Emma Bates was confident and ready to put down a remarkable performance at the Boston Marathon prior to the event taking place on Monday. Not even the weather could hinder what she was able to accomplish at the historic event.
In her Boston Marathon debut, Bates ran a new lifetime best of 2:22.10, placing 5th overall in the women’s field. She was the top American on the day as well.
Bates was consistent throughout the race, staying in the lead pack for a majority of the race, and even taking the lead multiple times throughout the 26.2 mile course. Her resiliency in the race was a result of the training that she put in, and staying focused on herself and not the other runners.
“We really practice that in workouts and training,” she said. “So my coaches always reminded me, – he asked me what’s your mind doing. So it kind of brings you into the moment and kind of makes sure you kind of check in with yourself and kind of puts the blinders on and just makes you focus on you and what you’re feeling and what you’re thinking. So the whole time I was like, don’t worry about anything else, just worry about you – you versus you. And just really focus on each foot in front of the other and like your arm swing, and just every little kind of detail that is going on in your body. And just really bring yourself into that.”
Bates is coached by Joe Bosshard and trains with Team Boss in Boulder, Colorado. She trains with the likes of Olympic bronze medalist Emma Coburn, Aisha Praught-Leer and Cory McGee among other elite athletes in the group. The support that she’s received from her team, as well as the city of Boulder is not lost on Bates, especially after her remarkable performance on Monday.
“I have an incredible team out in Boulder, Colorado, we have about 13 women on our team and very high caliber athletes like Olympians, and a lot of women that are trying to make the Olympics,” she said. “And so we’re all in the same category, going after the same goal. So that just elevates me so much, just knowing that they’re going after big goals, too, and dreams. But also, just the entirety of Boulder is just the biggest support system I’ve ever experienced. Everybody just gets running. And even if they’re not professional athletes, they just love it so much and support each other so much. And it doesn’t matter how you do if you take last in the race, they still are going to be there for you. And then my friends and family, they’ve been there through the beginning and through thick and thin. I’ve always told them that this is my dream. And they’ve always been behind me in that, and I know they’re so proud of me today.”
Related: Emma Bates is Ready to Achieve Greatness at the Boston Marathon
Running on a big stage has always been the goal for Bates. It’s something that she’s trained for and continues to train for. As time progressed, Bates began to envision that days like Monday’s race in Boston could become a reality, which manifested itself on the course in Boston.
“I mean, I always hoped I would make the Olympics, but I never knew (what event) and I just wanted to be great at something,” she said. “And so I think that tenacity and that drive to be more really got me to this place. But no, I never really saw myself 5th at Boston, or in contention to win Boston until this year, really. So it’s amazing to be here. I really want to let this soak in and just feel how special this is.”
Bates enjoyed the moment, and it paid off for her. Throughout the race, she was seen smiling as she ran through the streets of Boston. Each smile that she displayed was a symbol of pride that she has for not only the marathon, but the community feel that was felt in Boston.
“I mean, there were so many times that I was smiling, so I can’t really pinpoint one,” she said. “But it was just really taking in everything around me and realizing how cool this is. And everybody’s out there having the time of their life just celebrating. And I just had to smile every time I saw somebody that just, you know, was so so thrilled to be out there and to be spectating. And like I don’t know, it’s just so so cool. Like this community like running is such a tight knit community. And I’m just so proud to be part of it.”
