On 1 Feb, I began the slow rush to the finish line – makes a lot of sense, Kel – of analyzing data, making it legible and understandable, and overall contributing to the glory of society. Slightly inflated. I cancelled all plans (because I had so many), stocked up on coffee (because I might run out), and committed to writing x hours per day (dependent on literally everything).
days like this
Slightly more than a week later, I’m in the zone. I write nearly constantly, doodling ideas to myself, brainstorming paragraphs for the conclusion. There is light at the end of the tunnel and I can see it slowly peaking out from beneath the clouds.
Victory is nigh! But I took a break for the Super Bowl.
Alright, I know this is very dramatic and unlike me but you get the gist.
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I ask you –
Dramatic or no?
Care to venture a guess regarding how much coffee I drink daily?
Share a victorious moment!
(The post Victory! first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
I’ve been on the road more than home the past several weeks. Is that a song? Needless to say, but I’m saying it anyway, I drank a lot of coffee. Soon, I’ll share where each of these locations are, but, for now, here’s a collage:
More to come!
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I ask you –
Share your thoughts about anything!
(The post Traveling first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
Recently, the radio host was accepting opinions of what listeners considered comfort food. One said it was food you eat when ill. Another disagreed because it should be more clear why they need comfort. For example, you’ve gone through a traumatic breakup…you wouldn’t give someone soup (such as when ill). Maybe you’d give them alcohol instead. I made that part up myself. No radio listener said this. And when there’s been a death in the family, people bring comfort food, like macaroni and cheese, and fried chicken. Though I don’t understand providing a grieving family the types of food that…undoubtedly…(may have) contributed to their demise.
My mom would make us children comfort food aptly titled “hot jello”. Basically, it’s the same steps to making jello prior to refrigerating it. It’s warm, sweet, and comforting. That’s my comfort food when sick.
Obviously we can’t have a discussion about comfort food without mentioning ice cream, specifically Blue Bell. This article ranks the top ten flavors with an original play on the how many forks idea (the better an item, the more forks).
(Spoiler) Unsurprisingly, Cookie Two Step was the winner. I can say unsurprisingly because I have practically inhaled an entire half gallon of this flavor. Despite it making me very ill, I believe it was entirely worth it. Take all my sporks! Although I do love buttered pecans and pistachio, I was a little surprised at the prevalence of peppermint flavors which made the list. Perhaps they have a following I’m unaware of.
And, finally, a quick recap of the most recent game night where my favorite game – Spoons – was the winner-takes-all finale. Yours truly was the winner amongst approx 40 competitive women. The photo below is an indicator of Part’s competitiveness, although she would tell you she is not.
Seeing my sister win is a WIN! She deserves all the accolades and appreciation and awards. We’re so different, but we are a winning team! She thinks others don’t notice her hard work, I’m sure sometimes she doesn’t feel appreciated, but she definitely is. She’s the better half of this sister duo and the co-worker award is a testament to her heart.
I had a photo here of what happens when Parts doesn’t show up to claim her award, but it was truly awful. Must like she probably felt when she said she was sick. Hmph.
Humble brag: It never ceases to amaze me when I win awards or listen to my own accomplishments. Most of the things I do are my job – lead, train, motivate, join. To me, it’s not a big deal. It’s what I do. So I’m humbled when someone else sees the value in it because that’s certainly not why I do what I do. I do it for them, for my team – a group of people who come together to do good things, day in and day out. They deserve recognition every quarter.
Team Fitness
Speaking of teams – 4th quarter team winners – I’ve written about it before – when they win, we all win!
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I ask you –
Received any awards lately? Brag to me!
Do you fancy yourself a great co-worker?
Tell me how many times you’ve been sick in 2025. Because things are going around.
“How fast do people typically walk? According to a 2020 study, how fast you walk depends on your age and biological sex, with men walking slightly faster than women. In general, individuals under 30 walk at an average speed of 3 miles per hour. Those aged 30 to 39, as well as 40 to 49, walk at an average speed of 2.8 mph. People 50 to 59 average 2.75 mph, while those over 60 move at 2.7 mph. After age 65, people tend to walk at an average speed of 2.1 mph.”
Well, I’ll be damned. My walking speed is worth more than making slower people feel uncomfortable. I’m as healthy as a horse! Some feet issues and a joint problem, but not too bad.
I can’t wait to start running again. It would probably help if I stopped rescheduling my orthotics appointment and PT sessions. I’ve been busy.
3 hrs later
I was so busy gathering data that there seems to be a run on busted water pipes, water heaters, and electrical rooms. Let’s make fire! Keep reading for more ways to make your Saturday night fun.
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I ask you –
Are you a fast walker? All my life.
Will 2025 bring increased mileage?
Give me new ideas for fun nights sans water cleanup.
(The postDid you know…? first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
A radio program mentioned if it’s not your best yes, then it’s a no. Seems I took that to what because a day prior to hearing this advice I had submitted resignations from some volunteer agreements. My motivation for those opportunities had originally been rooted in obligation (or the understanding that someone had to do it). Lately, I had my own realization if I didn’t take it off my plate no one else was about to step up. I hope it’s my heart speaking when I say/share this because I do love people. I just don’t always like them.
Believe it or not, I was concerned the coffee mug below could be offensive to my team. So, I asked a few leaders, and team members, if they had a problem with it. Short answer: no. Most thought it was amusing. Other leaders told me there’s a much more graphic version. Oh!?
I read sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. Whatever. Do you know how witty it takes to be sarcastic?!
For example, I just love when people sit on the fitness equipment playing on their phone. I adore it. It makes me so happy to see you disconnected from your journey towards health. Thank you for being in my way.
Prior to last week, when I began the data collection portion of the dissertation –
With ample time on my hands, I’ve found a few television shows which have caught my interest. Besides football, I don’t watch anything. Stupid Cowboys. And now that I’ve returned to near fulltime at my desk, finding time for shows is a challenge.
Nonetheless – first, Landman is wow. I find myself wrapped up in the wild wild West of its characters, as well as the insanity. Then, Lioness. It’s difficult to watch for me, but the story sucks you in. Finally, Going Dutch, a lighthearted military show where I find myself ruefully shaking my head. It’s hilarious in an unbelievable-but-entirely-plausible way.
Picture this –
(dinner table scene, late at night. about 5:30pm. whatever)
Mini: *speaking endlessly* And you know what?! *with much righteous indignation* We have to work with each other to solve math problems. I appreciate the concept but … *more chatter*
Me: *practically snorting laughing* So, you’re telling me you don’t like group projects?! *finally, someone who understands my plight* Our whole lives will be filled with group projects where one person does all the work. It stinks.
(end of scene)
Run motivation! A beautiful emerald/teal/green. And the discussion above is why I run.
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I ask you –
What shows are you watching? Any of the ones I mentioned?
Do you predominantly buy bright or dark shoes?
Share your dinner time conversations!
(The post Television Time first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
This is week 2 of physical therapy. Last week included a fancy new knee brace, a Rx for 5 PT sessions, 15 exercises, and a promise to discuss running after 6 weeks. Not a bad deal. Interestingly, the physical therapist is treating it like a MCL strain/sprain with indications of patellar tendonitis and some residual meniscus issues. It was a lot to take in.
Obviously I did not partake in the outdoor snow activities. Instead, I managed to walk over 10K steps indoors by taking 10-15 min breaks from writing. By the way, I received ethics review board approval so I can start the data collection portion. It’s getting there.
The snow days pushed everything from one week to the next but I stayed happily entertained with multiple computers providing the eye-crossing minutiae my mind needs. Basically, a very long sentence to say this post is short because I’m busy.
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I ask you –
To run or to not run, that is the question.
How much snow have you received in 2025? Maybe 0.5 inches.
Snow skiing vs snow boarding? Your thoughts.
(The post Injuries / Snow. first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
Recently, someone asked why do you want to look different than the people you work with, presumably because of what I wear to work. I said it’s not because I want to, it’s because I need to. You see, when it comes time to stand up for my team, they deserve a leader who will do just that – stand up. It’s a privilege to be their leader and I never want anyone to question my loyalty to them. One of my first days on the fitness job, I was approached with the words “You look like you’re in charge”. My reply: I am. I want to look like a leader because…I am. I want to stand in front of, beside, and behind my employees because…I do. More than any of these; however, is I want my team to see me do it because…I have. And I will. And I will continue to do so. When my team wins, we all win. In 2024, we did big things. Even just a few weeks into 2025, we’re doing bigger things.
a few of many
The glass ceiling still exists. Oh it does. Even in the military (and I doubt it’s only the military) women still struggle obtaining top positions. Not to say it’s impossible – it’s absolutely not and has been proven time and again – but it’s a struggle. I never want to be a leader who was chosen because I was the “best of the worst”. Because I can name a dozen who were. I want to be chosen because I’m the best at what I do. Thus far, I believe that has happened. But I don’t want to become complicit to positional power, easily stripped with removal of a title. Sure, other people rely on me, but it is not that single reason which makes me a leader.
No, this post is not a whoohoo look at me and all the great things I’m doing. I don’t need a pat on the back. My only goal is to empower someone else to do the same, step up, be the leader you’re called to be. Because someone is watching you be the best you. And you have a team to lead.
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I ask you –
Are you an organizational leader?
What’s your opinion of the glass ceiling?
Tell me your title, in whatever capacity you are in.
(The post Because…I am. first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
That’s what my knee feels like inside. A fireplace! Just when I think it’s gotten better or I haven’t noticed any pain, here it comes, out of the blue. Ready to wreck my day. 13 weeks of fireworks inside there. This is so much fun.
On the drive to the island, we stopped at the Czech Stop in West, Texas, home of the most amazing cinnamon roll I’ve ever had. The lovely employees warmed it up, handed it to me wrapped in wax paper, and gave us a stack of napkins. I inhaled it in about 0.79 seconds. I’m still thinking about that cinnamon roll.
You know those people who, just the very sound of their voice, makes you angry? I know one of them. In fact, my words are I’d rather cut the grass with my teeth than have a conversation with them. But you know what? So glad you asked. Here they come, trying to have conversations with me, ahem…need something. I’ve been known to walk the other direction, taking the looooong way home, to avoid conflict, I mean conversation. Grudge much.
Credit: C.S. Lewis
Grief is an interesting thing. It finally happened, the voice I had been waiting on, my very own Jiminy Cricket, if you will, spoke these words: Get Over It. Suddenly, I realized I had been living in anger the past few months, unwilling to accept it might still be grief. Sure, I said it on RoF, I was dealing with grief, but I hadn’t fully addressed it. It was shrouded in anger, anger never expressed, anger I believed would mask the grief. No, child. Not only did I experience the entirety of anger, but I still had to navigate grief, too. Seems unfair. If only I had recognized it for what it was, an additional emotion vice a substitute. 30 years is a long time to grieve. And an even longer time to hold on to anger.
Get over it, Kel. I did/am/will/continue to.
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I ask you –
Do you prefer real wood or the pre-made logs in your fireplace?
Which is the best: the middle or the outside of a cinnamon roll? Middle. Always.
Running on Fumes 
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