News Archive

Heather Grimstad, J.D. ’15, LL.M. ’19, was on the lookout for a new challenge. Let’s face it. The year 2020 has been, shall we say, challenging. She wanted something to work toward, a goal. “I needed something to boost my mental health,” she said. “Goal setting can be helpful.”

As the new Senior Associate Director for the Office of Student Affairs,  Grimstad’s responsibilities now include leading student wellness initiatives. Hoping to set a good example for students, she signed up for the Indianapolis 500 Mile Challenge. No. Grimstad wasn’t going to be zipping around the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a Dallara Chevrolet. The challenge is a fitness initiative created by the 500 Festival to encourage people to keep up with their running and walking during the pandemic. A fundraiser for the festival, participants may sign-up for the 500-mile challenge, or the 100-mile version. It began in mid-June, and participants have until the end of the year to complete whichever version of the challenge they sign up for. Those who partake in the challenge may count a variety of fitness activities toward their goal.

Already walking regularly with her son, Grimstad began to ponder taking on the challenge as her goal. “I’m a big fan of walking, and was already getting out and walking regularly,” she said. She signed up for the 500-mile challenge, then began to wonder “am I crazy? Is this doable?”

Grimstad has found that it is, indeed, doable. She was already walking several miles per trip, had investigated every cul-de-sac in their neighborhood, and was looking for other nearby places to include on their route. She only counts the walks for which she activates a fitness app on her smart watch, and the miles are piling up. Grimstad and her son have become a frequent sight in their neighborhood and neighbors count on seeing them regularly.

“It’s a good way to see people and be socially distant,” Grimstad said. “We’ve met a lot of great new neighbors.”

Along with giving her a challenge to conquer, the purposeful walking has improved her concentration, Grimstad said. “I can focus better,” she said. “I can tell when I haven’t done it. I’ve noticed, too, that if I’m having a bad day, I do better if I can do something physical. My zoom fatigue is better, and my patience is better, too.”

Another thing Grimstad likes about walking is its affordability; you just need a pair of shoes and a place to walk. In addition to walking in her neighborhood, she can be found walking on the IUPUI campus, and along the nearby canal. She’s also incorporated other self-care measures into her routine, monitoring whether she’s getting enough water to drink, unwinding with a non-law related book before bed, and doing craft projects just for fun. She’s invited IU McKinney students to join her in the craft projects, too.

“There are so many things to be depressed about right now,” Grimstad said. “I needed something for me, so I don’t lose myself completely. There have been so many benefits to my walking, and it’s been easy, too. Just get a pair of shoes and go.”