Acupuncture, Training, & Obsessions

First let me start off by saying...Hello there...I've missed y'all.  There, now that that's out of the way I can tell you all about my acupuncture, training and current obsessions.

First an explanation....I cannot sit for long at all and that is why I have not been blogging much as of late.  I do love to blog, I do love my friends and followers....I just have to choose the day that pain is okay.  Today is a good day for pain...YOU ALL ARE WORTH IT.

My first acupuncture visit was really a first in every sense of the word.  I have never had acupuncture or massage or anything close to it so I was a bit (read extremely) nervous.  The atmosphere was very relaxing and smelled of eucalyptus, one of the best smells ever.  Kris (the acupuncturist) is a very tall, blond and blue eyed cutie and so nice.  He made me feel like I was visiting an old friend and I immediately relaxed. The visit itself was really not such a big deal and the needles are so small that you hardly feel them, it felt more like a mosquito biting me than someone sticking me with needles. Some of the needles I did not feel at all.

So I found a comfy overstuffed recliner, got comfy and then after receiving about 10-15 needles relaxed for about 45 minutes to the sound of Chinese flutes and chimes and the smell of eucalyptus. By the time it was over I was feeling extremely relaxed and hopeful.  Kris runs a community acupuncture clinic and only charges $20 a visit and if you pay for 3 visits he waives the $15 intake fee. This man is a godsend to anyone who is fortunate enough to live in this area.  Although his office is about a 40 minute drive from where I live, it's worth it.  

I am feeling a difference in the time it takes to feel pain and the intensity of that pain is lessened, so again I am feeling hopeful.  It's not all better but it is moving in the right direction.  I had my third visit yesterday and it was a bit different.  We did a direct stimulation treatment instead of the normal treatment.  I had to lay on my stomach on a table  with a sheet over my bottom half, Kris then poked my back and hips with his thumbs and when he found a sore spot he would mark it with a pen.  After all the prodding and poking came the needles, it was a bit unnerving because it was my back, spine and butt/legs...tender skin equals more pain.  It really wasn't too bad, except for a couple of spots, all went well.  

Until the electricity came in...he hooked one of the needles up to a machine or something that sends an electrical current into your body....hahaha...fun.  So then he leaves the room and promises to come running if I scream.  As I'm laying there praying to God that I don't get electrocuted, I feel my butt muscles spasm and have to bite my lip not to laugh.  It just feels odd and funny and uncomfortable...all at the same time.  

Well I survived and feel better so I think that we will continue with that treatment for now. Luckily sciatica pain is his specialty and he has about a 90% success rate, as not everyone is completely healed but he says even then they have an 80% decrease in symptoms.  There are always the 20% that have need for surgery etc and they will not be cured through acupuncture.

Now on to training...

Running is going well, except for that 12.5 mile run two weeks ago, the sciatica hasn't been a real problem.  It's always there in the back ground mind you, but it hasn't caused me too many stops where I have to stretch before I can continue to run.  Unfortunately last Saturdays run was just not a good run, I rarely have those days but every once in awhile it happens.  

I started out with a sore back and sore leg/butt muscles so that may be why, who knows.  It wasn't a horrible run but I had to stop and start a lot more than I wanted.  It wasn't sciatica pain though, it was sore back and leg/hip pain. I made it through and was happy to be home.

My exercise as of late...

Monday July 8th

• Arc Trainer 60 minutes

Tuesday July 9th 

• Ran 47 minutes (4.1 slow miles)

Wednesday July 10th

• Ran 55 minutes (5 miles)

Thursday July 11th

• AMT 20 minutes
• Bike Trainer 30 minutes

Friday July 12th

• Cleaning Susan's 2 Story house

Saturday July 13th (the not so good run mentioned above)

• Ran 117 minutes (9.66 slow miles)
• High Step-ups with 10lb weights 10 minutes

Sunday July 14th

• Bike Trainer 44 minutes (10 miles)

Monday July 15th

• Rest Day

Tuesday July 16th

• Ran 46 minutes (4.1 slow miles)

Weight loss...3.2lbs for a total of...

 



My current obsessions...

1. Twitter @Shananagins2468 (friend/tweet me)
2. Chocolate animal crackers (what's not to love)
3. Diet Pepsi (I know, I know...bad)
4. Russell Stover Big Bites dark chocolate smore's ('nuff said)
5. Watermelon (refreshing and sweet)
6. The Tour de France (very obsessed w/this)
7. Morningstar Grillers California Turk'y burger (nom nom)

What are your current obsessions?
 
Have a blessed week y'all...hugs and blessings.

"Limitations only exist if you let them"

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck.

© 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Weekly Check-in

Hey y'all, I hope your having a wonderful weekend and are well rested for the coming week!  I have been doing a lot of resting on my heating pad, helping my daughter M rearrange her room (packing up old clothes for Goodwill, and tossing trash etc) to look more like a teen girl's room, as well as running and working out. 

We have been dealing with a family crises that seems like it will be around for a long time possibly for life and it is really shaking up my family. We would like any and all prayers (if you do that sort of thing).  I will not bore you with the gritty details, just know that no one is sick/terminally ill or anything like that.  

Here is what my workouts consisted of this last week...

Friday June 14th...

• Cleaning 180 minutes (every week I clean my friends 2 story house)

Saturday June 15th...

• Ran for 108 minutes (9 miles)

Sunday June 16th...

• Rest Day (Father's Day)

Here is what my daughter and I made daddy for his special day!

(I wish you could see the detail)

 
Monday June 17th...

• Ran 50 minutes (4.71 miles)
• AMT 30 minutes
• Weight room 20 minutes

 
Tuesday June 18th...

• Rest Day

Wednesday June 19th...

• Ran 41 minutes (3.7 miles)
• Weight room 10 minutes

Thursday June 20th...

• AMT 40 minutes (4.3 miles)
• Weight room 15 minutes

Friday June 21st...

• Cleaned for 3 hours, Oy Vey

Saturday June 22nd...

• Ran 93 minutes (8 miles)

This last week has been great and I have to say, I'm thoroughly enjoying my summer so far.  Tank tops, flip flops, lazy days spent reading, and working out whenever I want...what's not to like. How is your summer going? Anyone else craving watermelon?  I can't seem to get enough! 

May God bless you and give you joy in abundance!  May the sunshine find you in your happy place! (Right now one of my happy places is on the road during a long run)

"Limitations only exist if you let them" 

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck. 

© 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Sciatica Pain Anyone?

I have been dealing with sciatica pain since last year when I broke my pelvis and the pain at times is excruciating.  Since I am allergic to ibuprofen I cannot take anything that really helps ease the pain so I don't take anything, although I have recently found that heat helps tremendously.  

How does one not sit...I mean standing all day is just ridiculous right...so I have this weird schedule of standing, kneeling and laying on one side and then the other, and of course I am working out during all this pain as well.  I have pain every day all day but I know that this will pass and that the sciatica is a result of my injury last year, it may be time for some PT or something I can do at home like massage or use of a foam roller.  I was researching on this pain and last night read that sciatica is often a result of pelvic stress fractures due to nerve damage...oy vey! I've had it from the beginning but just never realized it!  When I was first injured I had this burning pain on my sit bones with tingling that ran down my leg(s) anytime I tried to sit for more than 2 minutes, it has not changed in a year.  

Seriously, if this is the worst thing I have to deal with from my injury it's all good.  I'm really not complaining, just trying to maybe find a solution or something that helps that maybe I have not thought of.

I'm still on track with my training for the half in September and will be doing a 9 mile training run this Saturday.  The sciatica pain has not stopped me from running or working out, it's really only painful when not exercising or moving.  It does hurt a little bit sometimes when the pain is bad and I'm at the gym but it never hurts while running so that is a blessing.  Does anyone have any tips or advice for me that are not going to cost me a lot of doh-ray-me?

Okay now on to my workouts for this week so far...
 
Sunday June 9

• AMT 24 minutes (2.54 miles)
• Arc Trainer 16 minutes (.85 miles)
• Weights 15 minutes

Monday June 10

• Ran 51 minutes outside (4.3 miles)

Tuesday June 11

• AMT 27 minutes (2.53 miles)

Wednesday June 12

• AMT 18 minutes
• Weights 30 minutes

Thursday June 13

• AMT 51 minutes (5 miles)

Weight loss for this last week was 1.6 lbs

 



Let me just say thanks for listening to my woes, family issues and many other rantings throughout the years...I truly thank God and consider y'all to be ♥ friends and blessings!  

"Limitations only exist if you let them"

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck.

 © 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Fitness Friday Link-up

Hey y'all, it's that time again.  I hope that your week has been a good one, but if not...it's almost over so cheer up.  This week has been fantastic for me...it's been sunshine and warm weather, what's not to like!  Make sure to go over and link up your FF post, just click on the blue box above.

Wednesday 

• Run 40 minutes for 480 calorie burn
• Walk 10 minutes for 39 calorie burn (warm up/cool down)

Thursday

• Adaptive Motion Trainer 40 minutes for 503 calorie burn

Friday (what I plan to do today)

• Adaptive Motion Trainer 40 minutes 

Did you notice that I changed the look of my blog? How do you like it? As you can probably tell, I get bored of the same thing after awhile and feel the need to constantly change it up.  I do this with a lot of things in my life.  Here are some examples of things I change up more often than not...my hair, makeup, clothes, Facebook cover, Blog, food and even my exercise routine. 

Exercise has to be fun, at least for me, or I get bored and start feeling unmotivated.  Have you ever had this problem? I am going to assume yes I know what that means you have!  We all go through those time where we are just plain bored with our fitness routine.  That is a good time to change it up.  Pick 4-5 exercises that you don't normally do, add them to your run and see how it works out.  

For example, on your next run try running for 10-20 minutes then stop and do 50 mountain climbers on a curb (away from traffic of course) then resume running for another 10-20 minutes, stop and do 50 jumping jacks or 20 pushups.  It doesn't really matter what you do just do something different so that you don't get bored. You could also try cross training if you always run, studies show that it actually helps us runners stay injury free.  I run 3x a week and cross train the other days.  Cross training for me consists of working out on the Arc trainer, AMT or Bike trainer...and I add in a little weight lifting too!

Happy Friday and enjoy your weekend. I will take the time to wish all you moms a Happy Mother's Day now as I'm not sure I'll be posting Sunday! May you have a wonderful day celebrating with your family and loved ones! 

    

"Limitations only exist if you let them" 

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck. 

© 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

D Is For...Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

Delayed onset muscle soreness is basically the soreness you feel, hours or days after a strenuous work out. It is also called muscle fever.  "The soreness and stiffness comes from eccentric exercise which causes micro-trauma to the muscle fibers." (partial excerpt taken from Wikipedia)

This happens to me after I work out particularly hard or do a workout that I don't usually do.  For instance, I tried the Biggest Loser Cardio Max workout (a few painful weeks ago) and, by the end, thought I was going to drop right there and die, seriously it is crazy hard.  I'm in exceptional pretty good shape but dang that was a wicked hard workout (read I'm not in as good as shape as I thought). Another great example is when I do too much running like a cheetah fast sprinting and by the end of the night I am practically in tears and huddled under the covers of my bed wishing for the sweet relief of sleep. (This is why I don't do too much speed work)

(how I probably look to birds while running)

Have a great day y'all! Thanks so much for stopping by, blessings and hugs! 

How are you doing this week?
Any races you did or are training for?
Are you in The A-Z Challenge? 
If so how is it going for you?

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck. 

 "Limitations only exist if you let them" 

© 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

C Is For...Circuit Training

Circuit training is the musical chairs of the exercise world.  You move from station to station, doing cardio moves and (hopefully) incorporate resistance training as well, and you do this every 30-60 seconds keeping your heart rate up as you go. A lot of fitness buffs or endurance athletes do this type of conditioning on their off-seasons.

Curves for women use this circuit training in all their locations. You can do circuit training at home, utilizing what you have around you as your "equipment".  For example, if you do not have hand weights you could use soup cans that weigh between 2-5 lbs for your resistance work...(big soup cans).  For your cardio circuits you could include jumping jacks, high knees, mountain climbers, bur-pees, and squat jumps. For the resistance part of your circuit you could do push-ups, bicep curls, lunges, chair dips, pull ups etc.  Whatever works for you! You want to have approximately 5 cardio/aerobic circuits and 5 resistance circuits. You want to include this type of exercise at least 2-3x a week. (If ya like that kind of stuff)

I personally love to do this at home with the kids. It's a fun way to exercise together and it makes the time go by faster.  Of course, I'm a runner so when I'm not cross-training I'm running (I dream about running). The weather has warmed up and every other day you will find me out in the sunshine running with a big smile on my face, training for my half marathon in September. Blessings and hugs...thanks for stopping by friends.  

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck. 

 "Limitations only exist if you let them" 

© 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Biceps Femoris Pain/Hamstring Pain

Okay so what I thought was ITBS is really an issue with the hamstrings...the pain is not on the side of my leg/knee...it is to the side and back of knee where the Biceps Femoris muscle tapers down into the lateral hamstring tendon.
  
A hamstring strain is a stretch, tear or rupture of one of the three muscles on the back of your thigh. The muscles involved are the Biceps femoris, Semittendinosus and Semimembranosus. Together, these muscles are commonly known as the hamstring. These muscles are two joint muscles that extend your leg at the hip and flex your leg at the knee joint. Strains are classified as first, second or third degrees. (Excerpt taken from runningplanet.com)

 

 
The pain and inflammation is where the picture indicates the lateral hamstring tendon is. Anyone ever have this injury? If so what did you do to treat it?  There are 3 degrees of injury.

• First-degree strain – A tearing of less than 25% of the muscle fibers. This is characterized by mild pain and may not be felt until the day after the injury. A slight pull may be felt at the time of the injury.

• Second-degree strain – A tearing of 25% to 75% of the muscle fibers. Pain is more sever and is felt immediately upon suffering the injury. Discoloration may occur. The injury will be felt immediately and continued activity will be difficult. Walking and jogging may be painful.

• Third-degree strain – This is a complete rupture of the muscle. This will require immediate medical attention. Walking or running is impossible.

 
 The pain I am feeling indicates a second-degree strain.  It is pretty much painful all the time.  I will have to keep my exercise to a minimum and no running at all, for now! So I will cross train as much as possible without further irritating the hamstrings. I am hoping that by babying my leg, it will heal quickly and I can get back to training. So that means, R.I.C.E. which we all know stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.

ERMERGERD, it's like my body is conspiring against my love for running! It seems that if it's not one thing it's another, when it comes to my body and running.  My sons like to point out it's because I'm old...aren't they sweet.  They are always teasing me, saying "Your gonna break your hip", because it happened once upon a time. Oy Vey! 

I hope that y'all have a FANTABULOUS weekend planned out! Blessings and hugs! 

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck. 

 "Limitations only exist if you let them" 

© 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Funny Friday & Iliotibial Band Issues

A Friday Funny

Anyone out there in the blogosphere ever have issues with their IT band?  IT band syndrome or iliotibial band syndrome is a real drag. The continual rubbing of the band over the lateral femoral epicondyle, combined with the repeated flexion and extension of the knee during running may cause the area to become inflamed. (Excerpt taken from Wikipedia)

The pain is right about where the band meets the side of my knee (where that blue circle is)...ouch! There is a lump right there and it is basically a constant annoyance at this point. I so love running, but I really hate the aches and pains it causes...Lol!  I skipped my run today to rest my leg and will try to run tomorrow. I have been doing deep massage on it and that seems to be breaking up the lump, we shall see how it feels tomorrow.  Anyone have any other suggestions or tips? On a lighter note my shins are doing well. (Smile)

My youngest (15yo) son went in for his 5 week X-Ray and check up...the doctor says he looks great and that the collar-bone is making new bone quite well.  He still cannot do his weight lifting class for another 4 weeks so he is kind of bummed about that, but all in all it was a great checkup. The doctor had to ask me if I was his mother...I told him it wasn't the first time someone asked that question, most people think I am his sister.  (Smile) 

This week has been pretty good to me, Tuesday I weighed myself and found I'd lost 2.4 lbs.  My exercise this week looks like this.

• Monday-Running 25 minutes walking 8 for a total of 33 minutes and 313 calories burned
• Tuesday-Cleaned like a mad-woman possessed for 60 minutes for a total of approx. 200 calories burned
• Wednesday-Running 38 minutes for a total of 392 calories burned
• Thursday-Rest

• Friday-Adaptive Motion Trainer 25 minutes for a total of 305 calories burned   

My weekly totals so far are as follows.
Exercise minutes 156
Calories burned 1210
I still have Saturday to go!

Happy Friday to you all, may your weekends be blessed with sunny skies and warm temps.  Blessings and hugs! Thanks so much for stopping by. 

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck. 

 "Limitations only exist if you let them" 

© 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Will It Ever End...Injuries

Oy Vey...Shin Splints? Really? Seriously, I thought only newbies got those...apparently even famous athletes get them, and more often than you might think.  In fact, shin splints are actually a symptom of an underlying condition, according to THIS POST at WebMD, ermergerd! I am so over this already. 

I feel as if my body is at war with my will! I love running so much, yet right now it seems as if all the fates are against me, that is if I believed in the "fates". Last week I took off from running due to exceptionally sore inner shins.  They felt completely better Sunday when I ran, but Monday while running the horrible pains started and continued throughout the run.  Running felt fine but when I walked it was excruciating.  As soon as I got home I iced them with ice cube to bare skin to get deep into the muscle and now they hardly hurt, only now I'm afraid to run because I don't want to have it happen again.  

It could be that I need new shoes with shock absorber inserts, lol...I am not sure what to do at this point...what are your thoughts? I need some advice from other runners.  I haven't had this problem since I first started running 2 plus years ago. I'm a mid-foot striker already and as far as I know do not over-pronate, and I take short strides so I don't pound so hard when my feet land.  I always run on the road, but a few weeks ago I ran on a school track that has sand (not like sand on a beach), and I ran on that track a few times.  Could that be the problem? Ergh!

Anyhoo...I have been at the gym riding the recumbant bikes and using the Arc trainer so that I can give my shins time to recover and I have been working on my food.  I have decided to add in heart healthy fish and some egg into my diet so that I have a more rounded food list.  I was extremely limited in food choices due to the fact that I was trying to eat a limited amount of soy and a lot of vegan products are soy rich. I now try to eat fish 1-2x a week, starches only at breakfast and lunch and dinner is vegetables and protein. It has been difficult to break that snacking (on sugar foods) habit but not as hard as I thought it would be.  It is an ongoing process but I am healthier because of it.  That's a good thing.

I am going to try to run The Pear Blossom Run April 13th, but only if I can stay injury free. We shall see how it goes.  How have YOU been? Drop me a line and tell me all about it!  

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck. 

"Limitations only exist if you let them" 

© 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Running Clubs...Yea or Nay?

Anyone out there in a running club? I have always had to run alone, or have always been too lazy to seek out other crazy like minded individuals to run with, so I guess you could say it has been my stupid ingenious plan all along.  

Seriously though, I ran with my new running club the other day and enjoyed every heavy breathing sweat dropping delicious second of it.  The girls I am running with are training for a 5k in April and even though I've been there done that, it's just fun and a great way to meet new people as well as get back into the habit of running at least 3x a week.  They are up to 90 seconds running 2 minutes walking and have also invited me to join them at the before mentioned 5k and to use them as an excuse to not beating my previous time.  Awwww, how sweet.

You see, I was not planning on running it because last year I ran it 4 plus minutes faster than my previous 5k.  I was thinking of not running it at all this year because of my horrible, irritating, summer stealing injury from last May and I know that I won't make or beat my time...boohoo! So, the girls said "Hey, just use us newbies as an excuse and then you won't feel bad at all, you can just say you couldn't leave us behind."  Hmmm, do you think I can really do that and not allow that inner whinny nasal like voice to drive me batty as a baboon crazy? It could work...right! How many of you are in a running club?

In other news, I am going out of town with the hubby in April (back the day before the race) to a trade show for our store...it is being held at Seven Feathers Casino and Resort I don't normally go but decided it would be a nice getaway for the two of us, we don't get out much.

I don't know who that lady is but this is the casino

My son who broke his collar bone will NOT have to go through surgery, it should heal on it's own with only a small bump, so we are happy about that.  He is doing well, is back to riding the bus and doing his chores...lol, he didn't get much time off, but he is pretty strong, in fact we call him the beast, so it's all good. 

I have started to do tae-bo again and I love it.  It was something I use to do back when the kids were all little so it was easy to pick up again, it's amazing how fast things like that come back to you.  I am only doing it at home, so it's not like I'm in a class but there are some great videos out there on kickboxing/tae-bo, who needs a class, not me!  I currently use Billy Blanks tapes.

Blessings and hugs, hope y'all have a fantastic week and weekend. Oh and I even managed to run a couple of negative split runs this week...woot!
   
Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck. 

 "Limitations only exist if you let them" 

© 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.