Melissa Hager never ran in high school. That is, she wasn’t a member of Allen’s cross country and track teams.

However, Hager did have to run in basketball and softball practices — and that wasn’t a pleasurable experience.

So, how is Hager working toward running a half marathon in all 50 states?

She has a rather unique reason on how she began running.

“I was in a long-term relationship, and I had my heart broken,” recalled Hager, who now lives in Lehighton. “I decided to go out running to help relieve everything.

“It worked, and I also knew I was hooked on running.”

Since then, Hager hasn’t wasted any time hitting the roads. Currently, she has run in 46 of her goal of 50 half marathons. She still has Iowa, Missouri, Oregon and also Hawaii — with the latter currently scheduled to end her holy grail in May of 2027.

Hager’s official running career began after she finished graduate school and had her two children. At first, it began modestly, but soon Hager began to undertake some major challenges in her 20-plus-year venture.

Her first half marathon was the Runner’s World (now St. Luke’s) in the early 2000s, and her first full marathon occurred at Disney World in 2010.

“I started running some 5Ks and 10Ks, and then I thought I could do more,” said Hager. “I did my first half before having kids, and then started to really run after having kids.”

One of her biggest motivators has been running partner Stacey Piskula, whom she met at the Lehigh Valley chapter of Team in Training in 2009.

In 2015, the duo completed Disney’s “Dopey Challenge,” which is a combination of a 5K, 10k, half marathon and full marathon over four days.

“When it has been cold and rainy, and I didn’t want to run, she has gotten me out there,” emphasized Hager about Piskula. “She has been a huge part of my experience. It is always easier having someone to run with. We laugh about some of the crazy weather we have run in.”

Piskula, who also didn’t enjoy running before she began, has run in 13 state halves and two full marathons with Hager.

The two still run together and meet Saturday mornings when they can, usually May through December because Piskula — who lives in Whitehall — is an accountant.

Running with Hager, Piskula has appreciated her drive and determination.

“When she sets her mind to do something, she will go until she finishes,” said Piskula. “She will not give up. I have done what I can to travel with her.

“She mentioned to me recently while we were running in freezing temperatures that it helps having friends to continue her journey with to also keep her going.”

From her experiences, Hager has created a myriad of memories.

She remembered running half marathons in Missouri and Iowa in a span of four days, as well as some challenging ones in Anchorage and Lake Tahoe.

“Anchorage was hard, but I got a chance to see some great sights,” said Hager. “At Lake Tahoe, it was the altitude. It also was hot there too, and it was a struggle for me.”

She travels with her husband Jeff, and children Tyler and Cassie also have allowed her and her family to see parts of the country they may have never seen.

“We were out in the Dakotas for a few more days, and toured around,” said Hager. “Most states have had something that is worth seeing. Others like Nebraska really didn’t have anything to see.”

Being able to see the finish line of her goal in two years, Hager knows her current pace isn’t the same as it once was. Her current state of training has turned out to be more psychological than physical. She can begin to detect that her body is sending her a message.

“I used to try and set PRs (personal records) in every race that I used to run,” admitted Hager. “I have been listening to my body more. There are a lot of times when I feel a sense of dread when I’m running.

“Running used to be exhilarating, and there were plenty of times when I would run twice in a day. Now, my body doesn’t feel good anymore, and it’s more of a mental challenge.”

Despite her changed outlook, Hager still has her goal in her sights.

“I don’t mind if I walk on a run,” added Hager. “It may be catching up with me, but I am going to keep going. When I set a goal, I will finish it.”

In two years, Hager knows it will all be worth it.