LONG POND, Pa. — It's pretty typical to have a hot dog or two on the fourth of July, but for Larell Marie Mele of Long Pond, that number is much higher.
Mele has been competing in Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island for thirteen straight years.
"It's like my most exciting day of the year. I always say this is my favorite week of the year because I look forward to seeing the crazy-eating family. I look forward to the crowds, the energy it's so amazing," Mele said.
In just a few days, she will once again stand among some of the best competitive eaters in the world, looking to beat her personal record of 22 and 3/4 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
So how does someone get ready for a competition like this...Meles say it's simple, eating a lot of hot dogs.
"I have a really good friend of mine who owns a hot dog stand," Mele said. "So weekly she and her husband are willing to just grill me up a bunch of hot dogs and let me stand outside their trailer and shove hot dogs down my throat.">
Mele's speed-eating preparation for the annual competition starts on April 1st.
While she doesn't want to give away her strategy. She does say that practice is key.
"Like I'm trying out new ways that I can do better. That I can do faster. That I can get more and I just have to talk myself through it and just different strategies in my own head. I'm talking to myself constantly," Mele said.
And you would think after all the hot dogs Mele has eaten in her lifetime, she would like them, well not exactly.
"Hot dogs are not one of my favorite foods in the world. But you know I enjoy everything surrounding the event," Mele said. "So I'm willing to eat hot dogs and you figure we're eating Nathan's so you don't get better."
You can watch Mele compete on July 4th.
Coverage of the competition begins at 10:45 a.m. on ESPN 3.