Monumental Runner – Scott Melchior

Name: Scott Melchior

Self-described age group: 35-39

Residence: Northern Virginia

Occupation: Consultant

Volunteer roles in the running world: Coach small charity groups, run seven Marine Corps Marathons with Team USO or wear blue, honored to push with Ainsley’s Angels in 2018

Why you run: I run for the health benefits, for the challenge, for the pursuit of goals I once thought impossible, and most importantly, for on-the-move meditation. Running is a time to be with my own thoughts, clearing stress of work and life. On good days, I run. On bad days, I run longer.

When did you get started running: After rowing crew in high school, I hiked, backpacked, and enjoyed the outdoors, but dropped endurance sports for a decade. My wife completed a couch-to-Army Ten Miler program in 2007, and I was so inspired watching her and that race, I did the same program the following year. I enjoyed the experience, discovered I was decent at running, and got serious in 2011. Started with just a bunch of half marathons and one marathon a year. One thing led to another, and then it was duathlons, followed by two marathons a year, then multiple marathons, added ultra races, and now there’s always a next distance to conquer.

Have you taken a break from running: No. Too many races on the bucket list.

Training shoe: Saucony Guide to train; Hoka One One Clayton to race; Brooks Caldera on trails

Coach or training group: I like the solitude of grinding miles solo, but I stay connected through active social media with Team Nuun, Honey Stinger Hive and other groups. As an RRCA certified coach, I develop my own training, but always consult with others to gain valuable outside perspectives.

The hardest race you’ve ever run: Given the snow at the starting line, near-freezing temperatures, sideways rain, and 25+ mph gusts of wind, I should probably say Boston 2018. It was like running through a car wash for three hours…in the winter. But at the same time, it was Boston, so I was smiling in every picture. I didn’t stress about time, enjoyed every moment, and slowed in the middle miles to crush the Newton Hills and go into the pain cave. That said, the walk back to the hotel afterwards was the coldest I’ve ever been. I put my soaking gloves in my mouth to keep my teeth from chattering painfully against each other. And I’d do it all again if I’m so fortunate.

Most adventurous decision you’ve made with your running: Though not adventurous in terms of being risky, I’d say one of the grander decisions I made was to run the three American World Marathon Majors in an 11 month span. It wasn’t always pretty, ran NYC 2017 with a calf strain and Boston 2018 in the aforementioned squalls, but I ended with a great run at Chicago 2018. All three took place in rain and wind, but I got to explore the neighbors and running culture of three great cities in a short period.

Running mentors: Meb Keflezighi

My favorite place to run in the D.C. area is:  W&OD trail

Favorite local trail:  Potomac Heritage Trail and linking it into the Great Falls National Park (Virginia) trail system

My best race was: Chicago 2018. My training cycle was below average, conditions were rainy with wind, but it was just one of those running days where the legs feel good and things click. I actually smiled in mile 10 because I knew I had it. Never really hit a wall or suffered until a final-mile hill and wind tunnel. I was able to soak in the final 10 miles, high-fiving kids, thanking every volunteer, pumping up cheering stations, and managed to claim a new PR.

Favorite local race: Marine Corps Marathon (road), North Face 50k (trail)

Ideal post-run meal: Anything at those magical ultramarathon aid station tables. With a cold beer.

Favorite flavor of gel, gu, etc: Honey Stinger Acai Pomegranate in the pockets, nuun tri-berry in the bottles

Pet peeve: Gel wrappers and trash on trails

Goals: Complete the World Marathon Majors (three international races to go), run Ultra-Trail Mont Blanc (UTMB), run Grand Canyon rim-to-rim, and run each day better than yesterday

Your advice for a new runner:  Run every mile with a purpose; there are no junk miles. Every mile should be building towards a short or long term goal. Be consistent in training, and show up on days you don’t want to; there are days it’s hard to get up in darkness and run 20 miles before work, but once I’m out there, I never return home regretting the decision. As Desiree Linden said after winning Boston, “every day I make the choice to show up and see what I’ve got, and to try and be better. My advice: keep showing up.”

Favorite running book: Run to Overcome by Meb Keflezighi

Song in your head during a run: Anything with a good beat…so probably not safe for work

Have you dealt with a major injury: Nothing for more than a few weeks

Running quote: “Doubt whom you will, but never doubt yourself.”

Why is the D.C. area a great place to be a runner:  D.C. is a fit town with a very active running scene. It has incredible running and cycling routes in the Mount Vernon Trail, the 44 miles of W&OD rail trail, and the 184 miles of C&O Canal. It hosts iconic races like the Marine Corps Marathon, the fourthlargest US marathon, and the JFK 50 miler, the nation’s oldest ultramarathon. DC is an underrated trail town too! With a short trip you can hit miles of single track on the Potomac Heritage Trail and Great Falls National Park; supplemented by regional parks like Burke Lake, Wakefield, Fountainhead, Lake Fairfax, and Hemlock Overlook, many where I cut my teeth on trail running in EX2 Adventures’ approachable 5 and 10 mile race series. In a city that can be divisive and revere power, the running community in DC is welcoming to all; Senators, professional runners, local cross country teams, or just someone running their first mile, all status fades away at the starting line.