My First Half Marathon – The Good, The Bad & The Finish

Wow! What a race!  My race started at 9 but I met with my running group, Black Girls Run at 7.  There was also a Couch25K graduation race for about 30 members. I wanted to cheer the girls on and it was a blast. I was and still am so proud of all of the graduates.  Congratulations Ladies!!

Half Time! OH MY GOSH! What have I gotten myself into ? I was running with 1500+ other people. I have never participated in a race so big. It was a little overwhelming. I was nervous and I kept telling myself, run your own race. I met the local newswoman Cecily Tynan and Senator Tom Carper who was running his 31^st Caesar Rodney Half. Cecily gave me words of advice she said, “Pace yourself and do not start off too fast. Save something for the finish.”

Local News Caster Cecily Tynan

I had downloaded a playlist and made sure that it had all of my power songs on it.  BANG!  The gun goes off and the music starts playing in my ear, I’m Not Afraid by Eminem. What a great start! I am pumped.  I was afraid to of what was ahead of me and this song calmed my nerves.  Then Blow Me by Pink started playing. Upbeat and I could handle it.  Then it started again. What?  Ugh! Not a continuous loop. It was and it actually helped.  I concentrated on learning every word instead of the miles I had ahead of me.

The course was very hilly but beautiful.  It beat me up! Just when I thought I made it to the top, there was another incline.  It was a tough course that had very encouraging signs along the way.  The one that stood out most to me was Exhale Fear and Inhale Confidence. I was doing just that, gaining confidence with every step. I kept putting the pain behind me. My wrist hurt and was making my arm numb plus my legs were tight. Keep going, keep pushing, you got this.

I ended up having to walk for a small portion of the race in various spots probably a half-mile total because I thought I was going to vomit.  You see, I had been sick for a few days earlier in the week. I had to walk and talk myself out of it.  I kept saying, you got this and was thinking about all of the support I had from family and friends. The spectators were very encouraging as well.  That is what kept me going.

Last leg up the hill almost killed me!  I started walking and a member of BGR said “come on girl, you can do it! Get those arms and legs moving. Finish strong, finish running!” I’ve got to be honest I wanted to give up right there. I could see the finish line and started to muster up the last bit of energy that I had. I CAN DO THIS!

Next thing you know, my boys are running along side of me with a sign they made the night before. I had no idea they did that. It was just what I needed to see to keep going. They kept saying, “You can do it mom! We believe in you!” And they ran with me to the finish line. I did it! I have officially completed a half marathon.

My boys encouraged me to finish with this surprise.

The reception after was awesome.  They provided the runners with pizza, pretzels, fresh fruit, water, cupcakes (delicious), Cliff Bars, hot chicken noodle soup and massage available for anyone interested. The line was very long, so I begrudgingly opted out of the massage.

What I learned about myself is that I can do many things.  Through the  added support of others I can do more. Initially I was ashamed that I walked a portion of the race and realized I still finished and it was my first race. I should not be so hard on myself.  I felt like I let them down.  When I told family and friends that, they said, “You ran for most of the race and finished, stop dwelling on what you did not do and be happy for what you did do.”  They were right. This was for my Uncle Rocky, my Boys (Kyle & Jordan) and myself.

My boys, bling, shoes & watch.

Shirt & Bling. I made it!

Will I do it again? Absolutely! Next time, I want to run the ENTIRE race without walking at all.  I have it in me and I know I can do it!  This is just the beginning for me. I have a lot more I want to accomplish with running, fitness and my life. I have goals and will accomplish no matter how much time it takes. It’s not about the time it takes to finish, it’s about finishing what was started.

The Results…

March 17 Will Be Bittersweet

I will be running my first half marathon on March 17 of this year. This race is significant to me for two very different reasons. The reasons are very bittersweet.

I wondered why I kept being pulled in by this date, March 17. I have that voice in my head telling me that I can do this, that I will be ready when the time comes. It kept saying, “You got this Francine, I believe in you.” It would make me well up whenever I heard it.

The doubt I had lessened and the confidence is building. I realized the voice was right. What have I been training for? I have been training to finish this race. I am not looking for a PR (personal record) I just want to finish. Then it dawned on me. This is the day that my uncle Rocky was murdered. I had to do something to honor my uncle.

I remember it like it was yesterday, I had said, “I’ll see you tomorrow Uncle Rocky.” And he turned around to say, “See you tomorrow Francine.” Little did I know that would be the last time I would see him alive. I was devastated! Fifteen years old trying to figure out why someone would do this to him. I was so hurt and angry. I cried, I screamed and I wanted to just run.

I must have run for 2 miles before I collapsed to the ground sobbing. I missed him so badly and he was only gone for one day, how would I make it through a lifetime without him. I told myself, the memories would always be alive. Honor him by thinking of him every day and I do. I also tell me boys about him and I can see him in them. You see he was a great baseball and basketball player and I see that in my youngest son. It comes naturally to him, just like it does with my son.

He was also very kind and helpful, that is what qualities stand out in my oldest son. He will help anyone and is so kind to everyone he meets. I am thankful that both of my boys have characteristics that remind me of my uncle.

This is my very first half. YAY! I am a runner and cannot wait to add this race to my running resume. Caesar Rodney Half Marathon 50^th Anniversary Race 13.1! It’s still sinking in. Whenever I tell non-runners, they make it seem like I’m running 13000.1. I cannot believe I am going to say this, but I am ready for this. I can see myself finishing and I know I can do it. I have everything ready. I am checking and re-checking.

It will be a difficult day for me, but I know that uncle Rocky would be proud of me. That’s all I could ask for. I am running this race for you.

A Run With my Son

Today I went on a 4 mile run with my son, Kyle.  He rode his bike while I ran. It was a great run with the added bonus of mother-son time.  I love running but when my children get involved, I love it even more.

My son, Kyle is a freshman in high school and I am not taking any time I get to spend with for granted.  He is going to be 15 soon and is becoming more independent with each passing day.  He has grown into a very kind, generous, courteous and respectful you man.  He and his younger brother Jordan (was not feeling well this morning) are my inspiration and my biggest cheerleaders.

We talked about everything and it was great.  I did not realize that I was running because I was enjoying the conversation.  He has told me several times today that he enjoyed our time together and is planning our next run/bike time together.  I am so glad that he is becoming more active and enjoying more of the outdoors.

Had a great tapering run with my oldest son, he is very inspirational.

I am one proud mom and I really love my boys.  I make sure that I not only show but also tell them how much I love and respect them. They are amazing but I am biased.

 

Kyle & I after our Run/Bike this morning

There is not a day that does not goes by that they do not make me smile, laugh or proud.  I love running, but I love running with my boys even more.  If you have the opportunity to run with your child or family member I suggest you do so. It is an amazing and creates an unbreakable bond. A family that runs together gets fit together.

March is when?

For the past few months I have been saying, “My first half marathon is in March.” Last week, I realized MARCH IS NEXT MONTH! Am I ready?  Will I be ready?  Then I realized that I have been training and my only goal is to finish.  Do not over analyze it.  You are ready.  See it, believe it and then achieve it!  I got this!!  “I AM  READY!!”