I am Rochelle Frazeur, a single mom from Coppell Texas. I grew up amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains of Pennsylvania. I am the middle child of eight, and my mom was a single mom. I have two children ages eleven and thirteen. I run to keep my sanity, focus and to set a good example to my children and those around me.
I have realized the potential that has been growing in me to do multiday sports and love the pursuit of a new distance or goal. My first 100 mile race was Feb of ”07, and my first multi-day race was June of ”07. I have loved to run all of my life but have never been in a position to do this competitively. Even now this is more of a hobby as I have a busy career working for the SBA Disaster Assistance Agency and two beautiful children to raise.
Initially I ran Ultra marathons to see if I could. To some extent that will always be why I tackle a new run or race. In the past I have run for a Battered Womens Shelter in Maryland, The Prestonwood Pregnancy Center, Parenting Alone in Dallas and most recently for Girls On the Run. Running for a cause that is close to my heart helps me get through those tough miles, or in the middle of the night when your body tells you its time to quit. I can remind myself that there are others going through tragedy at that moment that is way more painful than what I am feeling. The ability to survive this temporary pain in the race give so many I’ve talked to the inspiration to struggle through their own trials and not give up. I know this is only by the Grace of God that I am able to go on and that is the message I want my running these seemingly impossible distances to give to others. If you don’t give up, if you keep putting one foot in front of the other the pain will pass and you will be able to ”run” again too.
For the Texas Independence Relay Solo Attempt I will be running for The Society of Women Who Love Shoes. This foundation supports the local DFW domestic violence shelters with shoes, clothing and monetary donations. They are passionate about helping women escape abuse and teaching our children how to avoid becoming victims of abuse. Here are some statistics to give you perspective. (taken from the domestic violence website)
- Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten.
- Around the world, at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime. Most often, the abuser is a member of her own family.
- Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women—more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.
- Studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.
- Nearly 1 in 5 teenage girls who have been in a relationship said a boyfriend threatened violence or self-harm if presented with a breakup.
- Everyday in the US, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends.
- Ninety-two percent of women surveyed listed reducing domestic violence and sexual assault as their top concern.
- Domestic violence victims lose nearly 8 million days of paid work per year in the US alone—the equivalent of 32,000 full-time jobs.
- Based on reports from 10 countries, between 55 percent and 95 percent of women who had been physically abused by their partners had never contacted non-governmental organizations, shelters, or the police for help.
- The costs of intimate partner violence in the US alone exceed $5.8 billion per year: $4.1 billion are for direct medical and health care services, while productivity losses account for nearly $1.8 billion.
- Men who as children witnessed their parents’ domestic violence were twice as likely to abuse their own wives than sons of nonviolent parents.
As a victim of sexual abuse as a child and emotional abuse from a spouse I felt this was a great way to show others they don’t have to live with the pain. This is a tough subject and not many want to talk about it but the facts are clear that it is happening all around us and its time we take a step to help. Please go to the donation page and do what you can.
Thank you for your prayers and support,
Rochelle