2022 #RunningForResearch: Sarah Lau-Melby

Posted:Thursday, April 14, 2022

My Name is Sarah Lau-Melby, I was born and raised in Wisconsin. My supportive husband, Jake Melby, and I have four children; Austin, 23, Maddy, 18, Emerson, 15, and Violet, 10. We have two cats named Stella and Simba, and two beautiful golden retrievers named Willow and Ivory who are great running partners. My main priority has always been family and I was fortunate to be able to stay home with my children for 20 years while running an in-home daycare business.

My love for running started about 12 years ago when I wanted to get back into shape after having my oldest three children. I picked running because it was something I could do at any time and close to home. Running taught me how to set goals, find a routine and be consistent. It gives me time to myself to clear my mind and make me feel renewed and energized; but too much of a good thing isn’t always good. Running 6-7 days a week brought me some minor injuries, which inspired me to learn more about the fitness world. I needed to strengthen my body after having 4 children. Living in a small rural town made finding fitness classes nearly impossible without traveling. I decided to take Instructor Training Classes so I could teach myself. This turned into me teaching small group fitness classes in the town of Trempealeau, WI, where I opened GET Fit Studio: Fitness & Massage for Everybody in 2013. My business grew and later relocated to a larger studio in Holmen, WI, where it resides today.

As a personal trainer and group instructor at GET Fit Studio, I offer pilates, yoga, strength training, water fitness, senior fitness & SPIN classes. Teaching classes and running made me realize the importance of self care. Massage therapy and chiropractic care are a must if I want to maintain a high level of fitness and run races. This realization made me to want to become a massage therapist. I have been teaching fitness for 9 years and a massage therapist for 3 years. Massage therapy is a wonderful gift I can share with others to help them relieve pain, reduce stress and feel better.

Running has brought  many friendships and opportunities to my life. When I was given the chance to apply to run Boston for a charity bib it was the perfect fit! I enjoy fundraising and helping various non-profit organizations. My goal is to run a race in all 50 states. I have run all distances from 5K to ½ Ironman 70.3. Boston will be my 10th Marathon and my 34th state completed.

I will continue to use massage to promote self care to clients, using my fitness knowledge and love for running to inspire others to be active and move daily. I will be leading a youth running group this May in Holmen. I am also organizing my 10th 5k & 2 Mile fun run/walk June 11th, 2022 where all proceeds will benefit the Massage Therapy Foundation!

I am so grateful to all that have donated and supported me in this journey to help fundraise to run one of the best races in the world. If you are able to donate, please do so and help me reach my goal for the Massage Therapy Foundation.

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