THE EXTRA MILE
A Mother-to-Be Is Still in the Running
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For some women, pregnancy is an interminable sentence of fear and self-doubt. A lucky few, such as Jackie Gruendel of Burke, simply race through their term. Literally.
Gruendel, 33, long has been one of the area's top road racers. As Jackie Concaugh, she ran track and cross-country at Annandale High School and the University of Michigan. Long hours and hard training are part of her life; she is a former firefighter who now works as a physician's assistant at Prince William Hospital.
So it hardly is surprising that her first baby, due in August, has thus far necessitated little compromise to a typically ambitious road racing schedule. With support from her husband and her doctor, Gruendel is racing nearly every weekend and still winning regularly.
"Getting pregnant was kind of a surprise, especially in an Olympic year," said Gruendel, who harbored hopes of qualifying for the Olympic trials in the steeplechase. "I'm still able to get in 35 to 45 miles per week, although I've cut back on my track workouts."
In the past month, Gruendel won the Westfield and Strides for Success (Fairfax) 5Ks in 20 minutes 8 seconds and 20:09, respectively. At the George Washington Parkway 5K on April 27, she finished fourth in 20:01, her time the same as the third-place finisher.
"If I had put the [timing] transponder on my belly, I would have had her," Gruendel said.
Last week at the Race for Hope 5K, Gruendel ran 20:12 and again finished fourth. With a bare midriff and ample belly, Gruendel inspired a resounding silence from spectators as she raced toward the finish line. Disapproving moms? Gruendel had other concerns.
"My doctor said to listen to my body, and so far I feel good," Gruendel said. "Each week, I reassess where I'm at. I'd like to keep going, but at each stage, the more people talk out there. I can't believe how many people think I'm fat. I should just put a sign on my belly, 'I'm pregnant.' "
ยท PLANNING AHEAD: The Marine Corps Marathon and the Army Ten-Miler in October both reached registration capacity last week of 30,000 and 24,000 runners, respectively. Marine Corps filled in five days, the second-fastest close ever, and Army filled in a record 21 days.
-- Jim Hage
