Torch Athena Rally was truly incredible. I laughed. Cried. And left feeling empowered and ready to push change, not only within my career but on the entire installation. What an opportunity!
A rare opportunity to walk/run the Riverwalk
Light the Path
Maybe I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. All I want is a voice at the table. Those were my words to my previous supervisor. He asked what I needed from him – I said “I just want a voice at the table.” Lately, I’ve been empowered to understand I’ve entered a new chapter in my life, most assuredly in my workplace. And, now, I’m the voice at the table. I no longer challenge someone else to speak for me. I speak for others under my purview.
Please forgive me for not mentioning them sooner. Alas, I did not want to share Wichita Falls’ best kept secret. Despite the fact I function as their not-so-secret fan club president and social media ambassador (the lovely Deidre doesn’t quite know this), this is hands down my favorite coffee establishment of all time, since approx. 2021 or so.
Chicka D’s
2022: I have more photos than I can count of my frequent Chicka D’s coffee runs. During the holidays, mini gifted me a gift certificate which I am still enjoying!
2023: Chicka D’s is still my go-to coffee spot. No one does it like they do. From their scrumptious waffles and chaffle sticks to the seasonal and monthly flavor combination specialty drinks to the energy coolers, there’s nothing on Chicka D’s menu that isn’t perfection.
In getting to know many of the employees, each stands for faith and service before self. Personally, I think they should be teaching other businesses how to do customer service. You’d think the service at a drive up mobile trailer would be meh…so wrong.
Most of my readers know my favorite drink: the standard latte, made with a sugar free syrup and heavy cream. Keto connoisseur. Somehow, Chicka D’s ratio is incompatible with my own efforts at making lattes at home even though I derived my coffee bean choice from what Chicka D’s uses. Trust me, I asked the head Chicka D. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for the best coffee, customer service, and waffles in Wichita Falls, Chicka D’s ranks #1 in the Running on Fumes series.
I visit them every time I can, at multiple locations, in whatever weather conditions come my way. They also do catering and I have had the privilege to partake in a lovely hot or cold concoction at my church, around town, in front of businesses, and literally anywhere they go. The service and quality never waiver. Chicka D’s also offers whole and half waffles of various flavors, as well as waffle sticks and many other food options which I’ve heard nothing but good things about – and they’re a seasonally-updated option so fresh fruit in the spring and savory/sweet combinations in the fall.
Neither rain nor shine stops us from visiting
You can find out more about Chicka D’s by visiting them here. They also have a Facebook and an Instragram account. Stop by their typical location at the Home Zone at 3921 Fairway Blvd, Wichita Falls, TX 76310, grab a drink, and tell them Running on Fumes sent you!
Want to See More?
If you or someone you know owns or frequents a favorite coffee establishment and you’d like to be featured (or nominate them to be featured), please comment below!
Somehow I’ve completed the past 3 weeks’ assignments significantly early and been able to focus on upcoming papers, assignments, discussions, etc. Either a course on human resource management is easier than expected or I’m doing something wrong. The grades are good so I’ll just keep riding this wave. When there’s time to sit outside in the evenings and watch the hummingbirds – if the word balance truly exists, this is what I imagine it looks like.
In the spirit of healthy competition, I started a 10k training plan with no clear race or run in sight. Granted, it will conclude mid-June so there’s nooooooo way I’m racing anything then, but it’s fun having a scheduled training run to look forward to. If only the weather would cooperate. I’ve also been using the Garmin workout/training builder. Wow. Those workouts are no joke. Even the 15 min ones will have you questioning your life decisions. Perhaps I should have been using this tool much longer.
Even though I have textbooks a plenty, I went a little overboard with reading/desiring to read just-for-fun books. So now I have 3 sitting nearby that I can’t wait to complete and I might have ordered another. Whoopsies! Non-fiction has really drawn me in lately. Typically, (previously) I only read fiction but something about true or historically-based real life stories just hits me. And who can overlook an incredible woman’s journey to the Boston starting line.
Finally, I probably say this each year, I don’t know how my baby is celebrating another birthday. I swear she was a newborn yesterday. She’s bright, talented, loving, hilarious, and well-spoken. She outsmarts people so skillfully I don’t believe its normal. She argues like an accomplished law team. And, occasionally, she still calls me mommy instead of mom. Time flies.
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I ask you –
What books(s) are you reading right now?
Are you training for anything? Just survival.
Tell me if your birthday has passed yet or if it’s upcoming!
Haven’t done one of these in awhile. Probably because I’ve had other things to share. Important things, like…I don’t remember exactly what, but I’m positive they were more important!
#leagueofgarmin @garminfitness
Garmin Fitness adopted me. Bless their hearts. I saw where a running friend (who doesn’t really know me at all but alas we’re friends) was also “adopted” so I took a gamble and submitted my own info. Then, they said ok, we guess you can be a part of our club. And here we are!
Pretzel Lightsaber
We have some truly creative people in our squadron. A spouse made these for everyone for May 4th. Get it, get it. Since we’re the force support squadron – you get it, right?
Team JENGA
I stayed up wayyyyyy too late one Saturday night to attend a dining in event with some truly amazing women! There was alcohol, food, shenanigans, and a skit. Video exists somewhere. Team JENGA ruled the night. Except for those 42 women with nerf guns; they had it out for everyone.
The next day – ahem, whole week – I was reminded why I don’t stay out late. Or take shots. Meh. But, the fun was priceless!
I ask you –
Cinco de Mayo – yay or nay? I adore chips and salsa.
When was the last time you stayed up late? And until what time was that?
Brainstorming future race ideas led me to this one: the inaugural Rock n Roll Atlantic City event!
I’ve only ever seen New Jersey as I raced through it on the way to Connecticut, though I do vaguely remember vast toll areas. Perhaps that was a different state, like Oklahoma. Nonetheless, I’d like to enjoy a proper visit and run a little race!
Credit: #myfavoriterun via Instagram
I’m also very interested in the Blue Bell runs in Brenham, TX. Held annually in April, the finish line party includes Blue Bell ice cream, which is my most favorite ice cream of all time. Pecan Pralines ‘n Cream anyone? I want to explore more 10k distances so why not start there?!
Credit: #bluebellfunrun via Instagram
I’m about over this training plan stuff. 15-16 week plans are just too long for me. Week 8 is about my cutoff. Maybe 10 if I’m feeling generous. Never before have I ever given a moment’s thought to running a virtual half marathon just so I can say I did the run and be done with it. A few weeks back – I hit that point. And I know that particular week was kind of a struggle, but I don’t feel like my fitness has increased much since. If I didn’t know that Morgan from Oregon was traversing the plains to attend, I probably would have called it quits awhile back. Alas, she has been training so I’m self-motivating to make it to the start line. My Garmin goal meter says it’s very confident I will reach it. My internal doubter has serious reservations. All I can do is run the race laid out before me knowing I’ve put in work to the best of my abilities.
break in an emergency
Now, with all that said, I just want it to be over. Thankfully start line emotions are a very real phenomenon and 10 mins after I’m done I’ll be kissing strangers and hugging babies. Jokes, lots of jokes. To keep myself on track I’ve been brainstorming things I want to do post-race. For example…
Short Term –
Take a long nap
Eat copious amounts of Mexican food, specifically tortilla chips
Lay on the ground contemplating my life choices
Call everyone I know with the great news I have a shiny new PR
Long Term –
January run streak?
Train for a March/April half marathon
Train for a March/April 10k unrelated to the above half marathon
Resume keto
Survive the winter months
Fantasize about vacation
Surely I’m missing many additions to my listing endeavors. I’ll keep thinking and update you all soon.
Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving – filled with turkey and ham and as many rolls as you can stuff in your mouth at one time. And pie!!!
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I ask you –
Anyone have an upcoming race or race potential near northern Texas?
How often do you make lists?
Please share some thing(s) on your short/long term list!
There are monthly themes, challenges, questions of the day, and many other ways to get involved with other runners, like yourself! The spirit of camaraderie can be tough to find lately – especially with many running events and races being cancelled or rescheduled still. For me, running improves my inner peace. And we could all use a little more peace in our lives!
Since November’s theme is Gratitude, we’ll be exploring ways to stay grateful in our daily lives and how running fosters a sense of gratefulness to be able to move our bodies. Disclaimer: you don’t have to be a runner to join My Favorite Run! Even if you just want to find a group of people who focus on mental health and the “why” of movement without all the running stuff, we can help! Our ambassadors (ahem, me) (and many others) (the “others” are much more knowledgeable than I) are available to facilitate discussion on tons of topics!
I truly believe My Favorite Run is a gamechanger in terms of what other apps offer for runners because many fail to recognize the internal component of movement, i.e. the mental awareness piece. People don’t always run to lose weight or win a medal or whatever other common misconceptions exist. Some run just to have a moment to themselves, to find peace in whatever struggle they’re battling, or to enjoy the outdoors, among many other reasons. For me, running has opened a door to connecting with myself and to help me focus on what I need vs what others may need from me. Running is powerful!
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I ask you –
What running apps do you subscribe to currently?
Why do you run or do any form of movement?
Share a time when being outdoors changed your whole day!
For some time, I’ve been looking for ways to get more involved in organizations that align with my goals and aspirations, like coffee afficianado, wine connoisseur, and world-record half marathoner. Simple things really. Alas, it is a slow start, but I’m getting there!
As an ambassador for this community, please consider joining. Unlike other social media platforms, it’s a space for sharing why running is important to you. There are groups to share information on specific running-related topics, as well as community touch points.
It’s free to join and the app is simple to use. This is NOT a platform to solicit donations nor is it some crazy 5 level marketing scheme. Even the interview process to become an ambassador was wow! I’m excited to see where we go from here.
Even if you’re not a runner, but would prefer to keep up with events, you can still join. Again, this is a community built by a runner who places value on mental health and sharing how we can encourage, inspire, and motivate others.
P.S. I’m most excited to host the Texas Runners group! Hope you all have an incredible day!!
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I ask you –
What social networks do you subscribe to and for what reason?
Have you ever been part of a grassroots organization?
Name something you look for when using an app! Ease of use, definitely!
Remember my Tipping Point post some time ago? Well, there’s even more tipping to share!
After an interview process (yes, seriously), I was accepted as a My Favorite Run brand ambassador. There are some exciting things happening soon with My Favorite Run so standby for big reveals. Whoohoo!! I’ve been keeping up with the happenings at My Favorite Run for awhile, so when opportunity knocked…you know the rest.
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Today is a shorter post because what I originally had planned to post had some hiccups and I was left scrambling on a Sunday afternoon nearing 3pm with no backup plan for Monday. Beyond irritating, it’s concerning because I feel like it might be a precursor to a bigger issue. More things outside of my control. I shall let go. There’s no photos to include in this brief post either. Hope you all can read!
In keeping with the title, I was privy to an awkward silence when, in front of a group of children playing Simon Says, they were instructed to “come to attention” which I seamlessly executed while all the children began to salute. Some were more Hitler-style than others, but that’s a different conversation. They thought I was in the wrong. Little did they know…
Lastly, my terrible funeral and death humor history made an appearance, when my supervisor shared his upcoming career plans. He recently buried his father in law and the grief was still very fresh. Upon his professional sharing, I asked, “So that’s the drop dead date?” Oh, Kel, why. As I painfully laughed and stammered my apologies at being incredibly insensitive, he laughed and stated he knew what I meant, it was ok. If only he knew how often this happens to me.
I give up.
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I ask you –
Do you remember Simon Says? What was your favorite childhood game?
Running on Fumes 
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