My Not-So-Secret Obsessions: Running, Writing (and food)
This blog is mostly about running. It’s also about my specific experiences with running in the Pacific Northwest, an area that seems specifically designed for coffee-addicted runner-foodies like me.
Other things worth knowing:
I graduated from the University of Oregon – I studied hard, books were read and papers handed in. I graduated. I could speak French and talk about advertising and communication theories. I was also a chronic couch potato. Running in the woods did not fall under any definition of fun I had.
Post-college I landed a job in Paris where I was paid poorly to teach English in French schools. I wandered the streets of Paris on a shoestring budget. The thought of becoming chubby off of French pastries frightened me into finding a physical goal into which I could sink my teeth. Somehow, training for the Paris 2007 Marathon became the goal. In a few months, I was smitten with free museum days, Parisians and red wine from the Cote du Rhone region. I was also running, albeit slowly. Training for the marathon gave me structure and a goal at a time in my life when I had little of both.
When I did run the Paris Marathon, I hated it. Intensely. Somewhere around mile 16 I decided that marathons were for stupid people. I finished the race in intense pain, sobbed at the finish line and concluded I’d never do anything like that again. That was that.
Except that it wasn’t.
About an hour following the race I thought about all the things I could have done differently. . . Maybe, just maybe, I’d try a second marathon, you know, in a few years.
That was back in 2007.
Since then I’ve moved back to the states where I currently live in Portland. When not working, I run far and often and as much as I can. Then I write about it. Some people call me a passionate runner. A few might call me fast. I’m a member of Portland’s Red Lizard Team and Trail Factor, both excellent run clubs that I highly recommend.
Current challenges I am facing include:
Keeping my house plant alive
Sleeping more
Keeping my addiction to Coconut Bliss ice cream firmly in check
I came across your site when looking for running blogs. I think we’re a lot alike…I also have a journalism degree, love running, and also travel whenever possible. And of course, I love chocolate…who doesn’t? I’m new to the blog thing, but I’m hoping to gain inspiration from other people’s running blogs, so I hope you don’t mind if I check in from time to time.
Bonjour Heather! I just started my blog today and ran into you.. I invite you to read mine.. it seems so strange! Quelle coincidence!
” Needless to say, I graduated from the UO being able to write and think, but broke and without a good clue about what to do with my life.”
I say the same thing.. my first undergrad degree was in French and Spanish, with a minor in Linguistics. I used to say the only thing it qualified me for was traveling. (I then took another degree in Digital Communication and became a web developer).
Hey Heather, this is Marvin from LA! We met at Legal Seafoods after the Boston Marathon. Great job on this blog, I look forward to reading more of it. Radell and I and maybe one more person are planning on running CIM this year. Hope to see you there. I’ll let the guys know you have a blog setup…
Heather,
I am a 48 year old male who ran the Summer Solstice and evidently ran a similar time to yours. After reading your blog, I am very concerned as to how you might have categorized me: heart attack waiting to happen, decent athlete when Carter was President or simply clueless. All are pretty accurate.
Fyi, the Summer Solstice was pure hell for me even though my time was not bad for me. I don’t know what makes it so tough, but perhaps it is the myriad of surface changes or the time of day. The skinny grass path near the very start and at the turn also messes with me.
Your thoughts as to what makes this race tough?
Brian Bellairs
Nearly the same thing here! I majored in acting, and then decided to hedge my bets and add on a double major in French. Needless to say, I am making lots of money. But hey, at least we’re running!
It’s always awesome to meet new Portland runners. Did you by chance do the Run Like a Girl race a couple weeks ago? Also-you work for an ad agency? Are you downtown? If so, I bet you work just a few blocks away from me!
Heather:
Nice Blog, I have not had a chance to review the many blogs that are out there. Are you running the Haulin Aspen Marathon or Half this year (2008 version)? I am from Bend, and just completed the Cascade Lakes Relay from Diamond Lake to Bend this past weekend, it was a blast and a lot less crowded than the Hood to Coast. I will look for you this Sunday if you are running. Peter
Hi, I came across your running blog through Runners Lounge. Love your writing and your pics…am jealous of the lovely trails you run on!
I’ve always been fascinated by Oregon and would love to visit some day.
Hello Heather,
Really enjoyed reading your paleo food posts; you have a sense of humor, yay!
I was wondering how you deal with cravings if you do get them sometimes. I am a serious food lover who no doubt feels better eating paleo, but am kind of struggling with the call of the oreo.
Keep up the good work,
Jen
Hello Heather I stumbled upon your blog when googling info on the piriformis. I too suffer from the same thing. I’ve been seeing my PT, but was wondering if you could share any insight on how you tackled your problem.
Cheers
Hi Heather, please keep on posting, i love to read it.
hi heather!
I LOVE your blog….really enjoyed reading each posting. you have a knack of making running and the unfortunate sufferings that may come by FROM running, very humorous.
i only wish one day i’d achieve your kinda mileage!!!
keep on blogging and logging those miles!!!
cheers!
Man I wish I could run fast like you. HAHAHA I just finished my 9th marathon with a PR of 3:58. I lost 130 lbs and have run 9 mar’s and 4 ultras. I am from your neck of the woods too. Cool blog by the way. Keep on keeping on runner
Hmmm…this seems to me a great template for an About page, something I’ve been puzzling over for some time now. Thanks!
Fantastic. Really really well written. I found it by accident but have really enjoyed it so far. I agree that your about page is really well done and something worthy of stealing. I look forward to checking in from time to time.
I like your blog
I’m not sure if I’ve left a comment yet, but wanted to take a moment let you know that I enjoy reading your writings about your not-so-secret obsessions.
Hey! I just started reading your blog. Good stuff. And very nice PR. I will be reading more.
Are you planning on any marathons in 2010?
I am running NYC this year, trying to qualify for Boston. I need to be sub 3:15, I was 3:25 last year in my 1st marathon ever.
-Chad
PS my blog is
brooklynrunning.wordpress.com