PostingMotherhood: a marathon for us all

pradcliffeMS0505468x453_Small.jpgWonderful to read of Paula Radcliffe's victory in the New York Marathon, just nine months after giving birth to her daughter Isla in January. Brilliant news, especially after her terrible time in the Athens Olympics. Radcliffe, who's thirty three, is talking about competing in the 2012 London Olympics and having another child before then. Which could conceivably make her an older mum. Go, Paula. It's not just the British flag you're flying. You're an inspiration to us all.

Posted 12 November 2007 15:31

Childbirth Older mother Out and about

Comments

iota said:

Do you know, I find mothers like Paula Radcliffe counter-inspirational. I was in the "just about coping with normal life" brigade after 9 months, and the idea of being marathon fit at that point just horrifies me. Half of me wants to say "each to her own" and half of me wants to say "this is depraved". Mostly I just feel tired thinking about it. This says more about me than her, I know.

Posted 12 November 2007 21:55

DJ Kirkby said:

I'm with Iota on this one...I can't imagine wanting to run a marathon a few months after birth. Plus all that training would mean missing out on some of the magic moments of mothering. I totaly resented going back to work for this reason but perhaps marathon running is Paula's 'job' and therefore she had no choice in the matter either.

Posted 13 November 2007 07:52

mid-lifer said:

I'm with the others on this one - people like that make my little achievements seem so pathetic.



But then, I reason that she's obviously got a good support network and people to look after her babies when she's training. And let's not forget, with these 'supermums' there's always a compromise somewhere along the line, and quite often, it's the children.

Posted 13 November 2007 09:21

guineapigmum said:

I think a large chunk of her support network is her husband, who works with her. I was reading about them the other day - when she's out on long training runs, he's looking after the baby. I'm on the inspirational side. She seems to have got herself organised and givevs every appearance of the whole family being enormously happy.

Posted 13 November 2007 10:53

Casdok said:

IM going to sit on the fence on this one!!!!

Posted 13 November 2007 11:01

iota said:

Of course now my youngest is 3 and a half, I'm absolutely back to marathon running. I just want to make that clear.



Look at the photo, though. You have to admit, it represents a HUGE achievement. That baby, in white, in front of the cameras, no sick, no dribble, no wind gusting the clothes over her face, no fist in mouth or eyes screwed up to spoil the picture. A marathon victory indeed.

Posted 13 November 2007 18:40

guineapigmum said:

Chortle.



And of course, no sweat... It can't have been much of a marathon.

Posted 13 November 2007 18:43

Helen said:

What you can't see in the picture are the mini trainers worn by baby Isla.



Iota, I'm in the flabby camp myself, eighteen months after the birth of Beanie. And destined to remain so for some time, I suspect.



Casdok, most wise.



Mid-lifer, from the little I know of your life, you've got lots of achievements to be very proud about. The way I reason to myself is that just because we don't run marathons there's no reason to feel bad.



GPM, sorry, but now I am starting to feel inadequate - not just a fab runner but also an amazing organiser with a lovely family life. Huh.



Iota, the baby looks a teeny bit cross and world-weary to me. Too many photo sessions can do that to a gal.



GPM, no sweat.... oh my goodness, has the public been duped?

Posted 13 November 2007 19:33

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