New Watch, Same Me

Garmin has a lot of faith in me! This is the Forerunner 955 Solar, a vast improvement to my previous Forerunner 265. The solar feature was a last minute decision, but since this is Texas and the sun is nearly always shining, I thought why not. Even without it, my battery, with regular use, lasts more than a week between charges. It says you can sit the watch in the sun and it will charge without overheating. Haven’t tried yet.

Thus far, I think the watch is much more accurate than my previous version, especially when it comes to heat acclimation. Very important to me. At the time of this post, I’m only 44% acclimated. When my other watch would give feedback, it commonly stated I was 78-80% acclimated when I hadn’t been running at all. Although it doesn’t influence my running habits, I would like a more realistic picture of heat acclimation, which I believe I’m receiving.

For me, this was a satisfactory, albeit expensive, purchase. My previous one, the Forerunner 200-something series, was great…no complaints, but when it started losing charge quickly and began having some glitches, I knew it was time.

Just like this post. It was time. Get it get it.

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I ask you –

When did you last update your electronic gear?

Have you tried a newer version of a watch where it exceeded your expectations?

Tell me what you currently run with!

(The post New Watch, Same Me first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Activity Update

Slowly making my return to running. It’s been a few miles here and there, no definitive plan or purpose. Just doing whatever feels good at the time. Typically anywhere from 2-4 miles because it feels doable in under 60 mins. As the weather heats up – we’ve already had several over 90 degree days – then I’ll figure out what works best for schedule, body temp, and future goals.

Regular yoga sessions, in my opinion, have been very useful to staying pain free and promoting faster recovery. Cooling down with yoga and icing my knee seems to do the trick when I get an inkling my knee is struggling. I’ve also noticed the warmer weather is much better for me. If only it would cooperate with my body. The colder months create some arthritic issues in my lower body, but it’s so much better for running!

Making it out of intramural volleyball season with my sanity intact might be a stretch. This team has pushed my patience, humor, and stress levels to the max. What an incredible job they do off the court. As first sergeants and assistant first sergeants, they care for and advocate for military members going through things. I’ve seen them juggle their own careers with the needs of others all while balancing their families’ needs and additional pressures of the job. There’s not a single one I wouldn’t trust with helping another human.

Just a few of them

On the court

On the court? Well…let’s just say my abs hurt from laughing so much, I did offer an apology when I let my emotions cloud my articulation, and, at the time of this posting, we’ve won no games. Not a single one. But, I’ve seen other teams cheer for us, celebrate with us, and laugh with/at us. This team brings the fun! And, as promised, I will post more photos soon.

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I ask you –

Have you been running or walking more lately?

On a scale of 1 to kicked off the court, how much laughing happens during a volleyball game? At one point, I was an 8.

Choose one: volleyball or yoga

(The post Activity Update first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Spring Break Recap

running debut!

To think a few years ago the most difficult part of my weekend (and week days) was figuring out when to do a long run. To think carving up to 2 hrs from my day was nearly impossible. Ha. Now, I know I can do anything.

apple

tree

Once I received the running green light on Wednesday (happy birthday, Kel), I ran my fastest mile since Nov (13:10!!) and played volleyball. Although this coaching gig is fun, I’d much rather play.

Spring break was quite the whirlwind of a week. From high emotions to adventure parks to a major wind storm and a furlough avoidance, March is shaping up to be one for the books. Speaking of books, I still haven’t read this month’s book club recommendation.

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I ask you –

What currently takes up most of your time?

Do you/have you ever coached a sport?

Vote here for Spring Break for Adults!

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

How Dare You Suggest!

Garmin has lost its mind; specifically, the suggested workouts function. This thing suggested I do a 30 min run at 10:35′ without a warm-up. I’m old. I require a warm-up. At least 5 mins!

Then, the following day, it suggested a temp run, 6×1:00 at 7:20′. 7:20′! I’ve never run that pace in my life. 7:20′ is like running from a pack of hungry lions. I think I’ve played in the 8-8:30’s – never a sustained 7-anything for 1 min. Craziness.

So you know what I did? I ran it. Because “can’t” isn’t in my vocabulary. And you know what happened? I ran like hungry lions were chasing me. It wasn’t pretty, it hurt a lot, and I disliked every interval, but I did it.

Then the next day I made an appointment because I suspect something is wrong with my meniscus again. It feels like fireworks inside the inner knee, and the tell tale stretched rubber band. Or maybe it’s all related to my feet. Remember, I had planned to have double toe surgery the early part of 2024, then I scrapped those plans altogether. It is still on the horizon sans date. The suggestion was to handle it sooner rather than later. Like stop signs, right? Just suggestions.

But I continue to run, to make time for exercise, no matter the consequences. At this point, I’d rather be in pain than stop all activity, to the detriment of my body. Maybe that’s why I have spare parts.

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I ask you –

Do you follow Garmin’s suggested workouts?

What type of workout did you do last? Strength training.

Might you be willing to donate a healthy knee to my cause?!

(The post How Dare You Suggest! first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Turtle Races and some other stuff

Resubmitted my manuscript last week in hopes they’ll approve it for proposal defense. Now I wait. Again.

In the meantime, I’ve been reading, and running. A lot actually. And drinking copious amounts of coffee, but that isn’t new. I’ve also cleaned, paced, and generally avoided saying much.

On the bright side, October ushered in cooler weather and I want to spend every day outside. Might even move my desk outdoors.

Not sure if I’ve shared yet – my favorite mug from McK. She gets me.

Small town things – a turtle race! I can just see numerous children the week of the race scavenging for turtles. Some large, some small, hopefully none that snap. Probably lots of angry parents.

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I ask you –

Did/does your hometown celebrate homecoming, etc. with a festival? My little 1A school did not.

Have you ever kept a (wild) turtle as a pet?

Tell me your go-to fall activity!

(The post Turtle Races and some other stuff first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Just in Case

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!

_________________

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.)

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.)

Summer Update, wk 1

Wk 1 of mini’s Californian vacation –

I watched trashy albeit hilarious movies. Huge Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin fan. No, I don’t care about her past. I played on my phone for hours and got zero accomplished. Maybe I wrote a little. Maybe I didn’t. And I lost my voice, presumably attributed to the previous 2 week’s battle with allergies and a summer cold. Moms don’t have time to be sick. And we all know I need a voice when mini is around. Can you imagine? When I think about trying to parent her sans voice, I recognize the propensity for her to be leading a small country. Hmmmm. Maybe she’s the secret weapon to domination. I’ll tout this idea to leadership.

Additionally, I played nearly 2 hours of volleyball, got invited to play on a team for the remainder of the month, and ran. I ran a lot. Eventually my voice came back and people stopped avoiding me. Mini, on the other hand, is enjoying a semi-heated pool, new friends, and probably all the Youtube she could dream of. It makes me laugh when I think of how well-traveled and blessed she is; she really has no idea. While I sit here and go a little crazy with worry, she lives her very best life. Life is a little funny like that.

Miles are a cruel and unforgiving mistress that take nothing else into account but distance. So as I rack up the miles, in June no less, I try to fill my time with papers and plans. This week’s paper wasn’t so bad but next week’s has turned into a sweltering dumpster fire of garbage. Hot flipping garbage. But I’ll get an A. It’s what I do.

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I ask you –

Have you ever had a taste of humble pie?

Do you like fried green tomatoes?

Rumor has it there will be a photo shoot with mini and cows!

Do you prefer funny or serious movies?

When was the last time you lost your voice?

I wonder what semi-heated actually means. Slightly above freezing, I presume.

Thank You for Tuning In

A great guy doth not a leader make.
Me, after espresso

Therefore, on the day of our fearless unit leader returning to his rightful throne, aka big messy desk, I thought it fitting to mark his homecoming with a post. After all, he did hire me, unbeknownst to his well-being.

Fortunately for you all this post really isn’t about him. Exhale.

It’s about all the cool things I’ve done lately, you know, with all my spare time and non-demanding job requirements. Right. Those things.

a visit to 217 Coffee St

Returned to my first sport love: volleyball! I voluntold my coworkers that we were playing and they indulged me. This is fun! Note: a well developed running base sure does make volleyball a lot easier. What doesn’t make volleyball fun? A bandaged toe from racing a General (he didn’t know we were racing but of course we were) and the oft overlooked but no less important underboob. Well, the chafing of the underboob was the problem. Anyway, if you’re still reading after the mention of underboob – said three times now – then welcome to Running on Fumes, where we (and by we I mean I) type the ridiculous things that come to mind.

maximum, for sure

Fairly sure there was a point to this post.

Oh. Right. Cool things. I did stand out in the blazing heat giving out tickets to a drawing held by Spare Parts and the team of fabulous marketing folks who make all my wildest creative dreams come true. Mostly posters and schedules because I’m not creative at all. Also, I packed up an entire event’s worth of stuff in about 6 mins flat at the mention of severe thunderstorm, lightning, and hail. Did I already state it was hotter than jalapeno cornbread? They supplied me with multiple bottles of cold water, I worked for free. Until next year.

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I ask you –

What’s your favorite sport? I particularly like curling.

Is it still cool where you live or getting hot?

Tell me your thoughts on cornbread! Yuck. Not a fan.

(The post Thank You for Tuning In first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)