My Story

Hi there! I'm Jamie. I started this blog in college as a way to motivate myself. I was feeling stuck/bored/lazy and I was looking around for a hobby to get me moving. I ran cross country in high school so I thought I could easily get back into it. Running also seemed like a pretty cheap sport (hah!). 

I officially started my running adventures back in 2010. I realized the community of runner bloggers was HUGE and I wanted to be involved. So, I created Heat Runner and I started heading outside to run. 

My first race was the Race for the Cure 5k in 2010. I had trouble finishing the race and I worried running wasn't the sport for me. But when I crossed the finish-line, I became inspired with how I pushed myself to finish and I was hooked from that moment on.

Training continued and I was determined to run a 10k, and then a half-marathon and then a marathon. I liked running on the roads but I learned I really LOVED running on the trails. In 2012, I found a local trail running group that ran longer distances. At first, I was extremely hesitant to run with them, thinking I would be too slow. But eventually, I became comfortable with the distances and the company. My interests have shifted from when I first started this adventure and I am becoming more interested in trail running, triathlons and ultra marathons.

  

I used to be a middle school teacher and I was going back to school to receive my Masters in Education. After 2 years of teaching, my gut told me that I was not happy. I enrolled in school again (this time seeking certification as an EMT, which I received my national certification in January 2015!) and I am hoping to get hired on to the Forest Service or Park Service as a Wildland Firefighter one day.  Finding time to train has been one of the most difficult things about this hobby, but I am determined to reach my goals and I will continue running on the trails that I have fallen in love with. 

I finished my first 50 miler in March 2015. I had so much fun! And I felt great too! So great, in fact, that I decided it wasn't challenging enough and I have my sights set on the Javalina Jundred 100 miler in October 2015. I can't wait to challenge myself even further. 

I have also just discovered thru-hiking (hiking a trail from beginning to end). I can't wait to tell you about the plan I have for that! :) 

 I hope you enjoy reading about my journey as much as I love telling you about it! :)