Running + Cycling Stuff

I’ve been running. Yes, it hurts. I keep forgetting about that part, until I do it.

On the bright side, Garmin says I’m 40% acclimated to the heat, which I know is definitely not true. Probably more like 14%. Nonetheless, it’s rained so often in the past 2 months I haven’t been out in the heat thus far. Only recently have I attempted to navigate the daily rain showers to make a conscious effort to go outside.

Perhaps I’ve forgotten to mention I’ve been sort of training for a mini triathlon. The sort of part refers to a general, well complete, lack of swim training due to a complete lack of available swimming locations. Unless you count the consistent daily rainfall and the fact the installation pools have only (until last weekend) been open on the weekends. Nonetheless, I can swim, so 250-something meters shouldn’t be too hard, right? Meh.

Working back up to a 20 mile week!

I’m genuinely excited to participate as I’ve never done anything like this before. Typically, I’m a single-plane type of athlete, unless volleyball counts as dual-plane? Relatedly, fast four volleyball has begun and I intend to join this week. More to come.

P.S. Someone should remind me about this run next year: Freihofer’s Run for Women 5k. The check in gift is a box of cookies and a loaf of bread!

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I ask you –

How has your weather been?

Have you ever entered a triathlon? To be clear, this is a mini triathlon so definitely less intensive.

Tell me about a sport you’ve always wanted to attempt!

(The post Running + Cycling Stuff first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Standing Out

Blend in. Fit in. Don’t cause a scene. All things I grew up believing were the best way to survive and thrive. Do you want to know what I think now? So glad you asked. Screw that. It’s a virtual impossibility for me to blend in. I laugh too loud. I have opinions. I’m passionate, especially when I’m right. And I worked too effing hard to get where I’m at…fitting in didn’t get me here. Standing out did. I’m going to revel in it!

Right after I do exactly what my chair tells me to do and say because doctorate life. Do you know how difficult it is to write a data collection process when you haven’t collected any data? Of course you want to know. Really hard! Apparently “because it makes sense” doesn’t answer the question “Why are you doing interviews?” Who knew. Still, I plug along with the researching and the writing and the submitting.

Turns out I’m terrified of falling. I don’t mean from heights, although I am scared of that, too. Specifically, in volleyball. But just right now. My knees still aren’t fully healed so even when I wear knee pads, always, I’m not willing to fall. 1. Because I know it’s going to hurt some. 2. Because it can’t be great to continue damaging the bones/muscles behind my knees. I sort of wonder if that’s why my knee pain has progressively returned. Probably doesn’t help. And the foot pain has been out of control lately. Not only does the (primarily) right foot hurt but now the left foot is really screaming at me. I’ve been experimenting with different shoes during volleyball…alas, I’ve definitely learned what not to wear! I guess this is me finally committing to the surgery option in late 2025.

My newest addition to the workout lineup. No running! Cycling, as it happens, is minimal to no weight bearing and, also as it happens, turning out to be something I’m enjoying. Even if it isn’t my favorite sport, the no foot pain portion is definitely pulling me in.

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I ask you –

Do you blend in?

What question do you find yourself asking the most? Me: Why???

Tell me your favorite activity!

(The post Standing Out first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

And so it begins –

I’ll probably eeeek my way into the 25% category by end of May but it will be hard fought. Every year, I have goals to run through the summer sans heat illness and last year I held on to those goals. Let’s see how it turns out this summer. 9% doesn’t look like much, especially because in my reality it’s maybe 2%. So here we go!

This is what a proper day off looks like! I took leave on Good Friday but somehow ended up teleworking with numerous staffing phone calls and 3 teams meetings. Not exactly the day off I had been hoping for, so I requested a re-do. Minus the purchase of cake and cupcakes prior to birthday party weekend…Nailed it.

Finally, my mini’s birthday came back around. To hear her tell it, it “took 100 years”. Oh, the drama. She celebrated with her friends, then we celebrated her. Parts nailed it with the axolotl decorations, shirt, and everything in between. And I was so impressed with mini’s friends (and parents) who are fabulous gift givers. Maybe it’s easy for some to know what to give a young girl but I struggle so kudos to them.

And now…cake!

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I ask you –

Are you getting acclimated to the heat?

What is your preferred day off like?

Favorite type of cake – GO! Lemon blueberry.

(The post And so it begins – first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Hear the Thoughts

I enjoy reading articles like this, 5 Popular Education Beliefs That Aren’t Backed by Research.

Specifically, the myth about reading aloud and the myth regarding music. I have my own experiences. As a kindergartner, yes, I remember this distinctly, I would get called out by “student teachers” aka older kids that were instructed to read to us younger ones, and teachers because of my inability to process what was being read to me. To this day, auditory is not my learning style. I learn by writing or reading. Clearly.

I also recall certain peers not doing well when it came to reading aloud and I always had this sense of disappointment it was a mandatory activity that promoted anxiety (although I didn’t know that feeling at the time) and frustration. For the music myth, I have found that when I’m doing a monotonous task like entering time card info, then background music (often, jazz or a coffee shop mix) is relaxing and motivating to me. However, I know other tasks, like budget reviews, etc., are absolutely not the time for me to be listening to music. Fascinating.

Credit via IG

Then there’s quotes that just resonate with everything inside me. Recently, my ear buds died prior to the run I’d had scheduled and was really looking forward to, so I ran sans music. Unheard of (get it, get it). Despite the midday timeframe, there was near silence all around me. No one speaking, no loud booms, just silence. Truly, it was exactly what I needed because nearly everyday is punctuated by noise, a constant sound cacophony of stuff. I won’t get started about how it’s typically loud in my head, but the silence of that run was absolute bliss.

Sometimes I just need to hear myself think.

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I ask you –

Did any myth surprise you?

Have you ever run in silence?

Tell me how often you charge your earbuds!

(The post Hear the Thoughts first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Running and stuff

Getting closer to 20 mile weeks is such a blessing in my life.

Running: I’m loving the Altra’s and Flux shoes – my toes appear to be splayed appropriately and gasp I’ve had minimal pain. Definitely see the value in stopping running altogether for 6 weeks even if that stupid boot irritated me. I’m still taking maximum doses of Vitamin D to support bone health, can’t hurt.

For a long weekend, I made it to my favorite running place, the lake loop. Just kidding! This section was reserved for sharing how I got in a fabulous speed session around my go-to lake spot, but the weather was not cooperative. It went from 60° one day to 50° the next with a 30° wind chill. Alas, no run at all was accomplished. However, it will…soon!

Stuff: There’s 2 kinds of meetings I like: 1) meetings at coffee shops or ones that somehow include the expectation there will be coffee and 2) meetings I have coined the “Walk & Talk”, preferably when it’s gorgeous outside. Clearly, I just like coffee, and walking.

Other stuff: Mini continuously tries to give me makeup tutorials. I think she’s telling me something. Then, she steals my eyeliner which I have this massive rule about not sharing makeup. Alas, I have since purchased her own eyeliner. Again.

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I ask you –

How’s training for anything or nothing going?

Is your weather typical for February? The trees have started blooming from the unseasonably warm weather. Spring will be rough.

Tell me your preferred meeting venue!

(The post Running and stuff first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Which reminds me –

There was a whole week it seemed of rain and gloom and doom skies, followed by a whole week (now 2) of sunshine and nearly Spring-like temperatures. It was glorious! Obviously I took every opportunity to be outside, even if it was walking to random places to visit people I had no business with. Some of them I didn’t even know. Which reminds me – when I’m running outdoors during work hours, I realized I know at least one person at nearly every building; therefore, I know where the closest bathrooms are. This is important stuff!

Anyway, I got in several runs, even a 5k to round out January which is incredibly surprising since I only got cleared to run approx. 12 days before the end of the month. I barely made it. At Which reminds me – I’ve also completed a February 5k (via the walk and talk method…how I prefer to do business). Hopefully by the time of this post I’ve been able to get in at least 1 more run. The goal thus far is to run 3x/week. Some days I also do a strength workout, some days I’m extremely exhausted.

Which reminds me – intramural volleyball starts in March and our team is slowly taking shape. I declined participation; instead, I’ll function as assistant coach because our coach will be playing. I just didn’t think it was my best idea to play so soon after being told I could run. One or the other, Kel. I do play during the week and that’s good enough for me. However, I’m torn between trying out for the team just to prove I could play (and be selected) if I wanted to…or not trying out at all because I have nothing to prove.

This course is going swimmingly well. I’m more than halfway through – the grades are very slow coming in but I just keep writing until I get sick of it then hit submit. Thankfully, qualitative analysis is much better than quantitative analysis. For me anyway. The school auto enrolled me in the pre-dissertation course set to start late March. Which reminds me – if I want to have a full blown panic attack, probably best to do it before then because after that date it’s game on. So, essentially, there’s about 11 weeks remaining until I have to figure out my life and begin this whole “doctoral candidate” stuff. Student. Candidate. Whatever.

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I ask you –

What’s the weather like where you are located? Actual winter or summer?

Do you know where the nearest restrooms are?

Tell me something you’re reminded of!

(The post Which reminds me – first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Humorous Stuff

Not one to ever pass up an opportunity to be silly – a few examples below. I’m lucky my leadership plays along with my shenanigans.

Yes, awards are meant to be displayed but they’re not possible without the work, encouragement, and credit to those around me. 2023 was a wild year and I couldn’t have done it without the strong team around me. Really. This is all theirs.

Finally, it’s both a blessing and a curse that Parts works in marketing. Everyone and everything is fodder for jokes. We play too much. Amazingly, some questions did arise on how and where to vote for me. Although I’m humbled and genuinely surprised at the support, fortunately government jobs don’t work like this. And I had zero intention to run for this “office”, if you will.

It would be a shame if I was unable to run with all this pent up energy I’ve been experiencing. The actual volleyball intramural season is gaining traction, but I’ve made the right decision to coach/assist other coaches vs. play. Sure, the time commitment is still the same but I decrease the chance of injury by about 95%. My feet will thank me later.

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I ask you –

Are you a humorous person?

Have you ever coached a sport?

Share your best example of what not to do!

(The post Humorous Stuff first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

2024: The Path Ahead

(This is the post I intended to publish on New Year’s Day, but we got home late and I overcommitted myself to doing all the things prior to sitting down to put the final touches on it. Hence, here we are today.)

Not being a fan of the traditional New Year’s “resolutions”, instead I like to focus on a “word of the year”. You know, something that resonates with me and that I can embody all year long. 2022 was grace, 2023 was strength, and 2024 is exhale. Simple enough, right? I write it in a few key places so I can be reminded regularly. What I do with the reminder, in the moment, is up to me but it’s nice to focus on one word. Below, the four words written above my word of the year are mantra-type words I want to remember. Although I have no idea how they factor into a year that has yet to be lived, I’m finding joy in believing they will be powerful.

2024 will bring about its own challenges, as each year does. Nearly a full year of writing my dissertation, mini will change school locations as she progresses, there’s that foot surgery business, dozens more blog posts, and anything else the world throws my way. Perhaps there will even be room for promotions. Nonetheless, focusing on my breathing and remembering to exhale through the little and big things is a nice part of living in this wild world.

Also, books. This was my first year as part of an actual (unofficial) book club! We read several books I would have never chosen myself but most were great! The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton. The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. For One More Day by Mitch Albom. And so many more…The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst was my favorite. Just what I needed at the time. Amidst the hustle and deadlines and stress of the holidays, it was a moment to settle my soul and feel what I needed to feel. And reprioritize. Definitely that.

Now, about the running portion of 2024. I keep a log of my annual miles – not too bad, if I do say so myself. Beyond the local (i.e., at work) 5k’s and one community run (Thanksgiving Day), I ran zero sanctioned races. And you know what? I feel no different than I did when I ran allll the races I could find. By my own calculations, I’ve been intentionally running for 7 years (2017-2023). Not too bad! Even though I’m unsure what 2024 will bring – foot issues, etc. – I know I will run again in 2024 and it won’t be pretty at first, but by the time I post the 2024 run mileage, I’ll still look back and think…wow. I did that.

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I ask you –

Do you have a resolution or phrase of the year?

Did you read any amazing books? Please share!

Tell me your 2023 run or activity stats!

(The post 2024: The Path Ahead first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Much Ado About Nothing

Going through a rough patch of life and received the following advice: Don’t punish yourself for feeling too much. Why is this so hard?

Getting to see Christmas lights is an unconventional love language to me. Maybe it’s because it was the last experience my dad and I had before he passed. Beautiful downtown Dallas was lit up like a literal Christmas tree and as we drove through the lighted tunnels, even then, my young heart knew things were about to change. It’s an unexplainable feeling of sadness. But, today, I enjoy seeing Christmas lights, as well as long drives. Or walks. Those are lovely, too.

When I realized the impending foot surgery is quickly approaching, I decided to take every chance to run. So I ran 3 days straight. Then, I remembered that really wasn’t the best idea. Nonetheless, Garmin was pleased. I fantastically wanted to complete a 30-day run streak prior to surgery but when day 3 was incredibly rough I just didn’t have what it takes to power through, mainly because I couldn’t come up with a valid answer to that why question.

Every day, my watch is set to chime at 2pm. I call it my union break. Before, I considered it my take-a-moment break. Now I just consider walking to get coffee. More than consider. Often I find myself walking to get coffee. Around 2pm. But at least I’m moving my body!

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I ask you –

How much do you enjoy seeing Christmas lights?

Have you ever completed a run streak? For how long?

Tell me your typical “break time”.

(The post Much Ado About Nothing first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

You Can’t Tell Me

…that running isn’t life-changing and here’s why:

From a Life Sentence to Freedom

…that building brand new schools on the taxpayer’s dime somehow negates the time and effort put into our children at home and in the classroom. Children are miracles and deserve our best; however, if parents and teachers aren’t given the resources necessary to facilitate strong learning, then we have big problems. And, on the note of parents, if you have no intention of actually completing the school portion of the words home school, then you’re doing a gross disservice to your children. I understand disagreements with policies and procedures in the education system, but you’re going to need to devote a lot of time to your children’s learning if you intend to be the teacher.

…that connections with others don’t bring about great opportunities – like a quick conversation with a previous professor who reminded me we know a statistics guru who may be able to help with the results section of my upcoming dissertation.

…that homemade cranberry sauce isn’t at least 1,000x better than canned jelly. We got the orange and lemon ratio right this year and it was quite possibly the best cranberry sauce I’ve ever had, short of Aunt MC’s who absolutely makes the very best.

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I ask you –

Did you homeschool or were you homeschooled?

How has running been going lately?

Tell me if you like cranberry sauce or cranberry jelly best! I like each but I prefer the sauce.

(The post You Can’t Tell Me first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)