Olympian, 28, runs 800m race while 34 weeks PREGNANT but is it safe? Many pregnant women do like to keep up with a gentle exercise routine while expecting, but its doubtful that many would fancy doing an 800m running race. However, a five-time U.S. national champion did just that and ran it in just over two minutes - all while she was 34-weeks pregnant. Olympian Alysia Montano may have finished last in the race yesterday at the Hornet Stadium in Sacramento, California, but she said she enjoyed it and felt really good. The 28-year-old runner, who received a standing ovation after completing the race in 2 minutes, 32.13 seconds, said: Ive been running throughout my pregnancy and I felt really, really good during the whole process. Her finishing time was 35 seconds slower than her personal best of 1:57.34, which she smashed back in 2010 in a race in Monaco, but is still a time many recreational runners wouldnt be able to achieve. The 28-year-old is expecting her first baby with her 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 doctors approval. Montano has been training and competing since she was a child and was glad to find there was no reason why she shouldnt continue while expecting. 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, she said. She knew she had no chance of winning or running at her best during the race but emphasizes that wasnt the point. She wanted to take part for the joy of racing. She writes on her blog that she thinks its important that people - whatever their ability - remember that its the taking part in sport that counts. Racing is still very enjoyable for me because Ive been able to think of it like a kid does. Theyre so innocent - theyre wanting to win but theyre having fun, too, she writes. As you get older, its easy to put importance on things that really dont matter and then succumb to that pressure; so I dont like to get myself wrapped up by talking about competitive goals too much.
Posted on: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 15:53:54 +0000