2:51 Marathon and 2 Kids: Melanie Lassen's Speedy Motherhood Adventure
In this captivating episode, we sit down with elite runner Melanie Lassen who shares her remarkable journey of balancing competitive marathon running with motherhood. From her impressive 2:51 Boston Marathon finish to navigating middle-of-the-night feedings with her non-sleeping 9-month-old, Melanie opens up about the realities of pursuing athletic excellence while raising two young children. She takes us through her 20-year running career, from college competition to winning multiple marathons, including her dramatic last-chance Boston qualifier that involved a canceled race, a rental car, and pumping in a race director's truck.
Melanie candidly discusses running through pregnancy, postpartum comebacks, and how motherhood has shifted her perspective on training and performance. Whether she's fitting in runs after daycare drop-off or dreaming of breaking 2:50, her story demonstrates that elite performance and parenthood can coexist—even when sleep doesn't. This episode offers inspiration for competitive mother-runners and practical insights on maintaining high-level fitness during life's most demanding seasons.
Melanie candidly discusses running through pregnancy, postpartum comebacks, and how motherhood has shifted her perspective on training and performance. Whether she's fitting in runs after daycare drop-off or dreaming of breaking 2:50, her story demonstrates that elite performance and parenthood can coexist—even when sleep doesn't. This episode offers inspiration for competitive mother-runners and practical insights on maintaining high-level fitness during life's most demanding seasons.
Creators and Guests
Host
Chris Detzel
As a seasoned technology leader with over 20 years of experience, I specialize in building and nurturing thriving communities both running and technical
Guest
Melanie Lassen
Melanie Lassen: Elite Runner & Mother of Two Melanie Lassen is an accomplished long-distance runner with over 20 years of competitive running experience. Originally from Tennessee, she began her running career in middle school, continuing through high school and into college where she competed at the Division I level for UNC Asheville. Throughout her impressive running career, Melanie has completed eight marathons with remarkable times, including a personal best of 2:51 at the 2023 Boston Marathon. She's a multiple marathon winner, having won the Nashville Marathon twice (2015 and 2016) and has maintained elite-level performances while navigating the demands of work and family life. Currently residing in Wiley, Texas with her husband (who works in medicine) and their two young children, Melanie exemplifies the dedication required to balance competitive athletics with motherhood. Despite the challenges of training around her husband's demanding schedule and caring for her children (including a 9-month-old who has never slept through the night), she continues to pursue ambitious running goals, including breaking 2:50 in the marathon and 1:20 in the half marathon. Known for her resilience and adaptability, Melanie's running journey has included dramatic race experiences, including a last-minute pivot to qualify for Boston when her original race was canceled due to weather. She trains primarily with the Completely Sloth running group when her schedule allows and is a respected member of the Dallas-Fort Worth running community, inspiring other mother-runners with her ability to maintain elite performance through different seasons of life.