Montano, a 5-time national champion, finished the race in 2 minutes, 32.13 seconds in the qualifying rounds, barely seven weeks before she’s due to give birth to her first child.
The 28-year-old, who is a former University of California star, finished last in her heat but that didn’t matter to the crowd gathered at the Hornet Stadium.
Trailing the lead pack by more than 120 meters for most of the race, Montano received a rousing ovation as she finished her first lap and the cheering grew louder when she finally crossed the finish line.
“I’ve
been running throughout my pregnancy and I felt really, really good
during the whole process,” She said. “I just didn’t want to get lapped
and be the first person to get lapped in the 800.”
Montano, who won
the 800 national titles the past four years, was never in trouble of
being lapped. She took a nice relaxed pace from the start and maintained
it throughout.
That was according
to the plan Montano laid out after consulting with her physician. Not
only did doctors give Montano the OK to run, they encouraged her.
“That took away any fear of what the outside world might think about a woman running during her pregnancy,” she continued.
“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.”
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