Melanie Miller

Big Blue Adventure Ambassador

I’m a pediatric psychiatric nurse and mother of three who swims, bikes and runs to keep her sanity! I started running in 2011 and have lost a significant amount of weight (65lbs). I found triathlon after knee surgery in 2012 when my ortho surgeon advised that I should really “run less…..bike and swim more”. I’ve been racing with Big Blue since 2014 with their road and trail races then did the Donner Olympic in 2015 and again this year. I’ve always loved that they highlight the natural beauty of Tahoe; all their events are truly gorgeous venues in which to race. Marathons are my favorite distance to complete and my first love; I’m training for #7 and am signed up for #8 in February. But triathlon is a close second and I completed my first half Ironman in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho last year. I’m hoping to do my second 70.3 next December down in Palm Springs if everything goes as planned. I’ve done the Lake Tahoe Triathlon every year for the past three years and love it. The bike course is one of my all time favorites. This year was particularly special because I was able to share the course with my husband, a brand new triathlete. I will never be the strongest or the fastest and it can be a daily struggle to balance my autoimmune disease with my love of swim, bike and run but I don’t let it stop me. You don’t have to go fast; you just have to go. And I am grateful to live in such an amazing place to do what I love.

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