always dreamed of. I am healthy and having fun running PR’s and testing my limits.  
Andrew warmed-up with me as usual to give me my pre-race pep talk.  He told me to “Just do it and don’t think”.  That
became my mantra for the race.  My goal was to go into the race and not put limits on myself.  I wanted to get through the
race without hesitating and just racing.

This was the most fun I have had running a 10k.  Shalane and I agreed to take turns leading every 800 meters for a 15:
45 5k and then see what happens.  We wanted to put on a good show for the Hayward crowd and run a good time.  The
laps went by so fast we would forget who was supposed to be leading.  We traded laps longer than 5k because we had
a good time going and it was really windy on the back stretch.  The more we could help each other the better.

I finished with a 67 last lap to win.  I ran 31:22.69 that is a 21 second PR.  All the speed work has really paid off!  As an
added bonus I also ran the Hayward Field record, which means I have run the fastest 10k ever run on that track.  That
was a really great honor.  Plus to do it in the OTC jersey was even better.  

After my race, I got to watch Galan finish his collegiate career in his Oregon jersey.  What a night for our group and
Alberto.  It has been an amazing year and the summer has just begun.  Now I get to represent the USA in the World
Champs in Berlin.  My race is August 15th.  This will be my first trip to Europe.  I can’t wait to experience the track meets
over there!

I am looking forward to redeeming myself on the world level and really competing.  

Thanks for all the support and encouragement!  

Dream big and SET GOALS!
Amy Yoder Begley - USA Olympic Distance Runner
Nike Oregon Track Club Athlete