I remember during my first Ironman triathlon (2.1 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run), at around mile 18 of the run, it was dark out (I'd started in the water at 8am), and the field had spread out. I was all alone in my misery, physically & mentally exhausted and hurting. Suddenly I remembered being in childbirth, (I had given birth…
I remember during my first Ironman triathlon (2.1 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run), at around mile 18 of the run, it was dark out (I'd started in the water at 8am), and the field had spread out. I was all alone in my misery, physically & mentally exhausted and hurting. Suddenly I remembered being in childbirth, (I had given birth twice, without an epidural), in the transition phase, which is near the end and typically the hardest. I thought, "this is the closest my male competitors will ever get to experiencing the extreme physical, emotional and mental challenge of enduring suffering in a very solitary place." It occurred to me that this may be why these extreme endurance events sell out in minutes. Perhaps in our relatively easy, comfortable lives, a part of us yearns for the suffering, and the profound joy and accomplishment of reaching that finish line. This was an excellent essay. My OB-Gyn could not understand why I would eschew the epidural. He said, "Why would you want to suffer when you don't need to?" I didn't bother explaining myself, but I was thinking, "There is always a price to pay for taking the easy road" (I was afraid of possible side effects eg chronic migraines, back issues). I often think to myself, and I tell my kids: "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should." I believe we parents need to do a better job of role modeling doing what's right, which may often mean not doing what's easy. I'm a therapist, and I firmly believe that if we focus on prioritizing sleep, exercise, healthy diet, time in nature, connecting with others, meaningful work, setting limits on screens/social media, nurturing a spiritual practice - we could prevent and solve so many issues.
It’s kinda funny we women try to think of comparable pain men endure to compare it to the birth process. My husband said having a kidney stone must be similar to the pain of childbirth. I can’t say because I’ve never had one. I can say am grateful to be a woman...I *get* to experience pregnancy and childbirth. I’m the lucky one.
I remember during my first Ironman triathlon (2.1 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run), at around mile 18 of the run, it was dark out (I'd started in the water at 8am), and the field had spread out. I was all alone in my misery, physically & mentally exhausted and hurting. Suddenly I remembered being in childbirth, (I had given birth twice, without an epidural), in the transition phase, which is near the end and typically the hardest. I thought, "this is the closest my male competitors will ever get to experiencing the extreme physical, emotional and mental challenge of enduring suffering in a very solitary place." It occurred to me that this may be why these extreme endurance events sell out in minutes. Perhaps in our relatively easy, comfortable lives, a part of us yearns for the suffering, and the profound joy and accomplishment of reaching that finish line. This was an excellent essay. My OB-Gyn could not understand why I would eschew the epidural. He said, "Why would you want to suffer when you don't need to?" I didn't bother explaining myself, but I was thinking, "There is always a price to pay for taking the easy road" (I was afraid of possible side effects eg chronic migraines, back issues). I often think to myself, and I tell my kids: "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should." I believe we parents need to do a better job of role modeling doing what's right, which may often mean not doing what's easy. I'm a therapist, and I firmly believe that if we focus on prioritizing sleep, exercise, healthy diet, time in nature, connecting with others, meaningful work, setting limits on screens/social media, nurturing a spiritual practice - we could prevent and solve so many issues.
Amen!
It’s kinda funny we women try to think of comparable pain men endure to compare it to the birth process. My husband said having a kidney stone must be similar to the pain of childbirth. I can’t say because I’ve never had one. I can say am grateful to be a woman...I *get* to experience pregnancy and childbirth. I’m the lucky one.
To transcend suffering gives meaning to life. The point of Camus' Myth of Sisyphus.
I had a female OB-GYN with my first.