Our first Digital Storyteller, Elissa, is officially on maternity leave now, appropriately, right before Mother's Day. In her goodbye blog post, she reflects on her pregnancy so far and how the advice given to marathon runners is also apt for the 40 week experience.
pregnancy: the other marathon
I have never considered myself a runner and now I can play the pregnancy card and dodge offers to meet for a run without batting an eye. I'm an active person - my mom modeled that for me - but my idea of jogging is winding country roads listening to Simon & Garfunkel.
As lululemon's Digital Storyteller, I have had the amazing opportunity to research running and share the stories of many athletes. I covered our ambassadors who ran the Boston Marathon and I put together some posts to help you all get ready for the races you've been training for since the new year. Thanks to inspiring people like Jenn Thiel and Kathleen Pugh running has started to look more appealing.
As I head off on maternity leave, I'm realising that my experience of pregnancy seemingly runs parallel to the experience of training for a marathon - or, conversely, how all you marathon runners out there may be better prepared for pregnancy than I ever was.
pace yourself
You can do amazing things, 42 kilometres or 40 weeks, but you're not invincible. Give yourself some grace and pace yourself for the long road ahead, whether it's paved and lined with water stations or bumpy (literally) and full of surprises.
eat well
Everything you reach for impacts your body's ability to perform so choose wisely. (Oh, and don't be afraid to break the rules sometimes...just make sure you're not cracking into the cupcakes before your morning coffee break. You've been warned.)
listen to your body
Our bodies are miraculous; capable of doing things we can't even imagine. They often know exactly what they need. The trick is slowing down enough to listen to what they're saying and then obeying.
do yoga
It's as perfect a complement to rigorous marathon training as it is to nurturing a little life. Stretching has saved my body from many perils in the past and has been especially important while preparing for motherhood.
drink water
You know that line from the manifesto that talks about how water flushes toxins from your body and keeps your brain sharp? It's true. Training for a marathon highlights the importance of staying hydrated and when you're pregnant, your brain needs all the help it can get to stay sharp.
Thank you Elissa, for all your love and compassion (and the hard work that accompanied them). As you approach the finish line of this 'race', we wish you bucketsful of luck and happiness for what lies ahead. Happy Mother's Day!
want more?
Get more of Elissa's story. She never applied to work here. Read the blog.
Meet all her lovely co-workers. Learn their dance moves.
Read our manifesto for more of life's little lessons.
Treat your mom like a princess. Make her a delicious brunch.
