“I love to share my love for movement with my patients.” -Melissa Tanner

Melissa Tanner is the person I find difficult to describe. The more I read, the more I realize there are many strong points. and multiple parts of her personality which require unique skills in order to succeed.

Melissa juggles many aspects of her life in order to reach personal goals. The athletic part of her life is demanding, as she is not satisfied with running a mile or two. Melissa has perfected the skill to excel with the best ultramarathoners in order to be the best version of herself.

Melissa pushes the limits to succeed. You can read for yourself and think about what does it takes to achieve success in each aspect of her life.

What is your current occupation?

I’m a clinical psychologist. I conduct research, perform neurocognitive evaluations, and provide psychotherapy to older adults in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and the community.

Where did you run in college?

I ran at Harvard University. I graduated in 2003. (Note: In 2001, Melissa earned the MVP award for the cross-country team)

What was your attraction to the sport?

As an introvert, I’ve always been drawn to the meditative nature of running. But I also appreciate that I can share it with the people I love, including my husband, sister, and sons (via running stroller). I appreciate the simplicity and adaptability of it. I’ve been running on an almost daily basis for 30 years. There aren’t many other activities that would fit into that category. 

What was your primary distance, and what was the progression to ultramarathons?

I’ve always gravitated toward the longest distance available in competition. In high school that was the 2-mile. In college it was the 10k. After college, I moved up to the marathon, not even realizing that anything existed beyond that. I’ve always preferred road racing to trail running, in part because my eyesight is poor, and I find myself falling frequently on trails. Once I realized I could do 50ks and beyond on the road or track, I was sold on ultra-running.

Do you have a strategy or plan when you approach a running event?

I used to have a more methodical approach to racing, but since having two kids, I don’t have that luxury. For my past few races, I’ve woken up about three hours before the gun was set to go off, nursed my baby, eaten a bagel with peanut butter, drank coffee and water, and rushed to the starting line. I write out goal splits and commit them to memory, but that’s the extent of my mental preparation these days.

Did you have any breaks in running and how did you get back into the game?

I took about five to six years off from competitive running in my late 20s and early 30s. I still ran several times per week, but didn’t focus on speed or mileage. I had become severely overtrained prior to this point and needed the mental and physical break. This break has helped me run into my 40s, I think. 

Where there any times which you doubted your abilities and wanted to walk away?

It was hard to get back into it — I remember feeling very discouraged when I ran a 5k race at a slower pace than my previous best marathon pace. But I adjusted my goals and saw gradual improvements. Ultimately, I found I enjoy the process as much as the outcome, so that helped me keep going despite the discouragement.

How did it feel to know that you a have a pending age group for female 40-44 age group for 50K (31.07) which you ran in conjunction with Marine Corps Marathon where you placed first (3:22:15)?

I did not know until a week after the race! My husband casually asked me what the road 50k record was. We had been discussing the track 50k record that I set last May. I looked it up and was shocked to learn that I had beaten it by over 30 seconds. That was a joyous surprise!

What was your strategy going into this race?

My strategy was to run conservatively in the early miles so that I could finish strong on the sprint up to the Marine Corps War Memorial. I remembered this being such an incredible experience when I ran the Marine Corps Marathon in 2008 (3rd place 2:51:45), but I had gone out a bit too fast that day and suffered for it during the lonely stretches of Crystal City and on that final hill.

This time, I wanted to relish that final sprint. I succeeded — there was only a 15 second difference between my first and second 25k!

Looking back, what were some adjustments you had to make in life regarding school and family?

Until I had kids, running fit naturally into my life. My husband is a runner / cyclist, so it’s something that we share. We built vacations around races and ran together while exploring new destinations. Now that we have a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old, it takes much more planning to fit everything in. We’ve both had to sacrifice certain things, including sleep and our social lives.

How did you maintain a balance among the competing priorities?

Balance sometimes comes from combining things—pushing the baby in the running stroller, running with my husband, breast pumping in the car, etc. If a balance can’t be struck, then family comes first.

Do you feel you had to make sacrifices up to the point of being where you are?

I recognize that certain phases of life will be more challenging. Right now, I have two sweet boys who very depend on me. I don’t mind sacrificing for them. I know that one day I’ll be wanting more of their time, so I try to appreciate this phase while it’s here.

Can you relate your career to the sport of running?

I research behavioral strategies for dementia prevention, and exercise is one of the most important lifestyle changes for preventing or delaying age-related cognitive decline. I love to share my love for movement with my patients. 

What could an experienced Melissa today pass along to a younger Melissa who is entering the sport today?

I would tell a younger Melissa that my relationship with running will be like a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient, stick with it through the challenging times, and you’ll be rewarded.

What are the key things which define you as a person?

I have several personality traits that lend themselves well to ultra-running. First, I’m an introvert, so I am extremely comfortable being alone with my thoughts for hours. I also don’t easily get bored with monotonous loop courses—I just tune out the surroundings and tune into my thoughts and cues from my body.

This makes me well-suited for track ultras. Finally, I am extremely disciplined. Once I set a goal, I will do anything in my power to accomplish it.

What are the personal goals which you have set for yourself?

My goal is to be selected for the 2023 Road 50k World Championships, which will be held in India in November. I have already run the qualifying time. If selected, I want to represent the U.S. to the best of my ability.

Are there any mistakes which you made along the way which had a negative effect on you?

 Every bad race has taught me a lesson. I do my best not to generalize about what it says about me as a runner or as a person. 

Thanks to Melissa for sharing her thoughts. There is no end in sight.  -GB

*Read more of George Banker’s Interviews on the Mission:Milspouse Homepage. More information on Melissa Tanner can be found here.