How running has trained my mind for labor

Joe and I attended our first childbirth class last week. I had convinced myself that I read all I would need to know about childbirth until the nurse gave the class an excellent comparison to focus on. The runner's high.

She was trying to convince the group that our bodies have natural endorphines that will help us through labor. I could see skepticism wash over the faces of those around me. Liz boasted that they're natural chemicals that our bodies would release into our systems to help us deal with labor.

To me, I truly believe that running will make all the difference in the labor process. Distance running is about controlling your breathing and focusing on the end goal. Not feeling all the aches along the way, but pushing through them as if they were mere obstacles on our way to a finish line.

In reality I haven't been through it yet, so I can't say if it's a fair comparison to make. But I will be using all my experience running to help get me through labor. My goal is to do this naturally without any drugs. If they become necessary (because a c-section is required) then I'll accept it. But going into it, I'm going to use everything I learned from the childbirth class, and from running to get me through labor. I want to be free of any drugs during the birth of my first baby.

Too busy to blog?

The excuse that one could be too busy to blog bothers me. It seems to me that the busier you are, the more blog content you must have. I'm finding that I have been busy, but perhaps the content that could fill this space, doesn't fit the main focus of this blog. But I suppose that's what life is about, right? It's about change. And perhaps a bit of a change could be good for this blog.
Confession, I haven't been running, or even trying to run. Besides going on some pretty fantastic walks with Willow, things have been pretty stagnant in the running department. Usually I would use this blog to track my successes, or lack of motivation. (Ironic how writing about having no motivation is actually . . . motivating.)
The other focus in my blog is Willow's training and how I've been trying to keep up with her. I'd love to take responsibility for how much she has change, but it's really attributable to her turning two years old. They say labs really mellow out between two and three. She's not all the way there yet, but I'm much more confident about bringing a baby in the house. After all, Willow doesn't stay in her crate at night, instead she roams the house freely. She has yet to leave a trail of destruction in her path. Not even so much as a chewed pen.
So what fits? I suppose the reason for the change in lifestyle should be the focus of the blog. My pregnancy. I have 8 weeks until the baby's due date. I'm thrilled that time is flying by, but I'm so nervous that if I don't capture all the great moments of pregnancy, I will have wasted the experience.
The daily changes I've seen are predictable, but surprising none-the-less. Every time the baby jabs me, or rolls, it's always exciting. Gentle little reminders that something wonderful is growing. I could do without the leg cramps, and the tightness in my lungs. But I wouldn't give up any of these experiences for anything.
I'm hoping to keep updating in the final few weeks, how I feel, and methods that I'm using to cope with all the changes. Prenatal yoga is just one example, but there is so much more.