Episode 117: Melody Fairchild on Empowering Girls Running, Standing Up For Yourself, and Keys to Longevity

Melody Fairchild, one of America’s fastest high school girl runners ever, has spent the last two decades empowering girls with tools and self-knowledge to remain healthy, happy runners. Melody takes a comprehensive approach to life and running. She addresses the unique issues adolescent girls face in today’s culture, as well as the latest research on training and nutrition. Her first book,  co-authored With Elizabeth Carey, is due out in August. Titled “Girls Running,” it is a comprehensive and inspirational guide for girls who run. She and Elisabeth are proud to be the first to deliver such a guide to girls empowering them to trust their bodies and the physiological processes unique to females as they pursue their running journeys. Melody also directs the Boulder Mountain Warriors youth running club in Boulder Colorado. Her teams perennially qualify for the national junior Olympic cross country championships while learning to have fun and honor the process as they do. She is currently pursuing a Masters in teaching English to 7th to 12th graders and is excited to continue her camp and coaching of youth. Her four-year-old son Dakota is her greatest joy and teacher. She, Dakota and her husband Glen, live in Lyons Colorado. Questions include: How did you each get your start in running? What was your path like growing up and going off to high school and college? What was the pre/post collegiate transition like for you? How and when did you start coaching? How about your girls running camps? You spoke at the SRC Retreat in 2018 about your experience as a female athlete and how important it is to be good to our bodies. Can you speak more to this message and your story of standing up for yourself and teammates? We hear you’re working on a new book and speaking at the Wildwood Running Clinic in August! Can you tell us more about this and anything else you are currently working on? What is your vision for female athletes in the future? What does being a Strong Runner Chick mean to you? Any coaches and/or people you’d like to nominate for the podcast? Connect with Melody and learn more about her camps, as well as her book release at https://melodyfairchild.com/. Purchase Your Copy of Girls Running: Take 15% off Girls Running at velopress.com with code "GirlsRunningSRC" This episode is also the week of our Summer Virtual Race Series! Join us for a 5k, 10k, half marathon, vertical mile (or any combination!) throughout July-September. Every participant will have access to a series of virtual workshops, as well as be entered into a raffle for some giveaway prizes. Find out more information and register below: https://runsignup.com/Race/OR/Portland/WhyIRunVirtualRaceSerieswithStrongRunnerChicks