Georgetown Hoya Melissa Grelli was one of the top finishers in blue race at Pre Nationals this year. She and the Hoyas have the Big East Championship this weekend.

How is your training going this year?

It's going really well. We had a pretty good workout yesterday and now we're taking it easy before the Big East Championships. I started off with lower mileage than usual because our approach right now is more long term. We recently brought up my mileage but we are staying pretty consistent right now, which is about 60 miles per week. It's a lot lower than it was last cross season and last winter. I'm not going on mileage like it's a number, I go more on feeling. I want to be in this sport for a while.

You placed 32nd last year at NCAAs, what are your individual goals this year?

I would be happy with a top-10 finish. It would be great it could be top-five. But, I really just want to improve my time and progress.

What are your team goals?

I think it would really be awesome if we could get on the podium. The team is really enthusiastic and it's fun to see how excited everyone is with the level of training that we're doing.

Are you happy with your recent 11th-place ranking (10/23)?

We don't really concentrate on the rankings. It's going to come down to November 19th and what happens then. It's exciting to see what people think about our program. There's a bright future for Georgetown running, the team's young and we're all enthusiastic.

What does Melissa Grelli bring to the table?

I hope I can be a leader in my training and my whole approach to running. I hope I show that I'm strong, tenacious and I'm a team player. That's what I bring to Georgetown track and cross country.

What is the hardest workout you've ever done?

It was more of middle distance workout. I really like aerobic workouts, so whenever it gets fast, with less rest, it becomes difficult for me. But the hardest I've done is split 800s last season. I did it with the middle distance runners and it was one of the hardest things to finish up, I think the goal was to hit 62 or something; the buildup of the lactic acid was so painful. You need some of those days though. I think we did five sets or something. It was kind of ridiculous. It was difficult but a good challenge.

Did you have immediate success in high school?

I went to Presentation High School in San Jose, California. I won the state championship my junior year for Division III. I went to Footlocker Nationals and placed 15th, the last spot for All-American status. Those are my two accomplishments I'm most proud of from high school.

Why did you pick Georgetown?

I wanted to pick a school that would be academically difficult to get into as well as having the athletic environment. I think it had a good balance of both of those things that I was looking for.

How do you and your teammates pass the time going to meets?

Work. Lots of homework. After Pre Nats we were at the airport and we were jealous because we saw other teams looking at magazines and having a good time and we were like, "we have midterms on Monday". When we don't have exam to study for we hang out and listen to music and stuff.

You're a senior this year, what do you have planned for after college?

I hope to run professionally. If that opportunity presents itself, I plan on grabbing a hold of it. I plan to do one year of graduate school and still run in college because I still have some unfinished goals I want to accomplish. I have another year collegiately and then we will see how it goes.

Do you have an all-time favorite pair of shoes?

I really like the Mizuno Wave Riders, that's what I train in. I think it's a good fit, they're light yet that have enough support to be durable.

What does your diet consist of?

It's pretty balanced. I'm seeing a nutritionist to make sure I'm putting in what I'm putting out. I live off campus but I go to the cafeteria sometimes. I eat a lot of red meat to get iron, vegetables, fruits, sweets and desserts occasionally.

How do you think Georgetown's program differentiates from other programs around the country?

What I really like about this team is our team unity. I feel like in previous years there was a distinction between the women's and men's team. We wouldn't practice together, so I wouldn't feel like we were together like a team. But this year we've done some team bonding stuff. We went to a meet on a Saturday, for the race, then we stayed that night. We all went to get pizza. Then on Sunday we all went on a long run together and rode back on the bus together. I feel like it's helped with the men caring about how the women do and vice versa. Hobbies outside of running? I enjoy reading and spending time with my friends, both on and off the team. We go to movies and have our Grey's Anatomy night. I like spending time with my family too. I like the outdoors a lot so I like to bike and do anything that involves being active.

Do you think there's a lot of pressure being a top runner in the country and still trying to maintain a good grade point average?

It's hard. But at the end of the day you're like, "this is all I can do". You can do your best. When I was a freshman and sophomore I would let it get to me. But last year I realized it was just wasted energy. I can only do what I can do. I try to focus on that.

Anything else you'd like to say? Go Hoyas!