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Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Tuesdays With Kerin: Last Quarter of 2024

Hey there! Welcome back to another Tuesday update. I want to take a moment to apologize for missing last week's post, but I'm back now and ready to get back on my regular schedule. Thanks for your understanding, and let’s dive into what’s been happening!

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Tuesdays with Kerin: Halfway to 13.1

Can you believe it's been 3 weeks since I last posted? Honestly, I'm not quite sure what happened. I was trying out this new biweekly posting schedule, but I guess I just lost track of time. I could say I've been busy and had a lot going on, but to be real, that’s not entirely the case—I definitely could have squeaked in a post or two. Anyway, I have a bit of an update for you all, but I don't want this to turn into a super long post, so let’s just get to it!

Alright, folks, let me catch you up on my half-marathon journey! Last time we chatted, I had just wrapped up week 4 of my training, and now, drumroll please… I've officially completed week 7! That's right, I'm halfway through my half-marathon training, which means I'm on the path to conquering those 13.1 miles! Can you believe it?

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Tuesdays with Kerin: The Very Best Half

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Did you miss me? I'm trying out this biweekly posting thing, and I have to say, the past weeks have been semi-eventful. They've been filled with fun, food, and of course, running! Can you believe I'm already on my 5th week of half-marathon training? It's wild to think that I'll be running my first half-marathon in less than 10 weeks! That's crazy!

Week 3 of my half-marathon training was both challenging and exciting! I tackled hill reps for the first time at Miller Hill in Herman Park, although I could only manage 30-second reps. As I progress, those reps will need to get longer, so I’m definitely on the lookout for a bigger hill – maybe signing up for a hilly half-marathon wasn’t the smartest move considering I live in such a flat area, right? To cap off the week, I completed a 5-mile long run, marking the longest distance I've ever run. From here on out, every distance will be a personal record!  It was tough, but I powered through and was able to use my long run to complete my Independence Day 8K Virtual race to make up for the one I missed in June due to my knee injury (An 8K is just under 5 miles).

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Tuesdays with Kerin: New Shoes, New Dos.

So, here I am, back with another Tuesday update—and on an actual Tuesday, no less! I’ve been a bit unsure about posting this week since I didn’t receive any feedback on the potential switch to a biweekly schedule. Additionally, I’m curious about what you all think regarding bringing the newsletter back. I’m not entirely sure how most of you are keeping up with my blog posts, so I’d love to hear how you’d prefer to be informed about new content. Your thoughts would be super helpful!

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Tuesdays with Kerin: Half Marathon Hopes and Weekend Escapades

I know I missed last week's post, but I'm back now and ready to share two weeks' worth of updates. I've been thinking about switching my Tuesday updates to a biweekly schedule since I don't always have a lot happening each week. I want to keep my posts interesting for you all, and I realize you might get tired of hearing that I've just been running and going to work, but honestly, that's pretty much my routine every week!

Speaking of running, I wrapped up my post-injury recovery plan the week before last, and I’m happy to report that my knee is feeling good! Last week, I officially kicked off my half-marathon training—yup, you read that right! I’m running a half-marathon despite having only started running less than a year ago; I know, crazy, right?

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Tuesdays with Kerin: Miles & Smiles

Welcome back to another Tuesday update... on Wednesday! I know I'm a day late, but I'm here. I did manage to publish two blog posts last week though, so yay for small victories! If you haven't already, make sure to check out my birthday post. Moving forward, I'm aiming to increase my posting frequency to twice a week. I'm considering Tuesday and Friday as potential posting days, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter. Additionally, I'm contemplating bringing back my newsletter. While I'm unsure about its content since I already provide weekly updates here, I recognize that not everyone follows me on social media and may miss out on new posts. Let me know your thoughts on the newsletter dilemma!

Last week marked my return to running after a necessary break due to a knee injury. Taking it cautiously, my running program has been progressing at a slow and steady pace. The longest distance I covered last week was 2 miles, a far cry from my previous capabilities. While I acknowledge the need for patience, my main goal is to regain my running form. Despite my pace being significantly slower than before, I remain optimistic that my speed will gradually return. I am eagerly anticipating the completion of my post-injury plan so I can embark on training for a half-marathon.

Friday, July 19, 2024

Turning 30: Champagne, Cake, and a Whole Lotta Fun!

As my 30th birthday approached, I found myself at a loss for how to celebrate this significant milestone. Usually brimming with ideas and excitement for birthday festivities, this time, the inspiration seemed to elude me. With the weight of the big 3-0 on the horizon, I knew I couldn't let this momentous occasion pass by without proper acknowledgment. Typically one to organize special activities or events for my birthdays, I had procrastinated too long to organize a trip or any elaborate plans. The question remained: what should I do?

Having just orchestrated a successful surprise celebration for my mother, whose birthday falls two weeks before mine, I found myself desiring a lowkey birthday affair where I could simply unwind and relish time with my family. Being the usual planner for events, I decided I didn't want to take on the responsibility of orchestrating my own celebration this time. In a light-hearted moment, I jokingly asked my mother what she had in store for my birthday, to which she cryptically replied that she was planning something. I didn't truly expect her to plan anything elaborate, especially when I lacked the energy to do so myself.

As the week of my birthday arrived, I decided I wanted to do something special, something I had never experienced before – Afternoon Tea or High Tea. Pairing this with a weekend stay at a luxurious hotel sounded like the perfect blend of relaxation and sophistication. I delved into researching various places that offered Afternoon Tea. Determined to combine both desires, I set out to find a hotel and tea spot in close proximity. After thorough investigation, the Lancaster Hotel emerged as the ideal choice to fulfill my birthday dreams.

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Tuesdays with Kerin: Along Came Beryl

Last week was all about Hurricane Beryl. The storm made its grand entrance on Monday morning, crashing in and disrupting our peaceful existence by knocking out the power at the cruel hour of 5:30 am. As fate would have it, I was wide awake to witness this chaotic event. The rest of Monday was a tedious affair, mostly spent lazing around, trying to keep boredom at bay while waiting for the power to mercifully return.

On Tuesday, the unbearable heat drove me to seek refuge in the office, where a generator powered one floor, providing a temporary sanctuary to cool off and recharge our devices. Despite not being productive in terms of work, those few hours of cool comfort were a welcome relief. Returning home, the heat was still unbearable, and within just half an hour, I found myself on the move again. Opting to visit the Star Cinema Grill, my brother and I watched Despicable Me 4, a movie I wasn't particularly keen on but served as a means to escape the heat for a couple of hours, even if the film turned out to be terribly ridiculous. Fortunately, upon arriving back home, the power had been restored, marking the end of our temporary ordeal.

Throughout the rest of the week, I worked from home as I was fortunate to have both power and internet connectivity. The new challenge I faced was sourcing food amidst the chaos. It became a task to locate a restaurant that was open or a store that actually had stocked shelves. Despite the hurdles, we managed to overcome the situation and ensure we had enough food supplies to get by.

Thursday, July 11, 2024

June Journey: A Peek Into My Absence

My apologies for the radio silence over the past month. I really have no excuse, except that ‘life happens’. I think I needed to take a break, but June was an exciting month filled with memorable experiences.

Kicking off the month, I had an absolute blast at Fan Expo Dallas with my mom and brother, diving headfirst into all things fandom. It was a geek's paradise, and we soaked up every moment. David Tennant was the biggest name that came, so there was a lot of Doctor Who-related excitement, which was just fantastic. There were over 60,000 people there over the course of the weekend, and if you know me, you know I don’t like crowds. I plan on doing an entire post about navigating anxiety in a crowd like that, so stay tuned.

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Tuesdays with Kerin: Rest & Recovery

Hey there, remember me? I'm finally back in action after a brief hiatus. Apologies for leaving you hanging last time - I know I probably caused a bit of a stir among my loyal readers. But fear not, I didn't fall off the face of the earth, just needed a little breather.

Apologies for the lack of an update last week, as there wasn't much to report. I was absent from work for the entire week before last due to being unwell, which led me to attend two doctor's appointments. Although feeling sick is never enjoyable, I am grateful for the time off and the medical consultations as they provided clarity on the issues bothering me.  Stay tuned for an upcoming post diving into my recent diagnosis of PCOS and how I plan to tackle it head-on.

During my recovery period, I hit pause on my usual training routine, but I'm thrilled to announce that I've officially kicked off my 10K training plan again. It feels great to be back on the grind, striving towards my fitness aspirations.

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Tuesdays with Kerin: A Rollercoaster Week of Work, Play, and NBA!

On Monday, I had the office all to myself as the sole member from my team present, creating a peaceful and productive atmosphere that allowed me to accomplish a lot of work. To kick off the week on a strong note, I embarked on a 3K Tempo Run, sporting my vibrant new yellow highlighter set from Hey Girl Run. Additionally, I was finally early enough to order one of the mystery Monday sets from Hey Girl Run, which arrived on Saturday. Anticipating a top and bottom duo, I was delighted to find that the package actually contained 2 tops and 2 shorts, resulting in a double dose of excitement and satisfaction. A definite win for the start of the week!

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Tuesdays with Kerin: Sluggish Muse & Lazy Shoes

Last week was a bit of a rollercoaster for me, as I grappled with a persistent lack of motivation in both my creative pursuits and my training sessions. Despite the inner struggles, I managed to push through and churn out three blog posts - one for a Tuesday update and two reviews for Kerin's Kritiques. While these posts didn't demand a huge burst of creativity, I was proud of my consistency.

On the fitness front, I powered through three challenging runs and conquered both strength training sessions, refusing to let my wavering motivation dictate my progress. It was a mental battle as much as a physical one, but I embraced the challenge head-on.

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Tuesdays with Kerin: Grapes & Cool Ranch Doritos

Happy Tuesday!

First things first, before we get into anything else, I'm just gonna come out and say it. I didn't do my long run last weekend. Truth be told, my training efforts were lackluster last week; I only hit the pavement once on Tuesday. But fear not, this week, I shall endeavor to do better.

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Tuesdays with Kerin: Work, Run, Sleep, Repeat

Happy Tuesday!

Can you believe it's already the last day of my 30-day wellness challenge? Time really flew by, and we're about to step into May! Reflecting on these past 30 days, I'm feeling pretty satisfied with how the challenge went. It wasn't flawless, but I believe I achieved what I set out to do. Considering doing it again sometime soon. If you haven't given it a shot yet, I highly recommend challenging yourself. You might just surprise yourself with what you can accomplish.

Transitioning into the fitness realm, last week marked the kickoff of my 8-week 10K training block, and it started off on a good note. I managed to squeeze in 3 runs, although I did fall short of completing my long run over the weekend. I've been struggling a bit with finding the motivation to exercise on weekends; the temptation to lounge around in bed all day is real. But, I'm determined to tackle my long run this upcoming weekend. It's a 6K, the longest distance I'll have tackled in a while, so it's crucial for me to push through and continue progressing towards that 10K goal. While I don't have any races lined up until Memorial Day, there's a Cinco De Mayo race this weekend that I'm still pondering whether to sign up for or not.

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Tuedays with Kerin: Sleep & Relaxation

Happy Tuesday!


I'm feeling absolutely fantastic this morning! I had a restful 6 hours of sleep last night, with a solid 90 minutes of deep sleep – a rare feat for me that I'm over the moon about. Lately, I've been hitting the hay earlier, and it seems to be doing wonders for my sleep quality. While I've been relying on my trusty melatonin gummies, I'm contemplating giving them a break tonight. As we dive headfirst into the sleep segment of my 30-day wellness challenge, I'm optimistic that my sleep patterns will only continue to get better from here on out.

Reflecting on last week, it started off a bit lackluster, but things took a turn for the better towards the end. A last-minute online early screening of  The Idea of You on Wednesday night brought unexpected joy to my day – Anne Hatha-slay truly never fails to impress! The resurgence of romantic comedies has me excited! Speaking of, I've got my sights set on catching  Anyone But You when it hits Netflix this weekend.

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Tuesdays with Kerin: A Sleepy Update

Happy Wednesday!

So, I'm a little tardy to the party with this update, but life happens, right?  I hope you're all doing well! Apologies for the delayed update; I've been a bit under the weather lately, dealing with a touch of melancholy and some rough bouts of sleep paralysis. It's strange how these episodes come and go in waves. If anyone has tips on managing sleep paralysis, I'm all ears. It's been adding to my sleep anxiety, which isn't ideal.

Speaking of sleep, I've been popping these melatonin gummies like they're candy. They're like a little slice of sleep heaven, but I'm trying not to get too hooked. I mean, who wants to be dependent on gummies for shut-eye, right?  They've been a comfort, though, and I feel like they've been doing wonders for my rest. Last week, I actually surpassed my sleep goal, averaging a solid 7 hours per night! As I gear up for the sleep phase of my 30-day challenge, I'm realizing the importance of establishing a more consistent bedtime routine.

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Tuesdays with Kerin: 9 Days In

Happy Tuesday!

So, here I am, 9 days deep into my 30-day wellness challenge, and I must say, things have been going well – pun totally intended! The physical health challenges were a piece of cake, and now we've transitioned to focusing on nutrition. Admittedly, I did have a little slip-up already. The goal yesterday was to incorporate a serving of fruits or vegetables with every meal. While I managed to have a hearty serving of cabbage during lunch yesterday, I fell short because I didn't eat breakfast and dinner. Nevertheless, it's all about progress, not perfection, right?

I got back into the swing of things with my training last week. Four runs, two killer training sessions for both upper and lower body, and even squeezed in a 30-minute mobility session. Ah, it felt so good to be consistent again! On the running front, I conquered my longest distance yet - a 7K, which is equal to just under 4.5 miles. Surprisingly, I completed it in nearly an hour, surpassing my own expectations. Who knew I had it in me? Just gotta triple that distance, and boom, I'll be ready for a half-marathon!

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Tuesdays With Kerin: The Return

Welcome back to another edition of Tuesdays with Kerin! I know, I know, you've been eagerly awaiting my return, right? I'm thrilled to be reconnecting with all of you for our weekly catch-up session. For my loyal followers, you already know the drill, but for those new to the scene, this is where I spill the tea on what's been happening in my world each week.

So, this week has been pretty chill for me. I laced up my running shoes and tackled another 5k race because apparently, I just can't get enough of them. It's my fourth one this year, if you count the virtual race I did to make up for oversleeping on the Lucky Charm 5k. Whoops!

I've been trying to get back into my running groove after taking a little hiatus. It feels like I'm starting from scratch, but hey, I'm determined to push through and get my endurance back. It's probably a good idea to reincorporate strength training into my routine to enhance my stamina for those long runs. Back when I achieved my personal best, I was diligently hitting the weights. Fortunately, my home gym is decked out with all the necessary gear, so I can sweat it out without stepping foot outside.

I've got about 4 weeks left in my 5k training block, and my goal is to conquer a 34-minute 5k. Then, it's on to 10k training. The grind never stops!

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Confessions of A Proud Introvert

Welcome to my little corner of the internet, where I, a proud introvert, am ready to spill the tea on what it's really like to live life on the quieter side. Let's face it, being an introvert in a world that favors the loud and the outgoing can be tough. We introverts often find ourselves labeled as shy, rude, or even snobbish – when really, we're just trying to navigate this extroverted world in our own quiet way. 

Get ready to discover that us introverts aren't just antisocial hermits – we're complex, thoughtful individuals with a lot to offer the world. It's time to dive into the truths, unravel the mysteries, and celebrate the quirks of introverted life. Without further ado, here are 10 honest confessions about me as an introvert.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Why I Have a Blog ( And You Should Too)?

Writing has always been a passion of mine, and over the years, I've found that it's not just a hobby but a form of self-expression that holds immense value. I remember the first time I started my blog, pouring my thoughts and experiences onto the digital pages, unsure if anyone would ever read them. But regardless of the number of readers, I quickly realized the importance of writing and the impact it can have on our lives. It's a way to connect with ourselves and others, a therapeutic outlet for our thoughts, and a vehicle for personal growth and self-discovery. And it's truly why I continue to pour my heart and soul into this little corner of the internet.

The Value of Writing

Growing up, I was always lost in my own little world, filled with characters and stories that felt so real to me. Writing became my outlet to bring these thoughts to life and embark on a journey of self-discovery through words. Starting my blog was a big step for me. It was a way to share my thoughts and experiences with others, even if no one was reading. The act of writing itself was so fulfilling, allowing me to express myself authentically and freely.
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