Be Healthy with Heather

My favorite loop to start off the weekend-

Whihala Beach to Wolf Lake to George Lake

It looks very wintery today, but those spring races will be here before we know it!

This winter I have been giving myself a break from running while I make time to pursue other goals. Outdoor runs have been few and far between.

Last weekend’s “false spring” got me back out there, and now I’m ready!

I wrapped up the first full week of the new year creating a vision board with friends. This girls’ night helped me bring my goals, hopes, and habits together in a creative way.

In 2026, I will continue to prioritize my peace, health, and happiness.

After three weekends in a row of racing, it felt great to get back to routine. I love races, but for me, it’s these quiet mornings out here by myself that give me what I need most. Putting one foot in front of the other is a kind of therapy. All the tangled up thoughts in my head come unraveled. Even on a chilly, gloomy, and windy day like today, I always finish feeling better than when I started.

It was a busy holiday week! On Sunday, I ran the H3 Haunted Halloween Half Marathon in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, and today I headed to Pilsen to race La Carrera de los Mu***os 5K.

🍁🍂Fall running is always my favorite! 🍁🍂
I am grateful for the opportunities this fall to coach middle school cross country, spectate at the Chicago Marathon, and run a couple races of my own.