For this monthly feature, we’ve asked women from around the country to share a week in their lives, letting us know how they fit in their workouts. (Here’s Rebecca from March.) Because we all know we can learn tips, tricks, and hacks from each other.

This month, Heather Winkler, 49, of Bellbrook, Ohio, shared a week in her workout-life. Heather is a high school Spanish teacher and has two college-aged sons, three cats, and “one very spoiled dog.” She’s got an epic endeavor on her athletic horizon: In June, she and her husband intend to hike the West Highland Way, 96 miles in eight days in the Scottish Highlands to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary and their 50th birthdays. Says Heather: “My running days have been replaced with hiking and walking since we decided last fall to do this hike. It has made my transition from runner to walker a wee bit easier.” She’s following our Train Like a Mother Club Epic Hike training program.  

My plan was to hike in my neighborhood park after school but on my drive home, big rain drops started falling. I looked at my plan and saw I could swap my days and do a treadmill walk with elevation instead. Yet I decided that I needed to practice hiking in the rain (since apparently it does rain in Scotland!). I’ve got to train in all conditions just like all the marathons I trained for. So out I went! 42 minutes for 2 miles, rain jacket tested and hiking poles in case of muddy hills. As I hiked, I listened to the voice of Sam Haughan (a.k.a. Jamie Frasier from Outlander) narrate his book Waypoints about his own journey on the West Highland Way and his acting career. [Editor’s note: Hubba-hubba, a hottie hiking companion!]

After my hike, I decided to do the Many Happy Miles circuit from February (#basicFive). Cooldown: 1.5 mile walk with the princess papillon (read: my dog) and a phone-chat with my mother.

On the plan: 60 minute treadmill workout with 15 min. at 6%, 20 min. at 7% and 15 min. at 8% grade 

Started this a bit later than expected due to a surprise meeting at school. Weather—very windy and cloudy—was perfect for a treadmill walk. I listened to the Many Happy Miles podcast on heart health, and I had to slow down to take some notes and look up a book on Amazon. A dog walk outside for my cool down, then the MHM April mobility circuit.

On the plan: 45 min brisk walk 

I walked with one of my work besties. We headed over to a park that isn’t too far from our school, and had a nice conversation about our boys who are the same ages. We are both empty-nesters this year and our boys are both freshman and juniors in college. 

I skipped the circuit today—just not feeling it.

On the plan: Rest day but I planned a strength circuit today since I didn’t feel like it yesterday

I ended up with about 4 hours of sleep last night dealing with a cat emergency. Nothing like waking up to cat diarrhea and vomiting (not once but two separate times) next to my bed from our 15-year-old cat (and my husband is out of town)! Needless to say, I was a walking zombie at school today and had no motivation to do anything except go to bed early tonight so my re-scheduled circuit got nixed once again.

On the plan: 20-30 min light cross-training

I walked with my princess pup because it’s supposed to rain tomorrow and she doesn’t “do” rain. It was an emotional day, as my husband and I made an appointment to put down our oldest kitty on Monday.

On the plan: 2:45 hike as 1 hour hike, 30 min. of hill repeats, 1:15 hike, plus 3x 30 glute bridges, :30 sec side planks, 20 squats

This went really well. I ended up walking 7.3 miles in 2:38. I had great weather (so much for promised rain). I started out early so I could be done in time to go pick up my freshman son from Miami University (of Ohio). All my gear worked plus I fueled with some Easter-y trail-magic—a small bag of jelly beans. I finished my audiobook, then listened to my favorite playlist for the last half hour of the hike.  

I ended up not doing the strength since I had to grab a quick shower and drive an hour to pick up my son.

Rest day and hosting Easter brunch.