On My Mind

• There is a half marathon on Sunday - the Lake Minnetonka Half Marathon - that I think I want to run. I would need to tack on an extra 7 miles to get 20 in (you know, marathon training and all). Should I?


• It's snowing. I hate snow. Snow + having to look at my ex-boss in court this afternoon = me wanting to punch somebody in the face. I should consider anger management classes.


• Starburst jelly beans are freaking delicious. I thought their season was over, but when I stopped by the grocery store to pick up (healthy) food for lunch, they were on the special sale table. Now they are in my belly. I eat them in order by color - yellow, green, pink, orange, red, then purple.


• I picked up my bike from the bike shop last night. I am so excited to ride. Once it stops snowing. And once the wind stops blowing. So, like, you know, maybe in July???


• I have had a productive day so far. I should really stop making this completely meaningless list and get back to work.

Happy Wednesday!

Track Baby

Not to be confused with crack baby.

The snow finally melted off the track. To avoid having to run with the high school kids after work, I decided a lunch time track workout was in order. My plan was to do an easy warm up and then a ladder -- 400, 800, 1200, 800, 400. Easy peasy.

Except. Running slowly through snow and ice for 8 months (yes, 8 months, that's how long winter was) does not prepare you for running quickly at the track. During the first 400 I thought my lung might just explode out of my chest. New plan: let's do four 400's and call it good. Apparently I need to warm up to track season.

So I'm back from my lunch time quicky. Debating about whether to just stay in my running clothes for the rest of the day. I don't have any appointments scheduled for the afternoon and I'm planning on running again after work anyways . . . disgusting I know, but much more comfortable than changing back into a suit.

Big Girl Pants

Somebody better get me some big girl undies, because I am going all grown up on the bike this year. I took my bike in on Friday for a tune up and decided to change over to clip in pedals. Gulp. For anyone keeping track of my list of things I said I would never do but am now doing, let's add physically restrain my feet from moving off a bike pedal to the list.

At the bike shop, they had my bike on the trainer because they were also doing a whole fitting thing. So I got to practice clipping in and out a couple of times. And then they told me to take it out on the road. So I did. And I didn't fall. Or die. And even though I was being super cautious and biking slowly (not just because of the new pedal situation but also because it was gale-force winds and I was wearing dress clothes) I could tell that I am going to love the extra oomph I get from having my feet stuck to my pedals.

Besides the pedal/shoe change, I also got a new seat. This was after a conversation that went like this. Me: "So, my seat is pretty uncomfortable. I feel a lot of pressure in my girl parts." Bike Man: "Yes, see how your seat is at the highest point in the middle? This is the worst bike seat ever made." Ah, that clears things up. They also adjusted the fit (except they used fancier words that I don't remember).

My bike is still at the bike shop getting all the little tune ups done, but I am super excited to pick it up and get out on the road. I figure with all the changes it will be like having a brand new bike. Now if only the weather would actually improve . . .

Just Call Me Well Rested

Last Tuesday, after Good Heather prevailed and I got my swim on, I also ran 3 miles at lunch and then went to kettlebells class at night. And then Wednesday I proceeded to get my puke on. For FIVE days. Yep, five days of the stomach flu. Which was super fun. So no Earth Day 1/2 Marathon for me. I was supposed to leave at 6:30 Saturday morning to head over to St. Cloud. Instead, I puked at 6:30.

After sleeping basically all day yesterday, I am finally feeling better. Although dragging myself to court in three different counties wore me out today. But tomorrow? It's Tuesday again, so Good Heather will be back at the pool dark and early.

Congrats to all the Boston runners - you all are amazing and inspire me!

Stood Up

This morning my swimming friend failed to show up at dark o'thirty at our designated meeting spot in the McDonald's parking lot. And so began the battle of the Heathers. Bad Heather said, "Go home. If you drive fast, you can have your contacts out, your pj's on and be back in bed for another hour and a half." Good Heather said, "Dude. You just signed up a for a half ironman. Get your ass to the pool."

This really was a battle because I hate to swim alone. You would think the only indoor pool in at least a 30 mile radius would be a hot spot, and I wouldn't need to worry about being all by my lonesome. But unfortunately I live in an area where the primary forms of entertainment are drinking beer, smoking cigarettes, and shopping at Walmart. So often I (and my swimming friend, when she is not being lazy) are the only two hardcore souls at the pool. And while I am a little bit afraid of drowning, I am a lot afraid of a serial killer sneaking in the pool and murdering me while I'm gasping for breath at the end of a lap. Yes, I know, therapy may be beneficial. That's beside the point.

So after about ten minutes of Good Heather and Bad Heather yapping at each other in the McDonald's parking lot, Good Heather won and I drove to the pool. And I didn't drown. Or get murdered by a serial killer. But I was there completely by myself. Of course, now Bad Heather thinks she needs a little victory. So I'll probably take a nap under my desk later. Or eat a Reese's peanut butter cup.

Committed

After months of wavering, I finally hit the registration button. I am now officially registered for the Chisago Lakes Half Ironman. Deep, calming breaths. I can handle this. I am ready to focus on the training. But for now, it's time to get to sleep. I have a long run to do tomorrow!

Shorts

So what could be fascinating enough to drag me out of my month-plus long silence? How about the fact that I wore shorts on my run this evening? Yes, I may have caused a few (minor) traffic accidents with the glare from my super bright white legs. But who cares? It was sunny! And warm! And I was wearing shorts!

The last month or so I have been constantly reminded of how important running (and my other favorite forms of exercise) are to my mental health. I can be having the worst, most brain-draining day, and getting out in the fresh air for a run or sweating my booty off on a hard trainer ride can completely turn my attitude around. I have been very busy with work and my caseload is higher than it has ever been. While I feel extremely blessed to be so busy with my new office and in this craptastic economy, the higher caseload (of mostly not so nice divorce and custody cases) has taken it's toll on me. Running (and swimming, biking, and kettlebells) is what keeps me sane.

Anyhow . . . other than work and working out I have squeezed in some fun over the last month . . .


Took Sophie (and my 8 year old niece) bowling.



Ran the Human Race 8K in St. Paul with my sister and running partner - and Sophie ran the kid's race.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the weather stays warm and sunny. I am hoping to get my bike off the trainer and outside for the first time this year tomorrow after work. Happy spring!