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Paula Radcliffe Needs No One’s Approval
By Cindy | November 9, 2007
After 2 hours and 23 minutes, Paula Radcliffe crossed the finish line to win the New York City Marathon for women. 26.2 miles in 2 hours and 23 minutes–that’s a little over 5 minute miles! Rather than focus on her victory, judgments are made about her training so soon after pregnancy. She gave birth 9 months prior to the marathon, New Mom’s NYC Marathon Win Stirs Debate. What she did is amazing. The average person is not going to get up and go run a marathon so soon after pregnancy, but for an exceptional athlete, why not? We use pregnancy as an excuse to avoid fitness. We convince ourselves that we are not as fit as we were prior to pregnancy. We are the keepers of our own bodies. We choose to listen or not. Paula Radcliffe had a desire to immediately return to top competitive ranks. She made the sacrifices and suffered the consequences of her training. For both the challenges she faced by over-training early and for returning to peak condition, she made those decisions for herself. I respect any person that makes that commitment regardless of media and all of our crazy opinions posted on the internet. 2 hours and 23 minutes!!! Wow! Now, I know that I can’t use my children as the excuse for not completing a half-marathon, especially when it is scheduled 2 and 1/2 years after my last baby was born. Thanks for the inspiration and motivation, Paula!!!
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Topics: Current Events |
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- Fit and Healthy Links | workoutmommy.com on November 16th, 2007 at 9:26 pm:
I agree…she should be applauded, not criticized! Being an elite runner is her job! She simply went back to work, like many mothers do after having their children. I’m glad to read that she gave some credit to her husband too.
Amen! It’s taking me a lot longer to get back into marathon shape;)
Yeah, it’s her job, why shouldn’t she go back to work?
Exercise is one of the best things for your body both before the baby is born and afterwards. Perhaps not at the level that she trained at, but I am sure that she was better off than taking two years out of competition.
I was happy to see her win. Not as happy as if an American had won, but…
Great points! It’s been neat to see the positive comments and view points about Paula’s Marathon victory. BlogHer put together a great post titled, Marathon Mom Paula Radcliffe Raises Contraversy (Supposedly).
I’m with you. People that get on Paula for running after her pregnancy need to mind thier own business. She’s an athlete and chose not to use her pregnancy as a crutch against hard work.