Pregnant Woman Finishes Marathon
Fear of Failure
Sometimes it’s easier to make excuses and never try for fear of failure, especially if that excuse is easily accessible and ready for use. It’s easier to say I can’t possibly do that, instead of, I think I’ll give it a go even though I might fail. I’m sure we’ve all probably seen ourselves in both scenarios. I know I certainly have.
I would like to think, however, that I have not let fear of failure stand in my way too often. I’m smiling as I anticipate what I’m preparing to share with you, because I know myself pretty well. I would also like to take credit for making such wise choices, but sometimes I think I obliviously rush forward not even stopping to think about the consequences and just happen to be extremely lucky.
Amber Miller Finishes Chicago Marathon
Let Amber Miller of Westchester, Illinois make her entrance. If you’ve heard her name you probably know where I'm headed with this. If not, let me introduce you to a woman who had that built in excuse but did not use it and accomplished something that no one else has ever done.
On Sunday, October 10, 2011, Amber Miller who could be easily described as an avid runner crossed the finish line at the Chicago Marathon. At 27 years of age, this was her eighth marathon to complete. That’s pretty amazing, in and of itself, at least it would be for me. But that doesn’t sound like an accomplishment that no one else has ever achieved, does it? What makes this feat even more sensational is the fact that just a few hours after completing the 26.2 mile marathon, Ms. Miller delivered a healthy baby girl.
That’s right! Just minutes after crossing the finish line, Amber Miller experienced her first contractions. And just over six hours later she was holding her 7 pound 13 ounce baby daughter, June, born at 38 weeks and 5 days! Ms. Miller ran the marathon while almost full term. Speaking of built-in excuses!
3 Marathons While Pregnant
Ms. Miller discovered she was pregnant just days after she had registered to run in the Chicago race. Since she was already running, she decided to continue forward with her plans, and play it by ear as the race approached to see if she would indeed compete in the marathon. She was quoted as having said, “I am crazy about running.” Many people feel that she could have stopped after the first 3 words of that statement.
Ms. Miller did have an okay from her doctor to run the race as long as she walked half of it. With her husband running along the sidelines with her, she took the half-run, half-walk approach that allowed her to finish the race. Although her time was much slower than her normal pace, she was pleased to have completed the goal that she had set out for herself.
Even more amazing is the fact that this was the second race she completed during this pregnancy. At 17 weeks, she completed the Wisconsin Marathon in May. And in 2009, she also ran in the Indianapolis Marathon while 18 weeks pregnant with her first child, Caleb.
I would never suggest that anyone run a race, much less a marathon, while pregnant, and especially so close to term. Doctors will tell you however, that as long as a runner is healthy and running before getting pregnant, that continuing the practice during pregnancy is fine as long as they are closely monitored by their doctor.
Although I would never suggest that anyone go to this extreme, I do want to challenge all of us to step out of our comfort zones and try something that we have never done before. If I had not done so just 9 short weeks ago, and ventured into the magical land called HubPages, and tried something that I had only previously dreamed of, I would not have written this and the previous 75 articles!
I can honestly say that many times I feel as wobbly as a newborn colt as I continue in this adventure called writing, in the magical land called HubPages. And I’ve even started to venture beyond the safe borders of HubPages into a strange and exotic land called Freelance. As I continue to explore a little further each day out of my comfort zone, I can feel these wobbly legs get just a little stronger each day.
Have you stretched and spread your wings recently?
You guys (males) are going to have to think outside the box on this one! Would you run a marathon while pregnant?
Other Inspirational People:
- Blind Woman Quilter, Diane Rose in Waco, Texas
Diane Rose is an amazing Texas woman. She lets very little stand in the way of her dreams, or keep her from being all that she can be! Her zest for life could be an inspiration to us all.
Resource Sites:
- Marathon Mom: Pregnant Woman Amber Miller Finishes Chicago Race, Delivers Baby Girl - ABC News
Amber Miller got more than a medal for finishing Sunday's Bank of America Chicago Marathon -- she also got a healthy, 7 pound, 13 ounce baby girl hours later.
© 2011 Cindy Murdoch
Comments: "Pregnant Woman Finishes Marathon"
Unbelievable .. this is a mind blowing story. Thanks for writing such an article. Voted!
Wow! What an amazing story. I am blown away by it. It is unbelieveable. Thank you for the illuminating article.
Excellent, well-written hub. I especially liked your conclusion and how you related the pregnant runner's dedication to trying new things, stepping out of your comfort zone, etc. I'm new to HP so I'm doing that now :)
I'm pretty dedicated to exercise--I usually exercise about an hour a day, five days a week. However, I would never put my body (and baby) through what she did. I would be too afraid of hurting the baby. I'm glad that she had such a successful outcome.
Great job, voted up :)
Every mother who delivers one, two, three, four, or even five (quintuplets) has "finished a marathon"! And for most, it takes longer to recover than it does a runner to recover from their marathon! In fact, the recovery is said to take until those babies are in college! Thanks for another fine Hub, but I couldn't resist adding the thoughts that came to mind when I saw your title.
I read about this in news but, I loved reading a descriptive version of it via your hub, cindy.
This just shows a woman can do wonders...lol
Thanks for such an encouraging hub. voted up indeed with awesomeness!
Wow, she is an amazing woman. I can't imagine running a marathon period, much less doing it while pregnant. She has raised the bar and taken away a lot of my excuses!
I've been pregnant twice and love to run, but couldn't imagine doing the two at once. I can imagine her bladder must have felt like it was being used as a trampoline....Well done to her and to you too homesteadbound for an interesting hub.
A fascinating topic. I would never do a marathon while pregnant! (Actually I would never do a marathon at all!) I did do a 5K fun walk when I was pregnant though, but only in my 1st trimester. I regularly walked 5 K anyway. It was a stroller-friendly event, so I had my older child (who was about 12 months old) in the stroller. I think I went a bit too fast though (I passed many non-pregnant, non-stroller-pushing people along the way). Then things felt bad inside me after the event and I was a bit scared. I just laid down for about an hour or two afterward at home, then it was OK. Based on that experience I wouldn't recommend even a fast walking event, but I'm glad it all worked out fine for the woman who did the marathon! I can't imagine how she did it! And so soon before giving birth, too. I am impressed.
I've answered the question but i'll still want you to know my answers, i wouldn't think about running if i ever get pregnant! But she is amazing, I wondered how she could overcome the fear of falling and the likes. This is a nicely written hub, I mean it was awesome from the inception to the final line. Thanks for sharing, and sharing it too, while voting up along the line.
Goodness. I'd have thought I'd have a miscarriage even if I walked one. Nowadays I wish I was fit enough to get out of bed... ha ha!
Amazingly wonderful story. Glad i read this. Great piece
What an incredible achivement! From your above comment I see she was only complaining about blisters on her feet, I guess it's one way to detract from the pains of labour!
Another interesting and well written hub, thank you MM
This is an incredible story. I always heard walking helps move along the process and makes delivery much easier. To run a marathon then hours later have a baby, I would have to guess she was wore out. It really captures her willingness and dedication to do what she obvious loves. You captured an amazing story Homesteadbound. Awesome, beautiful, intersting, and up. Birth is always beautiful.
HaHa. The only reason I wouldn't have a dust storm is because my husband uses the treadmill.
Wow...can't help but think of the baby bouncing around in utero! I voted NO. LOL about the dust storm....I sold mine a couple of years ago, I just prefer pavement. Great hub!
Hhhmmm - Well, I guess I have no excuses for avoiding my treadmill every morning.
What an accomplishment indeed! The story of this young lady's achievement really highlights that good old saying "where there's a will there's a way". It's not easy to step out of our comfort zones and set ourselves challenges but in doing so we become stronger. And I guess that's the same with the magical land of HubPages...as long as we have a dream, or something to work towards, then we will find a way to meet our goals. Great stuff, homesteadbound, I always enjoy reading your hubs :-)
Cloverleaf
Voted up / Awesome
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