Melinda Metz

Q: When did you begin running and why?
I have always been an athlete—average in many sports, great in none—but not a runner. I grew up playing sports—soccer, basketball, and softball. I began running casually when I was in my 20’s. Eventually the co-rec sports of DC and Arlington just weren’t enough. This coincides at some point with the fact that I went to Boston College I’d see the marathon pass by campus each year and say, “Next year I’m going to run this marathon.” At 29 I ran my first half-marathon with two months running experience. At 31 I had completed my first marathon so I could check that off of my bucket list.

Q: How did you find out about DCRR and when did you join?
I joined DCRR in the summer of 2012 when I returned to Arlington from living in Egypt. I had begun to run with a group, Maadi Runners, while living and teaching in Egypt. It was my first experience running with a group and I found it very motivating. When I moved back to Arlington, my two roommates, Robin and Chris, who had been running with DCRR, finally convinced me that waking up at 5:30am on a Thursday morning, while on summer vacation, wouldn’t actually be that bad. Thanks to the camaraderie of the TMBC, I have realized that early mornings have been well worth it!

Q: What are you training for right now?
I’m currently training for the DC Rock-n-Roll (March 2015) and Boston (April 2015). This will be the fourth year that I’ve run these two marathons in succession.

Q: What is the toughest run or race you’ve ever participated in?
My strength is in long distance running. I would rather run slowly for a long time rather than running anything that actually requires me to run hard and fast. With that being said, I think the DCRR Mile Track Meet two years ago was the most difficult race I’ve run. Because I don’t really consider myself “a real runner”, I felt incredibly intimidated being at my first actual track meet since I was 10 years old (5K while living in Liberia). I had no idea how fast I could actually run a mile, like I said, I don’t like to run fast. As I watched increasingly faster heats go by I became increasingly intimidated. Eventually I lined up with a huge group of really well sculpted women and the gun went off. I ran a sub 6 minute mile which is something I never dreamed of doing. It was a great accomplishment for me. And my lungs hurt for the next three days!

Q: What’s your favorite part about being a DCRR member?
Hands down, my favorite part about being a DCRR member is the people I’ve met. Everyone is incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and encouraging. I’ve been inspired, educated, and pushed in a way that I could never accomplish if running on my own. Thank you!

Q: What’s your favorite route in the area?
I like different routes for different reasons. Sometimes a “boring” out and back along the WO&D is just what I’m in the mood for on a long run— something where I don’t have to think. Sometimes my favorite route is any route that I can get somebody to run with me. Recently I ran with Rich from Arlington through Georgetown to the Capitol and back. City running before dawn broke was amazing.

Q: What’s the most important lesson running has taught you?
Running has taught me self-discipline. Although I will always cringe at setting the alarm at times I once thought unimaginable, I do it. And because I’m a part of the DCRR team, and my team is counting on me to show up and run together with them, I get up and I do it day after day, week after week. And in the end, the hard work and self-discipline always pays off. A feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction pass over me knowing that I have done more by 7am than most others who have not even arisen for the day.

Q: What race day traditions do you have?
My clothes are laid out the night before. Two alarms are set. On the morning of the marathon I’ll eat a piece of toast with peanut butter, banana and honey. Glide applied? Check!

Q: What’s your proudest running moment?
My most proud running moment was when I completed the Richmond Marathon a few years ago. I shattered my previous PR by about 15 minutes largely in part due to the fact that I had begun to run with DCRR. I thought I had started too fast, but somehow kept the pace steady mile after mile. When I finished I kept looking at the clock, I couldn’t believe how I had shaved so much time off of my previous efforts. I received my medal and sat in the grass by myself for almost 15 minutes by myself really proud of what I had accomplished.

Q: What’s your life like outside of running?
I work, a lot. I’m a teacher and I devote most of my waking hours to the students in my classroom. That is what I do—I run, work, and sleep. Repeat.

Q: What is one thing you wouldn’t run without?
No response. But I would like to put in a plug for any and all podcasts! I love listening to Freakonomics, The Moth, Serial, Coffee Break French, and This American Life while on my solo long runs. It passes the time. Sometimes I learn or laugh, but the stories keep me company. Hooray for podcasts!