Running is like labour: Just finished hating my... - Couch to 5K

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Running is like labour

Fitsticks profile image
FitsticksGraduate
28 Replies

Just finished hating my run, wk7r1. Whilst hating it I realised I have hated all my runs until I finish them, then I forget it. So I think it's a bit like labour

1) it hurts (so not anywhere near as much but it hurts!)

2) you need to breathe

3) sometimes your legs go in directions you didn't think possible

4) sometimes you can't even feel your legs

5) you have to push, push and push really hard especially at the end

6) you keep going back (I've had two labours and that's enough but I went back)

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Fitsticks profile image
Fitsticks
Graduate
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28 Replies
TJEL profile image
TJELGraduate

Very good description - I did it 4 times!!!!!!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

The breathing bit.. totally... a few of us used to hold our breaths..until the runs got longer :)

Yes...a wonderful mix of all sorts of sensations and amazing too.

Well done you... slow and steady all the way to Graduation... oh and remember, and here is where I disagree with you...unlike labour.. at no time do you have to Push.. just relax and slow down, pant, :) take a few deep breaths and go with the whole thing... the outcome will be just as rewarding :) xx

Rignold profile image
Rignold

But also, when you are finished you have something that is a source of deep joy and pride for the rest of your life.

Bonkersbrit profile image
BonkersbritGraduate in reply to Rignold

Says the spectating male!!

But yes you are correct.😀

Rignold profile image
Rignold in reply to Bonkersbrit

'spectating' has a slightly unsettling ring to it. I don't actually hang around labour wards with a bag of popcorn.

Fitsticks profile image
FitsticksGraduate in reply to Rignold

Nachos with OBEM is acceptable tho!

Rignold profile image
Rignold in reply to Fitsticks

I have once eaten a packet of pork scratchings with one hand whilst having the other hand inside a sow, assisting in the delivery of a litter.

If we haven't strayed rather far from the OP now.

Fitsticks profile image
FitsticksGraduate in reply to Rignold

Now your talking... the bit about pork scratchings not the rest of it.

Rignold profile image
Rignold in reply to Fitsticks

Not sure if it wasn't a traumatic sight for the piglets to emerge in to the world to see first though.

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate in reply to Rignold

Maybe 'encouraging partner' is more fitting Rig.

Rignold profile image
Rignold in reply to Millsie-J

I was a fairly active participant in the piglets delivery.

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate in reply to Rignold

"But also, when you are finished you have something that is a source of deep joy and pride for the rest of your life.

"

Well said Big R :)

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate

Great post!

But maybe not push, push, push. Slow and steady , dig deep and carry on! 👍🏼🏃🏻‍♀️

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

I agree. No need to push at all. We are to be zen like at the end 😃🏃‍♀️

Wot red face? ☺️ Ok then maybe just a little bit 🙂

useitorloseit profile image
useitorloseitGraduate

Ha ha I had a c section! I cheated! (Not by choice, but actually if they'd asked me I would've said yes please). BUT I did NOT cheat with my running, and continue to this day to put myself through the pain for the things you list after.

However, I did not risk another child .... read from that what you will!

Fitsticks profile image
FitsticksGraduate in reply to useitorloseit

This in no way is cheating, I'm pretty sure you couldn't feel your legs!

useitorloseit profile image
useitorloseitGraduate in reply to Fitsticks

Indeed. I loved it. No need to get up to go to the loo for 24 hours! Catheters rule!

roseabi profile image
roseabi

Love this post. I confess to enjoying parts of my runs on occasion, but I'm childless, so please tell me: could my enjoyment equate to the stages of labour where they give you the drugs? :)

Fitsticks profile image
FitsticksGraduate in reply to roseabi

Drugs are good 😂

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate in reply to roseabi

The drugs are not compulsory mind you !

useitorloseit profile image
useitorloseitGraduate in reply to roseabi

My mother always told me to say no to drugs. On this occasion I ignored her advice!! My sister, quite comically, nearly gave birth to her second child down the toilet as she was crazy mad on pethidine and thought she was doing a really big poo. I hope you don't have THAT much fun whilst running!

roseabi profile image
roseabi in reply to useitorloseit

Ha :D

nhs2015 profile image
nhs2015Graduate

You forgot something Fitsticks : 7) then I am soooo proud of myself and feel on top of the world despite the aches

Fitsticks profile image
FitsticksGraduate in reply to nhs2015

Definitely! Must be why I keep running.

Also thought of another comparison: they can both make you throw up!

Erinsjoy profile image
ErinsjoyGraduate

I think this is a great analogy and despite what others say about pushing, I do think we push ourselves, even if only mentally, or we would never progress.

Gillma profile image
GillmaGraduate

Ha ha ha! V funny. Sweet little 5k makes up for all the pain, eh?

Bonkersbrit profile image
BonkersbritGraduate

Hang on a minute. Three times a week, outside in all weathers. Labour suddenly has a very short sign up list!

Three times in a lifetime was all I could manage and they were all tucked up safely in a warm hospital.

And... I can't believe I let my husband talk me into this

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