Laurie Heels
By: Matt Sherman
Name: Laurie Heels
Town: West Lebanon, NH
Where are you from originally and what brought you to this area?
Maine- I came to NH 28 years ago, raised a family and continue to happily call the Upper Valley home.
What do you do professionally?
I am a nurse by education and was a healthcare leader at DHMC for many years. After many years of 24/7 work, I officially retired from leadership in January 2020 to focus on myself, family, and friends. I now work at Dartmouth College in Health Services. I have holidays and the summer off and I couldn’t be happier! I started working at age 12 and spent every summer working to pay for college. I feel like I’m recapturing those lost summers!
How long have you been running?
It’s been intermittent but the last 8 years have been pretty consistent.
How long have you been running competitively?
Hmmm...I’m not sure I’d use the word competitive. I do a lot of whining and laughing when I run in a race. Maybe someday….I do want to run a 5k in less than 30 min and I have started to think about a 10k or half…..Seeing older runners motivates me and lets me know that it’s never too late to set my goals higher.
Training partners?
Jennifer and Annabelle Fullerton (daughter and granddaughter). Try doing planks with a 25 lb giggling toddler on your back!
Cross training activities?
Kayaking, hiking, yoga and elliptical.
Favorite local running route?
The rail trail and the trail around Boston Lot lake.
Favorite post run treat?
Coffee and breakfast sandwich at Lucky’s with friends and family on Saturday morning!
Any notable streaks or other unusual running events?
My first real “race” when I restarted running as an older adult was the “Color Run” at Louden. I ran it with my daughter, Jennifer and partner, Mark and have never laughed so hard in my life!
What made you start running?
The US Army! I was fortunate to receive a college scholarship as I was the first in my family to attend college. The Physical Fitness test was mandatory and required running. I hated every step. I could knock out the situps and pushups without breaking a sweat but the run was my “achilles heel”.
Are your reasons for running now the same or different than the reason you first started?
When I left the military, I kept hiking, cycling and staying fairly active while working crazy hours and raising a family. Running was NOT on my list of fun things to do. A good friend mentioned barefoot running shoes when I was around 45 years old and I gave them a try. I loved them!! I tried running again and it felt natural. I’ve since moved away from the barefoot runners but I still love the more natural feel of today’s shoes. My goal was to be a runner by age 50 and I’m now 56 and still running.
Why did you join UVRC?
You're a great group of people and I’ve made wonderful friends in my Ct5K groups. I’m an introvert (which many don’t know) and this group helped me focus on my life away from work. My participation in this group helped me finalize my decision to retire when I realized that I was feeling guilty and struggling to make the evening training runs because I couldn’t leave work. There was always a crisis and so much more work to do….I finally walked away.
Hot or cold weather runner?
Cooler weather in the evening is my perfect condition. I am not a morning person but for the Ct5K group, I’ll be at the 8:30 run!
What is your motivation?
Staying healthy, getting stronger and having fun! I have many people in my life who depend on me and I want to do everything I can to age well and be my best self! My daughter, Jennifer Fullerton, encouraged me in my running and later became my running partner. My partner, Mark Franklin, was a (ultra) marathon runner and had to stop for injuries but encourages me every day. He’s the guy on the ElliptiGo now. My son, Nate, has started running too. Most important of all, I run for my granddaughter, Annabelle, who was born with limb differences. While she is fiercely independent as an almost 3 year old this July, I want to be present to love, support and advocate for her until she develops that voice on her own. There are many barriers to our world that exist for her and I want to do everything I can to support her and her family as she grows.
Favorite running book/film?
End of the World Running Club by Adrian Walker
What else should the club know about you?
I am a strong advocate for mental health care and the issues facing those who suffer silently from mental illness. We should offer the same support that we do for cancer and other illnesses. I co-lead a monthly support group for friends and families of those with mental illness.
Aside from running, what are your hobbies?
I’m an avid reader, love puzzles, yoga and hiking! I have 2 bikes tuned and ready for riding so maybe this will be the summer to restart cycling….I also love spending time with my granddaughter. She is a joy to be around and I love teaching her. We’ve covered clouds, contrails, kinetic and potential energy. We don’t dumb down the answers to her questions and she is a sponge....I’m hopeful that astrophysics might be her calling!!
What is your running/race motto? …
“I’m moving faster than someone sitting on a couch!”
