Meet Melissa, 34
Melissa enjoyed running for years. She had an inner peace and confidence that would help her achieve each running challenge she faced. Then her world fell apart. It started with a long and painful divorce. Shortly thereafter, she was diagnosed with Gilliam Barre Syndrome, a disorder that attacks your nervous system. For awhile, Melissa lost the simplest task of walking, putting on socks/shoes, etc. She has slowly begun to understand the illness and how to fight against it. She misses running and is feverishly getting back out there.
Favorite food:
Pizza.
Favorite cross-training activity:
Spin class.
What is on your iPod?:
I listen to a wide variety of music from country to rap to rock. I love any music with a good beat to it. If my music has a great beat than I can usually match my stride/pace to it. Nothing like a great song to get you through those last few miles!
Favorite thing to read:
Hal Hidgon: Marathon Training. It's motivating and inspirational to me. I am very pleased whenever I accomplish one of his workouts. And of course I loved Twilight!
2010 goals:
I have three goals: Run The Fifth Third River Bank Run in under 2 hours, qualify for Boston and work on nutrition. I really have to work and understand the nutritional side to accomplish my first two goals.
Charity Partner
Melissa's Links
Another bump in the road….
By Melissa | March 10th, 2010 at 1:57 pm | 9 comments
For the most part, I am pretty laid back person and take things as they come…..It takes alot for me to become discouraged…..This morning started out that way, discouraging . My “phantom” injury has come back with a little vengeance I might add. But, I must admit I still am not ready to accept it. Until April 1st when I have the conrete answer, I have decided that I am just not going down that road. I will admit I shed a couple tears. But, decided to be smart about training and for now to put this issue in a small box and put it on the shelf for now. Sometimes, I am my own worse enemy as I am tired of people trying to knock me down. I have been knocked down too many times in my marriage. I refuse to get sucked back into that negativity and self doubt again. I am my own person, my own unique individual. I just feel like reiterating ” Gosh darn it” over and over. So, no more self pity or self wonderment for me on what the future holds. It’s out of my control. What’s in my control is how I view this. Ah, what a breathe of fresh air this realization is. Now, that I have done this the future looks brighter again.
Keep the faith! When I was on the first Road Warrior Team I kept a journal of my playlists. There was a great song called “Bad Day” by Daniel Powter. Usually by the end of a good tempo run with a Rockin’ play list everything fell back in perspective. “Who has a testimony, lest they first have a test”. You got this girl! Good luck!
Carrie | 10 Mar 10 at 4:00 pm
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I actually feel like throwing a tempertantrum at the moment…lol
But, tomorrow is a new day with a brighter perspective.
Melissa | 10 Mar 10 at 4:07 pm
Melissa. I bet you feel a lot of pressure being on this team, but remember…if they wanted everyone to blow down doors and always have the “perfect” experience it wouldn’t be for the community and the everyday runner. You are all representing journeys not destinations.
This is a part of your journey. I am glad you’re open and honest about the trials you’re facing and how challenging being an athlete, wife, employee, etc…can be. I feel these things too and I recall being injured last summer and wanting to GO BANANAS.
Stars rarely align and the same goes for your personal, professional, and athletic life.
the positives and negatives will likely shift…the only constant is change.
April | 10 Mar 10 at 8:51 pm
Hang in there Melissa! I will keep the prayers going for a speedy recovery. Please keep us updated! Your a fighter.. you will get through this!
Rachel | 10 Mar 10 at 9:04 pm
Definitely praying for you Melissa!
Adam | 10 Mar 10 at 10:23 pm
Stay positive, Melissa. You WILL overcome this! I bought fabric for team aprons, so let me know when you’re ready to switch it up and cross train on the machine… as in sewing machine. : ) Seriously, call me if you’re looking for a crafty distraction or easy pool workout pal. Best wishes for the speediest of recoveries.
Jennifer | 11 Mar 10 at 12:02 am
You will make it through! Keep shutting down those negative thoughts and keep your head up. I have a few great ways to vent some anger it’s better than yelling and may involve firearms…I live in the country it’s okay to do that
Let me know if you need some “therapy”
Jill | 11 Mar 10 at 8:13 am
Amen to that. It’s not a perfect world and I am not a perfect athlete. Thanks for your words. Today, is a new day and I am thankful to be here and share my experience with everyone. All these bumps in the road make us who we are today.
Melissa | 11 Mar 10 at 8:29 am
Melissa, Keep remembering that only 1% of the whole population has run a marathon so it can’t be a real large number that has run a 25k. You will finish this race, even if you have to walk part of it. That would be okay. The race is the short part. The real part are those hundreds of miles we have already run,the training. You can do this, you have earned it. I have an injury now too. My best friend just told me that this is where I will find out what I’m made of.
“You also need to look back, not just at the people who are running behind you but especially at those who don’t run and never will… those who run but don’t race…those who started training for a race but didn’t carry through…those who got to the starting line but didn’t in the finish line…those who once raced better than you but no longer run at all. You’re still here. Take pride in wherever you finish. Look at all the people you’ve outlasted.”
- Joe Henderson
amy nielsen | 16 Mar 10 at 2:41 pm