Run-run-a-running and pregnancy

I've been thinking about writing a post on exercise for what seems like ages and finally decided to sit down and make it happen. Thanks be almighty, it feels BIG these days to steal time from school and friends and farming and everything else to blog. When I do decide to write, sometimes I get lost imagining the possibilities. Do I write about my life as a student midwife? Or peruse the internet for interesting birth-bellies-babies stories? And what about plants? And dancing? And celebrations? And food creations? Ohhhh, what do I write about today???

It's a good problem, rest assured, I know I'll never be bored so long as this blog is part of my life. I could probably type and type and type till my fingers tire and won't punch another key and still have plenty more to share. So, preface and all, I'd like to talk about aerobic activity and pregnancy...namely: running. Jogging. Speeding. Sprinting. Galloping. Charging. Whatever you want to call it, I started moving my body methodically in a forward motion for the purpose of exercise almost two years ago. And I haven't looked back. Surely, it was slow at first. And rather cumbersome. I felt so bouncy and uncoordinated. The more I kept running, though, I realized I'd found a sense of exhilaration, peace, and joy that was unparalleled. No other type of physical activity made me feel quite as embodied and alive. To this day, some of my greatest epiphanies and most creative moments arise when I'm running. I work through the jubilant and the complex parts of life via moving my body, one leg at a time.

When I think of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood, I envision a proverbial ultra-marathon. It's a long-distance race, to be certain, one that requires pacing, rehydration, lots of support, and stops along the way. Running in real life can be viewed as a training ground for this mother of all marathons, preparation for the bumps and humps of parenting. Not too long in the distant past, though, exercise was discouraged during pregnancy. Women were cautioned not to overexert themselves for fear they would deprive their unborn babes of oxygen and other necessary nutrients. Nowadays, exercise is recommended before, during, and after pregnancy. As it turns out, regular physical activity is healthy for both mom and baby...now, pregnancy is not the time to start an intense exercise routine...rather, the key is not to overdo but rather work out at a moderate level. But go mama go! Obesity-related issues such as gestational diabetes, large babies, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and complications during labor and delivery carry far more risk for mom and baby than exercise.

A few months ago, I ran the Women's Half Marathon in Nashville, TN. It was a wonderful experience, my first half marathon, and I loved running with ladies of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, and fitness levels. The support was stellar, I knew I'd finish the race if only by the cheers and high-fives of my fellow runners and the crowds that lined the streets. Sometimes I wanted to stop. Peel back. Grab a smoothie and say "Seeeya!" When I ran across the finish line, though, I felt such a surge of relief and confidence I couldn't stop smiling. I did it! I did it! I can do anything! It's these moments in life that reinforce in me the idea that women are strong and we can do whatever we want...birthing babies included, of course!

Later, some days after the marathon, the director of my midwifery program sent my classmates and I an article about a women who gave birth shortly after running the Chicago Marathon. Wowza!