Still surprised!

For someone who doesn’t like surprises, occasionally it turns out well. But don’t get any ideas.

Throwback photo to the big book

In March 2026, I was contacted regarding publishing my dissertation in a journal. It’s a big deal to have your work peer-reviewed, selected, and published. Fast forward to 15 Sep 2026, my work is published here in the United States Public Administration Journal.

The truth is I didn’t actually downsize the thousands of pages to a manageable 50 pages until I had become so thoroughly disgusted with myself for blowing the opportunity. I waited. And waited. I kept telling myself I wasn’t ready to relive the writing experience again. I had excuses for not enough time, not motivated, not … (fill in the blank). Blah blah blah. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to. I just didn’t want to. Makes no sense.

All’s well that ends well, but I’m a poster child for procrastination.

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I ask you –

Name something that has surprised you!

(The post Still Surprised! first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

The longest 24 hrs

I cannot count the number of times I heard “it’s a privilege to do this”. This refers to the 24 hour run/walk vigil held annually to remember the more than 81,000 POW/MIAs across several conflicts. Indeed, it was a privilege to serve on this year’s committee to plan, orchestrate, and accomplish a ceremony that would do justice to our POW/MIAs. When I think about my long 24-hours, I am incredibly humbled by knowing many gave their every hour, their days, their weeks, and their very lives to our country. 24 hours is nothing compared to their sacrifice.

As if my team and I had nothing better to do, we also accomplished the 9/11 Run to Remember/Air Force Families Forever 1-mile event at the culmination of the 24-hr event. I need someone to pump my brakes.

Team Fitness

Parts and I have been going through a Bible plan titled “When serving leaves you tired”. Timely. One main point was admitting some days you will leave needs unmet. This was a tough notion for me because I ask myself each day have I done everything I could? And, it sounded like saying no, I haven’t is an acceptable answer. But it must be. At the end of the 24 hrs, I was exhausted, “peopled-out”, and craving silence. Looking back, I loved hearing the stories of new people I met and I hoped I was the listening ear they needed. Maybe some felt as if I didn’t meet their needs that day. And it’s ok.

But I think as long as I meet more needs than don’t, I’ve done all I can.

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I ask you –

Do you require time away to regroup after spending your day being around people?

(The post The longest 24 hrs first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Only way is up

Recently, I encountered someone who stated, during the course of a conversation, that they didn’t believe in ceilings. Not the roof kind. I smiled politely but it struck a nerve. Obviously, this person has no clue what it’s like to be a woman in a male-dominated field. This person didn’t join the military. Admittedly, they had many jobs where they worked their way to the top. But to state you don’t believe in ceilings is unrealistic. I am no feminist. But I am a realist. And ceilings are real.

Taking a step back, I began to evaluate privilege. I am extremely privileged to have had some opportunities for career development, to have reached personal milestones, to live in the greatest country on Earth. Lest I ever forget my privilege, having a full (traditional) weekend off is numero uno. For years, I worked weekends and any other day I could to make ends meet. Attending church is a privilege. How many others forgo spiritual needs to work a shift that pays their bills? We no longer live in a place where weekends are sacred. It’s 24/7 ops, baby!

You know what else is a privilege? Feeling certain a brand new puzzle, straight out of the sealed box, will contain all the pieces necessary for completion. Ha. There goes that idea.

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I ask you –

Share your definition of privilege.

(The post Only way is up first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Random wo(man)

Rando #1. A man cannot claim to be self aware without having male friends. Part of self awareness comes from social cues. Look around. Any man with a close knit group of friends (even 1!) tends to be more self aware than a man with no friends. Trust me. And for the man who probably meant well when he saw me in the grocery store then said “Being as how you’re a woman, where’s the lemon juice in this place?”, I forgive you but you were very close to serious injury. Asshat.

Rando #2. Do you know what’s calming to me? Sweeping. I genuinely enjoy it, always have. In fact, a few years of high school I spent just sweeping. Down and back inside the huge shop. It’s monotonous, simple, and allows me to think through things. Some people like vacuuming. I like sweeping.

Rando #3. Early 2026, a PhD scholar and journal writer reached out to me about publishing a peer-reviewed article created from my dissertation. Fast forward a bunch of months, I finally dedicated about 4.5 hrs to reducing the ginormous manuscript to 50 pages. It wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be (fluff, anyone?). I slept on it for a few days, then submitted. More to come!

____________________________

I ask you –

What’s monotonous chore do you enjoy?

Share something random!

(The post Random wo(man) first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Monthly Recap

Let’s start off with the fun stuff, shall we?

Crickets.

I did a lot of things – runs, work outs, some volleyball. A few runs at the beach in the early part of the month. Creatine is still doing its thing with daily intake. I attribute it to less muscle soreness and an improved overall recovery time.

Apparently I missed a day. I remember it well – it was the Thursday before Hotter’n Hell and I was everywhere doing all the things but never hit the button to start an activity. I really think Garmin could do a better job with auto-starting activities, or at least asking if I’d like to. Maybe it does. Let me research this more.

courtesy of Strava highlights

The heat has been absolutely brutal. Not good for me, for my body, for anyone really. I woke up on September 1st, dreaming it was raining. I was wrong. No rain, no cool air. Just a repeat of every day prior, temps soaring over 100°, dry air that feels like a blow dryer. Despite daily electrolytes and staying out of the direct sun, I’m over it.

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I ask you –

What’s on your August recap?

(The post Monthly Recap first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Government Strategy

I can’t tell you what prompted this train of thought, but I do know it left the station long before I fully considered the message. I recall thinking about how numbers related to government actions are ineffectively quantifiable and potentially misleading.

For example, I researched how much money the government intended to make (or save) through the recent DRP (delayed resignation program) and subsequent personnel downsizing. Some estimates indicate $11 billion while others point to a maximum of $15 billion. I guess the difference of $4 billion is peanuts. The problem with these numbers is calculating the cost of salary + benefits for those leaving the workforce through DRP versus the ones who were let go without a severance package, to speak of. Very wide fluctuations.

More importantly, there is no way to determine the experience, knowledge, wisdom, and manpower of the decline. I don’t know how to place a value on someone’s experience that left with them when they were laid off. Sure, I can count a body in a chair, but what about the restructuring of their workload? Inevitably, some jobs are never reassigned. The position, the work, the value, and the benefit die with the absence. How does an organization recover from this loss?

The dominant analysis states a decline of 12% of the federal civilian workforce. The alleged goal was 10%, with an estimated $350 billion savings over 10 years. Currently, the government states they have saved about $55 billion. Yet the cuts cost $71 billion in economic and administrative costs associated with the rehiring of some of the workforce necessary to comply with legal obligations. So we spent money to make the cuts.

I believe my issue is what happens when a new congressional, senatorial, and executive branch of leadership must address these issues? How easy, cost effective, and (bottom line) possible is it to recover from a RIF (reduction in force)? How long does it take to rebuild experience?

Seems like an appropriate topic on this Labor Day.

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I ask you –

Have you experienced the issue of valuable knowledge leaving the workplace in favor of budget cuts/RIF?

(The post Government Strategy first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Ice, Ice

45th annual Hotter’n Hell Hundred rolled through the city.

After 2 very long (12+ hrs) days of preparations + event, I couldn’t wait to just sit down on my ice throne. Then, after sitting, I didn’t want to get back up. This is one of my favorite parts of HHH – sitting in the ice. I look forward to it each year.

HHH cyclists at SAFB Rest Stop #15

I also made some time the same week to take part in the Blue Bell Tour 2026. Free samples of Blue Bell ice cream? Who can say no? They actually gave us 2 samples. Strawberry cheesecake was amazing. And, see photo below, is Cherry Vanilla, which was also very very good. I’ve been looking forward to this tour for months. Jury duty almost derailed my plans, as did HHH prep. Alas, the ice cream won.

Thinking cool thoughts. The thoughts aren’t helping my heat hives, but I’m doing my best to stay cool and dry. It’s difficult when it’s 90° in the shade.

Fall, I’m waiting for you.

___________________________

I ask you –

Anyone else in Texas able to participate in the Blue Bell Tour?

(The post Ice, Ice first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Cooperation: necessary

The mental prompt: I was walking behind a woman while grocery shopping. Her shirt said something about supporting those seeking organ transplants.

The mental reaction: How angry would I be if I saw the recipient of one of my organs smoking, chronically eating unwell, and/or not exercising?

Answer: I would be livid. How dare someone take my free gift and not treat it like a priceless artifact.

Disclosure: I don’t know how often this happens but with morbidity and obesity rates what they are, I would not be surprised.

Let’s just do better, ok?

Not one to skimp on the “find some random crap to do every day”, I noticed my hips getting tighter. Could it be getting older? Could it be my running regimen, or lack thereof? Could it be the strength training splits? Maybe it’s Maybelline. I have zero idea, but, in an effort to mitigate the effects, I started stretching a bit more.

The forward fold really sucks. You won’t find me saying how much I love it, because I would be lying. Why not add a yoga block to the stretch to make it even tougher and more loathsome? Sure, why not. Yet the results cannot be denied. It hurts so good! The hips don’t lie. If only everyone could truly appreciate how funny I am.

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I ask you –

What’s your idea of a fun time? Tell me it, too, is learning a new stretch and repeating it daily until the muscle cooperates.

(The post Cooperation: necessary first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Reality Check + 5th Grade Draft

Another school year is upon us and I have a 5th grader! Yesterday she was in kindergarten so pardon me while I have a few nervous breakdowns. Who has just one?!

“Lately, it is difficult to tell who is winning the season as the draft picks are becoming trickier.” – a quote I made up by an unknown educator

Still, I’m convinced of my draft suspicions.

The first day went well. Eerily well. For now, excitement rings around having her own locker (top, because she’s tall), taking a snack because they have a late lunch, and her new class friend, a girl whose name I’ve never heard mentioned before. For now, everyone gets along and there is cohesion. It also helped the homework doesn’t really begin until week 2. Oh joy.

Somehow the summer flew by, but I’m hanging on to pool weekends for as long as possible. The weather is cooperative, boasting double digit days in the triple digits. Outside can best be described as “blow dryer with a turbo setting”. Truly, it’s so much fun.

I keep telling myself the heat will break soon and the perfect running temps (60 and below, please) will return. Again, this summer has probably been one of my best for still completing lift sessions outdoors…in the afternoons, no less! I credit the creatine/electrolyte mix coupled with the aforementioned pool recovery. Still, fall is just around the corner. On the other block, lost and confused, slightly inebriated.

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I ask you –

Anyone else anticipating fall weather?

(The post Reality Check + 5th Grade Draft first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Maybe I’m a Toys”R” Us Kid

As part of a leadership engagement cohort, with 12 other fabulous leading role models, one of the recent assignments was to reevaluate my individual development plan (or IDP). Might I digress for just a moment to say everyone should attend some kind of cohort of people striving to be their best. In 4 weeks, there’s been crying, laughing, cursing, and complaining. I highly recommend it!

Focus, Kel.

As a government civilian, having an approved IDP is just one of the many requirements. It is even a requirement for my team, most of whom are paid from a different pot of money yet also considered government employees. I know many people think an IDP is a colossal waste of time, that no one looks at them, and less take them seriously. Not I. I enjoy going over it with my employees as it provides a snapshot of their future plans, goals, and aspirations.

Between 2020 and 2024, my long-term goal was a PhD. In 2025, I moved it to the short term section. Now? I have a few blanks to fill.

What do I want to be when I grow up?

I love asking this question to transitioning service members, soon-to-be retirees, and anyone else on the cusp of life choices. I love how it implies we’re all growing up, and we have a vast world of options to explore. Because we do!

So I asked myself what do I want to be when I grow up? And a list developed.

1. Teach. I adore education and academia. I love to learn. I’d go back to college tomorrow.

2. There’s a specific job I look up from time to time. It’s a position I accidentally stumbled upon many years ago, but knew it was not the opportunity for me then. It won’t be an opportunity for several more years because it requires deployment cycles, travel, and a move. But it gets my heart beating overtime when I see it. I get that excited rush contemplating what it could do for my career, my mental health, and definitely my physical presence. Introducing the Fit Boss, and its fun equivalent, the Fun Boss. These are real titles. These roles assign you to a Navy big deck and send you out with 3,000 of your closest friends to maintain fitness, health, and MWR-related activities and requirements while deployed. One day, I’ll be a Fit Boss.

3. Entrepreneur. I want to open a running store / coffee house / bakery. I recognize these ideas may not align; however, tis my dream.

I’ll keep adding as I see fit, as my interests change, and/or as life gets more life-ier. Who knows. Maybe there’s an opportunity for a Fit Boss Coach Baker.

____________________________

I ask you –

Tell me – what do you want to be when you grow up?

(The post Maybe I’m a Toys”R” Us Kid first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)