Five years ago, Melissa Sears was a total newbie to running. Known by friends for her dedication and positive attitude, Melissa wanted to get more active. She had been researching running apps when she and her husband, Rick, decided to step up and commit to the NRC Couch to 5K Program.
What she learned and the people she met through that program have spurred Melissa on to complete not only multiple 5Ks, but more half marathons than you can count on two hands and a marathon, to boot! And while she would never brag on her incredible achievements herself, we have absolutely no problem doing it!
A southern middle Tennessee native, Melissa hails from the charming city of Fayetteville. Growing up, she was active in her church youth group. She sang and played piano, both in services and on their annual summer trips out of state to sing and sight-see. She also played softball, basketball and loved riding her horse, Babydoll.
In college, she met her soul mate and eventual running partner, Rick, at the KA house by Middle TN State University. Funny story – Rick took Melissa to Zanies Comedy Club in Nashville for their first date. They had seats right next to the stage, so of course they ended up being the center of a lot of the comedian’s act, whether they wanted to or not. Their love for each other, however, turned out to be NO JOKE. In fact, the happy couple will be celebrating 33 years of wedded bliss in June!
Melissa and Rick moved to Nolensville as newlyweds and knew NRC’s President Scott Alexander before there was an NRC! They lived in an apartment in Franklin, TN for a year before finding a lot in the Stonebrook subdivision in 1987. They built their first house and lived there for 18 years raising their family. Fun Fact: NRC runs by this house on Track & Back Wednesday nights (400 Ramblewood Lane)
Melissa and Rick’s son Drew, daughter-in-law Brittany and daughter Morgan didn’t know what to say at first about Mom and Dad running, but have turned into their biggest encouragers.
“They were all shocked and surprised,” said Melissa. “But, Drew and Morgan along with [our grandson] Sawyer were at mile 20 when we ran the Nashville Marathon! That support meant so much, and they were also at the finish line when we crossed!”
It was 2014 when Melissa and Rick participated in the NRC C25K. “We thought we would run a few 5Ks and maybe a few miles each week,” she recalls. “We look back and laugh how one Saturday morning we met a group at MJ’s to run and they said they were running 5 miles. We were like… 5 miles?! What?….. but, we tried and were surprised how much easier and fun it was when you had a group to run with.”
Through the NRC C25K experience, Melissa learned a lot about running, including the benefits of alternating running and walking, or doing intervals. Now a firm believer in the interval (3 min. run/1 min. walk) method, she and Rick regularly post on the NRC Facebook page to help organize 3:1 runs!
Melissa has many favorite NRC memories, but one that stands out is her second half marathon in Carmel, Indiana. “Crossing the finish line where NRC was lined up and the high-fives will always be remembered,” says Melissa. “And, the great support and encouragement of everyone.”
Her first and only full (so far), the Nashville Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, and the challenging Ragnar Trail Relay also hold fond memories. “I can’t leave out the traning runs with Anja Izban and Rick. Not to mention, Karen Miles and Dena Lloyd near the finish line cheering us on! Oh, and the amazing Ragnar Trail runs. Talk about doing something outside my comfort zone – running at night in the woods!”
Melissa’s running journey hasn’t been pain-free. On the contrary, she had a lot of trouble at first with sore shins. At one point, she was even told that, perhaps she shouldn’t run, but rather bike or swim.
She took a 2-month break. Then, she got back on the perverbial horse to train and run her first half marathon, 2015 Rock n’ Roll New Orleans. Compression socks, stretching and a cream from “Real Time Pain Relief” made the difference and fortunately, she hasn’t had any more issues.
For someone who just started running 5 years ago, Melissa has compiled an impressive list of been there, done that! Her favorite race is the Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans. She loves the music, and it doesn’t hurt that typically they cruise after this race. Oh, and to prove that intervals do not equal slow, Melissa snagged a PR of 2:28 at the 2016 Murfreesboro Middle Half!
Melissa and Rick just ran the St. Jude Nashville Half for the fifth time, and will be taking on the Kentucky Ragnar and Downhill at Dawn in NC. “My goal is to try and be more consistent with weekly running,” she says. “It is very easy to let other things slip into this time.”
On top of time spent with family and running, Melissa is the office manager and a shareholder at Design and Engineering, Inc., an architectural, structural, civil engineering firm. In her 26 years, she has supported projects in 48 states with major clients including Cracker Barrel and Buffalo Wild Wings. Hearing her talk, it’s easy to see why she loves her job.
“[We] work hard and play hard,” she explains. “We have a great culture… with emphasis on supporting our employees – whether it is a lunch out, employee’s birthday, marriage or new baby celebration, chili cookoff, halloween costume competitions, tailgate parties or rafting trips.”
That sounds a lot like NRC!
Now in it’s 7th year, the NRC C25K is underway, and this time Melissa and Rick are back as volunteers, supporting this year’s participants. This is just one of the many ways that Melissa and Rick help make NRC the most supportive and welcoming running clubs in Tennessee.
So, if you see someone out on Nolensville Road in a pair of hot pink compression socks, it might just be Melissa out for a run! So, be sure to say congrats and let her know we’re grateful she’s a part of NRC!
SPEED ROUND – MELISSA SEARS:
Mid-race fuel must-have: Sports beans or honey stingers
Life List Destination Race: Running a Half in another country
Hobbies: Reading, when I have those few free moments
Dream car: Years ago I recall thinking the Aston Martin was a pretty cool car; but not very practical financially or for someone who needs car seats! LOL
Favorite thing about summer: Really enjoy and look forward to boating