Blog - One Step at a Time: Determination through Heartache
One Step at a Time: Determination through Heartache
I was stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB from 1996-2001, working in the Aeronautical Systems Center Public Affairs Office when the U.S. Air Force Marathon was created in honor of the service’s 50th Anniversary. I proudly worked and supported the first four marathons before I PCSed. In 2000, our office decided to form a PA Relay Team for that year’s race. Even though I was an active duty Air Force member, I have never really been much of a runner, but thought my participation on the team would be an experience I would never forget. I was given the honor of running the last leg of the relay and crossing the line for my team.
“Even though I was an active duty Air Force member, I have never really been much of a runner, but thought my participation on the team would be an experience I would never forget. I was given the honor of running the last leg of the relay and crossing the line for my team.”
That year, Airman Magazine was writing a feature on various runners and their special stories. I was nominated and featured in the story that year. My story highlighted by struggle with weight loss and passing the Air Force Fitness Test and how they became my motivators in my running journey. Despite not really knowing how to train for such a long distance, I was able to face my obstacles and beat my goal time, crossing the line in less than 90 minutes.
Fast forward 20 years – while I had no real intention of running in the actual race this year, I really love how my journey developed this year. I started to get myself moving at the beginning of July by adding a walking regiment to my workout. During some of those walks, I added in real short jogs and felt good. When my husband sent me the link that the race went virtual I contemplated taking on the challenge – and ended up diving in head first into the Half-Marathon Fly! Flight! Win! Challenge. I started following the RunCoach training program and really felt like I could take on the longer distances despite never running those distances in literally decades.
Less than 3 weeks into my training, my mother unexpectedly passed away. Looking back at my training history, the only 3 days of training I missed surrounded the day she passed away. I was determined more than ever to keep going despite my heartache. I ran the morning of her visitation, hearing her encouraging me every step of the way. Running became therapy for me because I knew she would want me to stay on track and felt my mind at ease with every mile I logged.
“I was determined more than ever to keep going despite my heartache.”
The day of my half-marathon race, my best friend traveled to my home to cheer me on. Right before I hit the route, she said there is one more person who may not be here with us, but is certainly cheering me on. She had a picture of my mother with “I am so proud of you!” written on the picture’s mat, which we set on my front porch so I could see her every lap I made on my route. That picture now hangs next to my race medal rack, awaiting my 2020 Air Force Marathon medals.
“Right before I hit the route, she said there is one more person who may not be here with us, but is certainly cheering me on. She had a picture of my mother with “I am so proud of you!” written on the picture’s mat, which we set on my front porch so I could see her every lap I made on my route.”
The day of my race was met with anticipation and nerves, as it does with many racers. I created scenarios of what to do if I couldn’t finish, developed a song playlist with inspirational and rhythmic songs to keep my feet moving. My RunCoach trainer anticipated my finish time to be just over 3 hours … I was amazed it was that optimistic. I really didn’t think it was even remotely possible. But I kept my pace going, looking forward to ever landmark I had observed during my months of training and created a ran/walk strategy that would keep me moving. All of those short snippets melded together into a race I am so proud of … I finished in 2:56:39! I checked my lap times and the consistency astounded me. With proper planning and a comprehensive training plan, anyone can do this. While I am not ready to tackle a full marathon, I could see one as a possibility. And I will hear my mom’s voice every step of the way.
“With proper planning and a comprehensive training plan, anyone can do this. While I am not ready to tackle a full marathon, I could see one as a possibility. And I will hear my mom’s voice every step of the way.”
Thank you so much for the opportunity to share my story.
Written by: Celena Wilson
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