Southeast alumna Melissa Janzow loves to meet a challenge. In November 2006, she competed in the Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3 Triathlon, where she and 1,800 other athletes raced for 70.3 miles to the finish line.
“I knew the Ironman competition would be a big challenge. I decided to finally ‘bite the bullet’ because I’m not getting any younger,” said Melissa.
The race was held in Clearwater, Fla. Nov. 11, 2006 and consisted of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile run.
Melissa said she endured extensive training before the competition.
“Prior to the race, I combined two of the three aspects of the triathlon to build up my endurance. I also did a ton of interval training. My workouts could last two hours or more,” said Melissa.
Such a schedule requires sharp self-discipline, and Melissa said she tackled the first half of her training without help. However, to be accepted into the World Championships, she had to face a qualifying race in Cancun, Mexico. For this challenge, she said she enlisted the help of Andrea Fisher, a professional triathlete.
“In order to qualify, I had to place in the top four of my age group. On my second attempt in Cancun, Mexico, I qualified for Ironman,” said Melissa.
Despite her resolve to do well, Melissa said she faced many ups and downs during her training.
“Every day was different. Sometimes I was completely pumped up, and other days not so much,” said Melissa. “The best part of training is when it culminates to the competition. I absolutely love to compete, and the World Championships were awesome. I cried when I got there, realizing where I was. By the end of the competition I had cut over 20 minutes from my last race, finishing in five hours and seven minutes.”
Melissa lives in Victoria, Texas, with her husband Matt and their two sons. She is a native of Jackson, Mo. and graduated from Jackson High School in 1987. She said she chose to attend Southeast because of its cross-country and track teams, and because it was close to home.
“Some of my favorite memories are from competing on the cross-country team and the friendships I formed with my teammates. I also met my husband, Matt Janzow, while attending Southeast.”
Melissa graduated from Southeast in 1991 with a bachelor of science degree in dietetics and a minor in chemistry. She completed an internship in dietetics in 1992 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo, and worked as a clinical dietician at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, Mo., and at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan.
Melissa said her time at Southeast, both in and out of the classroom, prepared her for what she does now.
“My education in the field of dietetics was superb. I enjoyed my time as a clinical dietician for seven years, before I had my first son,” said Melissa. “And even though I only competed for one and a half years on the cross-country and track teams, those types of workouts prepared me for how I train now.”
In addition to raising her two boys and training for triathlons and endurance bicycle events, Melissa also writes a running/fitness column for her local newspaper, The Victoria Advocate, teaches spinning classes at her local gym, and is the race director for a five-kilometer event.
“The race, called ‘Living in the Light 5K,’ raises money for Hospice of South Texas,” said Melissa. “I am able to combine two things I love – running and volunteering. It’s a major highlight in my life.”
Melissa said she also is the membership development chair for the Junior League of Victoria, an organization of women devoted to promoting voluntarism.
“We volunteer in all areas, from serving food to the homeless to building homes with Habitat for Humanity,” said Melissa.
Her volunteerism doesn’t stop there – Melissa also is a room mother for her sons in their respective schools, and has held a board position in Victoria’s Parent-Teacher Organization.
“I really love all aspects of the activities I am involved in. Of course I love training and competing; it really fulfills me. But I also love playing an active role in my sons’ school activities.”
When Melissa finds the opportunity to visit home, she said she and her family love to spend time out in the country at her husband’s parents’ property.
“Being a passionate runner, I love to run up and down the hills there,” said Melissa.
The ocean is one of Melissa’s favorite travel destinations. She and her husband traveled to La Paz, Mexico, where they snorkeled with a colony of 300 sea lions and went deep-sea fishing. Melissa said she also has hiked in Ireland.
“In the future I hope to take my boys to the Canadian Rockies. I’d also like to visit Germany to trace the Janzow family name,” said Melissa.
Melissa said she believes it’s important to embrace life, and to let loved ones know how much they mean.
“Don’t allow yourself to be the limiting factor in achieving what you want. Be a participator in life, not a spectator. At the end of the day, it’s all about your connections with the ones you love.”