Meet Melissa

Melissa Ossanna joined Team Run 2 Empower in 2018, before finishing her first VT100.  This summer, she is once again running for the Team but will also be competing in the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning!  Last year, Melissa fundraised over $1,300 and this year she's already surpassed that number - as of this weekend she's at $1,500 raised (and counting).  Get to know a bit more about Melissa and what brought her to run for Vermont Adaptive below...

(Melissa cruising through last year's VT100)

Bar Harbor, Maine is a town located on Mount Desert Island and the gateway to Acadia National Park.  For most people, this summer playground is an attraction when the weather is warm.  Melissa Ossanna, is not one of those people. Melissa uses Cadillac Mountain for training all year round running in all sorts of horrible weather.  Piling on layers and utilizing ice spikes, Melissa can be gone for hours on any given weekend training for what’s ahead of her.

 

(Melissa training during the MDI winters)

Already an accomplished ultra runner,  Melissa is not only going back to the Vermont 100 for her second consecutive year, she wanted to kick it up a notch for her 50th birthday.  She will be participating in the grand slam, running the Old Dominion 100, Vermont 100, Leadville Trail 100 and The Wasatch Front 100 *Melissa wasn’t able to gain a lottery spot in the Western States 100. 

What makes this extremely daunting task more of a challenge is that Mellissa has been living with MS since being diagnosed at 26.  With MS, Melissa has tingling sensations in her arms and legs, stints of blindness and constant fatigue.  When she was in her early 40’s Melissa tried to just run short distance and which led to her first Marathon and has never looked back.  At times when she returns from a run, she has some aches and pains but doesn’t know if it’s MS or the effects of many miles logged.      

(Melissa training during MDI summers)

“I run by feel, I never follow a plan, I love doing something that’s super hard.”  Of all the distances she has run over the years, Melissa enjoys 100 milers the most.  She noted that every time she completes a 100 miler she feels invigorated in a way. 

 

(Melissa, and favorite training buddy Bobo)

Melissa got to know VASS in 2018 as a fundraising runner for the Vermont 100.  She thought VASS really matriculated with her beliefs and makes her think about her friend who was diagnosed with MLS. who has challenges.  Her friend was able to remain active through similar adaptive programs in different states as he and his wife traveled the country.  He was able to get involved in sit skiing, water skiing and continue to remain an active life thorough his illness.

Let's all wish Melissa good luck with both this year's VT100, and with the entire Grand Slam!  What a way to show what folks with MS can accomplish.  You can also read a recent Runner's World story about Melissa here.