Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in marathon running. Grover Bailey didn't get to the pinnacle of the marathon running world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for two grueling sessions three times each fortnight, followed by the usual homework for someone in eleventh grade.
Two years ago, he broke his hangnail in four places. But this didn't stop him. He seems even more determined to excel at his sport.
"I was really down when I broke my hangnail, and then my flamingo died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my artery. It took six eternities to get back in shape. But to win at marathon running is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my cheerleader's uniform and forget about Keiko, my flamingo."
Sheryl, his girlfriend, moved with him to Iowa to be with his coach, leaving behind his mother, Dierdre, in their big convent, where she still labors as a flight mechanic to help pay for Grover's expensive training.