Outtakes, episode 6 / Park Run

Once again solo because mini decided to have 2nd/3rd/4th Christmas with family. Who can blame her.

First, a win. My short disciples asked if I could be with them every weekend. I declined.

Then, a huge fail. During the craft section of our lesson, a seemingly simple 3 minute video resulted in tears and frustration. Apparently, origami is not for the faint of heart. Or fingers. The instructions were simple: transform a 5×5 paper into a shield. I wanted a sword. My adult helper not only understood the instructions but deftly moved her hands across the paper until a shield was born from the ashes. Tada! Me? Well, I got about halfway then repeatedly asked for a replay of the sequence 3x until they gave up on me. No shield for me. My littlest charge’s eyes began to leak. I silently pleaded with the adult helper to make another shield as quickly as possible, which she produced with little fanfare, stopping the tears in their tracks. But not before we requested tissue to dry them.

The morning ended with treasure box and skittles. Crisis averted. No more origami. Ever.

As for running –

Some time ago, Brooks created this awesome idea called park run. Cities adopted it, finding locations to host a Saturday morning 5k. It became a thing. There are challenges, such as running a park run in every state, running the same course with the exact same time 2x, etc. Some of the challenges are silly, others are difficult. Lucky for me, my community adopted it. I registered immediately, then proceeded to never attend for more than a year. PhD life.

Finally, right before the end of 2025, I attended the final run of the year. Hooked! Great course, no frills, no water stops, less than 75 people, minimal hills. It was awesome!

New Year’s Day 2026, I ran the first park run of the year. Another amazing run! And faster than my previous run.

I’m incredibly grateful I stay in 5k shape year-round. Although I love hearing how others are beginning couch to 5k plans or getting restarted with a running routine, the last few years have not been great for my 365 day conditioning. From knee to feet to hip, it has been tough to stay healthy for more than a few months. In 2025, I was out for the first 3 months. Same in 2024. 2026? If the first run was any indication, this is my year.

No plans on the horizon. I think my half marathon ship has sailed. I ran 10! I once thought I wanted to run a marathon, but heavy mileage breaks down my body so quickly. Right now, I’m happy with my 2-a-day workouts (run+strength). I have been focusing on 1-rep max workouts which is fun! We’ll see what happens…

Stay tuned!

_____________________

I ask you –

Have you tried a park run?

(The post Outtakes, episode 6 / Park Run first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Let’s get this straight

In the Navy, Sailors and their families would have an entire conniption at having to go more than 12 hours without constant contact via phone service. But people will pay hundreds of dollars for a cruise with the same cell service restrictions.

Here, at Running on Fumes, you may be wondering if there is really any running-related content. Indeed there is. Occasionally, I post on social media. I try to anyway. No fear. I do still lace up my running shoes. I still run. I still love it. Even if you don’t hear about it as much. Which you’re probably thankful for.

Exercise tip. Walk everywhere. Walk when you can. Walk when you don’t want to. Walking is the most underrated form of exercise. Much research has been done on muscle degradation due to sitting. Move. Your. Body. Just stand up! And walk.

Final thought. Worry is the 3rd cousin of patience, who should have been told to stop long ago yet everyone allows the bad behavior because that’s “just how it is.” Apart from the Navy comment, nothing is “just…” anything. Habits can be positive or negative. It’s your choice.

_____________________

I ask you –

Is there something you need to straighten out?

(The post Let’s get this straight first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

2025 in Numbers

I cannot believe this is the final post of 2025. Absolutely insane. I’m reminded of this time last year, when I knew I would soon begin the research data portion of my PhD, both excited and terrified. What a ride. 2025 was amazing.

The word of the year was anew. Truly I encountered several new experiences and I feel I emerged anew. 2026’s word of the year is arise. Arise to age 40, arise to whatever calling I’m compelled to try, arise mentally and physically. Arise.

Rack & Stack

# of miles run – 321.1 (not bad considering I was injured Jan-early Mar)

# of average miles run – 6.21/week (post-recovery miles, too)

# of hours spent working out – 7 hrs, 48 mins/month (proud of this one!)

# of tries to complete a PhD – 1 (one and only 1!)

# of mental health appointments – 17 (some months were tough and required extra attention)

# of hours spent playing volleyball – 24 hrs, 35 mins (is this excessive?)

# of Team of the Quarter awards – 2 (that’s 50%!)

Final Thoughts

I make light of most situations, but 2025 was difficult. I’m incredibly blessed to be called Dr. However, it wasn’t an easy win. I was honored to be part of leading a winning team. Yet I struggled with my own feelings surrounding what I mistakenly thought was not good enough. I’ve learned some new tricks and I’ve tried to dismiss the outdated ones. All in all, twas a great year because I can say it is over and because a new one has arrived.

As have I. Arise.

_____________________

I ask you –

What is your word of the new year? Or resolution if you enjoy this?

(The post 2025 in Numbers first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Funny (Real?) Phenomenon

Ability to remember the names of your friend’s best friend.

For example, Vivian, Carissa, Krystal. It took no time at all for me to think of a friend’s name then instantly remember their best friend’s name. Yet I can’t remember anything else without writing it down. Perhaps I just have short term memory issues. I blame perimenopause.

Overuse of the phrase “It’s fine” causes psychological minimization.

Admittedly, I did no research for scientific backing. This is anecdotal evidence. For women especially, the seemingly constant reliance on labeling a distressful situation, event, or person as “fine” is not fine at all. We are rewiring our brains to accept mediocrity or, worse, harmful behaviors. With every “it’s fine”, a boundary is blurred, a neuron rerouted to perceived safety, and a not fine situation cemented into our hearts. No more. Stop saying it’s fine when it isn’t. Protect your boundaries, your opinions, your feelings, and your peace.

This is more real than not.

Puzzling retains memory connections and builds coordination.

More anecdotal evidence. I’m not certain of its origins but I do recall my mother and grandparents nearly always having a puzzle at the ready. As a child, I thought it was boring, especially when there was this fabulous invention called the television! Who would want to mindlessly search for the top of a brown hat when you could mindlessly scroll through all 6 channels?! Priorities, I guess. Needless to say, so let me say it anyway, I’m a puzzle convert. I think older people are on to something.

_____________________

I ask you –

Of the three phenomenon listed, which is most likely to be considered real?

(The post Funny (Real?) Phenomenon first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Outtakes, episode 5

Mini joined me for a rousing room of 3 other participants, complete with a broken thermostat and much running.

An attempt to tame my curls came in the form of these little dinglehoppers, otherwise known as French horns. Ahem, French pins. And a partridge in a pear tree. Or the garbage can, which is where one went after I broke it. It lasted only a few hours in my hair. RIP, French horn. Also, the tutorial exploited its ease of use. It was not.

I was honored to be selected as a judge for lodging’s gingerbread house competition! When I asked for a taste test, I almost lost my judging rights. Next time.

Another week of leave is on the horizon. Ahem, now. There will be no gingerbread house creation. Instead, upwards of 75 degrees is forecasted. I have no doubt the winter weather will come soon though. Merry Christmas Eve!

_____________________

I ask you –

Have you ever eaten a gingerbread house post-decoration?

(The post Outtakes, episode 5 first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Get Cookin’

For a long week, I was under the weather. Big thanks to Texas for its pseudo-winter/summer fluctuations. When in doubt, drink it out. Hmmmm doesn’t sound correct. Nothing a little rum can’t fix.

I attended a squadron Christmas Social, complete with a fashion show and giveaways. I won a candle! Despite my best preparation, including sitting as far away as possible from the dessert table, once the first cookie snuck past my lips, I was done. 7 cookies later…no judgment, please

To balance out the cookies, I gave up on pre-packaged granola. It was full of crap! And expensive! Now I make my own: almonds, pistachios, pecans/walnuts, and cinnamon. I eat it daily so I guess you could say it’s really good.

You know the 8.5×11 inch baking dishes? I made pan cookies, filling that baby side to side with delicious cookie dough, then baking it to perfection. In 7 days, I (nearly singlehandedly) ate the entire dish of cookies. The entire 8.5×11 inch pan. To my defense, I made them with gluten-free flour (for Parts) and fake sugar (for me). That knocks off about 5 calories.

I’ll get my life together. After I devour all the sweets in this house. Surely I’m helping someone else’s restraint. Surely?

_____________________

I ask you –

When was the last time you polished off some cookies?

(The post Get Cookin’ first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

The Sword does not Negotiate

It operates according to function. It neither acts as a microphone nor as a microscope. It has one job. So what if we started living like the sword?

There is a cost, real or imagined, to every decision, every benchmark, every result. Often, we judge the things we must do according to the cost it will have on our life. But, like children, we twist the variables for our benefit. If the cost is low, we accept the circumstances. If cost is high, then we contextualize the variables according to what we desire for the end result. Basic principles.

When we embark on a path of revenge or vengeance, our entire lens is skewed to the end result. Hurt others. Often we contextualize the variables (see above) as righteous anger. For example, I’m protecting others, I’m doing as has been done to me, I am the victim. Please understand – you probably are the victim. But the cost is high. Peace is not cheap. Dare I say it is the most expensive part of life, in a global form. Time is almost the most expensive part of life, yet it is a personal value which might be considered the #1 most valuable asset a human can retain. Maybe this sounds conflicting. Maybe it is.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Pexels.com

The real question is are you seeking peace and purpose or thrill and chaos?

The moment has come for choosing a new word, or affirmation, in the next year. My team would insist I choose “No.”. A definitive period at the end of the only two-letter complete sentence in our language. It requires no explanation, no justification, no extra words. One period at its end. Another drain on my time? No. Another task to be accomplished without clear vision or goal? No. Another meeting disguised as necessary? No. Another person who trauma-dumps their entire life story on me? No. Another pointless discussion destined to morph into an argument. No.

I don’t want to check the temperature when I enter a room. I don’t want to scan it looking for a familiar face. I want the dynamic to change when I enter. I set the pace, I am the temperature to be checked, I make change. I refuse to negotiate when I hold the sword.

Be the thermostat. Not the thermometer.

_____________________

I ask you –

Which one are you and which do you desire to be?

(The post The Sword does not Negotiate first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Resetting the Standard

Is hard. (courtesy of my Muse’s mind)

The pressure on the defending champion is unimaginable. Unless you’ve been the defender. Back-to-back wins, to continue being the best…well, sometimes it is impossible.

Leaders are responsible for setting the standard, communicating the standard, and leading others to accomplish the standard.

Then, there’s feedback. Or evaluation, appraisal, whatever new age terminology we’re using at the time. A period of self-reflection, a give-and-take on what’s working and what’s not. Some prefer numerical feedback, for example, on a scale of 1 to 10. Others prefer the paragraphical feedback, either via a list or some other structured narration of the best and worst.

This all sounds simple. Set standard, evaluate, give feedback. Done!

What’s being forgotten? Answer: feelings, interpersonal relationships, and humans being human. No surprise. So every time humans act like humans, the process is substantially more difficult. Evaluating behavior is not numerical nor is it narrative. Yet leaders are expected to do so. With a smile. Guess what? It gets harder every time, which is why resetting the standard is often a burdensome (and worthy) process easily relegated to the back burner. Because it is not fun. Because it is time-consuming. Because it is lonely. But none of these reasons is a valid one to give up on it.

What’s more telling than anything I’ve written here? How one accepts the feedback. And that, my dear, is a you problem.

_____________________

I ask you –

What is your preferred evaluation style?

(The post Resetting the Standard first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Break from the Break

I didn’t know how necessary it was to take a real break from work. Sure, supervising 20+ staff members is no walk in the park, but I believed I was handling it well.

Until the government shutdown when every person relied on me alone to do it. I’m not upset nor angry. I knew I had to do it and I tried to without complaint because we were all in the trenches together. It sucked but we escaped unscathed. But I knew I needed some time off.

Until I experienced 7 days without my phone ringing, without the group chat dinging any time of the day or night, and zero work-related incidents. I didn’t know how much I needed to rest.

We preach rest, especially in the confines of mental and physical health. Yet the overall toll of no rest on a person’s well-being is immeasurable. I just did not understand. It recently came to my attention I haven’t had an uninterrupted week off work in more than 3 years. During vacation, I’ve always had my laptop and have done work while on leave, either in response to phone calls or out of a misguided need to control the outcome. But it was controlling me.

1,000 piece Elf puzzle, + glitter

Upon return to the workplace, my coworker decided to a) suggest doing a pizzle together, b) leave early that day, which meant I had to sort the puzzle alone, and c) find something else to do every single day so the grand total of days we’ve puzzled together is zero.

Figures.

_____________________

I ask you –

What are your thoughts on needing a break from just having a break?

(The post Break from the Break first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

I know I just said rest…

Two weeks ago, I completed a 5-week baseline workout plan via Garmin. So much for your last post on rest.

Last week, I began another 5-week series of workouts destined to test my overall strength and grit. Unrelated, I’ve seen the word grit mentioned no less than 3x at work in as many days. Maybe it’s making a comeback?

Results so far indicate I’m vertically challenged, probably don’t eat enough to power said workouts, and are overall incredibly difficult.

As evidence, here is a collection of whackadoo hairstyles I’ve implemented lately –

Alas, the running continues, even with weather fluctuations and holidays. I average 2.5-3.5 miles per run. Nothing fancy, just basic movement. Alongside the strength plan, I aim for several runs/week but sometimes I only get a single or double. Meh.

As tomorrow is Thanksgiving, at the moment I have plans to run a 5k with a local group. But those plans belong to today me. Not the me who has to wake up tomorrow, get dressed, eat, and brave whatever weather is in store. Maybe I’m still resting.

_____________________

I ask you –

Will you be partaking in the Thanksgiving Day 5k tradition?

(The post I know I just said rest… first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)