Hello!! Thank you for taking interest in reading my blog post!
My name is Melanie and I am currently a senior Psychology major pursuing a medical career as a Physician Assistant (often known as a PA).
I love running. Weird, right? But, I'm not that crazy-"runs 18 miles at a 6 minute pace"-type of runner. Instead, I run because it helps me relieve stress, and if I don't keep up my running, my body just feels gross. I decided earlier this year that I wanted to push myself, so I decided to run the Oklahoma City Memorial (half) Marathon. Although I wanted to quit and die from pain during the half-marathon, I stuck with it and finished! Yes, it was hard, but it was so much fun! People lined the whole course, made fun posters and cheered on all of the runners. The next day, I signed up for the Route 66 Half Marathon in Tulsa. I'll run that in November. Here is a picture of me after I finished (no judgment, I had just ran 13.1 miles).
Another hobby of mine is skiing. My dad was born and grew up in Denver and he's one of the best skiers I've ever seen. While I consider myself a good skier since I learned when I was 4 and have skied every year since, there is a lot of room for improvement. I love Colorado and I hope to move there within the next 5 years. I also consider myself a pretty outdoorsy person; however, I'm an introvert so I like to explore on my own. I love to run new trails, especially in Colorado, but I am less motivated when I am with other people.
Here is a picture of me and the mountains:)
My name is Melanie and I am currently a senior Psychology major pursuing a medical career as a Physician Assistant (often known as a PA).
I love running. Weird, right? But, I'm not that crazy-"runs 18 miles at a 6 minute pace"-type of runner. Instead, I run because it helps me relieve stress, and if I don't keep up my running, my body just feels gross. I decided earlier this year that I wanted to push myself, so I decided to run the Oklahoma City Memorial (half) Marathon. Although I wanted to quit and die from pain during the half-marathon, I stuck with it and finished! Yes, it was hard, but it was so much fun! People lined the whole course, made fun posters and cheered on all of the runners. The next day, I signed up for the Route 66 Half Marathon in Tulsa. I'll run that in November. Here is a picture of me after I finished (no judgment, I had just ran 13.1 miles).
Source: Personal picture from author.
Another hobby of mine is skiing. My dad was born and grew up in Denver and he's one of the best skiers I've ever seen. While I consider myself a good skier since I learned when I was 4 and have skied every year since, there is a lot of room for improvement. I love Colorado and I hope to move there within the next 5 years. I also consider myself a pretty outdoorsy person; however, I'm an introvert so I like to explore on my own. I love to run new trails, especially in Colorado, but I am less motivated when I am with other people.
Here is a picture of me and the mountains:)
Source: Personal picture from author.
Wow that's cool that you've found a healthy outlet for your stress. I personally hate to run or exercise in any capacity, and I can't imagine being fit enough to run for a marathon. Good on ya!
ReplyDeleteI've never been skiing either. I don't like the cold and I don't like going places where I could potentially (and by 'potentially', I mean almost guaranteed) break a leg. But I have always wanted to go to Denver, I hear it's beautiful.
Can't wait to read your stories!
Hi Melanie! I totally get what you mean when you use running as a stress reliever. I always tell my friends that if they see me on a treadmill then I am stressing about something, because the only time I run is if I am completely distracted with another train of thought. Congrats on a running the half-marathon and good luck with your next run!
ReplyDeleteHey Melanie! Kaleb here.
ReplyDeleteI actually started out as Psychology major, and while I find the field interesting, I just couldn't get into the coursework, so I applaud you for that! Also, much like your love of running, I have a love for swimming. I used to be a swimmer in high school and totally understand what you mean by using it to relieve stress. I was a long-distance swimmer and found the long distances to be very relaxing. I think it's awesome that you found something you love and are finding ways to do it!
Hi Melanie! My name is Ethan!
ReplyDeleteI'm somewhat of an introvert too. I also like to exercise, and well, have to because I'm an athlete. I definitely agree that it alleviates stress and gives you something else to focus on. I've never been skiing before though. My parents have always talked about going. It definitely looks like a lot of fun!I've also been to Denver. I think Colorado is an overall beautiful and breathtaking state.
That is some serious running, Melanie! I am impressed! Walking is more my style, but I just have to walk every day: it's how I clear my mind and get my best ideas. And I went to Colorado this summer: wow, it was so beautiful! I'm fine with just the trees and grass and nature around my house where I go walking... but to live in a place with mountains like that would be pretty amazing. I hope you will get a chance to move there: you could spend a lifetime exploring all those mountains and their trails. I'm guessing as a PA you can pretty much pick wherever you want to go live, and I can totally understand wanting to pick Colorado as that place. :-)
ReplyDeleteHey, Melanie! It’s great that you love running! I definitely understand how it helps you relieve stress. Running is not my exercise of choice, though; I’d rather go on a solid hike or a leisurely bike ride. I’m also an outdoorsy person; I just hate the heat! I went to Montana this summer and hiked a lot. It was great because it was only 65 degrees most of the time, lol. I also love kayaking in the mountains. I’ve only been skiing once, but I absolutely loved it and want to go back soon. I’m also considering moving to Colorado when I graduate so I can be closer to cooler weather and plenty of outdoor activities!
ReplyDeleteMy dad used to do marathons and triathlons, so I know how much work goes into them. Good luck with your next half-marathon!
Hi Melanie! I am actually really jealous of your athleticism as I cannot ski or run to save my life. I am super impressed that you have completed a half-marathon because just thinking about doing that makes me want to throw up (ha). I am also really impressed that you want to become a PA. I have never been that great with science which is a bummer because I think it is definitely an interesting subject to learn about, my brain just usually doesn't know how to comprehend it. Good luck to you during your senior year!
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie! I think that is awesome that you pushed yourself and achieved your goal! My stepmom likes to run marathons too. My family and I always cheer for her on the sidelines. I ran in the Rosebud marathon in middle school; I ran the 5k with one of my friends, it was awful (lol), but also fun! I usually like to run with people because it pushes me to go faster, I can be pretty competitive sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE snowboarding! I learned how to ski first, but on one of our family trips I was on a ski lift where me and my stepsister saw my mom below us after her fall on a blue-diamond. She ended up tearing her ACL and MCL. I watched her surgery video and she had me help her pull out her stitches, so not only do I now have a knee phobia, but I will never ski again because of what happened to her. I have not been snowboarding since high school and I miss it so much! Colorado is one of my favorite places to go. What is your favorite ski resort and level of slope difficulty? Can you do any tricks?
Good luck in your last year and I hope you do well on this upcoming marathon!
Hey Melanie!
ReplyDeleteI can honestly say the fact that you run is the most impressive thing ever, I often find myself unable to keep a steady pace for even two miles, so a half marathon is unimaginable for me! I also believe that exercising is the best way to de-stress these college days with so much to do and eat. Also, I am terrified of skiing, but I love snowboarding (unnatural feeling that the pokey things will stab me). I am excited to read some of your stories and get to know you this year!!
Hi Melanie! I think it is really awesome that you run to relieve stress! I have always envied people who enjoy running or who can run for long periods of time because running is not my strong suit. I have always wanted to try skiing! The view from your photo makes me want to try it out even more than I did before. Good luck with your senior year!
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie! My name is Makenzi and I am a senior PR major. I am actually minoring in psychology! I take my last upper psych class in the spring and can't believe I'm almost done! I wish I enjoyed running that much! I will run sometimes, but my asthma can make going long distances difficult. I grew up going to Colorado to ski when I was younger, but I'm definitely not super skilled in it. I tried snowboarding in high school and liked it, but it was kind of scary! I would fall and hit my head a little too much for my liking. Hope you have a great semester!
ReplyDeleteHey Melanie! I am so impressed by people who can run as much as you, not only because I get winded after walking up a set of stairs, but I think it takes an extreme amount of self-discipline to do the same thing over and over again while still finding ways to make it more challenging for yourself. To get into a sustainable habit of running or exercising, you have to have a growth mindset and that meshes with some of the things that I have learned from the growth mindset assignments in this class. Good luck during your last year!
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie,
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would ever be able to complete even a half half marathon because at some point I would think "Why am I doing this to myself?" and quit. But I'm glad that you're more motivated than I am and that you enjoy running. Your post inspired me to look up why marathons are called marathons and the short story is that a guy named Pheidippides ran really far and then died. So I guess the moral of the story is "stay hydrated" or "if you don't die at the end you did good." Anyways, sorry for going of on a tangent there at the end and good luck with the rest of your semester!
Hey Melanie! I respect you for running that much, even though I think you must be insane to enjoy such a thing haha. The skiing is also really neat. My aunt used to live in Colorado Springs, and although I never got the chance to head up there, I always thought it would be fun to travel there and learn to ski. I'm sure it's a lot of fun! Good luck with your senior year!
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful pictures! I'm crazy jealous, as I've never been skiing or been to Colorado before. Someday.
I've never been a runner either. The training and dedication required for marathon events has always left me deeply impressed, and serious kudos for your drive and ambition. Good luck with the next one, I'm sure you'll do amazing!
Nice to meet you, and nice job on the twelve stones story. I'm looking forward to reading more of your work!
Hi Melanie, I think that it is so interesting you like running! I like running too, once I get into it, but the first couple go's are hard for me haha. I have been to Colorado once last winter, and it was very beautiful. I personally love colder weather and so being able to hike up the mountains and literally walk across frozen lakes was so calming for me. Have a great rest of your semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie! First of all, running is not a weird habit. Second, although i am not that kind of person who love running and run in a marathon, but i can feel the pain from shin splint from running when i took physical exercise. I couldn't walk in a normal manner for almost two days.^.^ I can say that you have a great hobbies. Skiing seems very fun. I can see how happy you are in the picture. Keep things up and do good!
ReplyDeleteHey Melanie! That's so great that you have found something that you enjoy! Running in and finishing the half marathon is a great accomplishment. Honestly, I'd probably end up walking more than I ran, if I tried haha! Also, congrats on being so close to graduating! Do you have any PA schools that you're interested in? It was nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteHello Melanie, My name is Devin and I am also a senior here at OU. It is really awesome that your so into running! 18 Miles at a 6 minute pace is really impressive, I havn’t ran in a long time but when I did I was only running one mile at a time of 5.54, so 18 miles at 6 minutes each is crazy! Keep it up and good luck on your next run!
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie! I had no idea you were in this class until now, I am pretty sure we are both in the same Psychology capstone course! It is really cool that you like running and skiing. I have not been ever skiing yet, but I also really love running once I can actually get myself to start doing it. Anyway, it was nice to see you here and I hope your semester is going great!
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie! Absolutely no judgement for that running picture, you rock! I've donee a 5K and those are a struggle for me so I can't imagine the strength it takes to do a half marathon. I have never skied before, but it seems pretty cool. I think it's awesome that skiing is something you've done since you were little, and that it's a family activity, too.
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie!
ReplyDeleteSerious congratulations on finishing a marathon! I've never tried anything like that before, but maybe someday I'll get a chance to try it. I'm a little jealous too - I've never gone skiing or even seen "real" snow before on the ground, as I'm from Houston originally and we don't really get much more than a little ice usually. Skiing looks amazing! Good luck with PA school, and nice to meet you!
Hi Melanie! Psychology is so interesting. I always loved taking psych classes! Props to you for liking to run. Congrats on running the half marathon! That is something that I was always interested in doing but never got around to doing it. Have fun doing the Route 66 half marathon this month! Have you already done it? If not, good luck and you got this!
ReplyDeleteHey Melanie!
ReplyDeleteI think that's awesome that you enjoy being outdoors and skiing! I'd have to say that Colorado is my favorite place to go visit. Almost every year for the past 10 years my family has gone up to Colorado to visit my sister and go skiing. I love going snowboarding and pushing myself to ride increasingly difficult trails and hit bigger jumps. Best of luck this semester!
Hi Melanie! I am not a runner at all so it is awesome that you are able to run so much and that you really enjoy it. I dont know what it is but i just hate running, im jealous of the people who love it and are good at it. I also love Colorado, my grandparents have live there and we go to visit fairly often and i love to snowboard. I used to ski but switched over in 8th grade and ive never gone back. Colorado is one of the most beautiful states in my opinion. goodluck with finishing up your senior year!
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie! It's really awesome you ran and finished the OKC Half Marathon! That run is actually a goal of mine that I hope to achieve next spring! I am similar to you in that I'm a (super) senior and am Pre-Med! I Have you figured out what PA school you want to get into? Also, I have always wanted to go skiing/snow boarding! Have any recommendations on where to go and which one would be easiest to try?
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie!
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to participate in a half marathon but have yet to find the motivation to do it. So congrats on actually doing it! I love going to Colorado! I used to ski but in middle school switched over to boarding and I don't see myself going back!
Good luck on the rest of senior year!
Hi Melanie! I like running too! It makes me feel good when I run and I feel healthy. But I haven’t tried a marathon though. That’s amazing that you finished that challenge. I couldn’t run for so long like the marathon. I like to ski too! Denver mountains look gorgeous. I got to try the slopes there one day. Thank you for a great introduction. It’s nice to meet you Melanie!
ReplyDelete