Alysia Montaño is no stranger at the USATF Outdoor Championships. In fact, she's won the 800-meter race at the event five times. However last night, the Olympian took to the track carrying a little extra someone.
The 28-year-old is 34 weeks pregnant.
Though she was 31 seconds off the leader and much slower than her personal best of 1:57, Montaño ran 2:32.13 for a last-place finish. But that didn't matter to her or the crowds that gave her resounding applause.
"I just didn't want to get lapped and be the first person to get lapped in the 800," Montaño told ESPNw. "I've been running throughout my pregnancy and I felt really, really good during the whole process."
Montaño added that she consulted with her doctor beforehand to make sure it was safe to race. They gave her the green light.
"That took away any fear of what the outside world might think about a woman running during her pregnancy," Montano told ESPNw. "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."
