Bailey set a goal when she was 10 years old to complete a marathon before she turned 16. After 18 long, hard weeks of training, she accomplished that goal on July 24th at the Deseret News Classic Marathon in Salt Lake City. We're so so so so so very proud of her!
The Training
Training for a marathon is the hardest part! She was 100% dedicated, and never complained! She printed off her training program, and for 18 weeks she stuck to it without fail! She wouldn't even miss her training runs on vacation! Every Saturday morning she was up with the sun, ready for her long run. It's mentally and physically exhausting, but she handled it like a champ!
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| Bailey completing her longest training run. She ran 20 miles. Sawyer ran the last 3 miles with her to help her finish. |
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| She knew that if she could do the 20 mile training run, that she would be able to complete the marathon. |
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| After her 20 miler, we had to drive Sawyer back to the river to pick up his car. In the 5 minutes it took to get him there, she was already zonked out in the back seat. |
Race Day
We were so excited for race day! Her friend, JD, was running the marathon too. He was doing it for his senior project. I love seeing awesome kids accomplish huge things! Bailey had to get up at 2:50 in the morning, because the busses left to take them up Emigration Canyon at 3:30. The race started at 5:30.
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| Getting on the busses at 3:30AM! |
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| Here is their "I can't believe we're up this early to torture ourselves" selfie on the bus! |
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| Hanging around at the starting line in the dark. |
We couldn't see them run until they came out of the canyon. We were waiting for her around mile 17. Sawyer ran with her from mile 17 to mile 19, so he could talk to her and see how she was doing. Her body was definitely feeling the downhill at this point, but she still seemed to be in good spirits.
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| Mile 17 |
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| Mile 19 |
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| We picked Sawyer up, and then dropped him off again at mile 22, so he could run with her through the hardest part of the race. |
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| I was waiting for them at mile 23, so I could run the finish with her. This is where she hit the wall! By mile 24 she was in tears and didn't think she could keep running. With every step she took she felt like she was going to pull her quad muscles. Me and Sawyer just had to talk to her and encourage her the whole way to keep her moving. She had a 'theme' throughout her training. It was even printed on her training schedule. It was, "I don't care if this is nuts, and I don't care if it hurts. I am doing it!" I'm sure she had to repeat that to herself several times during this whole process, and especially during the last 3 miles. I'm proud to say that when it would have been understandable to walk, she somehow kept her body running! |
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| Coming down the final stretch! |
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| She did it! She is a marathoner! I got teary-eyed when I saw her cross the finish line. I'm not sure there is much in life this girl won't accomplish. |
Jim and Ann Marie drove down from Idaho to see her finish. They are the best, and it meant a lot to Bailey to have them there. Jim finished his first marathon a couple months before this, so he understands and appreciates the accomplishment.
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| Jim, Bailey, and Ann Marie |
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| We're so glad Sawyer was back from his mission in time to be there for this. He was very proud of his sister! |
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| Bailey was in a lot of pain, so she enjoyed every second of her post marathon massage. |
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| Not only did they finish, but they both placed in their age groups! They each left with 2 medals! They are beyond awesome! |
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| Fan club! |
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| Bailey and Emma- these girls have been running together since 6th grade. It was fun to have Emma there! |
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| Our cute little marathoner! |
Results
Time: 4:01:47
Age Group (15-18): 1st place
Females: 32 of 156
Overall: 115 of 396
Congratulations Bailey Rae! We are beyond proud of you! Enjoy your week off....you deserve it!
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