Does this mean war?

Recently, I was quite taken aback at the request to remove “Dr” from my name. According to the requestor, it did not align with their commission’s requirements. I politely declined to follow their recommendations. Instead, I pushed back against the entirety of the system, calling them out for pursuing administrative burden for job seekers. Not a battle, but a war.

And I’ll continue signing it any way I want.

With daylight saving time on Halloween (of all days), I thought we could all use a little reminder of what is important. My sanity! A sweet friend sends out daily emails with good news, funny jokes, and, my personal favorite, Wellness Wednesday. A recent email resulted in the graphic above and I have been sharing it far and wide. For the mental battles, of course.

Funnily, while she’s sending encouragement, I’m sending a Wednesday email about how to be a better leader, mentor, or coworker, with the title “From the Doc (not me, a different doc) -“. Send me your email address and I’ll add you to my distro.

For mini, Wellness Wednesday is the bane of her existence. She loathes it because it means running laps. At her young, sparky age, she has yet to embrace the coexistence of running with long-term fitness. But she’ll get there. Just another battle.

Aren’t we all fighting one thing or another.

____________________________

I ask you –

What battles are you fighting?

And have you won the war?

(The post Does this mean war? first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

More Random Photos with Captions

It took nearly a year but I was finally able to overhead press 60 lbs. I can remember trying to do it the first time and being sorely disappointed when it became evident there was no way on Earth I could accomplish it at that time. It was ugly, it was humbling, and it became a goal I must achieve. Ta-da!

I’ve also taken a liking to Kachava, a protein powder-type of drink mix. I love to mix it with Core Power but it’s still good, albeit thin, when mixed with water. The chocolate flavor is my favorite, but Strawberry and Vanilla are also good.

The Ninja Thingy!

I bought this Ninja portable drink mixer doodad a few years ago. It has sat quietly in my office until recently, and now I’m rueing the days I had the opportunity to use it and didn’t. It’s awesome!

Spontaneous, I am not. Really no surprise. But, occasionally I get a great idea which must be accomplished near to immediately.

Mini has been talking about a Dancing with the Stars special menu at Paris Baguette since the new season began. She believed the nearest location was Pennsylvania, and happily exclaimed she was ready to pack her bags for a trip. Me, on the other hand, not so much. To compromise, I found one in DFW. 2 hour drive vs a flight. Sign me up.

Fast forward, the drink was beautiful. Presentation – spot on. Drink taste? Ehh, Mini wasn’t a fan. It was not the sweet, frothy creation she enjoys. The coffee flavor was incredible, in my opinion, but it may be because they use Lavazza, a coffee brand I am a huge fan of. Try it. However, the croissant was amazing! Crunchy yet soft – definitely her favorite part of the drink, if you don’t count the tiny mirror ball on the toothpick. It’s the details, you know?

____________________________

I ask you –

Would you (have you?) traveled a few hours for a special something related to one of your favorite shows?

(The post More Random Photos with Captions first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Sentence Per Photo

Wanted: 3-4 friends who want to learn how to play Mahjong with me.

Photo by Mahmoud Yahyaoui on Pexels.com

Love this team; I’m always amazed at what they accomplish!

3QTRCY2026 Team Award

Every puzzle should be glow-in-the-dark!

This irks me – it was going well until I needed the extra weight and it messed up the entire visual.

I know this is a very random post, but I hurriedly wrote it when I realized I had arrived near the end of the week and had no blog contribution for the following week.

I’ll do better next time. No, I won’t.

____________________________

I ask you –

Have you played Mahjong?

Name something that irks you!

(The post Sentence Per Photo first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

I just can’t

A recent publication mentioned the inability to do nothing. It might have made this character trait out to be something negative, but I took no offense. Indeed, I am surrounded by many who also are ingrained with the inability to do nothing.

For example, the beautiful lady with me in the photos below. The left photo is semi-polished, “professional”, if you will. The right? Well, that’s our normal day-to-day ops. Laughing like hyenas. Usually while others stand back and watch the show. Typical.

Which brings me to my next point. Mini won student of the month for integrity. Super proud Mom moment. She, too, has an inability to do nothing, especially concerning righting wrongs. She is a loyal friend, a kind human, and a rule follower dujour. I am exceptionally proud – an “A” student, a book lover, and easily one of the most creative, bold children I know. She makes me proud, and laugh so loudly.

Course change.

For several nights, nightmares and sleeplessness plagued me. I dreamt my boss was the devil, my previous boss was seriously ill, and I kept hearing phantom knocking. Real exciting times, Kel. I wracked my brain for what could be bothering me, but arrived at zero answers. Perhaps it was just a bout of insomnia, or weather change, or general unspecified anxiety. It eventually passed. My only takeaway was this: some are frustrated where they are in life, professionally or personally, or both. I think learning to play the game is imperative, in whatever way it is for you. Some go on to live nomadic lifestyles, or expat themselves within another’s borders. That’s all well and good. But you can’t hate the game. It’s the game, it’s doing what the game does. You either learn to bend a little or you spend your entire life fighting it, most likely to succumb to death (like the rest of us) with frustration. No one is forced to play, and you certainly don’t have to like your hand, but if you choose not to change, then you can’t be surprised when the house wins.

____________________________

I ask you –

Do you have someone in your life who makes you laugh wildly?

Tell me – do you play the game or do you expend your energy fighting it?

(The post I just can’t first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Monthly Recap – September Edition

Not a humble brag, but I must share how funny it is to me when people act shocked I do strength training. My claim to fame – does infamous count – is running, not lifting.

For many years, I would run during the warm weather, then lift during the cool months. It was a cyclical balance and how I was trained. It worked so why not.

During last October’s 43-day furlough, who’s counting, I devoted more time to strength training, specifically employing a two-a-day method: a run/walk and a lift. For mental health, it was awesome! For physical health, holy crap! I got stronger, leaner, and the scale began to budge in incremental decreases.

When I added creatine this past Spring, I felt as if I unlocked the code for my body. Sure, there are days when I don’t have a lot of motivation. Creatine can’t fix that! But I regularly complete two-a-days, and I’ve now completed 8 strength training routines of 5-6 weeks each. I genuinely enjoy lifting, even if running is my true love.

So what else happened in September? I don’t know, I slept some? I completed a leadership cohort course, I was well on my way to death by heat, and I was selected for a fitness course slated to begin the end of October – the AF equivalent of a Navy CFL, which I was in my prior life. Definitely more to come on that subject.

I might have completed one puzzle in September, but I’ve picked it back up again. My closet collapsed – an entirely other ordeal of epic crap. I’m on a self-imposed shopping sabbatical. And I recall eating a lot of cake.

September was busy, but not as busy as the next few months, I’m sure. More to come!

____________________________

I ask you –

Tell me a few things about your September.

(The post Monthly Recap – September Edition 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.

________________________

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.)

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.

____________________________

I ask you –

What’s on your August recap?

(The post Monthly Recap 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.

____________________________

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.)

July Recap!

A recent commander’s call resulted in the following phrase: Rise to expectations, fall to discipline. I saw many head-nods in the crowd, but I didn’t exactly understand what the phrase meant. It sounded pretty catchy. Indeed, I went looking.

Turns out, some Greek dude named Archilochus stated, “We don’t rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training”. Same, same. Essentially, our daily behaviors are more meaningful to producing change than a one-off situation or experience.

Which is the perfect segue for this post! Ta-da!

If only you could understand how many times I change post titles, words, captions, and questions, this might not be surprising. Why, thank you, Word Press, for acknowledging my skills!

According to Strava, I missed 2 days in July, but I don’t recall the circumstances surrounding it. I swear I didn’t miss any days. Oh well.

In other news, and I know I touched on it before, but I had a helluva 5-week training cycle!

I was able to update my benchmarks for all 4 lifts. Amazing what discipline does in 9 months. But I also must give credit where credit is due. The creatine makes a huge difference. The fog has lifted, my strength performance has improved (as evidenced by the PRs), and, overall, I feel like me. Sure, the words don’t always come to me, but I’m learning to give myself some much-needed grace.

____________________________

I ask you –

How was your July?

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

Data Circles & Cycles

Screw this. -me, most of the time

You see that thing that says “Intensification Phase”? Well, the me who created this plan to coincide the Intensification Phase with my Luteal Phase (pre-period week, for any non-ovary owners) was an absolute idiot. My stomach looks like I drink beer for a living, and I’m craving donuts. Nonstop. I feel like garbage, I look like garbage, and my bloated belly is both uncomfortable and very unfortunate for my workout goals. I hate this part.

So, instead of complaining, kidding, I’m doing that anyway, I suck it up and complete the hellish workout, for intensification purposes only. Might even throw in a good run, to round off the rage and loathing. But, wait, there’s more! After the intensification phase is a lovely phase titled the Realization Phase, which is a nice way to say you’re about to lift some heavy a** sh*t and you’ll be powerful and awesome and toned and kick butt all day! Just don’t die.

And another thing! This is the worst time to learn a new skill, such as data analysis using this fun little program called Power Bi. It’s not fun. I should have been able to plug in an Excel document, tell it to analyze the data, and a happy graphic pop out. Ha. What I got was a headache, convoluted data, and no happy graphic. I did receive a graph, but it didn’t have anything populated so it was basically blank and unhappy. Much like me.

Fortunately, the very next day post-Power Bi BS was fraught with zero Internet connection so everyone received a reprieve from work. Haha sort of. Not me though. I had a 2-day unexpected delivery of fitness equipment I think everyone forgot about. They said delivery in April, then May. Almost July is good. There was trash scattered from one end of the facility to the other. I walked 18,000 steps that day and, if I’d known what the day would bring, I would not have run!

But guess who didn’t have to Power Bi that day? This girl! Alas, I still have tutorials to watch. And data to analyze. Pie chart, anyone?

Welcome to PMS, friends. It will probably get worse before it gets better but maybe it’s just the hormones talking. Maybe I can make a graph of mood swings.

____________________________

I ask you –

How does the Power Bi thing work? I’m googling demos.

(The post Data Circles & Cycles first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)