Thursday, February 21, 2008

Running my Marathon

Many of you know that I have signed up to run the Salt Lake City Marathon this April. With the help and support of Ang, we started training using Hal Higdon’s Intermediate Schedule. It was exciting to start this new challenge. I thought of the finish line after 26.2 miles each time I finished each run. I got about six weeks into my program when life completely turned upside down for me. This is the part that is hard for me to explain. I will not be running the Salt Lake City Marathon this April, but hope to be able to run the 5K instead. Why such a drastic drop in miles and goals? You see, I am expecting baby #4. Shocking? Yes. Exciting? Hopefully soon. Little did I know I had a new running partner a few of those training weeks. I have spent the last almost four weeks in my bed. I am suffering from a severe case of “being pregnant sickness.” I believe my doctor calls it, “hyperemesis gravidarum.” I have traded my running shoes each morning with a date to the toilet morning, noon, and night.

It’s really hard for me to explain exactly what it has been like to make such huge life changes right now. Running provided an enormous amount of joy in my life and I always thought, “IF I ever have another baby…. I’m going to keep running.” Each pregnancy has brought this horrible sickness suitcase with it. I really didn’t think I could do this again. Some days I’m still not sure I will survive this – but hopefully soon the vomiting will stop and I can ease into running a bit again. Nothing would make me happier.

It was really tough for me to tell Ang that I wouldn’t be able to run with her. I feel like I have let her down. Please wrap your arms around her and help her enjoy this truly awesome experience. I appreciate all of the support you have given me in this process. It will be really tough for me to not be able to run with you. I looked forward to it so much. Someday, I will run my marathon. I will probably be by myself, but I will do it.

I will be your biggest cheerleader in SLC! Enjoy all of those training miles. I miss it so much! Thanks for listening and understanding my drop-out. Hopefully I will be lacing the running shoes again soon.

11 comments:

Molly said...

Hang in their team hanni! Is there anything worse than throwing up? No, I don't think so. Does medication help at all? I'll be thinking of you.
I'm pretty darn sure you could find a number of marathon mommies to run with a marathon with you when the time is right.
Oh, yeah and congrats and the new addition.

JP said...

There will be an entire troop to run with you I'm sure.

You can do this, friend. Hang in there!!

Roxanne said...

Oh, I can so relate! I am now 21 weeks and had a horrible time October-January. I ran on and off during this time but it was hard enough to pick myself up and take care of my kids. I probably took a 1 1/2 month break from running due to the sickness. It is so hard! I would pray each day that I would make it through the next. I will tell you that the end is near. I can't believe how much better I feel at this point. As far as my running goes I almost have to start all over. I am running very slow and I can tell that I have lost a lot of leg strength. I am planning to do the SLC half marathon but I am sure I will be walking some of it. I don't really care if I walk half of it I just need that goal to keep me going. If you want to run/walk with me I would be happy to have your company. Do you think you will be over the worst part by April? I am planning to posts some things about running during pregnancy (I am a very average runner so this will be very down to earth)that I hope will help.

By the way I will totally run a marathon with you after our babies are born. I just found out I am having a girl! I have two boys so it is exciting news. Hang in there.

mylittlegems said...

Hi- I am going to post a bio w/ the "meet the mommies"- enjoy - if possible the pregnancy. I did 7 marathons and many other races before having kids. I have 2 boys and decided to run another marathon before next pregnancy. You will get back to running. There is a time and a season for everything. Hang in there. Sharla :)

Kelly(M&M) said...

Wow, congratulations! I hope you are feeling better soon. And don't worry about Ang, we will take good care of her. :-) As for you running alone in your marathon-never! I am sure there will be others of us Mommies (especially Ang!) ready to run another marathon when you are ready to come back. For now, take care and get lots of rest. Unfortunately for me, I was not able to run when I was pregnant, but it made running that much sweeter after having the baby. Thanks for sharing your story!

Ang said...

Jana, I am going to be just fine! I am in good hands with the fellow mommies. I am bummed not to be able to experience it with you, but sooooooooo incredibly thrilled to have another neice.......... or nephew! I just keep praying you will be feeling better really really soon!

M&M told me once, we are mommies first, runners second. And you are one amazing mom! Love ya!

Ang said...

And there's no way you are doing your first marathon alone. I'm so there! (Assuming I'm not prego then!)

sarah k. said...

I can totally empathize. My pregnancies were so hard, and I couldn't keep running through them. Mentally, I know it's hard, and no amount of people telling you how "short" it really is will ever help. I hope you feel better soon, or at least intermittently. :)

Suzie Petunia said...

First of all, congratulations! I am excited for you, and proud of you for making it through this really difficult time. You can do it!! And we will all be here for you when you want to run your marathon. Motherhood is its own kind of marathon, don't you think? Especially the 9 months proceeding the actual arrival of the child. You are a strong woman! You can do it!!

Polliwog said...

Wow, a post I can actually relate to right now. As you may remember, I had to completely drop running at 9 weeks pregnant (I'm now 16!) due to heart issues. I had planned on running throughout so it was a big disappointment to go from running 20-30 miles a week to absolutely nothing. But I am *trying* to look on the bright side--I will be SO ready to dive into running again on the other end of this! And, of course, getting a baby :) Totally worth the sacrifice. The "there is a season for everything" has become something of a mantra for me. But it sure is tough to watch all your friends train without you, I know. :) I always hate it when people say it, but it applies: hugs! Do you usually get past the sickness after the first trimester? I hope so--good luck.

Team Hanni said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your your words of support and encouragement! You ladies are just wonderful.

Roxanne - Oh, how I would love to do the half with you. My brother called to let me know that jogging strollers were allowed (at the back) for the 5K - he said he would push me if I couldn't do it. Oh, how that made me cry....

Suzie - yes I do feel like I am running a marathon right now.... one that I didn't train for.

Poky, JP, Sharla, M&M, Ang, Sarah, and Polliwog - thank you for your encouraging words. I'll admit - I cried through most of them. I dreaded posting my drop-out. When I say I'm going to do something, I do it. Thank you for lifting me up. It means so much to me!