10/13/2017
Marathon or Childbirth
I started thinking about my most recent marathon last weekend and some of my friends who ran their first marathon Chicago 2017.( Congrats Tonya and Melissa) I I started to realize there were many parallels between the two very different experiences. I’m sure some of you are scratching your head and thinking I’m nuts but when you really think about each, from start to finish, it makes sense.
The day you discover you were accepted into a marathon, whether it’s your first, sixth or twenty sixth is always exciting and yet at the same time can be scary, joyous and nerve wracking.
To get to this very moment, you may have been entered in a really tough lottery such as NYC, barely qualified for Boston or just signed up on a whim after a few cocktails one night never imagining that you would ever be completing 26.2.
Nothing changes the emotions the day you receive the news that you were accepted into that Marathon. Many describe it as “winning the lottery.”
I think we can all agree that much if not all of what I just described could be the same reaction we have when we find out we are going to be a parent. You may have been trying to have a baby for months or years, you may receive the call you were approved to adopt, you might have just found out your pregnant unplanned but glorious, as well. The same feelings of excitement, horror, joy, uncertainty fill your heart. Many will describe finding out your going to be a parent as “winning the lottery!”
In both cases, I think your preparation would be similar. Whether your an experienced runner/marathoner or experiences parent, I would assume you would come up with a plan. Research how to be healthy and successfully get to that finish line.
When I was thinking about this comparison, I was astonished at how similar these two quests are. I thought about preparing for both races.
I might claim to be a expert here.. ha ha
I’ve done both.. I’ve had 3 babies and I have run 8 marathons. And in both cases, I was striving towards one main goal to get to the end and create something special.
A pregnancy is obviously a lot longer than marathon training but we need a plan for both and sometimes our plans change. We may get injured, sick or be placed on bed rest. In any case, and we learn and adjust accordingly.
In the final stages of marathon training and pregnancy we start to doubt ourselves and get very nervous especially if it’s our first rodeo. Our heads are flooded with insecure thoughts. We question if we can do this? Will I finish? Is it going to hurt? Will I p**p on the table or have to p**p during the race? These are questions that no one can really answer for you. We can only prepare and pray for the best. These insecurities will not kill us only make us stronger.
Marathon day is here! The baby is coming! Both of these days are the days that we have worked so hard to succeed and achieve.
We want a smooth marathon. We want perfect temps and no rain.
We pray for a smooth delivery. The Grandparents have arrived, you’re in very little pain and there is no traffic.
But with both these scenarios as in life, we can’t predict what will happen. We can only prepare.
It’s tough to see your friend who is running their very first Marathon and keeping an amazing pace for 2.5 hours, suddenly get leg cramps and have to stop for a bit. It’s a hard blow.
Then you have the mom who has taken all her birthing classes and is in labor, pushing for 18 hours and is suddenly told, “we must do a c-section.” It’s a tough blow.
It hits our ego and our psyche. Thoughts of failure creep into our heads. We question what went wrong?
But, we have to dig deep and look at the whole picture. Look at what you have accomplished thus far. The finish line is near and eventually we will cross it!
In both cases, you arrive and achieve the prize at the end of the race. You’ve earned your medal and or you have created a life and brought him/her into this world. After that it’s up to you to take the next steps..
The feelings are the same. Your elated, relieved, proud, happy, tears of joy...you’ve earned the right to brag, share pics, love!
In both scenarios, you will say probably say with conviction,” I’m NEVER ever doing that again!!”
And a week later, your on board for another(may take a bit longer for some..) ha!! But it will happen.. trust me!
My point is that it doesn’t matter how you get to the finish line, it’s that you get to the finish line! Don’t beat yourself up if everything didn’t go as planned. It probably won’t and if it does.. well that’s awesome!!
The reality is that many of you will probably do another marathon or have another child!!
Congrats to everyone who just completed the Chicago Marathon 2017. Especially Tonya, Cassie and Melissa. Can’t imagine it without you all esp forgetting my phone at the airport.
Training weather was rough( hot) and the actual race was def tougher than the last time due to the heat. You just never know to expect and remember that it’s ok as per my post!
3:18 I’m very happy with that after my surgery and adductor issue. I’ve run twice this week Tuesday 8 miles and Thursday 9 miles.
I will continue to chip away and towards my Running goals as a 46 year old old lady. Next up Boston #3 2018!
Xo much love
Go get it!
