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Are you thinking about natural unmedicated childbirth? Your friends and family don't think you can do it? Read on. Say you've always thought about running a marathon. (I've always wanted to do a triathlon.) You find out one will be held in the next year and figure the timing is perfect. You decide to run a marathon! You're pretty excited at first, but then start to think about all the work it's going to take to get through it. Wow. But no big deal. You'll plan workouts and look into what's recommended for first-timers. You're up for the challenge. One day, you surprise your family and friends with your plans. They're impressed (though skeptical). "Wow," they say, "a marathon? You're actually choosing to run 26.2 miles? I couldn't do it. Good luck." They start to think about you when they see things about running and training for marathons. Soon, you're getting clippings from magazines and newspapers from them about running. They periodically check in with you to ask how it's going, though you can sense a hint of doubt in their voices. Your family starts offering you more healthful foods and drinks when you visit. They brag to their friends about your plans. They decide to be there at the race to support you and other runners by handing out water and cheering. You realize there's no turning back now. You stop skipping the occasional workout or run. You start a list of things you'll need in your training and for the marathon - shoes, running outfit, stop watch. You've been using a heart rate monitor and keeping track of your times and it looks like you're on schedule. You know you'll be able to do this. After months of training the race is almost here and your closest friends ask if there's anything they can do for you to help. They offer to take care of anything you'll need the days before and after the race. They tell you of stories they've heard about other first-timers, but reassure you that they know you can do it. Your husband has sometimes kidded you about the pain you're sure to experience and asks whether you'll be up for any "fun" after running that far. His jabs can be funny, but can also hit a nerve with you. Eventually he sees how hard you've worked and realizes that you're taking this seriously, he starts to come around and finally offers his support. He says he'll be there throughout the race in case you need him. It's just what you needed to hear. The day of the race arrives and you're a bundle of nervous energy. Your mood bounces from serious determination to nervous giggles. Before you know it, you're off and running. "Oh my god," you think, "I'm doing it. I'm running a marathon. OK," sigh, "pace yourself." As you run the early miles, you keep in mind everything you've learned and the strategy you decided on. Slow and steady, just breathe and run. You feel pretty good early on and then hit the middle miles. It's getting tough but the crowd and your supporters keep you going. Before long, you're only 5 miles from the finish line. you're exhausted. Your feet hurt. Your legs hurt. Your head hurts. You feel like you could easily collapse. How nice it would be to just sit down. You wish you could take a break. You think about stopping. Just then, you see your family and husband ahead. They're cheering for you with hands outstretched offering cups of water. You can make it to them, you decide. When you get there, they see the pain on your face. They can tell you're hurting. You only have a couple miles to go. Do they tell you to stop? Do they tell you to just give up? "It was a nice try, but why keep going if you're in so much pain? You look so tired, honey. Let's go home and we'll get something to eat and you can take a hot shower." Or do they cheer you on? "Keep going. You can do it! We're right behind you! Just a little farther! You're almost there!" You think about the months you've spent preparing for this. You can't just give up with only a couple miles to go. At just the right time, you're husband tells you to keep going. He knows you can do it. "You know what to do," he says, "you can do it. You can finish this. Breathe, keep those feet moving. You're almost there, honey." You needed that. You gather up what's left of your energy and strength and keep moving. And then there it is - the finish line. You feel a new surge of energy and power. And you're there. You've done it. You just ran a marathon! Your family gathers around you, cheering and hugging you. They congratulate you on such a huge accomplishment. You are amazed with yourself. There's a big smile on your face. There are tears of joy running down your cheeks. "I did it. Wow, I can't believe I just did that." That night your family has a party for you. You feel like you're walking on air as you tell everyone what you went through and how you did it. Then they brag about their daughter, sister, friend for years to come. In the future, anytime something challenging presents itself, you remind yourself how hard you worked to train and run a marathon. You never doubt yourself again. You know you can do anything you want to do. This is exactly what natural childbirth is like. But for some reason, friends and family are hesitant to react the same way. Wouldn't they want to support you in something so much more important - the birth of another member of the family? Wouldn't your husband cheer you on? Wouldn't he want you to finish the race? Of course you would be in pain, but he would know that you could handle it. You can do it!! |