This Olympics Runner Competed While She Was 34 Weeks Pregnant, Now Here’s Her Baby

Alysia Montano ran a whopping 34 seconds slower than her personal best in the 800-meter event at the U.S. Track and Field Championships at Sacramento. Her flimsy excuse for those extra 34 seconds? She was 34 weeks pregnant—that’s only six weeks away from labor and delivery.

At the time, Montano, told reporters, “I’ve been running throughout my pregnancy and I felt really, really good during the whole process. I felt fine and got the green light from my doctors. But something funny happened as my pregnancy became visible: people came out of the woodwork to question my decision.”

She continued: “’Aren’t you worried you’re going to hurt the baby?’ they would ask, eyes wide. Even after I explained that science confirms the benefits of working out while carrying a child, how wonderful my body felt during and after a run and that my doctors and midwives approved, they would still voice their disagreement. ‘If I were your husband,’ one said, ‘I would forbid you from running and make you take a rest.’”

Now, Montano has given birth, and to a perfectly healthy baby to boot! Here’s more:

A U.S. Olympic track and field star who continued to run at more than eight months pregnant has given birth to a baby girl.

Middle-distance runner Alysia Montaño announced the happy news on her Instagram account on Sunday, posting a picture of her newborn baby’s hand.

‘Team Montaño has added a new member to the line-up on August 15, 2014 at 2:29am. Coming in at 7lbs 15 ounces and 19.5 inches long, please welcome Linnea Dori Montano!’

‘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.’

Montaño finished the race with a time of 2 minutes and 32 seconds, 35 minutes slower than her personal best of 1 minute and 57 seconds.

‘I’ve been running throughout my pregnancy and I felt really, really good during the whole process,’ Montaño said. ‘I just didn’t want to get lapped and be the first person to get lapped in the 800.’

While she trailed the leading pack by more than 120 meters during the race, Montaño never came close to getting lapped.

And just turning up helped her get some of the loudest cheers of the day.

A standing ovation started as Montaño wound around for the first lap and it just got louder until she crossed the finish line at the end.