Name: Merry Nelson

Born: Dallas, TX on May 4, 1957- Texan all the way.
 
Relationship: I am married to Pat Nelson   
 
Children: I have two grown children, Meryl - 24 and lives in Houston; Becca - 21 and at school at Texas State University
 
Pets: We have two cats and three dogs.  Never a dull moment in our house.
 
Occupation: I work for a tax lawyer in the Rice University area.  The best boss/job anyone could ever have.
 
Education: Currently attending college in anticipation of getting that degree I never got 30+ years ago when my parents first gave me that opportunity. Boy, do I know how to blow a good deal.  Kids:  Don't drop out of college.  It's really difficult when you get older and have a full time job, family, and want to pursue other interests!
 
Hobbies: I love to swim, bike and run.  Well, in the total other order. And doing triathlons has become my new hobby.
 
Running since: I've been running since 1994. I started as a way to try and quit smoking.  I ran and smoked 2 packs a day for 2 more years.  I finally quit one day, started running more miles the next and a week or two later was doing the River Oaks run.  I've never turned back since. 
 
How many miles a week do you run? Currently, I am running about 4 days a week, but I really notice I feel a lot better if I do two morning runs and one long run a week.  The mileage ends up being about the same. The more I run during the week, the harder it is to complete a long run on Saturday.  Probably average about 25 miles a week.  Since I am going to be doing a couple of half-ironman triathlons later in the season, I will need to bump that long run up a little as time goes by.
 
How did you come to join MPRC: Pat and I are among the founding members of MPRC.  We came into this by being friends with the original President, John Sanchez.  That is actually what brought me and Pat together.  We'd met at the park a few weeks before that and next thing you  know, boom, we're married.
 
Proudest running accomplishment: Probably Big Sur in 2001.  Not really a proud thing, but lots of fun.  The only time I've ever placed in any kind of run was the Turkey Trot in 2003.  I placed 3rd in my age group.  I'm not really a fast runner.  I just love doing it.
 
Favorite training run: My favorite training run would have to be River Oaks run.  I can do that run with my eyes closed.  Don't have to think about a thing.  Just put the feet one in front of the other and go.
 
Favorite race: My favorite race was actually my first half ironman triathlon this past April.  I placed 4th in my age group, got offered a spot on Team USA in the World Long-Course Championships in Perth, Australia and a spot on the Halfmax National Long Course Championships at the Redman Triathlon in September. 
 
I run because: I run because it is the glue that holds it all together for me.
 
Recent races: I signed up for Tejas Triathlon, Clear Lake Triathlon, the Nautica NYC Triathlon, The RedMan Triathlon, and the Ochsner 70.3 Half Ironman.  Of course, when the next paycheck comes in, that list will be longer.  ;)
 
Shoes you run in: I run in New Balance running shoes.  I love those laces that don't come undone.
 
Favorite Houston restaurant: My favorite Houston restaurant would have to be Taste of Texas, but Carrabbas on Kirby also does a body good. 
 
Favorite book: Right now, I'm reading a book by Augusten Burroughs called The Wolf at the Table.  It's pretty gut-wrenching.  I don't have a lot of time to read, so this one is going to take a while.
 
Favorite music: My favorite music is Eric Clapton.  Pat, Becca, Meghan and I went to see Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood in June.
 
Something you may not know about me: I love the ballet and listening to classical music.  KUHF has become my new favorite radio station.  I don't even know what kind of music is popular anymore these days.

Previous Spotlights: Surena Matin, Tricia Hernandez, Nicole Rimmer, Jane Nguyen, Kevin Walter, Jane Lock, Curtis Chin, Merry Nelson