Most pregnant women like to say they are eating for two, but how many can claim they are double-downing the Gatorade after an 800-meter race for the same reason?
Only one.
Only one.
Five-time U.S. national track and field champion, Alysia Montano, did just that after competing in the USATF Outdoor Championships Thursday— all while she was 34 weeks pregnant.
Not surprisingly, the 28-year-old finished last, with an impressive time of 2 minutes, 32.12 seconds, against a world class field. It was a full 35 seconds short of the Olympian's personal best, but Montano received a well deserved standing ovation at the finish line nonetheless.
Montano's run sparked a lot of conversation about running with child at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento, but she said she felt "really good."
"I've been running throughout my pregnancy and I felt really, really good during the whole process," she said.
Nicknamed the Flying Flower thanks to always racing with one in her hair, she joked about her greatest fear before the race.
"I just didn't want to get lapped and be the first person to get lapped in the 800," said Montano.
This will be her first child with husband Louis, who she married in 2011.
Doctors gave Montano the OK to take part in the race and she hopes it dispels misconceptions over exercise and pregnancy.
"That took away any fear of what the outside world might think about a woman running during her pregnancy," Montano said of getting her doctor's approval.
And, with baby on board, she's halfway to running a four-person relay as well.
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