There's been a story in the news recently that we're all supposed to be ZOMG SO INSPIRED by. A woman ran the 800m dash in the US track and field championship in 2 and a half minutes (aka fast) at 34 weeks pregnant. I'm supposed to be particularly inspired by this, because I'm pregnant and have been known to enjoy running, although personally I'd take an ultra marathon over a 800m dash any day.
I'm not inspired.
I'm not going to link to the story or anything, because I'm not trying to specifically bash this woman (she's an Olympic athlete and this was actually slow for her). It's more this whole movement. As I've mentioned, I've been following a lot more pregnancy related social media accounts, and it's all over the place. @ionlyeatkale ran a marathon with her unborn baby! @sopregnantandsomuchfitterthanyou just ran her second pregnant half marathon at 36 weeks! Here's an Instagram of my baby bump and running shoes and double digit run that was almost my normal pace, yay! #fitfetus
I'm not trying to say any of these women are being neglectful or putting their babies in danger. I'm not a doctor, I don't know them, and I'm sure they're being safe and putting their unborn child's best interests first. My question is: what's the point?
I guess the answer is obvious - to brag on the internet and have strangers and friends alike compliment you and give you accolades. I'm obviously not above all that - I have a blog after all. I've taken post race medal pictures and proudly displayed PRs. But the #motherrunner attitude is just so foreign to me: in my mind, pregnancy and competitive running are like chocolate and blue cheese - both wonderful things, that should never ever be enjoyed togeher. For me, running races is about training hard and pushing yourself to your limit. Pregnancy is about taking it easy, and getting light exercise if possible to stay healthy. So not compatible. I had my first "running for two" experience within an hour of seeing that beautiful second line, and it already felt like a whole different ballgame.
Anyone can run a half marathon. I don't mean that in a condescending way, I mean that truly, anybody reading this without medical issues and with time on their hands to train, could build up the endurance and run a half marathon. Probably a lot of pregnant women could do it too, provided they are sadists and love pain and misery. I just don't get what's inspiring - yay, you are so addicted to exercise and defining yourself as a "runner" that you can't just give yourself 9 months to take it easy and create a person? Sure, I get that the 9 months can feel much, MUCH longer, and it's really closer to a year off exercise, but in the end, it's a limited and relatively short portion of your life. From what I can tell, races and running shoes aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
I ran a 10k race at 16 weeks because I'd signed up for it pre-pregnancy. It really wasn't that much fun. Seeing my running friends is always great, and I was lucky enough to have one friend kindly run my turtle prego pace with me. But I'm already running much slower, and taking walk breaks, which means running takes a lot longer now. Add in the time to park, get my bib, get back to the car after, etc, etc, and the race ate up my whole morning. And for what? A time that was 25 minutes slower than my 10k PR at the same race the year before?
I've gladly spent plenty of Friday nights going to bed early to race or train, and plenty of Saturday mornings (and afternoons) devoted to running. I knew getting pregnant would change all that, and it has, and I love it. I'm not going to grieve temporarily missing out on something that I gave up voluntarily in order carry a child that we desperately want, unless it's good parmesan cheese, which I just found out is made with raw milk, dammit.
I'll never get to enjoy relaxing during pregnancy like this again - next time around, I'll have this kid to play with! Now I'm spending Friday nights eating ice cream and binge watching TV shows with my husband's hand on my belly waiting for the baby to kick (although still going to bed early). Saturday mornings I relax in bed and read until I feel like getting up. If I decide to run that day, I'll do a run/walk combination on the treadmill for a 43 minute Buffy episode, when I get around to it. Sometimes I'll just take a walk with my husband instead of running, so we can discuss profound ideas like "holy crap, one day we'll have a teenager". Sometimes I'll take a nap instead, because I can. Aren't you ZOMG inspired? I think I'll look back and cherish these times more than paying $95 to hate life while running a 3 hour half marathon.
Personally, I don't get why first time pregnant moms exercising is impressive at all. People say that to me, and I feel like such a fraud. I've been insanely fortunate to have had an easy pregnancy so far (in fact, I'm getting really concerned that it's been too easy and the universe is planning to make it up to me in labor and delivery). I have time on my hands. It doesn't seem that hard to get some low key exercise most days. What does seem pretty hard to me is exercising after the baby arrives. I seriously have no clue how that's going to happen. I gave it a little thought, and after getting him (and me) up and ready and fed in the morning, daycare drop off, working 9-10 hours, picking him up, dinner/feeding/household stuff/preparing for tomorrow, bath, and bedtime.... when does that even leave time for like.... just playing with him and hanging out, much less a workout?
Other random pregnancy thoughts/confessions:
- Today is the last day of my second trimester. How did that happen so fast?
- I cooked dinner last night then left the burner on the entire time I was eating. Genius.
- I bought a $6 wedge of Brie on Saturday and it was gone on Sunday. I suspect that the real reason pregnant women aren't supposed to eat soft cheese is because it's too addicting and easy to waste all the diaper money on.
- My glucose test is tomorrow. I've been prepping with random spoonfuls of Nutella throughout the day, in addition to the Brie - any other advice?
Totally agree with you. #fitfetus makes me want to puke. I'm 28 weeks and while I've also been lucky with a super easy pregnancy, running more than 3 miles hasn't happened in a VERY long time and it always requires at least one pee break.
ReplyDeleteAre you my twin? I'll be 28 weeks tomorrow and my new "normal" run is 3 miles, on the treadmill, so I have close access for my (minimum 1) bathroom break.
DeleteI was a bit impressed by that woman running the 800m but I wasn't inspired at all. I'm 36 weeks pregnant and that doesn't sound appealing at all. But to each their own I guess. I have done two races while pregnant but both were just for fun with family and friends - a 5k with my mom at 21 weeks and a 10k with friends at 27 weeks. Definitely wasn't setting any records but I had fun and felt surprisingly good during them.. adrenaline maybe? I stopped running completely at 32 weeks.
ReplyDeleteBrie sounds incredible right about now. I haven't had any in a long, long time and now I'm craving it thanks to you. ;)
Racing with friends for fun does sound fun (although personally in my experience it actually wasn't), I just don't get pushing your pregnant limits.
DeleteI am also craving more Brie and really sad I ate it all.
I like to think my tough pregnancy gift was having a pretty easy baby. So maybe there is a trade off.
ReplyDeleteI kept running throughout because I could and I read all about how good it was for the baby if you do it safely. But what I did wasn't fast and no way was I going to race.
I've heard all sorts of stories so I think it may be a crap shoot. I want at least a few points for it taking a year to get knocked up.
DeleteAs a not-pregnant person, I guess I think people should do what they feel like doing when they are pregnant, whether it is go on lunchtime walks or run, as long as their doctor says it is OK. I hate the idea that a woman's body isn't her own while she is pregnant. So if running marathons makes you happy, and you can still safely do it while pregnant, go ahead. Just don't force yourself to do it if it makes you unhappy.
ReplyDeleteSame could be said for not pregnant people, too.
Very good point. Maybe I just can't possible see how it makes anyone happy, but that's just me being biased by my own experience. Although I will say it does feel to me like my body isn't my own!
DeleteI'm going to have to disagree here. I think it's absolutely inspiring. The woman loves her hobby, wants to keep running, and works hard to do so during pregnancy, even if it is a little tougher. The same can be said for non-pregnant people overcoming other adverse situations - long work hours, a disability etc. Which is not to say that ALL women should do that. Eating ice cream is also a totally acceptable way to go.
ReplyDeleteBut I am of the opinion that, as much as I do not judge you for relaxing and eating ice cream, the rest of the world should not look at the woman and say "OMG WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?" in a similarly judgy way.
Growing a human is hard. If a woman WANTS to maintain her fitness routine, more power to her.
I do see your point. But I'm also not just eating ice cream and laying on the couch. I work out 30-60 minutes 6 days a week, so still well over the recommendation for health reasons. I think I'm just skeptical of the "wants" part, if you really just truly love it and want to do it, why do you need 20 Instagram selfies of the bump and medal? I have no problem with it, but I'm not finding it inspiring either. It's just people doing what they (supposedly) want to do. Working out and taking care of a kid? That seems inspiring to me personally.
DeleteI should follow your lead and not judge people. THAT is inspiring. I'm working on it lol.
I see both sides of the argument. I've never been pregnant but ideally, I'd like to stay active since it is one of the few things that truly clears my mind. I do hate, however, when I see people on social media that I feel are pushing their limits solely for the purpose of boasting later. That's annoying. And is #FitFetus really a thing?!
ReplyDeleteYes, thank you, you summed it up nicely - there's a difference, although subtle, between staying active and pushing your limits. I am 100% for staying active IF if works for you, although I think you need to go into pregnancy aware it might not. I saw a blog mocking
Delete#fitfetus but haven't seen that hashtags myself... yet!
I just wrote a whole comment and now it's gone. But, to summarize, I don't mind the running thing as much as I mind women who still go to Crossfit at 8 months pregnant. Modifications, I get. But the women I see on Instagram and doing dangerous exercises when you're NOT pregnant. Like 85lb overhead squats. I see no reason to lift 85lbs over your head when you're in the later months of pregnancy. Sure, you CAN do it, but why even take the chance?
ReplyDeleteLOL to #fitfetus
Omg WHAT??? Yeah that's some dumb shit. Running might feel terrible but it's unlikely it's actually dangerous - that's pretty much indisputably dangerous. Considering my coordination is so off I can't go ten minutes without dropping something....WHY.
DeleteI don't find it inspiring either. The part that bugs me is when it's presented as, "well, I'm x many weeks preggo & I can do it why don't you get off your lazy ass?" It's like I'm being shamed into getting off of the couch.
ReplyDeleteI'm not pregnant (yet!) but I have a hard time seeing myself being more active then than I am now.... Which is not active, thanks law firm.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I definitely agree that there is a fine line between exercising while pregnant- which is great if you can do it- and overdoing it while pregnant which is at the least frightening that that same person will be a child's role model and at worst is creating needless opportunities to damage the kid before it even
DeleteMy first reaction was "Wow, how crazy" and then I automatically wondered if her doctor thought that was healthy. If so, then more power to her but it's just not something I'd be doing and not something I find motivational/inspirational but I'm sure others do. Maybe I'm overly cautious since I was raised by a mom who spent many years as an OB nurse but being extra careful with your body when your pregnant isn't a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. I got pregnant while I was recovering from an injury. I took the 9 months off from running to allow my body extra time to heal and recover. I walked a lot and used the stationary bike at the gym until that became uncomfortable, then I just focused on being healthy. I know every person and every pregnancy is different and to each his (her) own but sometimes it just seems like women are going to extremes for the wrong reasons.
ReplyDeleteI think that women should do what they want to do. If they want to run or do CrossFit while hugely pregnant, they should go for it. If they want to take it easy, that's fine also. I'm honestly a little tired of everyone, pregnant or not, trying to look like they're so hard core based on their exercise choices. Who really cares how hard anybody works out? Make your own choices and don't worry about trying to hard to impress others.
ReplyDeleteYou just need to admit that you were super inspired by my 5K pushing the stroller I did the day before I went into labor. Admitting it is key. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not remotely surprised that Alysia Montano ran. She is a four-time national champion at the distance. She couldn't win, and didn't try, but she did continue her streak of competing at US Champs. It is a different kind of streak from the ordinary kind us hobbyjoggers can do. That's a streak like Joan Benoit's OT streak -- it's a streak consisting of runs each demonstrating elite talent.
ReplyDeleteYou + Doctor's Opinion + How You Feel - Ego = What a Woman Should Do While Pregnant
ReplyDeleteSays someone who has never been pregnant, but is kinda tired of everyone nagging on everyone else over every choice.