A Sioux Falls teacher just completed the New York City marathon this past Sunday; something she never thought she could do. Now she's sharing the experience with her students, and teaching them the value of determination.

Gail Flaa is a first grade teacher at Discovery Elementary in Sioux Falls, but she's also a wife, a mother, an athlete, and now a marathon runner. She finished 26.2 miles in less than five hours, and says she couldn't have done it without her husband and two daughters.

"Every Sunday was my long run day; Sunday's family day,” Flaa said. “They were OK with me going out running 25 miles for four and a half hours."

Flaa also had the support of her students, who brought their own medals and trophies today to show *their accomplishments. Some even looked for their teacher during the marathon on TV.

"I thought she wasn't going to make it to the end of the race, but she did," student Maddie Girouard said.

Even though running in New York City among 42,000 people was an amazing experience, Flaa says she could've picked any location to achieve her goal. She picked New York City because of the time of year.

"It was on November 1st and my husband and I lost a baby at 34 weeks on October 30th six years ago. I tend to go through a little depression that time of year," Flaa said

Flaa says baby Olivia was with her every step of the way, thanks to a charm tied to her shoelace. Rather than think about the child she lost, Flaa turned the anniversary into a celebration.

"Being in the city, my mother came along, she's 77 years old, my sister met us from Texas; it was theraputic in that we were all together celebrating Olivia and doing something in my lifetime that I never thought would happen," Flaa said.

She hopes her students will remember her story, and know they can reach their goals, too.

"Dig down deep and accomplish something and if they have family and they have love, that's all they need, they can do anything," Flaa said

After the race, Flaa swore she wouldn't do another full marathon because it was so much hard work, but now she's planning where her second one will be.