Marathon mom!

Hold the presses!
Yesterday, in the Chicago marathon, a woman finished in 6:25:50.
What?
Not an impressive time?
What about the fact that she was IN LABOR during the race?

Read the full story at ESPN or the Chicago Sun Times.

See ESPN or the Associated Press for the full story (link above).

This is definitely a story to keep in mind on upcoming track workouts and long runs. New mantra: "If she can run in labor, I can sprint another 800!" or "If she can run through contractions, a calf cramp is nothing!"

What do you think of this story?

What marathon mom running mantra would you suggest?


Mid-evening update... Kristy at Breath of Sunshine has some brilliant insights on the whole running-while-pregnant phenomenon. Her entire post is worth reading, but this section is particularly well said by another running-while-pregnant woman:

"I'm pregnant not broken. Our bodies are made to be pregnant. As woman, we are designed to have children. The human body isn’t designed for sitting on a couch with feet propped up for 10 months. Although I agree with taking certain precautions while pregnant and consulting with a doctor before taking certain risks, I think active pregnancy should be celebrated in the same way that an active lifestyle should be celebrated."

Tuesday update: Apparently there has been some confusion about this story. It is important to note that the marathon mom received permission from her doctor before participating in the race, and her husband was reportedly by her side the entire time. In addition, the Mayo Clinic provides this guidance:

If you exercised before pregnancy, you can probably continue to work out at the same level while you're pregnant — as long as you're feeling comfortable and your health care provider says it's OK. In general, you should be able to carry on a conversation while you're exercising. If you can't speak normally while you're working out, you're probably pushing yourself too hard. Remember to stretch before and after each workout. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, and be careful to avoid overheating. No matter how dedicated you are to being in shape, don't exercise to the point of exhaustion.

So... to be clear: This blog post is intended to express surprise at an amazing feat of endurance. It is not encouraging every pregnant woman to go run a marathon. It is also not condemning marathon mom. Rather, I would encourage anyone to listen to your doctor and make wise, informed choices about your fitness and the health of your baby.