In case you weren’t aware, my husband is ready to either commit me or kill me for my continued insistence that a third baby is a fantastic idea. Last week I got back from baby-and-me yoga with Baby T (that’s just as adorable as it sounds, by the way) and was chit-chatting with Fran when I idly asked him what he thought of a boy’s name I’d heard in the class. He eyed me suspiciously (he was right to be suspicious).
“I like it, I guess. WHY?”
I got out my phone and started typing away. “Oh, just thinking of boys’ names that will work with Roman and Tanner, you know, in case the third one is a boy too.”
His face was priceless and he quickly reminded me my second pregnancy was no fun (for either of us), Baby T is ONLY 3 MONTHS OLD, having two kids has been a wee bit challenging so far and that I was generally talking like a crazy person.
Then he asked, annoyed, “What are you doing on your phone?”
“I’m writing an email chain with myself of all the cool boys’ names I hear so I don’t forget them.”
The whole exchange reminded me immediately that both times I’ve run the marathon, before the pain had even subsided, I was already planning on signing up for the next one. (And bear in mind, I was on crutches for a couple of weeks after my first marathon!) I started thinking more about it and realized running a marathon is JUST like giving birth.
15 Ways Running a Marathon is Just Like Giving Birth
At some point you will think you are going to die.
You can train for both but you really don’t know how your body will react in that last stretch.
Stairs, getting up from a seated position and other things you’ve never even thought about before will fill you with dread in the days following.
All the pain and trauma will disappear as soon as you cross the finish line.
Medical is right there on the course if you need it (hopefully! Unless you’re stuck on the subway when in labor, or running a really disorganized marathon).
If you’re well-trained, you can normally expect to take a big chunk of time off your pace for the second (unless you hit the wall).
Everyone around you may be secretly (or not quite so secretly) sick of hearing how training is going.
You have special and specific fueling needs (ICE CHIPS! NOW!).
As soon as you’ve finished, swearing you’ll never do this again, you’re already thinking about your next time.
You cannot predict how you’ll be affected by outside forces, or how you’ll feel on the day.
Puking and pooping during the event are not out of the realm of possibility.
There’s a lot of preparation and buying special gear before the big event.
Your support team will be invaluable throughout training and to cheer you on the day.
Although, at times your support team will say something they think is motivating and positive and you will irrationally want to kill them for it.
Right at the end, when you’re exhausted, spent and delirious, you have to push with all your might to get over that finish line.
Of course, there are also some obvious, glaring differences between giving birth and running 26.2 miles. For one thing, you usually haven’t lost at least 20 pounds in the space of hours by the time you get done with the marathon (although it may feel like you sweated that much).
6 Ways Running the Marathon is Totally Different from Giving Birth:
Your medal doesn’t try to nurse from you or wake you several times during the night.
People don’t buy your medal gifts.
You’re not forced to walk for the next 30 – 45 minutes after having the baby to keep the blood moving.
You’re generally not offered anesthetic drugs while you’re running. Although, this might be something you wish would happen.
Training for the marathon does not take 9 months. Let’s face it, the divorce rate would skyrocket as a direct result if this was the case.
You’re generally not celebrating with pizza and beer within an hour of giving birth.
Where are my #motherrunners at? Do you agree?
Was there anything you can pinpoint in marathon training/racing that reminded you of labor?
As a former labor and delivery nurse and current mom/runner, this post made me laugh out loud! When I ran my first marathon in 2010 I had the best pacer ever, Marie from Cliff. However, I had to hit the porta potty around mile 10, and as some of you know, the pace group keeps going. For the next 2 miles I was trying my best to stay calm and assure myself I would catch up to them and to not sprint. It was the equivalent of having a great labor and delivery nurse (Marie) who went to lunch and was replaced by a crappy one (me). All turned out well as I caught up with Marie and successfully crossed that line a little over 5 hours later. I toed up for another marathon last year that did not go so well (don’t ask) and have just started training for Philly 2015. Pacer Marie and I have kept in touch, maybe I should offer to fly her in to be my “nurse” again……
Glad you enjoyed it!! I’m sure you’ve seen your fair share of women ‘hitting the wall’ during your career! And I’m super impressed that you didn’t panic after losing your pace group and instead caught up – I would have panicked. 😉 Good luck for Philly – I’ve heard that’s a great course!
Haha! I love this! I was practically in shock after having a baby so I had no immediate plans for another one. I’m not sure what I would be like if I ran a marathon but I think it might be the same way! 🙂
Britt@MyOwnBalance recently posted…Weekend Highs and Lows
I honestly don’t know what’s wrong with me!! Ha ha!
I remember wondering which was harder – a marathon or child birth – before I had the twins. I can tell you this – I would rather run 50 marathons in 50 days on my fingernails then go though childbirth and the first year ever again. Dead serious.
I have to agree with your husband on this one, but I love this post and I love that you’re so ready to have another baby!!
Allie recently posted…Sexism? You Be the Judge (TBT Link-Up!)
But how do you REALLY feel, Allie?? Hahaha! The first year I’m more than happy to relive again, but three years old? Pass me the wine.
I’ve had a few marathons that were worse than my labor! Haha! No really there are so similar– a very long time ago I wrote a post about how the marathon is like marriage, dear lord, I hope marriage isn’t as painful as giving birth. LOL – Great post Ms. Carly!
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted…Sweet and Salty Cherry Pineapple Cashew Quinoa Salad
They are so similar! Male marathoners are going to come closest to knowing what we go through to bring these amazing beings into the world. (I use amazing beings loosely if anyone reading has a three-year-old – oof!!!). I am going to search your blog for the marriage/marathon post because now I’m intrigued!
HAH! Great minds think alike, huh? My first post for my blog was “7 Ways Having a Baby is like Running a Marathon”!
I completely agree about the ice chips. My two favorite things about giving birth were the epidural and the ice chips. Oh, wait, and my daughter. LOL
Amanda at HeyRunnerMama recently posted…The $33 Item That Lets You SKIP THE GYM!
Oh that’s funny!! Both times I tried to do it drug free and after getting the epidural with my youngest, I finally realized, why would I NOT want to get this!!?? Ha ha.
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Lol, I hope my first marathon doesn’t take me 47 hours!!
Ha ha ha!! If it does I’m afraid there may not be any food left at the finish line! Good luck with your marathon and kudos on a marathon labor, that is hardcore!!