Colorado University Athletics
Former Buffs Star Slattery Returns To 'Bolder'
May 24, 2016 | General, Track and Field, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — If there is one lasting memory of Sara Slattery in the minds of Colorado fans, one that identifies her immediately, it is her Bolder Boulder victory in 2006.
Not that there haven't been plenty of other memorable moments in the former Colorado standout's career. There was her NCAA indoor title in the 5,000 in 2003, followed by a 10,000 outdoor championship in 2005. There were All-American performances in cross country that helped the Buffs to national titles, a Pan Am Games gold medal in the 10,000 in 2007 and a U.S. 8K title in 2008.
But it is her 2006 Bolder crown — the last time an American man or woman has won the Bolder — that sticks out.
Now, 10 years and two children after her win, the 34-year-old Slattery will return to the race, running once again next Monday as a member of Team USA.
“It was probably the biggest and most meaningful win of my career,” said Slattery, who now makes her home in Phoenix with husband Steve (also a former Buff) and children Stevie and Cali. “It has a special meaning to me. Going to CU, running for CU and living in Boulder for 10 years, I watched the race many times. To have your friends and neighbors, the whole community, cheering you on and 50,000 people at the finish in your town is an amazing feeling.”
This year's Bolder is just the latest step in what Slattery calls the “second chapter” of her career. She'll follow the Memorial Day race by beginning her final training for the July USA Olympic Trials.
Earlier this year, Slattery ran an Olympic 'A' standard qualifying time in the 10,000. She will be lining up in Eugene for another shot at an Olympic berth — one of the few feathers in her career cap that's still missing.
“I'm excited,” Slattery said. “It's going to take a big effort to make the team, but it will still be fun to see what I can do.”
The “first chapter” of Slattery's pro career came to an end in 2012, the last of several injury-plagued years. She and Steve then moved to Phoenix to be close to her family, and soon thereafter Stevie was born.
But about a year ago, just after Slattery gave birth to Cali, the head track and field coach at Grand Canyon University, Tom Flood, gave Slattery a call. He wanted to know if she'd be interested in taking over distance coaching duties at GCU for the men's and women's programs.
Slattery considered the offer, then accepted it — and the move coincided with something she'd been considering for a while.
“After I had Cali, I wanted to have fun with running again,” Slattery said. “I wanted to try some races I hadn't done before and see what I could do.”
Slattery wasn't actively seeking a spot in the coaching world. She knew that chasing such a position would mean moving around the country, and she and Steve did not want to leave Phoenix.
But when opportunity knocked in her own backyard, she couldn't say no.
“I was so lucky to have this position come to me, and so lucky that Tom has been so flexible and helpful,” Slattery said. “It's been an awesome opportunity. I really enjoyed my college athletic experience, and as a coach, I hope to give other athletes the same experience I had.”
She then quickly found that being in constant contact with her new team also helped when she renewed her running career.
“Coaching has actually helped with my running,” Slattery said. “I was really enjoying getting to build that culture with my team. Running with them, watching their progress, motivated me. It made me want to train hard. It's been a really symbiotic relationship.”
Slattery originally planned to run in the U.S. Olympic marathon trials, a distance she'd never raced. But she missed the qualifying standard by a scant five seconds.
“I was a little disappointed with that,” Slattery said. “But then, I started thinking that my goal was just to get back into racing and have fun. I decided to get back on the track and see what I can do. I had a good base of fitness — what did I have to lose? So I've been entering races and having fun.”
That fun included a 32:13.03 finish in the 10,000 in the Payton Jordan Invitational at Stanford in early May. That was easily ahead of the Olympic 'A' qualifying standard, which set her up for a trip to Eugene in July.
“I have a lot different outlook at this point in my career,” Slattery said. “I'm much more relaxed. I don't stress the small stuff as much as I used to — I can't, with the amount of time I have. I'm enjoying the process a lot more.”
Slattery just missed an Olympic berth in 2008, finishing fourth in the Trials 5,000. Now, she has another chance — and the fact that she won't be a favorite doesn't bother her in the least.
“I'm a competitive person,” she said. “I always thought it would be awesome to give it another shot. You have goals, and I had that on the horizon. I've had two months since I hit the standard until the Trials, and I know that you never count yourself out. You never know who's going to be healthy, who's going to be ready on the line that day. If you don't believe in yourself, nobody else is going to believe in you.
“Sometimes, you just have to go for it.”
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
