My Ode to Running

Running, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee for taking my breath away
I love thee for making my heart stronger
I love thee for the feelings you bestow upon me when I finish a nice run...

Just like many Runnermamas have done before me, I've decided to hang up my running shoes... for a little while. I'll still give my heart a workout on the elliptical, but for now at 39 weeks, running will be something I do in my dreams - or until I heal from L&D.

Sunday's run on the treadmill went fairly well and other than the pressure (I've felt it before) in my bladder area, nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. However, that evening and the next day, I was plagued with a sore and tight pelvis. And for some reason, Mr. Braxton Hicks was really becoming an annoying guest. I've come to the conclusion: if I'm going to be using these muscles any day now*, then I should really give them some rest.

*I say any day now because those are the words one of my midwives, Rezvan, used during my last prenatal appointment, yesterday. Baby Max is very low (which explains the increased pressure on my bladder when I ran on Sunday) and he's now in position to make his grand entrance. In her beautiful Parisian accent Rezvan said, "Zis baby iz ready to come out, I'm on call zis weekend. I'm betting I'll be busy!"

Oh boy! I'm hoping and keeping my fingers crossed I make it to 40 weeks! The bags are now packed and The B is also hurrying to get stuff done - like the mobile (which we're making) and putting up a small mirror along Baby Maxity's floor bed.

Though I'm a bit sad to hang up my running shoes for the next little while, I know I've accomplished my goal I set for myself at the beginning of this pregnancy: to run throughout this marvelous adventure and share my experience with my growing baby.

At 39 weeks, I've done it.

We've logged a lot of kilometres together and shared in the joy of crossing many finish lines.

We did it...and we did it together.

Not only have I enriched my soul and my body with increased blood and endorphin flow, but I've also shared one of my passions with a little spirit who is now ready to come out and spread his love. I don't know if Baby Max will enjoy sport and running as much as I do, but at this point, I really don't care. All I do know is that I gave him a wonderful experience while he sprouted from a tiny cell to become a tiny little human.

I'm very, very blessed indeed. I've had a very good pregnancy and I have a very supportive B who didn't nag or lecture me about working out or exercising. He trusted and believed in my decisions. (Trust me, I've heard of many other moms-to-be whose husbands constantly fussed over them like they were made of glass. Seriously guys, if the pregnancy is low-risk, moms-to-be are unlike breakable China Dolls!)

And as strange as this sounds, I know I'll miss my baby bump and feeling Baby Max move from within me. It's been a wonderful and beautiful journey so far and I'm really looking forward to meeting my little friend and sharing new experiences with him.