Aspirational May

Happy Friday!  Happy May! Happy one month closer to summer!

(cue Pharrell’s Happy song that I’m already sick of)

While sitting at my desk yesterday morning, I realized I have kind of a weird morning routine upon arrival to work. I know you’re exploding with curiosity to know what that is, so I’ll share.

1. Get to work right around 7 AM. Power up computer, throw whatever my breakfast is in the microwave, start coffee maker (it’s my job for our floor, and it’s an important one). Tape my toe if I forgot to prior to leaving home.

this guy lives in my purse.

2. Fill up coffee mug and water cup. Slowly eat breakfast while checking emails and sitting on a ball (see below), positioned right under my feisty right hamstring. It’s been bothering me in the mornings.

second best friend.

3. 8 AM: Switch to sitting on my big red yoga ball. Startup Spotify if the work I’m doing doesn’t involve deep intense concentration AKA can I sing along while I work, or do I need silence?

4. 8:30 AM: Fill empty mug halfway up again with coffee and have a few more sips until about 9:30. Switch back and forth between kneeling in front of laptop, bouncing on my ball, or sitting in my chair. Really depends on what’s on the agenda work-wise.

5.10 AM: snack time. Yes.

Does anyone else have an extremely odd ritualistic morning at work, or is this just me?

Any who. May things. I will share my May goals via a simple picture, since I taped the list to my planner as a constant reminder.

Try bullet proof coffee. Once I get myself some grass fed butter, I’ll be all over that.

Lots of water. I’ve been doing the mint/lemon/lime thing all week, it’s a beautiful thing.

Monday marked the start of another little 3 week detox thing for me (read here about the last time I did one). Or a sugar strike, if you will.

My sis is joining me too, which I love. We both tweaked our goals to what we think is reasonable for our lifestyle/impending schedules. She isn’t completely cutting the dairy, and I’m allowing some occasional fruit because honestly that’s just something I’m not going to sweat over.

What I will sweat over the Strong like Susan YouTube ab workouts through the month of May. I did it about two years ago and loved it, then completely forgot about it. Bring on the bikini.

Study = study for that personal trainer certification I said I was going to do like… six months ago. Sigh. It would just be a great thing to have, I have the resources, I just need to commit to studying a few evenings per week.

I’m a lazy slob when it comes to studying. Can somebody just inject the needed info. into my brain and we can call it a day?

That’s my May agenda. I feel really great about it as far as getting prepped for the summer. I also feel good about this weekend – some crafting, brunching, and possible hiking is on the agenda. Maybe some batting cages to prepare for our upcoming coed softball season.

Tell me any May goals or aspirations you have? Paleo recipes to get me through this cleanse? Something funny?

Cheers –

K8

Konfessions

What's up Wednesday, always good to see ya.

Don't worry, it's still raining here in Baltimore. But I got a slap on the wrist from Kathy yesterday basically reminding me to be glad it's not snowing. Or hailing. Touché. Sunny skies will be here soon enough I'm sure.

On to confessions.

I confess, that days that it rains I automatically feel entitled to a treat. "Oh sad it's grey outside, I really deserve a chocolate chip cookie."

Wouldn't ya know, I started 21 days of Kait's Klean eating yesterday (I dunno it sounded good?) so chocolate chips weren't on the menu today. "YUM this dried date, talk about some comfort food."

 

This will haunt my dreams tonight.

I confess, my sister taught me a new hilarious game where you endorse a friend on LinkedIn for outlandish skill sets. Garbage collection? Check. Latin jazz? Check. Geriatric dental? Sure will.

Luckily those only go to their profiles if they accept the endorsement, so from there the compliment is in their own hands to do what they wish.

I accepted a lawn mowing endorsement recently because that sh*t is the truth. I am the master of the lawn.

 

fairly accurate depiction of myself

I confess that I've had several moments lately where I dislike the blogosphere and the stupid crappy politics that goes into making other blog friends and promoting your blog and your brand yada yada yada. Sometimes I'm like eh whatever and other times I'm like this is stupid and I day dream about deleting the entire thing.

Yet if I didn't have Kait Makes a Run for it I would have nowhere to confess things like Monday was the first time I cleaned my shower, ever.

Or that I went to bed at 8 pm on Monday night. Or that I ate asparagus for breakfast on Tuesday morning and my pee smelled all day. Or that I'm editing this post as I ride my bike, using my underwear drawer as a desk.

Guys it's Wednesday, and tomorrow is May. Get those chins up and I'll be back for a morale check on Friday.

Cheers -

K

Discussion Points

Well I wish I could say it's just been a crazy busy rush-around week and that's why I didn't write for Hump Day Confessions, but that would be a lie. Really I just got lazy on Tuesday and wasn't feeling inspired to write.

It happens.

The week workout wise was good - I got both a run and hot yoga in yesterday, followed by some frantic packing. Andrew and I are off to Colorado later this evening to meet the newest addition to his family - his new Nephew, Caleb! Can't wait to meet him!

I always like to try to utilize plane rides to do some longer-term planning; it's especially nice when Andrew is strapped into the seat next to me and I can talk his ear off and he has nowhere to hide.

Things to discuss with Andrew:

1.   Volleyball. It has been on my mind a lot lately, and I have a yearning to play it to some degree this summer. Baltimore has several beach courts, and I’ve seen a few things about some grass tournaments in the area, and I really just want to get signed up. CALLING ALL B'MORE VBALL PLAYERS, give me some guidance here.

I used to be able to jump before running took over my life.

2.   Bullet Proof Coffee. When I discover new fad/health trends that I want to try, I usually try to drag him down with me. While he didn’t jump on oil pulling (which I still occasionally do) I want to to hear his reaction to Bullet Proof coffee.  If you don’t know what it is, read more here – my cousin actually recently sent me an encouraging message about how much she loves it and feels great since she started drinking it.

3.   Puerto Rico. We have the flights and hotel booked, but outside of that, nothing. We need to nail down a few plans, don’t ya think?

TAKE ME THERE NOW

4.   Speaking of PR, I'm thinking about doing another 21 day detox come May 1. Puerto Rico is booked for May 23 so it would be pretty good timing. However I already have a few dates booked in May that would possibly have to warrant exceptions for staying sugar free... so we'll see.

5.    I discovered on Wednesday night that there is a Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Africa. Basically, it’s a hotel on the property of a 140 acre giraffe sanctuary. Windows and doors are left open so that the giraffes can come visit whenever they want.

WHAT.

If we ever go to Africa, that’s at the top of the list.

This reminds me, we also still need to go check out the new twin giraffes at the Maryland Zoo!

Solid discussion list for the 4ish hour plane ride, don’t you think? I’ll leave you all with a new recipe to try this weekend if you’re feeling adventurous.

Eggdrop Broccoli Slaw:

-          1 cup broccoli slaw

-          Handful of chopped mushrooms (or onions or whatever you like)

-          ½ cup shrimp (mine were frozen)

-          ½ cup vegetable broth

-          1 glove garlic

-          1 egg

-          Salt/pepper/crushed red pepper to taste

Saute the broccoli slaw, mushrooms and shrimp in the vegetable broth and garlic on medium heat. Meanwhile, boil water and follow these directions to poach your egg.

Throw it all in a bowl, and gently ladle your poached egg on top. Season to taste. Good stuff. I <3 poached eggs.

I’m off to start my Friday. I’ve got a plane to catch and a baby to see. #Backthatazzup today for me, will ya?

Cheers - 

Kait

Thanks

I’ve been letting things get to me lately. Things small and large. It’s stupid, and the buck stops here.

Thankful things Thursday. My pretend friend Ali over at Ali On The Run does it often, and she has inspired me in so many different ways. So, Let’s get thankful people.

I’m thankful that today started off foggy as crap, and ended up sunny. Sun makes me so happy lately. I wished my office had a retractable roof on days like today

AM

PM

I’m thankful for my honest friends, who always say it like it is.

If I’m not mistaken, I believe I’ve referenced this before…. But I’m super thankful for dry shampoo. On days like today when my morning workout consists of a quick jaunt on the elliptical and minimal sweat, dry shampoo is the way to rock it. No shame here.

To avoid obsessive music babbling on here like I resorted to last week, I’ll keep this topic to the minimum. It was hard to pick a favorite, but I’m definitely thankful for Scotty McCreery’s new single, See You Tonight.

HIS VOICE. Enough said.

Let’s get materialist, for just one sec. I’m thankful for my new purse from Target. It was on sale for $8 people. Can you say deal?

Giraffe's make me feel thankful too: 

I’m thankful for my awesome boyfriend, who puts up with a lot from me. And when I text him in the mornings to ‘Have a good day!’… I typically get some kind of abnormal response such as this...

Apparently I’m a bird? A lucky bird at that. I haven’t yet mentioned this on here, but he’s peacing out this summer for a while. So of course he wanted to fly home to Colorado to see family and friends before he leaves. And of course he wanted to bring me along for the ride… and bought my plane ticket without hesitation, or even really discussing it.

Love him. Colorado-bound for memorial day weekend in two weeks. Can’t wait!

I think you should tell me something you’re thankful for. Ready, go.

Cheers!

Ramping Back Up

It's been a bit since we've talked running on here eh? Kind of weird. Have you been worried? Don't be. I think it's because things have been so iffy.

I've been feeling a little less iffy.

This past weekend, I ran 3 miles on both Saturday and Sunday. That's nothing, I know, but for me where I stand right now, it's something. My foot didn't yell, it felt good, and this is on top of being on my feet most of the day on Saturday while bar-crawling through Annapolis.

That's a whole different story.

Saturday morning Andrew and I ran in a local 5k put on through his cousin's school. It was small - small enough that we both finished right under 24 minutes with his younger cousin and each placed first in our age group. Hey I'll take it.

Especially seeing that my breakfast prior to the race consisted of this:

Tots. Sorry I'm not sorry.

Long story short, I feel good about my foot. Finally. For awhile I was back and forth, and super nervous to ramp up the mileage too quickly.

I will stay between 3-4 miles tomorrow and Thursday, and possibly try for 5 miles one day this weekend if things go well.

My goal is to 'comfortably' get back up to my normal 7-8 mile jaunts by June 1. In my mind, marathon training starts in June. 

Until then, I'll continue to stick with all my swimming/yoga/spinning distractions on the side. And of course, so many planks.

Spring = planks outside!

Andrew's out of town this week so I am getting back to neutral in many areas of life, as well as making plans for the month of May. Can you believe that May is on Wednesday? That blows my mind and makes me so happy.

On the music front, Mr. Kenny Chesney himself has a new album out tomorrow if you're a country fanatic like me. Just thought you may need something to brighten up your Tuesday!

Cheers to ramping back up!