Yesterday I stepped outside my comfort zone and started my day at Cleveland State University’s Recreation Center. I signed up for a swim clinic held by the Cleveland Triathlon Club (which I am now officially a member of!).

I woke up Sunday morning with butterflies in my stomach, not really sure what to expect:

• Would I be the only person there who didn’t know anyone? (no)
• Would I be the only one NOT in a TYR bathing suit? (pretty much yes)
• Would I be the only triathlon newbie? (no)
• Would I be the slowest swimmer there? (no)

J was really sweet to me when I left saying “I’m proud of you for not letting your fears get in your way, babe. This is how you got to where you are today.” It kind of gave me that little kick in the ass I needed before I left the house.

AND I AM SO GLAD I WENT! Holy crap, I learned SO MUCH in the hour or so I was in the pool. There’s a lot to think about when you’re swimming, but the girl running the clinic was amazing at breaking it down. Everything that seemed so complex before we started seemed so simple once we were in the pool. The clinic was perfect for people of any swim level: from very beginners, to veteran swimmers wanting a refresher. To be honest, I ended up feeling a little silly that I spent so much time and effort being worried how I would fit in.

And what’s even better is that Tiffany (who introduced herself at the clinic – and knew me from the blog!) was sweet enough to tell me about some local training opportunities. A group training setting is just what I need to build my confidence getting into this new world of triathlons. Just when I thought I might not be able to handle it, things started falling into place. Imagine that.

What have you done lately that made you step outside your “comfort zone”?

This is what Christie said to me while we were running down the middle of a snow covered street Saturday morning. It literally felt like we were in a Nike ad with the caption “Running doesn’t get snow days.”

We knew there was a chance of snow but when I woke up it was still clear. No snowflakes whatsoever.

But between the time I left my house and the time I got to Christie’s at 7:00, this is what happened:

Seriously. Unfortunately this caused Kimi to not be able to meet up with us (she lives out in the boondocks – still trying to convince her to move her cute little ass closer to us – no luck so far ), but since I was already there Christie and I decided to put our big girl panties on and get it over with.

The beginning of the run was rough. It was dark, slippery, and tough to get our footing. Stupid snow. It was snowing pretty heavily and hard to see sometimes. But once the sun came up, and were on roads where we could run right down the center of the street, we were able to pick up our pace a little. The 6 miles flew by and it actually ended up being a lot of fun running in the snow!

• Mile 1 = 9:50
• Mile 2 = 9:34
• Mile 3 = 9:39
• Mile 4 = 9:35
• Mile 5 = 9:27
• Mile 6 = 9:20
• Last .09 = 8:15

Hellooooo, negative splits. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen you……. And a 9:33/mile average pace – been awhile since I’ve seen you, too! Not too bad with running in that weather. Not.too.bad.

And because we’re big nerds, we all sent virtual high fives when we were finished.

I really meant it when I said we were big nerds. But we’re fun big nerds. And I kinda love it.

And would you know that after I got home and showered, the snow had stopped and the sun even ended coming out later in the day?! Seriously. No joke. Cleveland weather is ridiculous.

How was the weather by you this weekend?

Remember when I discussed giving myself two “free passes“ a month? Well, the plan is totally working.

I made a workout schedule for this week and so far so good (hehe – it’s only Monday!).

The hardest day for me is Tuesday. After I get home from teaching Group Power all I want to do is cuddle on the couch and watch The Biggest Loser. It takes everything I have to get my butt to the pool. Sunday is negotiable, though, I may have something else planned – I just haven’t decided yet. But I skipped a run this past Friday, so I only have one pass left!

This whole planning thing in general really seems to work. I’ve been sticking to the meal planning, which has resulted in some pretty tasty dinners:

Mmmmmmmmm………a pork tenderloin recipe from Food Network magazine.

I’ve also been sticking to my workouts (and not cutting them short!):

5 miles today on the treadmill. I took it easy and just enjoyed the run, not pushing myself too hard. I feel like all my runs lately have been spent pushing the pace instead of just enjoying myself, so I earned this one. I kinda loved it.

Sooooo…….I’ve mentioned a few times how my official training starts next week. Well, I’m signed up to run the Glass City Half Marathon on April 22nd. My plan is to focus on getting my speed back (and possibly PR?) and then run a full marathon in the Fall. We’ll see what happens, I kinda just want to take it day by day. No pressure.

Do you plan your workouts if you’re not training for something? Or just take it day by day? If you plan them, do you use an app? I’ve been searching for an app that I can enter the workouts I have planned for the week and then check them off as I go, but I haven’t found what I’m looking for……..suggestions??

Hey hey! This weekend went by so fast, I’m so sad it’s over already…….

I did get in a few pretty great workouts, though. Saturday I went to my favorite spin class and then swam in the afternoon. It took all I had to get my butt to the pool, but I didn’t want to use one of my 2 “free passes“. (the rule is working already!)

I ended up swimming 2,000 yds in 47 minutes. This is far for me – the furthest I’ve swam yet! Of course, that time only reflects my actual swimming time, not the total time in the pool.

At one point during the workout I even thought to myself “wow, I’m really a swimmer!” but then that feeling went away almost immediately. Hehe – seriously. That thought went through my head for a split second and then it was gone. I think the 3 boys literally swimming laps around me killed this for me. (They were pretty amazing to watch, btw. Besides their amazing swim form, the ripped muscles in tiny, tight swim shorts?? Not so bad on the eyes….. )

Anyways, I got to thinking on my way home from the pool how far I’ve come since last June when I first tried swimming.

So many people tell me they want to swim but they’re not sure how to get started. It’s pretty simple – JUST DO IT. The key for me was to not worry about what I looked like to anyone else. I’m sure I looked silly to the other “serious swimmers” when I showed up in my two piece suit with no swim cap, but at least I was there, at least I was trying. Sure, my form sucked (probably still does) and I had to take a lot of breaks (still do, just not as many), but I was there and I was trying.

I would swim as many laps as I could and take breaks as needed. I stayed at the pool for 45 minutes minimum and just did what I could. And every time I went back I would make sure I swam more laps than the time before. Sometimes just 2 laps more, but at least it was more than the time before. Pretty simple, right? But it worked. Because this weekend I swam 80 LAPS in 47 minutes. Amazing (for me).

Consistency is KEY. Consistency will equal progress.

The funny thing about this? This is EXACTLY how I started running. I literally ran once around my block and then a week later I ran two times around my block, etc, etc, etc. No joke. And now I’ve run 3 marathons.

Sure, it takes time, but if you want it badly enough you’ll be willing to put in that time. And don’t be afraid to try something new! I’m definitely not the fastest swimmer (not even close!), and I’m not the fastest runner, either. But who really cares??? I don’t. I’m just happy that I’m doing things I enjoy and that challenge me to work harder.

Are you a swimmer? A runner? How did you get started?

Ummmmm………yeah.

Wrong size 7.

Total #momfail.

I think C is the only kid in his school without boots yet. I’ve been waiting and waiting for these puppies to come in the mail, so imagine my surprise when I opened them today and the boots could fit in the palm of my hand.

Crap. Back to the drawing board.

I’m a religious The Biggest Loser watcher. And the newest season is all about No Excuses. But I feel like all some of the participants do is make excuses, whine, and/or complain. Ugh, I was so annoyed last night. It’s such an amazing opportunity these people are getting – why would they ever waste it?? Obviously they know what they’re in for when they apply to be on the show. Do they really expect it to be easy?

So, anyways, today when I was on the treadmill whining to myself that my legs felt sluggish and tired I thought about all the excuses that had annoyed me while I was watching the show last night. And my mood immediately changed. I may or may not have even yelled out loud at myself during the last mile saying “Come on!”. I had somehow changed from a whiner to a bad ass just by thinking about how I didn’t want to be one of those people who make excuses. And proceeded to finish my 4 mile run with an average pace of 9:02 per mile.

That’s 3 runs in 3 days at a 9:13 pace or less. Do I dare say I’m making a come back?? Nahhhh…..not yet. I don’t want to jinx it. Not yet.

And the only reason I ran yesterday is because I saw this on the box of the Vega Sport protein products I have right now:

I saw this right after I had skipped my pool workout. Talk about timing. Even though I had missed my time frame to be able to swim, I had no excuse not to run (one of the curses benefits of having a treadmill now). So I did it. And it was awesome. I was on a serious runners high after that run, too – I was grinning ear to ear for the rest of the night like a giant tool. I always feel so amazing after a workout, it’s a wonder to me why I ever skip one.

Anyways, when I mentioned to J that I wasn’t going to the pool he had a really great idea. He said I should give myself “x” amount of “Free Passes” when it comes to my workouts. I immediately fell in love with the idea. It’s a great compromise that will hold me to my workouts but also give me a little leeway when I’m just not feeling it.

So now I’m trying to decide how many “free passes” I should get. One a month? Two a month? No more than 2. And if I don’t swim like I’m supposed to, but I run instead, is that considered using one of the “passes”?

What would you do?

• One pass or two?
• Do you think swapping a workout should count as using one of the free passes?

The cute little Caitlin tagged me last week in her 7 Random Facts posts. I started thinking about it and figured why the hell not.

Seven Random Facts about Heather:

1. You all have to know by now that my nickname is Heatha. It’s really not a spelling error, it’s meant to be that way! One of my best friends, Jen, got married about 10 years ago and we all got pretty smashed (that’s what you do at weddings, right?). Anyways, I was in the bathroom and she came in there looking for me screaming Heatha! Heatha! and I yelled back Jenay! Jenay! (I’m pretty sure I was sticking my arm out under the bathroom stall waving to let her know where I was, too – because, you know, she wouldn’t be able to find me in the small, 3 stall bathroom). And that’s it. The nicknames stuck and we still call each other those names to this day.

Jen and me on New Years Eve a few years back – I swear we do a lot more than just drink together.

2. I sucked my thumb until I was 6 years old. This is why I now have Invisalign (and a lot less money in my bank account). I remember my mom and dad put this hot pepper liquid on my thumb one time to try and get me to stop. Well, I forgot it was on there and I had to run to my neighbors house for water because my mouth was on fire and I knew my parents would not have been happy with me. I can’t remember the outcome (if my mom and dad ever found out about this), but I remember being so embarrassed. Maybe this is what finally made me stop?

3. I worked at McDonald’s for 7 years (all through high school and then college). I was even employee of the year one year, which got me nothing but McDonald’s stock that I still have and know absolutely nothing about. I eventually became a manager and would come home from college (University of Toledo) every other weekend to work. It was a pretty sweet job since I was in charge and mostly everyone who worked there was my friend (C’s dad worked there, too!).

4. I’m a landlord. When C’s dad and I got divorced (we were only 27), C and I moved in with my parents for about 6 months. And as much as I love my parents, their house was just too crowded (C and I were sharing a bed at the time!). So I bought a condo and C and I lived on our own until we moved in with J a little over a year later. It was quite possibly the best year of my life – I loved living with my little guy by ourselves. I swear it’s why we’re so close today.

One of the few pics I could find from the condo. It doesn’t show too much of the place, but it was too cute not to post!

5. J and I met playing on a Cleveland recreational kickball league. A good friend of mine worked with J at the time and asked us both to be on the team. Holtz didn’t know it at the time, but he was playing cupid! J and I had a lot in common (big breakups) and we pretty much hit it off immediately.

Me with the matchmaker, and a horribly old, bad picture – sorry, Holtz.

6. I would much rather eat cookie dough than actual cookies. I have all the will power in the world when it comes to cookies, but that will power doesn’t even exist when there’s cookie dough around. I’m a total addict. That’s why I don’t bake as much as I’d like to – I seriously end up eating my weight in cookie dough. I always end up with a horrible stomach ache but it doesn’t matter. It’s too good NOT to eat!

7. I secretly hate that I am so tall (5’9″). I’ve ALWAYS been the tallest of all my girlfriends and I’m usually pretty close to the height of the guys, too. I can never wear heels without being self conscious and lower heels are definitely not as cute. It pretty much sucks. I’m always in the back of pictures or the silly girl in front with her hands on her knees because if she stands up straight her monster height will block everyone else. The only person who I’m never taller than is my dad (who I obviously get my height from).

This is me, my dad, my mom, and sis on Christmas day. I’m so much taller than both my mom and sister and I’m not even wearing shoes!

And here’s me, Andy, and Christina. Check out Christina’s feet. She’s on her tip toes and I’m still towering over her.

I can still remember being down at the Basement (hell yes, went there every weekend!) many many years ago and some random guy at the bar saying to me “What are you, like 6 feet tall?”. Ughhhh……still gets under my skin.

Damn, that wasn’t easy to come up with!

Now, tell me one random thing about you……………..

I’m so glad I had a relaxing weekend because my life at work is about to get cray cray. It’s the beginning of “busy season” for me and I’m sure the next few months are going to be one big ball of stress.

And I don’t want to brag or anything, but I think I may be turning into quite the chef……..

Beautiful feast, right?? Btw, C’s just drinking pop out of that wine glass. It’s a little tradition of ours to drink out of wine glasses on special occasions.

To say I was worried about this meal is an understatement. I had never cooked crab legs before, let alone a full out boil, but OMG guys, everything was deeee-licious. Maybe even the best crab legs I’ve ever had?? Though, to be honest, I just started eating them last year so I haven’t eaten TOO many.

It was quite the birthday for my little man. He got the dinner he asked for:

The cake he asked for:

AND the presents he asked for:

It was probably his biggest and best birthday yet. But you only turn 10 once, right? Though, he still has his “friend” birthday party next weekend so he kinda gets to turn 10 twice, huh?

As for me, I took the weekend off from running, but I did go to my favorite spinning class both Saturday and Sunday (ummmm…..had to work off that cake). Back to the grind tomorrow – my official training starts in about a week!

Did you run this weekend? Did you celebrate anything?

I can’t believe it.

When did this happen?

I know every mom says this, but I honest to God have the best kid. He’s compassionate, kind, stubborn, caring, and SO DAMN CUTE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, C. MOM LOVES YOU!!!!

Today’s run probably looked normal to an outside observer, but a lot happened in those 40 minutes.

Mile 1:

I know this mile is 75% uphill, but try and keep the pace at a steady 9:30, Heather. You’re trying to get faster, remember. In order to do this I had to dodge some high schoolers getting out of school, and I swear they were judging me in my skin tight spandex pants. But maybe they were just thinking to themselves “where would she put her chain in those pants”? (they all had jean chains, or whatever those things are called – what’s the point of those anyways?) In any case, I definitely pushed myself a little harder than I would have if the kids weren’t around. You know, because it should matter what high schoolers think, right? Ughhhh…..Heather……

Mile 2:

Whew, back on flat ground. Even out your breath and pick up the pace a little. This is when my stomach started to cramp up some. Not enough to make me slow down but enough that it was really annoying and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Mile 3:

Oh.My.GAWD. What is happening with my stomach??? Right at the beginning of mile 3 I hit a stop light and keeled over in pain. After about 10 to 20 seconds it subsided but I knew it wasn’t gone for good. I also knew I needed to head home immediately before anything bad happened (for those of you who don’t know what I mean, I needed a bathroom STAT). When the light turned green I started running again and Busta Rhymes “C’mon – Catch ‘Em By Surprise” came on my iPod. This song can put anyone in a good mood – I swear! So I tuned out the pain and just ran. Highlight of my run.

Mile 4:

Get home, get home, get home!!!!!!!
That is all.

Next .35 miles:

I walked for a bit to ease the uncomfortableness and then broke into an all out sprint once my street was in sight. Got home just in the knick of time. Lovely, right?

Not really my favorite way to spend 4 miles, but I got the job done I guess. Because my times turned out pretty damn good:

I’m trying to get back to a “normal” pace of around a 9:00 or 9:10 minute mile. I think I may actually be doing it?! My stomach is still a little queasy, but I’ll deal. Is it crazy that I’d rather have the stomach issue and run fast(er) miles than run slower with no stomach issues? If so, then just call me Crazy!

What’s the ONE song that turns your mood around no matter what?