Bradley Harvest Run Interview with Andrews Students

The Annual Bradley Family Harvest run was coordinated again this year by the Office of Alumni Services and the Andreasen Wellness Center. Although the weather was gloomy, the faces of the runners and walkers remained bright from the beginning to the end, reflecting the spirit of Dr. Bradley, who promoted running and an active lifestyle for the majority of his life. Out of the multitudes of participants, Grayce Kim (freshman, biology) ran the 10km race, while Ashlee-Rose Wilson (senior, religion and French), who “really hates running,” and Melissa Moore (sophomore, nutrition) ran the 5km race. Below, they share their experience.

Have any of you ever participated in the Bradley Family Harvest Run before? Please share what motivated you to sign up this year and your experience during the race. If you are a returning runner, was this year any different from previous years?

GK: This was my first Bradley Family Harvest Run, and I signed up because I wanted to get involved in more school activities as well as complete a personal goal, which is running a half marathon by the spring. This 10k was a perfect milestone for me to complete.

ARW: As you can guess, I've never done the Bradley Harvest Run or any run, really. I decided to sign up to join my friend Gloria and do something I had never done before. Before the race, I was honestly excited, especially since I knew I wouldn't be racing. Still, I was worried that the rain would ruin the race. During the race, I walked and talked most of the time. It was fantastic to make new friends and have a relaxing bit of exercise without any pressure. That was until the last mile of the run. A couple of the 10k runners began to catch up, so a few other walkers and I started to run. We wouldn't come completely last! That part was definitely the most difficult part of the race. Gasping, aching, and feeling like I was kind of dying. I ran, then walked, and then ran and walked some more. At last, I sprinted over the finish line! Finally, it was done!

MM: This is my second time participating in the Bradley Family Harvest Run 5k, as I also participated last year. I registered for the race because I am a runner, and I love participating in races. The energy from the spectators and the good sportsmanship of other participants encouraging each other make races like this a positive experience. I noticed a few changes this year, most of which were out of the control of the alum team that planned the event. The first difference was the weather, which obviously no one at Andrews has any say over. It was very overcast and raining on and off (thankfully not during the race itself), while I remember the sun shining for most of the event last year. The drop in attendance was noticeable, but it's expected on rainy race day. Finally, this may sound like a tiny difference, but they did not hand out boxes to store the first-place finisher awards like they did last year. It is a small difference, but I very clearly noticed it because the first-place finisher awards are made of glass, and I am scared that being the clumsy human I am, it might break somehow."

What aspect of the Bradley Family Harvest Run do you appreciate the most?

GK: I appreciated how the run was on a trail. I’ve missed trail running since I got to college, and I wasn't aware of the different trails near campus, so this was definitely a fun race to participate in. I also appreciate the positive environment people at the stops made. It really helped me to get going.

ARW: I appreciated that I didn't actually need to run. In fact, I walked most of the 5k. The cool thing is that I wasn't the only one walking. A couple of other people were walking too, and we became new friends! It's a great reminder that being active doesn't have to look like fitness modeling. It's encouraging to see people of all races and fitness levels doing things like this. Also, I very much appreciated the precious post-race water and donuts!

MM: I appreciate the story behind the event. The naming of the event is a great way to honor Dr. Fay Bradley for his support of the school and his accomplishments. He qualified to run the Boston Marathon more than 30 times, which is very impressive! Even more importantly, it promotes a healthy lifestyle, which I am very passionate about. I want to help people improve their quality of life using lifestyle habits, and fun events like this are a good way to motivate people to live healthier.

Do you think there is any space for improvement, and if so, where?

GK: I think the only thing was making sure the trails were less slippery or difficult. I had a friend who was running, and it was her first time trail running, so she wasn't familiar with the techniques necessary to run in nature. The trail is nice for advanced runners, but people who just started picking up running would have had a difficult time.

MM: I think the health event afterward was a good idea, but the logistics of coupling it with the race could have been planned a little better. Also, making sure more people are aware of the event so that there are more participants would make it more fun. Overall, I think the race is well planned for one of its size. I have run in races that didn't have running bibs with chips attached, or such a well-marked trail.

I find races like this to encourage me to start training and stay active. It also reminds me of some memories of my cross country teammates and coaches back when I was in high school, so personally, it became something more than just a simple swift switching of legs! I would like to know whether running or exercise is a meaningful part of your life. If so, why, and what other events or things do you think the university can plan to help encourage the Andrews community to engage in a more active lifestyle?

GK: Running and exercise are definitely a meaningful part of my life. It was the best coping method I found throughout my primary and secondary educational career, as well as growing mentally and physically into the person I am today. I think doing group hikes or backpacking would help many people to be actively engaged.

MM: Running is a significant part of my life. I work out using a lot of other methods as well, but running is my first love when it comes to sports. I started running in eighth grade and have been running ever since, although my training has toned down a lot since high school. Running is meaningful to me for many reasons. I used to hate running, but I started the activity to have a special time with my dad since my brothers got to play other sports with him that I didn't enjoy very much. Running became our special shared interest. The idea of running for fun grew on me, and then I continued running for the stress relief, health benefits, and ability to work towards a goal I never thought I could accomplish. One of the main reasons I run, however, is based on something said by the coach for the running club I was part of in the academy. He said, "I run because I can." I run because I do not want to waste the blessing of two good legs that so many of us take for granted. I run for all those who cannot run but wish they could.

Moving forward, I think the university can do a lot to promote a healthy lifestyle, like continuing to offer dorm cocurricular once a month for those who work out. They can also host active fun events like a 1-mile color run or games in Almost Anything Goes that don't make you realize you are doing something active. However, I think the greatest change will only come if more students get involved. Invite your friends to work out with you, go roller skating, or rock climbing. Also, you shouldn't pressure people too much, especially if you know it's starting to make them uncomfortable, but positive peer pressure is a thing. Encourage your friends to be physically active, try new healthy foods, and live a healthier lifestyle in general. I know I have already had friends tell me I am inspiring them to try and live healthier lives. You can do the same.