Talk about being a super woman! Alysia Montaño is a middle-distance runner, five-time USA Outdoor champion (2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013) and has represented the US at numerous international championships, including the 2012 Olympics. It so happens that she is 34 weeks pregnant, or eight and a half months along, and she just ran at the 800 meters of the US Track and Field Championships on Thursday, June 26. Montaño finished in 2 minutes, 32.13 seconds, nearly 35 seconds slower than her personal best of 1:57.34 in Monaco, 2010.
Although the runner didn’t qualify for the semifinals, everyone present at Sacramento’s Hornet Stadium was cheering for her and even gave her a standing ovation when she finished her first lap, and later crossed the finish line. "I've been running throughout my pregnancy and I felt really, really good during the whole process," Montaño said after the qualifying heat. She took a relaxed pace from the start and maintained it throughout. "I just didn't want to get lapped and be the first person to get lapped in the 800," she added.
For those worried about her health, she consulted with her physician about her training and her exercise regime and the doctor said it was fine. "That took away any fear of what the outside world might think about a woman running during her pregnancy," Montaño said. "What I found out mostly was that exercising during pregnancy is actually much better for the mom and the baby. ... I did all the things I normally do ... I just happened to be pregnant. This is my normal this year."
This is Montaño’s first child, and according to CBS LA, she and her husband planned the baby on an “off year” so she can still compete in the World Championships and the Olympics.
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