An accomplished women’s pole vaulter. Mel accomplishment includes being a member of the 2000 US Olympic and the Pan American games meet record holder. Her 15-1 3/4 feet which is the 3rd best vault ever by an American and I decide to catch up with her to find out more about her
Coach: Anthony Curran
Personal Best: 4.62m
Career Highlights: Pam American Record Holder; 1999 Indoor American Record Holder
Website: http://www.melmueller.com
- How did you get started with Track n Field?
Mel: I started track and field in grade 7; my sister was in track and field and I just followed in her footsteps. I hurdled, ran relays and did some long jump in High School
- Other than track what else do you do?
Mel: I love to decorate my house; garden; read; go on walks; play with my dogs; play football and sand volleyball
- Per day, what is your typical daily life routine like?
Mel: I get up around 8:00am have a couple of cups of coffee – eat – shower – off to practice – I am usually home by around 5:00 to make dinner and hang out with my dogs and my husband
- Tell abit about your family, any support from them?
Mel: My husband is the president and co-owner of the National Academy of Sports Medicine (http://www.nasm.org) His company trains me in my core, balance, strength and reactive training. He also does my physio and writes my running work-outs. The rest of my family is also very supportive of my career following me to meets all over the country and the world
- Your career highlight .. the most memorable pole vault jump Tell us
Mel: My most memorable jump in my career is when I broke the Indoor American Record at the Millrose Games in 1999
- Ultimate long term goal?
Mel: To jump 4.90m
- Goal for this year?
Mel: To make the U.S. Olympic Team
- How do you prepare before a meet?
Mel: Eat right and get plenty of rest. Try to relax and not worry about the competition too much
- Your thoughts before, during and after a vault?
Mel: Thoughts before are to relax and see the vault in my head. During you don’t really think. After, I am trying to figure out if I can do something better next time
- During training, per week what is your routine like? for example per day how many time & how many hours, etc?
Mel: My training changes depending on if I am competing or not. But, in general, I jump 2 days a week, lift 3 days a week, do core, cardio and rehab 1-2 days, sprint work-outs 3 days, gymnastics 1-2 days, plyometrics and medicine ball training 2-3 days
- Do you do most of your training alone or as part of a group or does it vary by discipline?
Mel: I mostly train by myself, but I do my pole vault training with a group at UCLA where Anthony Curran is my coach. The rest of my training takes place at the National Academy of Sports Medicine
- Do you have any interest in coaching or other involvement in sport after you stop competing?
Mel: I am not decided on if I will coach or not after I am done competing. I am sure I will be involved in my children’s athletics at some point
- Do you feel that your country provides sufficient support for athletes
Mel: My country provides very little sport to the athletes until they actually make the USA teams. As you know, you make US team at the trials
- How long do you intend to compete at the top level?
Mel: 2004 will be my last year of competition
- Any injury plaguing you before?
Mel: I have had many injuries since 1999. I tore most of the ligaments in my right ankle and I had a major knee surgery – I am healthy now
- Do you take care of your nutrition?
Mel: I get my nutritional program and supplementation from Apex Fitness.
- If any one person or group has inspired or motivate you excel and continue track, who is he/she and what has he/she done?
Mel: I think I am the one who has motivated myself the most. I did have help from my old college coach in starting me in the pole vault at age 23
- Any advise for young athlete venturing into track/field?
Mel: If you believe, you can achieve!
Mel is a world class athlete, evident from her long list of accomplishments and we bid her well in her quest for 2004 Olympics!
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