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May 24, 2005
Remembering Margaret Bradley
Once again, it has been weeks since I posted an update or anything related specifically to running! I am still engaged, and I am still only running 20 miles/week, but all of that is about to change. For the first time in - well, forever - I am going to have some free time. I am quitting my job on Friday. I am going to work at the running store when called upon and I am going to focus on writing my MA thesis. Long term, I think I want to teach freshman composition - there is something about 18 year-olds that I find incredibly fascinating, refreshing, and fun. They are experiencing an odd transition from high school to college where they go from the summit to the bottom all over again; a humbling experience to be sure! They are also, in many ways, discovering the world and their own ideas for the first time. I don't mind observing that process or helping them unwind it through their writing.
But I am not writing today so much to give everyone an update as I am writing to remember a good friend of mine who passed away last summer, Margaret Bradley. I have written about her a few times, but it never seems to get easier. This weekend was particularly hard - Universal Sole in Chicago (www.universalsole.com) put on the first annual Margaret Bradley 10K. For those familiar with Chi-town, we had the race in Hyde Park and ran from 63rd Street to 47th and back on a relatively flat (but hilly by Chicago standards!) out-and-back course. A few women posted some fast times. The men and women ran at different times. At first I was a little weary of running a women's only race, but I actually enjoyed the solidarity and peacefulness of running with just women.
The day started with a forecast of rain, clouds, and thunderstorms. I arrived at 6:30AM to help out and I was unsure of what kind of mood the weather was going to throw at us. But just before the start of the race at 8:00AM, the sun peeked through and eventually dispersed the gray clouds. Not a drop of rain fell on us. I have to think, in my heart and with whatever shread of faith that I have left, that that was a sign and not a coincidence. For those of us who knew Margaret, we can assure you that she would never allow it to rain on her race :)
I still felt a twist of emotion wrapping around my body, though. I made the decision on Saturday that I was not going to race the course, but that I was going to jog it. I ran 15 miles on Saturday so I was feeling the sting of that run! 15 miles is about 75% of my weekly mileage so my legs were acting semi rebellious and giving me a lot of attitude. I hooked up with Sue from our team (a sub 3 hour marathoner and a sub 40 minute 10Ker) and we decided that we would coast the course together. I have no idea what I would have done without her - it would have been a lonely trek! Sue and I have both been bogged down by work and life so neither one of us have had the time to train correctly.
And, of course, we started too quickly - running though the mile in 6:36 and the three mile in 19:40 something. I got sick right before mile 4 - not from running too hard either. I have been struggling with some odd stomach issues that I need to get checked out. I had to stop and walk for a few minutes. Miraculously, Sue and I still managed to finish in 44:00 minutes. She stayed with me the entire time - even when I told her that I was going to drop out.
The best part of the race was feeling the spirit surrounding the race and post-race activities. Mrs. Bradley surprised quite a few of us by showing up - and winning her age group! She also wore the number 33 ... the same number that Margaret wore in the Falmouth Road Race. That was another weird "coincidence." It was good to see Margaret's mom. Ever since Margaret's death we have tried to stay in touch with each other. I suppose I see a lot of Margaret in her and maybe she sees a little bit of Margaret's love and desire in her running friends. It still feels empty when I think about her - a part of me continues to refuse to let her go completely. She loved life and running more than anyone that I know. I miss her cheerfulness, positive attitude, and undying love for the sport. I also miss telling her to pull back on the mileage when she was injured, to call the boy that she liked, and to gun for the 2008 Olympic Marathon Trials. It is no secret that she would have been there . . . whispering all along, "there's Deena, and Colleen, and Jen!" She loved everything that this sport represents and every runner who represents it well.
I miss you, Margaret.
Posted by bridget at May 24, 2005 07:26 AM
Comments
I think that's the first blog entry that has almost made me cry. Thank you for such a nice entry. I still wish I could have been at the race, but in lieu of being there it's really nice to read your account of it.
And on a separate note, I am so glad to hear that you're going to have more free time! I hope the transition goes well and that you have a great summer!
Posted by: Alison at May 24, 2005 10:52 AM
Beautiful entry. Enjoy your upcoming free time, just in time for summer :)
Posted by: Audrey at May 24, 2005 04:16 PM