OCTOBER 2017 www.katconstructionllc.com (612) 326-1122
The Drive for Self-Improvement What I’ve Learned From Years of Marathons, Triathlons, and an Ironman
“Before I die, I want to run a marathon.”
liked the trio of activities a lot better than just running for 3½ hours. I began signing up for every triathlon within a reasonable distance that I had time to attend, doing many races every year, especially between 2006 and 2008. “I crossed the finish line at a snail’s pace a few weeks later, barely having survived those 26 miles. But, I was happy to report, I had survived it.”
I relaxed in the sauna and went to bed. When I woke up, I didn’t drink water like I should have, instead going straight for the coffee. I realized my mistake while I was waiting at the starting line in the brutal summer heat. But when the shot went off, I charged ahead. For most of the race, I was neck and neck with these two other guys, in the kind of silent agreement you make during a race to pace yourself with one another. When they started to pull ahead, I picked up my pace to keep up, despite a growing dizziness in my head — and woke up in the hospital. Apparently, I passed out from heatstroke, about 20 measly yards from the finish line. Take this as a cautionary tale for any would-be runner: You need to drink water before a race. But that setback didn’t put me off running for long. I got right back into my routine and continued racing. Since I’ve been running KAT Construction, I’ve been forced to back off a little. Though I only run a couple of races a year, I still keep trying to tackle new challenges. Two years ago, I finished my first Ironman. Surprisingly, I felt a lot better after than insane race than after my first marathon. I guess it just goes to show how much dedicated effort pays off — especially when you’ve got a personality as competitive as mine.
This realization hit me out of the blue one ordinary day way back in 2003. I was talking with a friend of mine, a guy who’d recently been forcing himself into running and regular exercise in order to train for an upcoming race. At the time, I wasn’t a big runner. Sure, I’d go for a jog some mornings to get some cardio in, but it wasn’t exactly my passion. But when that thought popped into my So I signed up, some people would say foolishly, for a nearby marathon, coming up in just over seven weeks. I’ve always been a guy who exercises regularly, but, as anyone who’s run one will tell you, marathon training is an entirely different story. Though I was in at least decent shape at the time, the training trials I was running were a serious challenge, ramping up much faster than recommended to compensate for the short window of time I had before the race. I crossed the finish line at a snail’s pace a few weeks later, barely having survived those 26 miles. But, I was happy to report, I had survived it. goal, and there was no looking back.
I had decent success at each of these races, always feeling like I was holding my own against my age group. But, maybe because I got a little cocky, or maybe because my business
prevented me from training, eventually I pushed my body just a little too hard.
I’d completed my goal, but I found it wasn’t enough. The following year, I competed in my first triathlon, and, surprise surprise, I
One weekend, I was vacationing with my family at the in-law’s cabin out west. Hooked on competition as I was, I’d signed up for a race nearby. The night before the race,
–Keith Thompson
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Kids can be picky eaters. This is a fact recognized by parents and restaurants alike — hence the classic children’s menu featured at many restaurants around the country. These menus are virtually identical: chicken tenders, mac and cheese, grilled cheese, french fries, and so on. Kids’ menus are loaded with fried foods and cheap carbs. THAN GOOD? Do Kids’ Menus Do More Harm
Some parents love the kids’ menu. It makes deciding on food easier. Or, at least, that’s what we tell ourselves. Kids’ menus are populated with foods practically every kid loves. But they have a dark side. Aside from poor nutrition, the kids’ menu changes the family dynamic. In an interview with Eater.com, television chef and host Alton Brown (who you may know from “Good Eats,” “Iron Chef America,” and “Cutthroat Kitchen”) said, “Never, ever, ever, ever, ever let your kid eat from the children’s menu at restaurants and never, ever, ever make your kid special food to allow them to avoid whatever the family is eating.”
Why? During his “Alton Brown Live!” tour, he explained that it comes down to control. By giving kids the option of the children’s menu, you relinquish culinary control to your kids. The next time you go out as a family or you make a delicious meal at home, they are more likely to demand “their” food. This is a habit a child can quickly adopt — and a habit that’s tough to break. Kids are picky eaters because, as parents and adults, we let them be picky eaters. We perpetuate bad habits. But it doesn’t have to be this way. In a Mom.me article, Dr. Cara Natterson suggests kids eat what the rest of the family eats. For instance, let them indulge in the appetizer menu, then build up to the entrée
menu and let them share and sample your food. Encourage culinary exploration.
When you encourage your kids to avoid the children’s menu, you give them an opportunity to expand their flavor horizons. More importantly, it helps them make healthier choices that aren’t loaded with fat and empty carbs. Make going out to dinner a learning experience, and before you know it, the phrase “kids’ menu” will have disappeared from your family’s vocabulary.
What Our Clients Are Saying... “I was very happy with the replacement work done on my roof after it was damaged by hail and wind. The whole process was explained clearly and thoroughly, and the repair was done well and on time. The property and landscaping was protected, and cleanup was well-done. I really appreciated the helpful interaction between Ismael (from KAT) and my insurance company. I would recommend KAT to anyone.” “Our roof was completed in one day. It is just beautiful; it’s the finest roof we’ve had on any of our homes. Like I said, the roof was completed in one day, and it included a double-car garage. The five men were just perfect, and they worked all day long with no lunch hours. They did not leave the premises until the roof was completed.”
– Loretta and Ernest M.
– Dianna N.
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The Quick Solution to Repair Your Broken Window
After a long day of work, you’re finally home, preparing to sit down and catch the evening news. Suddenly, a baseball crashes in through your window, sending shards of glass flying across the living room. Now you have two problems: Who can replace this window, and will your insurance cover it?
Replacing the window quickly lands on the top of your to-do list. A broken window isn’t just unsightly; it leaves the house open to the elements and can act as an invitation to unsavory individuals, compromising the security of your home. Our window replacement crew at KAT Construction understands the dangers a broken window poses to your house and your family, and we are always ready to respond accordingly. A rogue baseball isn’t always to blame for window damage. A powerful storm can easily blow out your bedroom window. Even time can be a factor, as old windows suffer from wear. Whatever the cause of your window damage, time is of the essence, and you can have our Laughing Corner
crew at your door as soon as humanly possible to begin work.
We provide detailed quotes for all replacements and repair work you need, alongside a full list of your options for window style, glass types, and more. Once you’ve made your decisions, the team works around the clock — maintaining the highest possible standards — to ensure that the window is replaced quickly. We’re also equipped to help you deal with your insurance company. If your window is damaged due to an accident, we can help provide all the information you need to file your claim.
replacement inspection service. Stormy weather can often compromise the integrity of windows around your home, leading to drafts and water leaks. Take advantage of our complimentary inspection to identify any damage before it becomes a problem.
In addition to repairing damage, your team at KAT Construction offers complimentary window
This may be your first time dealing with a broken window, but it certainly isn’t ours!
LAMB CHOPS Orange-Balsamic
Ingredients 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided •
Recipe Courtesy of CookingLight.com
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8 (4-ounce) lamb rib chops, trimmed 1 teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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Cooking spray
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
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2 teaspoons grated orange rind 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
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Instructions 1. Combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, rind, and juice in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add lamb to bag; turn to coat well. Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes. Remove lamb from bag and add salt and pepper. 2. Heat a large grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add lamb and cook 2 minutes each side or until desired doneness. 3. Place vinegar in a small skillet over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Cook 3 minutes or until vinegar is syrupy. Drizzle vinegar and remaining teaspoon oil over lamb. 3
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INSIDE This Issue 1 • 2 •
The Drive for Self-Improvement Do Kids’ Menus Do More Harm Than Good? Client Testimonials How to Handle a Broken Window Orange-Balsamic Lamb Chops The Origins of Fear
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WHICH FEARS ARE INSTINCTUAL, and Which Are Learned?
Where does fear come from? As the jack-o’- lanterns show their grinning, glowing faces and skeletons, cobwebs, and gravestones adorn yards around the neighborhood, it’s a question hanging in many of our minds. When you recoil from the giant mechanical spider suspended above your neighbor’s garage, is that fear instinctual, or is it learned? According to the Association for Psychological Science, there are only two fears we inherit at birth: the fear of falling and the fear of loud sounds. A 1960 study, conducted by psychologists Gibson and Walk for Cornell University, sought to investigate depth perception in human and animal species. They suspended a sheet of transparent
plexiglass about 4 feet off the ground and covered one half of it with a checkerboard-pattern cloth, creating a simulated cliff. Infants, both human and animal, were then encouraged by their caregivers, usually their mothers, to crawl off the “cliff” onto the clear half of the platform. Both avoided stepping over what they perceived as a sharp drop, and pre- crawling-age infants showed heightened cardiac distress on the “suspended” side. Coupled with this innate fear of plummeting to the ground is something called the Moro reflex, one of several involuntary reflexes healthy newborn infants have at birth. Often called the “startle reflex,” it occurs when a baby is startled by a loud sound or movement, especially a falling motion. The reflex usually triggers the newborn to lift and spread
their arms as if grasping for support, followed by crying. Though the Moro reflex usually disappears at around 5 to 6 months of age, our instinctive aversion to sudden loud noises stays with us throughout our lives.
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