“In months two, Mike was convinced running an 8-minute mile in my ninth month was a pipe dream, so when I bet him I’d run a 7-minute mile, he put $100 dollars down, and gave me an extra minute.”
It’s important to remember that Myler has been a runner for most of her life, having raced competitively since high school. As a result, her doctors were on board with her decision to stay active during her pregnancy, given that she was already in such good condition and was in no way new to running.
The video of Myler clocking a 5:25 mile has garnered a staggering number of views, proving that women truly are a force of nature. Speaking about her achievement, Myler said: “I think the mile put the entirety of my training into perspective for people close to me. I hope it inspires women, just as I was inspired by other pregnant athletes, to pursue goals in spite of what the status quo says we ought to pursue.”
Still, you have to wonder just how she managed such a thing at the nine month mark of pregnancy. “The first 2.5 laps were pretty comfy from training, but from there my form turned into more of an emperor penguin style - side to side as well as forward motion.”
A lot of women continue to run throughout their pregnancy, given that their bodies are able to cope with such a load. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommends getting 20 to 30 minutes of exercise per day, but given that you start sweating earlier, it’s important to stay hydrated.
