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.)

Trade Agreement

Latest and greatest Blue Bell offering –

Spoiler: it is really really really good! Not as good as the Chocolate Lava Cake, but very good indeed! Tastes like cold coffee which is probably what they had in mind. I’d like to see (ahem, taste) a chocolate coffee mashup. Maybe I can sell this idea.

Blue Bell also brought back the Cookies n Cream Cone flavor. Of course I bought it. I also found Kimberly’s Bake Shoppe sugar cookies which coincidentally taste just like their cupcakes. It’s not going well for me.

What else can I sell? All this crap that broke my closet at 0430 one Sunday morning. I thought someone was breaking in. Then I thought someone was dead. It was early, ok? After a purge, maybe a few tears, and Home Depot’s online ordering, I’m the proud new owner of a closet organization system. Rated for 1K lbs.

I have another fantastic idea! What if we nix all trade tariffs between us and Canada in favor of them sending us a polar cold front? We can call it La La Canada.

On the subject of training, ’tis NFL season again! I didn’t watch any preseason because a) what’s the point and b) my streaming services didn’t offer the games.

Go Bears.

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I ask you –

What is your favorite ice cream flavor of all time? As much as I love Blue Bell, my favorite is the Cappuccino Chunky Chocolate frozen yogurt from Braum’s.

Who is your team? The Bears, right?!

(The post Trade Agreement 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!

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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.)

Follow Up to You have been summoned

All Rise –

Last Monday, I published a post titled “You have been summoned“. I considered naming this update “You have been released”. Because I’m clever.

Opening Comments –

Obviously, I didn’t get selected for jury duty. Slightly bummed. A myriad of reasons probably put me on the naughty list, just a few being my nearly 10-yr career working with abused and neglected children, as well as my PhD study. And also…maybe…probably… because I accidentally walked into the courtroom before we were called. Truly an accident. The bailiff told me to enter the double doors to the right. I entered. And found myself in the midst of prosecutor/defense pre-trial deliberations. It’s possible they thought I overheard something I shouldn’t have. I didn’t. Guess you can’t take that type of chance though.

Based on the limited and vague information provided, I wouldn’t have chosen a jury trial but I’m also not on trial. There were some funny moments though. For example, when asked if we (the pool) were related to anyone in law enforcement, a lot of dirty laundry was aired. (paraphrasing) My daughter’s ex boyfriend’s mother in law (how is this possible) is on trial for blah blah blah. (more paraphrasing) My coworker’s nephew is a police officer in blah blah blah. Wish I had a gavel – objection, relevance? And attorneys are so polite with jurors – continually apologizing, and thanking the jurors, and basically invoking therapy-level mannerisms and phrases. It was a lot.

Closing Remarks –

Speaking of therapy, a few hours with 60 of my county-wide peers elicited many responses. Mostly mine. I have concluded that a majority of the juror panel don’t need to serve on a jury, instead they need targeted therapy. I am certainly not saying there is anything wrong with them. But, their stories were fascinating. I think you mean scary. May I suggest a licensed therapist or mental health counselor give out business cards when the jurors are released from duty? Perhaps a quick check in a few days post-panel by a qualified medical professional? Even better, how about we ask more questions on the original summons? This process could have been much more efficient. But nobody asked me.

Court Adjourned.

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I ask you –

Please share your wildest jury duty stories!

(The post Follow Up to You have been summoned first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

The heat is most definitely on

Title inspiration: every July, we host a 5k titled The Heat is On. Fortunately, for the last several years, it has not been above 90° at the start time. Misleading? Maybe. Appreciated? Absolutely!

Fast forward to today, we’re on day 22? 23? of consecutive days over 100°. It doesn’t best the record 100 days in 2011, but I’m not really interested in setting any records for heat. In fact, I have developed a new heat illness symptom that my doctor wasn’t pleased with. Shade, under 85°, stay dry and cool. Considering I have the Hotter’n Hell in a few days, this might prove challenging. Always winging it.

even the squirrels seek a cool spot of concrete

Let’s switch lanes here –

The other morning, Mini shared how she believes the Titanic sinking was a conspiracy. Pretty sure my eyes lit up like a Christmas tree – I love me a good conspiracy! Her theory needs some finessing, but the fact she came up with it was insightful and fascinating.

In other news, I’m secretly thinking of ways I can exploit her conspiracy tendencies. Maybe she’ll join me in the moon landing conspiracy. I’ll give her a few years to come around.

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I ask you –

What conspiracy interests you the most?

How many days will this heat wave continue? Please let it be only a few more.

(The post The heat is most definitely on first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

You have been summoned

Random: I believe when one shares their playlist or music interests, it is an intimate act built on trust and reciprocation. You are allowed a glimpse into their mood, emotions, behavior not easily recognized by words alone. For example, my sister plays very rage-y, anti-people music when I’m with her. And I noticed she’s much happier when she’s not around me. Huh.

Reality: I received a jury summons and, try as I might, I was unable to be excused. In fact, they rejected my reasoning flat out. Fine, it wasn’t that great of an excuse. As interesting as this particular incredibly important civic duty is, my work schedule all but threw a hissy fit when I read the summons date. In fact, my words were somewhere along the lines of you have got to be kidding me, I do not have time for this! Oh right, Kel, because the accused must have considered the inconvenience to you.

It is almost unbelievable I’ve never received a jury summons. I don’t believe I’m the type of person that counselors want in their jury pool, but we shall see. At the time of this post, I’ll be patiently waiting to be “called” back or whatever they do.

Despite the terrible timing, maybe this is a good way to bolster my blog fodder. Are there any rules on soliciting readers? What about social experiments in the jury pool? How mad would the judge be if I brought my own gavel? Can I take some stock photos of the courtroom?

____________________________

I ask you –

Who can I ask these important questions?

(The post You have been summoned 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.)