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KayLee

@kay.runs

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▫️I just like to run. Running’s my favorite.
▫️Oreo connoisseur
▫️Books & life & things I love

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Little fall garden update 🥰🌺🍅 by @kay.runs

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7 days ago

One last sweet taste of summer ☀️ Few more pics from the Lowcountry week before last! by @kay.runs

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14 days ago

“And now the pain’s different
It still exists, it just escapes different
And evades vision
Makes the rain different
Makes the news boring and my rage distant
Yes, I’m young and living dreams
In love with being noticed and afraid of being seen
But I can finally eat
And I can fall asleep
It’s fine, fine, fine”

Two years ago today I felt the most terror I’d ever experienced as Helene ripped through WNC. In the days that followed the fear, isolation, and disbelief sinking into my bones is something I will never forget.

I became familiar with the crushing weight of survivor’s guilt, my body’s trauma response of not being able to eat for days, the persistent nightmares that wrapped their cold fingers around me, the chest-heaving sorrow for so many who lost so much, the chronic stress I felt until my home and property repairs were finally completed 9 months later (and the guilt of knowing I am way more fortunate than many).

The buzz of chainsaws, the smell of sawdust, silence at night, the sound of wind, seeing trees sway in a breeze all transport me right back to those moments and those feelings.

But the truth is sometimes I seek them out, allowing myself to slip underneath the current of grief and relive it, like pressing on a bruise to check if it still hurts. The pain is familiar and oddly comforting in a way, like a scar that becomes just a part of you and tells an important story. We were there. And we’re still here, still surviving. Despite everything, I’m glad I was there.

Two years later I love my home and my city more than ever. Just as I will never forget the terror, I will never forget the helpers, the strength, the gratitude, the community. I will never forget the quiet comfort of being with those who I never had to explain to how I was doing or what I was feeling because they were feeling it too.

The scars are still there just as they live in these mountains now. But every day we choose love and to live fully because two years later, we still choose how to heal. 🤎 by @kay.runs

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21 days ago

A nice 6 miler to celebrate the first chilly morning run of the season! My friends were doing a long run so I jumped in to their last 6 miles of their 18ish. They crushed it and it was so lovely to be out there this morning 💜 by @kay.runs

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22 days ago

Running in the Lowcountry for my desired level of humidity before heading home to the mountains to commence autumn 🍂 happy fall y’all! by @kay.runs

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25 days ago

Sincere apologies for the delayed post. The last taste test of the 3 releases (4 if you’re counting apple pie à la mode but that will be later since it’s undeniably a fall flavor).

You know I love a golden cookie but the artificial banana flavor was so strong it was offputting for me. I didn’t even want to try a second. A lot of my coworkers loved these though!

For me, I’d say Deep Fried were my favorite of the 3 and that’s what I voted for, but if I’m being honest I really didn’t like any of them 😂

Which of the 3 were your favorite?

My top 5 in no particular order remain:
OG double stuf
Peanut butter
Mint
Cookie butter
Chocolate hazelnut (golden cookie) by @kay.runs

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a month ago

It was such a beautiful day off! Baked some cheddar jalapeño cornbread muffins this morning while watching F1 Monza, went on a long hike with @wright.trace05, Jonathan, Oso, and Retta, read my book, took a nap, worked on painting my guest bathroom, and topped off the day with 75 minute hot yoga in a 98° studio.

Ready to enjoy my last week of school before fall break! And yes, with the slight chill in the gloomy air today, I do declare it acceptable to start celebrating fall 🍂 by @kay.runs

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a month ago

Taste test # 2 of the 4 limited editions out right now! I was most curious about these because as far as I can recall I don’t believe we’ve ever had a savory flavor in the US before? Correct me if I’m wrong!

The smell of maple syrup is what I first noticed about these. Took the first bite and had the mapley flavor of the cookie which was very appealing. However, the creme is where the fried chicken flavor comes in and for me, it is NOT good. There is a peppery batter flavor that to me got worse the more I tasted it. I tried 2 of them and that was enough 😝

Some of my coworkers liked them but others thought they were gross. I’m on the gross side. I’ll try anything twice but these are a pass for me! by @kay.runs

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a month ago

Spent the morning volunteering with Run Club at the Apple Festival Races, and then trudged on down to the festival to get my annual fried oreos and fresh squeezed lemonade! 🍎🍋

It is HOTTTTT out there! Happy summer! 🤪🥵 by @kay.runs

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a month ago

As Noah Kahan said, “Everything you see out here will die. Oh, it’s a matter of time.” And for most of my life I found this truth depressing and bleak. But if there is one thing I’ve learned in the last couple years, it’s that there is beauty in the changes, the season cycles, the endings and the beginnings.

Another heat wave this week, and I’m soaking it all in until I feel a chill on my face and a shift in the air. Fall is not here yet, but it’s coming 🍂 by @kay.runs

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2 months ago

I still got it! 9.4 miles in one of my favorite places with my friends 🥳 All the long run vibes I haven’t felt in a while! by @kay.runs

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2 months ago

The first taste test of the 3 (actually 4) limited edition flavors out right now! I brought these to work and a bunch of us gave them a try. These are just okay for me. The “fried dough” flavor is odd - it has a bit of a smoky flavor which normally I love but it misses the mark here for some reason. It almost leans toward a burnt popcorn flavor in a way?

The best thing about these for me is the chocolate cream which is excellent. These are not bad by any means. Just not high on my list.

But pretty much everyone at school loved them so take what you will!

Coming up next: chicken and waffles 🍗🧇🤪 by @kay.runs

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2 months ago