Allie Gibbons didn’t plan to run 300 miles whereas pregnant—she had already dedicated to the race earlier than she discovered she was anticipating. “I used to be registered to run Atacama previous to discovering out about my being pregnant,” Gibbs instructed Canadian Operating. “Whereas this little lady is the best reward on the earth, working 300 miles whereas pregnant was not on my bingo card this 12 months.”
In early December, Gibbons not solely accomplished, however received, The Velocity Mission Atacama, a roughly 300-mile extremely throughout Chile’s Atacama Desert, at 22 weeks pregnant. The race contains lengthy stretches at altitude, main temperature swings and minimal construction—situations that make it one of many extra demanding occasions in ultrarunning.
Dwelling on the highway, working full-time
Gibbons and her associate (and crew), Sam Atherton, at present dwell nomadically, touring throughout the U.S. and Canada in a rig they constructed themselves. Her background is in sports activities efficiency teaching, however over the previous 12 months, she’s been working full-time. They plan to maneuver to Colorado in early 2026 forward of their daughter’s arrival, with some continued time on the highway afterward.
“I’ve all the time been a runner to an extent,” she stated. “My athletic background began with soccer, and whereas I by no means had distinctive footwork, my velocity all the time stood out.” Operating stayed leisure for years earlier than she moved into marathons, then aggressive racing.
A quick transfer into path and extremely
Gibbons found path working in December 2023 and progressed shortly. Inside months, she ran her first 50-miler, adopted by a 100-mile race. “The longer the space, the extra I find out about myself, and I can’t get sufficient,” she stated.
She had raced The Velocity Mission Atacama the 12 months earlier than as a part of a relay, which helped inform her determination to return. “I had by no means skilled a spot so desolate however so vigorous,” she stated. “There may be an excessive amount of to find in that desert; I knew I wanted to spend extra time there. To study and to endure.”
Coaching with a altering physique
Preparation for Atacama seemed completely different this time round. Whereas Gibbons stored high-mileage coaching in place, her power coaching elevated and sleep turned a precedence. “I feel the important thing to success with coaching for one thing so large throughout being pregnant was simply listening to my physique,” Gibbons stated. “Gasoline, relaxation, depth…the physique will let you know precisely what it wants if you understand how to hear.”
Earlier within the being pregnant, she ran Bigfoot 100, a 200-mile race in Washington’s Cascade Mountains, specializing in managing physique temperature and resting as wanted. Ending that race feeling robust gave her confidence heading into Atacama.
Clear strains round well being and security
Earlier than racing, Gibbons consulted medical professionals and acquired clearance to begin, with the recommendation to watch blood stress carefully. Her crew additionally introduced a fetal Doppler, in order that Sam might test the newborn’s coronary heart price in the course of the race.
“I knew going into this that there was a robust chance I’d not end,” she stated. The race climbs from simply over 3,000 toes [914 metres] to above 14,000 toes [4,267 metres] within the first 100 kilometres. “If I wanted to drag out, I’d have. To me, it was a threat value taking.”
Excessive situations, fixed help
Atacama delivered wide-ranging situations, from intense daytime warmth to freezing nights with robust winds. Gibbons skilled extra swelling in her legs and toes than regular, sufficient to require sneakers a full measurement bigger.
Help made a distinction. Massive sections of the course run alongside desert roads, permitting crew automobiles to entry runners regularly. “Attending to endure on this place that appears otherworldly, whereas having the fixed help of Sam and my associates, made this my most memorable problem but,” she stated.
On judgment and what comes subsequent
Gibbons anticipated criticism, and acquired some, however says the response has been largely supportive. “The one folks judging are those that aren’t within the area,” she stated. “Girls deserve extra examples of what’s potential.” For now, she isn’t planning main races earlier than her daughter arrives. She expects to return to teaching as soon as they’re settled in Colorado. “I don’t know what the subsequent large journey will likely be,” she stated. “I’ll let it name me ahead when it’s prepared.”