We took a minute to chat with Seattle local  Justin Houck about his 2014 debut season on the trails. Justin took the trail scene by surprise with some upset wins like White River 50 and the Crystal Mt. Sky Marathon. We can’t leave out the course record he set at the Vashon 50k where he ran a 3:11:51!.. for his very first ultra. Check out what he had to say about his hunt for a sponsorship, life beyond running, and what his recovery meal of choice looks like.

Paige: Favorite race of your 2014 debut summer?

Justin: I’m partial to the White River 50 because it has done so much for me in terms of exposure and gauging myself with national competition. But overall my favorite race of the year would have to go to the Crystal Mt. Sky marathon. It was so different from any other race I have been to thus far. Multiple steep climbs with technical off trail sections, and the view…amazing!

Paige: We hear you are looking for a sponsor for the upcoming year, how is that going?

Justin: You’ve heard right. For a long time I thought that being a sponsored athlete was the ultimate selfishness. I thought running lacked in societal impact but recently I’ve witnessed the impact of running on my life and also on others. The impact has been extremely positive and I would like to continue what I’m doing on a larger stage and aligning with a brand that has similar outlooks on our sport.

Paige: Rumor has it you pretty much traveled every continent in the world in the 3 years after you graduated college.. and it wasn’t for trail racing, what did you and your wife Claire do that brought you all around the world before settling down back in Seattle?

Justin: My wife Claire and I set off right after college and found ourselves in remote Alaska working for a bird observatory. It didn’t take long to enjoy the work and we decided to jump into similar positions with different non-profits and universities to explore the world through working as wildlife research biologists. We were extremely lucky to work in some amazing environments with some unique animals. We spent every season in a new part of the world! In the winter you may have found us in Australia researching red-backed Fairy wrens (ya, that’s a real bird) and then in the spring in the Tepui Mountains of Guyana recording scarlet-horned manakins (also a bird). As one would assume, running was quite difficult in these areas and often times dangerous. Running took a back seat for me, although my wife ran in every single area against better judgement. There was one run in South Africa when we were a few miles from our hut and we were cruising down a hill and came face-on with a White Rhino and her calf. We both startled each other and Claire and I went straight up a tree. That tree had lots of thorns. That’s one of many stupid examples when we should have refrained from exercising… but hey, it was all for the love of running!

Paige: What does your typical post-race calorie binge consist of?

Justin: My typical post race calorie binge would have to be beer. Preferably an IPA and then maybe a good burger (fat content is of high importance!).

Paige: What is on the schedule for the next few months, I know you have the North Face Endurance Challenge coming up – is that the main focus?

Justin: You’re correct about the North Face Endurance Challenge but I also have the U.S. trail half marathon championships coming up this weekend. TNFEC is my A race this year and I’ve been focusing my training for this race since February. As for 2015, I’m not quite sure yet. This really depends on the kind of support I receive and if I can stay healthy through the winter. Maybe Western States or UTMB?!

Paige: Your hometown is Spokane, you went to college in Portland, and now you live in Seattle.. give us your favorite running spot in each of those places. And tell us which spot takes the cake for best running spot?

Justin: In Spokane it would have to be Riverside State Park. Tons of trails of varying length and a quick drive from anywhere in town. In Portland Forest Park would have to be my go to; nestled right in downtown and also easy access. I have ran every single inch of the Forest Park trails and I love them. Send me a picture of a fern and I could probably tell you where it’s located. Seattle is very different from both Spokane and Portland. The access to mountain terrain is within 30 minutes and enough trails and places to explore in the cascades to last years. As for my favorite spot I would have to say anywhere around the Methow or Leavenworth. I know this is a big expanse but blindfold me and tell me to pick a spot in that area and I would be happy with anything chosen.

Paige: You work with wood… is this correct? Tell us what you do when you’re not running.

Justin: I’m almost finished with my degree at the Wood Technology Center in Seattle. I needed a dramatic change in terms of careers when I left biology and I felt like woodworking would fill the void. I’m currently studying Cabinetry and fine woodworking (furniture design). When I’m not running, which is not very often since I commute to school by running, I like to relax with a beer or bourbon and cook with my wife. Food is very important to us and in cooking we find a way to take our minds off stress and the daily motions.

Thanks for talking with us Justin! Best of luck closing out the 2014 season, look forward to seeing what kind of damage you can do! Yeehaaa!

– Your fans over at Seven Hills.