Run, Bailey, Run!!

A year or so ago, Michael went to the Parent/Teacher conference for Bailey. Her teacher described Bailey as 'savagely quirky'. This is a great description of our Bailey. 

She is running cross country this year in her first year of middle school. We did not get to attend the meet that was hosted by Oldham County Schools. Andie sent us these pictures of our Bailey before and during the race. Can you tell this child is 'savagely quirky'? Just love this girl to pieces!

This Saturday, October 20th, we were able to attend as Bailey participated in the Kentucky Track and Cross Country Coaches Association (KTCCCA) Meet of Champions. This is the final meet of the season and is for the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky. It was held at Masterson Station Park in Lexington. There would be over 6000 runners participating. Multiply that by family members wanting to see them and coaches and chaperones and you have one very, very, very full park and tons O'traffic. We made it into the park and were directed where to park. Then we walked to the entry gate and paid our $8 per person fee to enter. This sign was by the entry gate and cracked me up.

We found the tent for the Oldham County Colonels but no Bailey there. The girl must roam. We put up our folding chairs and planted ourselves outside the tent for when she returned. I sent Michael and Andie a text telling them we made it in and where we could be found. They made it in as well and joined us to wait for Bailey to return. Then we were all off to the starting area for her to warm up for the run. She and three other girls would run this time. There were other girls running from OCMS at other times. 

And at 1:30pm, that mass of humanity moved to the starting line and, when the gun went off, they started running. It is amazing to watch that field of kids all running to where the line of runners will narrow. They each have a chip attached to their shoes. When they cross the start line, the chip reads their starting time. When they cross the finish line, it reads their finish time. I love that while they are all trying to help their team do their very best, they are also running to better their own time. 

Michael showed us where to go stand so we could cheer Bailey as she ran past along the route. They would run 3 kilometers or about 1.86 miles.  

Then we walked over to the finish line to see our girl finish her race. If you look between the two men, the girl running is Bailey. That big blue thing over the grass is where their chip is read at the finish line. 

Bailey really wanted a t-shirt so Michael and Andie helped her make her choice at one of 3 big t-shirt making areas. All the same vendor, just so much demand they spread them out into three areas. The lines were long so Claude and I were place holders while Bailey went with her parents to make their choice. This is what grandparents are for...place holders when needed. It is an easy gig.

I love this picture of Claude with Bailey after her race. She has a special place in her heart for this Big Guy. He has lots of love for his grandmonsters and is just a good man that way. I love it. 

Bailey rode the bus to the meet and wanted to ride it home because, well, they were stopping to have a meal together. Social beings like that kind of thing. Andie and Michael left to have lunch together at Wendy Corner. Hayden was at a birthday party for a friend so they had a kid free few hours. Claude and I treated Bailey to some treats from the food vendor and then we left to have lunch at Firehouse Subs. 

We received these two pictures from Andie. It seems Oldham County girls won the Kentucky Track and Cross Country Coaches Association (KTCCCA) Meet of Champions 2018 Middle School Girls Champions. How cool is that? 

Bailey has had a great time in Cross Country for her first year of Middle School. She has informed Michael and Andie that 6th grade is the year of experiences. She wants to experience it all in Middle School so she can find things to get college credit at when in High School. I see lots of trips to LaGrange in our future to watch her participate in all the 'experiences'. She is her Mother's child!!