The starting line

I haven’t been running much lately… at least not with a set schedule or goal in mind… but I do run every once in awhile. I think I am someone who needs a pretty set schedule. Mostly… the soon to arrive baby (less than 30 days now) is consuming my thoughts.

We went to a birthing class last weekend, and I was surprised at how many similarities there are between training and running a marathon and having a baby. There are breathing techniques that are useful in both. Relaxation techniques… pain management, visualization, and counting tricks I am pretty sure all marathon runners pick up.

I fear I will bawl when Mia is born. During my marathon training I felt similar when I thought about finally reaching my goal. There is certainly no energy for tears at a marathon finish line though… and most likely I will be able to remain focused and swallow my feelings and bury them deep in my core as men are supposed to. =)

It seemed like the start of my first marathon would never arrive. Even standing in the starting chute it seemed like forever away… but then one moment bowed to the next, and my dream started to become reality. It is a good thing the times of sand keep carrying us forward… through rough times and good times… through training… marathons, labor and everything in between.

In a few weeks I will get to see Mia line up at the starting line of her life… and the mojo from that moment might propel me for the rest of my days.