By: Amy Begley, Coach- Atlanta Track Club
It took a tragedy to get Brad Blitz to start running with any regularity. Mark Fredericks, Brad’s best friend and three-time marathon runner, passed away in February 2013. His sudden death was a wakeup call for Brad to get off the couch and take responsibility for his own health.
Brad was in his late 30s when he started running. In 2014, he signed up for the world’s largest 10K, the AJC Peachtree Road Race, completed it, and then registered for the Atlanta 10 Miler and Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon. He realized he needed help to take on those longer distances and signed up for a training program, a decision that would change his life. He not only finished the races but also became a volunteer coach for other Atlanta Track Club training programs and set an even bigger goal for himself – to run Grandma’s Marathon in his home state of Minnesota in honor of Mark.
This June, Brad traveled to Duluth to run Grandma’s Marathon. His wife, parents and mother-in-law all came in support – as well as Mark’s parents, who waited for him at the finish line. Brad pinned a photo of him with Mark on the back of his shirt, which sparked conversations with other participants about why he was running that race. Crossing the finish line was an emotional moment and one Brad will never forget.
“After receiving my finisher’s medal, I found Mark’s parents, had some of the best hugs in my life and introduced them to my family,” said Brad. “I try very hard to ensure that Mark’s parents know that their son left an imprint on this world, that his life and death carry a greater meaning, and that I carry his torch forward. I know Mark is proud of the person I have become.”
Just like his friend, Brad is leaving his own imprint on the world. He celebrates the successes of fellow training program participants, both teaching and learning from others in the group. He is always one of the first volunteer coaches to give up his own workout to help another accomplish their goals. And Brad’s personal goals aren’t always just about him. Brad plans to pace one of his friends to a Boston qualifier time in the Albany Marathon and run with another in her first full marathon.
The whole reason Brad started running was because of one special person. It’s clear that many more are chasing their own goals because of Brad’s friendly and encouraging nature. His sincere happiness in helping others accomplish their goals is infectious, and as a coach, I hope that attitude catches on!
Amy Begley is the head coach of Atlanta Track Club, the second largest running organization in the United States. She competed in the 2008 Olympic Games in the 10,000M and placed sixth in the 2009 IAAF World Championships in the same distance with a personal best 31:13, making her the eighth-fastest American woman in history. Her 5,000M personal best is 14:56. Begley finished her professional career with six national titles.