Faces off the field: Mckenzie Bailey, senior distance runner, Georgetown
All about Mckenzie
Tell something about yourself that people don’t know.
I love plants. I have a garden and it brings me so much joy watching it go from nothing into a thing that feels manageable. It's so fruitful. I see all these tomatoes all of a sudden. It seems like it goes from dirt and little sprouts to something that's incredible.
Do you have summer plans?
I'm going to New England for my post-graduation trip with my mom. We're going to Boston for a few days and I'm excited to see the city where the Boston Marathon takes place. And the whole family is going on an Alaskan cruise that we've been planning since before COVID.
What are you looking forward to when you enroll at TCU this fall?
Not in a negative way, but I'd like a change and a fresh start. In a lot of ways I feel like it's going to allow me to kind of grow even more. And I'm excited to meet my teammates and be in an atmosphere of everyone dedicated to the same goals.
More: Five golds and four silvers later, how our area athletes to watch fared at state track
What do you consider to be the world's greatest invention?
Electricity. That's been the foundation point for so much more in society. I can't imagine anything without it.
On running at Georgetown
How much did it mean to you to get a gold medal at state?
A lot. It wasn't everything. I would have been disappointed if I didn't win, but I know I would have grown from that. I knew I had put in the work and I trusted myself going into the race. Before the race, I felt happy and calm. I wasn't surprised by it in a lot of ways.
What do you think about when you’re running?
It depends on what type of a run it is. My favorite are the long runs because that's when I can really let my mind wander. Sometimes I'll listen to a podcast. Other days, I like running with the guys and watching their stride and listening to their random stories.
Do you have any race day rituals?
When I was a freshman, I had some regimented rituals. I learned that when I become too structured on things, it turns everything up in the air and I panic. Now I do things I know I can do. I always wear my "optimist" necklace and my key earrings. I also wear a pair of socks that I know will feel good. Dancing on the starting line is the last thing I make sure I do.
Dream dinner
If you could have dinner with four people in the history of the world, who would they be?
I'm going to select (runners) Allie Ostrander, Alexi Pappas, Mary Cain and Lauren Fleshman.
What is the link between those four?
I think authenticity is one of my biggest values in life and each of these individuals truly embraces that. I have read Alexi Pappas and Lauren Fleshman's books and I continue to watch and look up to the work that all of these individuals do to help the sport grow and create a positive impact on future generations.
— Rick Cantu
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Georgetown runner Mckenzie Bailey discusses running, school, future
