In the past, I have heard people refer to pregnancy as a marathon and until now I didn't completely understand what they meant. Sure, labor is hard work. (personally, I don't think harder than a marathon - but yes, still hard). But now that I have both the experience of running 26.2 miles and pregnancy, I am really starting to get how similar they are.
Let's think of it this way, IDEALLY you would train for weeks upon weeks to prepare for a marathon. And the same is true for pregnancy. Yes, I am aware that both can be accomplished with little preparation, but in a perfect world, everyone who tackles one of these amazing feats would do the prep work (that's why docs have those "pre-conception" appointments - not that I've ever known anyone who has had one).
Anyway. Then the race starts, your adrenaline is so high that you can't believe the ease at which you are running. Miles pass and you're not quite sure where they went. This also holds true for early pregnancy. In fact, those first few weeks can be so effortless you probably wouldn't even know (and why would you?) that another person is growing inside of you (but still an enormous amount of work is being done).
But soon, the pace slows down and you realize what you are in for. For me that was at about the 10K (6.1 miles) mark during the marathon. I looked at the clock and realized that I had gone out too fast and that I had a heck of a lot of miles in front of me. And instead of thinking, "I already finished six miles." I was thinking, "But I have 20 to go."
And that's right about where I am now. I'm 10 weeks into this pregnancy and the initial excitement (where you are bursting to share your joy) is coming to an end and the realization of what I'm in for, and how much longer it's going to take is slapping me in the face. And now I'm thinking, "10 down, 30 LONG LONG LONG weeks to go."
I know I'll make it. And I know it will go by a lot faster than I think. I even know that every last agonizing minute will be worth it, allowing me to look back and think, "I can't believe my body was able to do that!" And of course, the same was true for the marathon.
See, they really are the same. I mean, seriously, marathons and pregnancy (and ultimately, parenthood) are life changing events designed for those of us with a little streak of the "crazies." Really, you have to be a little off your rocker to want to take part in either of these things. Especially, once you know what you're in for. (Apparently, some of us never learn their lesson. How else do you explain Baby B #3?)
1 comment:
You're in such great shape, that you've done your "pre-pregnancy training". Baby 3 starts to make the # 3 look like a big number. I know, because I've been there. First thing I would suggest is don't panic. I panicked around week 12 with B and it really doesn't help. In fact, I would say, it's anti-help. I wish someone had just said to me, "you should try to take a few breaths, keep your cool." Also, take a second to celebrate 10 weeks down. If you can, also take a moment to celebrate the two other people who will keep you so busy for the next 30 weeks that you're going to wake up one day and say, "Holy carp- where did the last 39 weeks go, I have stuff I need to get done!!!"
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