Road Runner Girl: Runner Spotlights #34

Happy Sunday! I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! Yesterday I ran the Color Me Rad 5K...with my boys!!! It was their first 5K and they did great!!! We had so much fun! I'll have a full race recap up this week! Here's a teaser photo! ;-)

It's runner spotlight day! If you are interested in being spotlighted please email me at mindy@roadrunnergirl.com. I am running low on spotlights and would love to feature you!

Today I am featuring my good friend Melanie from A Family On the Run! You've probably seen pictures of her in some of my race recaps. I've known Melanie and her husband for years...we actually taught school together before I had my kids. She taught 4th grade and her husband was the coach at the school I taught at. She now teaches at a different school but her husband is still coaching there. Her whole family runs and races! Keep reading to learn more about her!

Name: Melanie Stevenson

State: Alabama

When and why did you start running?

I started running almost 2 years ago. I realized one night that I was miserable. I was overweight, unhappy, and always sick. I decided then and there to start limiting what I ate, cleaned up my diet, and started walking and jogging. I put myself through the Couch to 5K program with an app on my iPhone.

What is your favorite race and race distance?

My favorite race distance would be the 5K or 10K. Both of these distances are comfortable for me...when I am injury free. :-)

What is your race day routine?

I wake up, get dressed in my race gear, and try to eat something light like a piece of toast or a cereal bar. I drink some water, but not too much as I know I’ll end up spending too much time looking for a port-a-potty.

What is your most favorite piece of running gear?

I almost always run in my Nike running capris. I simply cannot do shorts or skirts as I feel I’m always pulling them down. I also never run now without my knee brace!!

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement your running?

I take a multivitamin every day, as well as fish oil.

What do you wish you’d known when you first started running?

I wish I’d have known that I’d become so dependent on it. Taking the last month off due to injury was torture. I felt like a part of me was missing. I hated missing all the local races.

What is your fondest running memory?

My fondest memory has to be crossing the line in the Rock and Roll New Orleans Half Marathon with my friend Megan. That was my first half, and I felt good the whole way. I was so proud that I had been able to run the whole course (minus one bathroom stop). I cried as I crossed the finish line.

What is one thing that most people do not know about you?

I used to be a VERY picky eater. I decided to open my mind to new foods and learned that I actually liked more things than I realized. This change in the way I was eating (and how much I was eating) helped me transform from over 180 lbs to right at 140 lbs in just over a year.