My running coach, Freddy, organizes a race every year for the past 27 years, called Las 16 Millas de Sabrina (Sabrina’s 16 Miles). This event is not only useful for many runners because they can use the results to qualify for marathons, but the money earned is donated to different organizations. 

When I was first told about this race, shortly after I joined the group, I knew I wasn’t ready to run 16 miles yet, and even though I had never run 10 miles, I thought I might be able to. I thought about just signing up for it, but decided to do the responsible thing and talk about it with the person I could trust to tell me the truth, Freddy. I signed up quickly after he told me I was ready. 

The one thing that did worry me was my ankle. It has been getting better but I kept worrying as the day of the race got nearer because it still bothers me after a while when I run. I have been doing everything I could to make it better but I still worried as the day of the race got nearer. 

The race was on Sunday, August 10 at 4 AM. It was really early but anything later would just be too hot. I got there at 3 AM and woke up at two. I had been trying to go to sleep earlier every night the whole week so I would be able to get a good night’s sleep but I ended up only sleeping for four hours that night. Fortunately, I was able to get up in a good mood, get ready quickly and be there early. 

As soon as I got to the stadium where the race started and ended, I quickly started noticing a lot of Freddy’s Runners shirts. There were a lot of us there, and it’s nice because each time I meet more people from all over the island. 

Freddy’s Runners

A lot of them were running the 16 miles but there was still a group doing 10 miles, the 5K, and volunteering in the different oasis, or the spots where the runners went in different directions. I saw a lot of people during the race, and I always enjoy the motivation you get from them, whether it’s cheering on one another or just acknowledging each other’s presence because we’re all Freddy’s Runners. 

I  was able to run a little bit over the first three miles. After that I switched between walking and running. I finished the race in 2 hours, 17 minutes and 53 seconds. I was told that I had a good timing. I’m happy with how I did because I stayed close to my regular speed, 13 minutes per mile. Staying at pretty much the same speed, between 12 and 14 minutes per mile for 10 miles is pretty good. The only time I sped up was when I was running through the Bacardi distillery, where people were cheering for us, with music and I felt safe. 

Bacardi distillery in Cataño, Puerto Rico

After Bacardi, there were only about two miles left until I reached the stadium. This time, crossing the finish line felt amazing. I actually did it, 10 miles! I was tired for the rest of the day, and the next day after sleeping for 12 hours straight, but that doesn’t change the fact that I wanted to do it, I trained, and I did it!

Thank you Freddy for your training, patience and believing in me, as well as everyone in the Freddy’s Runners group.

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Published by mariacristinasanfeliu

I’m an aspiring writer still looking for exactly what I want to write about, with a lot of creativity, imagination and desire to write. I studied Writing and Rhetoric at Syracuse University where I explored many different sides of writing through my classes and extracurricular activities in order to narrow my search for an identity as a writer. I have written for Citrus TV Noticias and La Voz magazine, both of which gave me the chance to explore different mediums in which to write in. Through Citrus TV Noticias I also gained experience in translating from English to Spanish and vice versa, which is also something that I would be interested in working on since I am fluent in both of these languages. I was also an intern at Syracuse University Press where I got hands on experience in what goes into actually editing and publishing a book. Through out the last four years I have faced a lot of challenges, which helped chape the person I am today. After being in a tragic car accident, being in comma, having a Traumatic Brain Injury, and being in therapy for over a year, I am a new me, willing to face challenges and knowing how to deal with them. I want to write about my accident and life after it to help others, show them it can be done and help in any way I can.

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