~*♥*~ Surviving Life ~*♥*~: friends

Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Thanksgiving All Year Round

I don't know about y'all but I am truly thankful for all I have been blessed with all year round...not just on one day of the year. There is just so much to be grateful for every day, it would be difficult to go a day without feeling very blessed.

This year has brought so many blessings and I wanted to list some of them here.

I am so very grateful for my children and how they have all grown into such wonderful human beings. They are continually showing me how kind and caring they are towards others, it makes my mama heart proud to see how giving they are. When I look at them I see such character and feel so proud of the awesome men my sons are becoming and the beautiful woman my daughter is blossoming into. They each have such potential and I cannot wait to see what the next chapter in their lives is going to offer them.

I am also very grateful for the blessing of friends...they have each come into my life right when I needed them to. There have been many different seasons in my life and God seems to send me the right friend at just the right time. True friends are really hard to find and I have been blessed with the best ones. This year seems to have been a banner year for friends.

My family is a huge blessing to me and during this difficult time in my life I am very grateful for each and every member. I am so thankful to God for blessing me with them all.

I have been blessed immensely these last few weeks since leaving my marriage. The outpouring of love has been huge and so very needed, and I am quite sure that I don't deserve it. I thank God for loving me and blessing me with so much. It is my hope that others feel blessed as much as I do.

May tomorrow bring you all closer to those you love and spend your lives with. May you take the time to let those loved ones know how truly grateful you are for having them in your lives. Take some time tomorrow...tell the people you share this wonderful life with how very much you cherish them, don't wait another day or another second.

I want to take a moment and tell each of you how much I am blessed by having you in my life. I may not have ever met any of you but I am so thankful for your friendship and encouragement. Thank you so much for inspiring me with your stories of courage and hope and for truly caring about me.

Blessings and hugs,

"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.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Running and Smiling

I know I haven't blogged about running since my half marathon but it's not because I haven't been running. I have been running and it's been good, in fact, the weather has been beautiful and even warm in the late afternoon. It's just that I've been busy, busy, busy. Oy Vey life has a way of getting in the way of blogging, but then that's okay with me.

Truth be told I've been on this kindness kick and it has just become an obsession...almost. I am so focused on trying to spread kindness, in the hopes that others will pay if forward, that I forget to sit down and actually blog about running or working out. I have a feeling y'all will forgive me. After all this blog is about running and my life (and all that entails). I am just so tired of all the negativity that seems to be out there, I just want to make another human smile, even if it's just for a moment.

"No act of kindness, no matter how small...is ever wasted" -Aesop

(I Think YOU are beautiful and or handsome)

On to other news...

Running 3-4 times a week seems to be a good match for me, so that is what I have been doing. I am also running for time instead of miles, as it feels less stressful. I definitely need to get back to the gym for some lifting...and cross training. How is everyone else doing?

"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.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Namaste

Although I'm not a Buddhist I certainly subscribe to their feelings of kindness, service to others and positivity. I believe if people would focus on the positive in their lives they would, in turn, distribute that positivity into the atmosphere and I truly believe that somehow it would seep into another human soul and so on and so on.

I want to be a kind soul and when people think of me I'd like them to think fondly of me. As I have aged I've become more and more concerned with the legacy that I am leaving. I want to serve others in some small or great way but am often unsure how to go about that task. When I am out and about I strive to be kind and spread that feeling outward to others with a smile or a kind word. I'm not sure that is enough but it is something. It just makes me wonder when I see and hear the anger in this world...why don't these people try to be grateful for what they have and then spread that contentment to others. No matter how bad things may seem in your small world, it really could be worse.

I'd like to re-post something I wrote on Facebook the other day...

"So often we are angry at someone, about something, etc...in turn that anger is shared with those around us and starts to pick at our character, little by little eating away at who we truly are, Gods ambassadors of love. Instead of living our lives in anger why not DECIDE to be positive in this negative world, even in the face of injustice, unfairness, and hate. If we are always angry how can others see the love we have in our hearts? Yes there is righteous anger but I am not speaking about that, I am speaking about the day to day, month to month, year to year anger that seeps out of us like a virus, touching and infecting the innocent people in our circles.

So please don't misinterpret what I am saying...there is a place for righteous anger...I get that. I'm talking about the anger that comes out of us when we are discussing politics over coffee, or talking about how someone has wronged us, with our best friend at lunch or even when sharing the pain someone has inflicted on us unwarranted, with a loved one at the kitchen table. These angers stack up and do make an impact on our hearts and in turn an impact on those around us. What if we just decided to be kind, love others and pay that forward indefinitely? Would we leave this world a better place than it was before we arrived here? I like to think we would. So I vote that next time something or someone makes us angry, we stop, delegate that anger to its rightful place, and move forward in love.

Anger has taken over so many peoples lives and I say it is time to take our lives back. Let us not give anger a place in our daily lives any longer but instead live with a love that pours out of our hearts and into those people who surround us daily. That is what I am striving to do. Why not join me and see what kind of an impact we can make on this world we live in!"

I wrote this in a moment of clarity. God has been speaking to me and I have been trying to listen and ponder what it all means. I met with my new pastor and shared with him what has been on my heart in hopes that he would or could steer me in the right direction within the church family. I am excited to see what happens next.

I will leave you with these words...

"If you find in your heart to care for someone else, you will have succeeded." -Maya Angelou

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one that gets burned" -Buddha

"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.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

I Did It...My 13.1

Hey y'all...I'm alive and well.

I know it's been a long time since I blogged but I have been busy hustling and bustling about. The pain I have lived with for so very long is all but gone and it has left me feeling young and active again. I've been running, cleaning, making home made makeup products and keeping up with my other daily activities; all of this with little to no pain. Hurray!

Okay, okay I'll get on with my 13.1 journey...

My race was on a Sunday so Saturday evening I collected and readied all my running necessities so that kept me busy...for like 15 minutes. I wasn't really all that nervous because I knew I had trained well (except for those 4 weeks I took off at the tail end of training due to pain) and I could just believe that I had done enough. I rested Saturday night and had a good visit with my mom and family then went to bed early to ensure a good nights rest.

I had to wake up way to early. It was still very dark when I arrived at the Fair Grounds to take my seat on one of the many buses lined up waiting to take us all to the start line 2 towns away. After arriving I made my way over to the port-a-potties and didn't even have to wait in line. Then I headed over to the food and coffee table to partake of one strong cup of coffee and a banana piece. While I was waiting for the start of the race I met some lovely young (they were all in their 20's) ladies who welcomed me into their group and chatted me up. None of us raced together but I finished ahead of some of them.

Honestly this was an easy and well organized race. There were volunteers all along the way as well as tables with water, pretzels, gummy bears at miles 2,4,6 and 8. At mile 11 there was the table of temptation with doughnut holes, beer and wine...I did take a doughnut hole but not the alcohol...I prefer O.J. and vodka. After downing the yummy doughnut hole I felt reinvigorated and made good time to the finish line in 2:31. My whole family was there at the finish to cheer me on as I received my finishers medal.

To be very candid I did better than I thought I would. I made sure to drink my Gatorade concoction along the way and eat my lara bar for energy. I took some gummy bears from a sweet little volunteer at mile 8. All along the way volunteers were stationed and they would cheer you on as you passed by clapping and yelling out "You can do it" as well as dancing and just having fun. It really did make a huge difference to me because at some of those miles I was tired and needed a little encouragement to keep going. Luckily I did not have too much pain.

When I was finished and had some water and a muffin I realized just how much I had accomplished and it felt amazing. My legs were hurting extremely bad due to my sciatica but after my son drove me home they felt 90% better. My husband took the whole family out to breakfast to celebrate and I ordered hot chocolate with whipped cream to drink and fish and chips to eat. I enjoyed every bite of my meal and didn't even care how many calories was in it.

I would definitely run another 13.1...someday, but not any time soon. It's nice to just enjoy running and not have a race looming ahead in the distance...for now! The last few weeks have been spent running by time, not miles and enjoying the feeling of accomplishment.

In other news...

My oldest son G moved out yesterday to begin his new life with his girlfriend in Klamath Falls. He arrived safely and is happy to be reunited with his love. He has an interview for a job tomorrow and another possible job working for one of the vendors from our store here in Grants Pass. I know that he will do great on his own, I have faith in him.

I may have finally found my new church family and I'm excited to meet new people and form some new relationships with a home group. This has been on my mind ever since I left my old home group about 3 years ago. I have been to two different churches but neither one suited me. This church I found a week before my half marathon and they made me feel welcome the minute I walked in and sat down. I missed the Sunday of my race and last week as well but managed to get there today for the traditional service. I was the only one under 45...everyone there had to have been at least 65-75 but I loved it. It was like being in a room full of grandparents. What could be better than that?

Anyhoodles, I am sorry I've neglected my blog but life has been busy for me. Now that the kids are back in school and I'm working Monday thru Thursday fixing lunch for the high school kids that come into our small store, I have to fit my running and cleaning into the days hours and unfortunately my blog has suffered. I hope that y'all are doing well and are healthy and happy.

Anyone race lately and want to tell me all about it? The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with His everlasting favor and give you peace.

Blessings and hugs,

Sunday, September 15, 2013

I'm Doing It...13.1 Here I Come

It's final...I'm running my half marathon next Sunday! How, you ask? Well let me tell you...

About two weeks ago I started to really stretch and roll my muscles in hopes of getting some sort of relief...and, it worked! I have been running, working out, stretching, rolling etc and I'm amazed at the difference. It really is a miracle, a total surprise to me. I have had little pain in two weeks, except for one day...it has been wonderful.

So I decided since the pain is soooo much better, I'm going for it. I will never be fast or place in my age group (most likely) but that is not why I run, I do it because I can. I'm alive and I can run, so I do. I'm a survivor and I'm gonna keep on surviving.

I had pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I was going to miss my half...again, for the second year in a row. Now I'm on my last week of running and gearing up for the big day! Can you believe it? Me either!

Remember awhile ago I mentioned I was being interviewed by Live Fitter blog....well It came out September 11th. Here is the interview, I hope you enjoy it. The pictures are not the best but they were all I had.

The kids have all started back to school and I could not be happier. It is so nice to get some quiet time to myself for a change. My youngest son (not my youngest child) is working part time and has 3 AP classes, so he is one busy dude. My oldest son (also oldest child) is moving to Klamath Falls at the end of this month...I love him but glad he is going off to find his future, I hope he is successful in all he does. My daughter just started 7th grade and is loving it, she gets to be an office aide for her 1st elective so she is pretty excited about that, and my middle child who is my second oldest son is in his last year of high school so it's a bittersweet year for him...and his father and I. He will be going into the military after he graduates as they will help him get into college and become a mechanical engineer...he wants to build/design bridges and stuff like that. So there you have it.

Some pictures I took recently...

That is what I have been up too...how about y'all?

Anyone have a race they wanna tell me about? I love to hear what y'all have been up to, so drop me a line.

Blessings and hugs!

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Letters To Myself...A Mental Note

I often wonder what my life would look like had I not had cancer and become a runner. Who would I be? Would I have awoken the sleeping giant of fitness enthusiast in me, or would I have continued on in the lifestyle I was existing in? I'd like to think that I would have gotten tired of being fat and unhealthy but I just don't know. It's amazing to me that it took a life threatening disease to come to my senses and cause me to change my entire lifestyle.

Life has a way of throwing me curve balls just when I think things are going great. Why now? Why after all this time did this have to come to the surface iu such a painful wrenching way to my soul? Did I just not want to see the reality of what was going on? Oh, I thought I was listening to my body speak to me, but I see now that I was not listening hard enough. I let small pains and bits and pieces of important information come and go without even a nod in their direction. I thought I had it all under control but I forgot two very important things, nutrition and my lack of normalcy. Normal has never been my forte'. I couldn't just have one thyroid disease at an early age I had to have three and I couldn't just have low Vitamin D I had to have Chronic critical low Vitamin D due to my bodies inability to process this vital nutrient. How could I forget or rather ignore the nutrition and think everything was going to turn out alright?

I know that all the stuff that's happening to my body will work itself out, one way or another, it's trusting in the process that has me worked up. Giving up running my half marathon for the second time in two years has been heartbreaking, yet I know that it's what is best for my body. Yet a small part of me wants to run it anyway, the consequences be dammed. I won't do that though, it would be like running in the direction of danger just because I can, and frankly that's stupid.

If I could just look back several months to my newly healed self I would tell her to focus on more than getting her mileage back up and for pity's sake take the damn vitamin D every day...and don't forget....get your protein in one way or another. I'd tell her that even though she could run long distances, maybe it wasn't the smart thing to do, and that running a half marathon would not define who she is. I'd tell her to just enjoy the shorter runs and focus on being as physically healthy as she could be. Ah yes, hindsight...there is that!

If I could give one piece of advice to someone out there I'd tell them that nutrition is just as important as physical exercise. We all want to be faster, better etc...but when is the cost to much. I'm here to tell you, the cost is always too high when it comes to your body...it's the only one we get so take care of it and in the end it will take care of you.

I'm gearing up for more testing to see why I'm having this pelvic bone pain. Is it a fracture, probably not. Could it be osteitis fibrosa? Possibly. Is this Thyroid cancer metastasized in the pelvic bones? We shall see! All I know is I'm in horrible bone jarring pain and cannot run nor can I sit or stand for long before I'm relegated to laying on a heating pad in bed, which is every day by mid morning. This is not the life I envisioned while getting healthy, yet it is the life I live and I'll find joy however and wherever I can because it could always be worse. I am blessed beyond measure and I am so very thankful for each and every blessing in my life. That includes all you lovely people from the blog-o-sphere that have become my friends.

Blessings and hugs, here is what has become my new hobby now that I have so much free time to just laze around...LOL enjoy! I call my new hobby Cloudy Thoughts Photography...What say you?

Friday, August 9, 2013

80lbs Down!

I honestly don't know why the weight loss is working now as opposed to before. The only thing I can think of is I have changed the way I think. I have become a determined individual, and not only that but someone who needs to see what life is like as a healthy fit and happy person. I feel great and love the life I can now live.

It's been awhile since I've been on, life has been busy. My 16yr old son got a job and it's been an involved process, I am a proud mama for sure. He has a four hour orientation tomorrow a few towns away and since driving for that long in the car hurts me, his father is going to drive him. While he is there the hubs and my 17yr old son will go to the in-laws and play cards while they wait. I will stay home and if I'm lucky and the smoke lifts I'll get a long run in outside. If the smoke doesn't life I'll go to the gym and get my run in there...ugh!

In other news...The sciatica is still here but not quite as bad...I still cannot sit for long without significant pain but it's all good. The acupuncture helped a lot with some of the other symptoms of the sciatica so it's all good. I'm done with acupuncture for now, but may try it again in the future if need be.

My workouts the last week or so...

July 29th

Arc Trainer 30 minutes (3 miles)
Weights 15 minutes

July 30th

AMT Trainer 21 minutes (2 miles)
Weights 15 minutes

July 31

Ran 57 minutes on Dreadmill (4.3 miles run/walk)

August 1

Rest day

August 2

AMT 23 minutes (2.3 miles)
Ran 35 minutes on Dreadmill (3 miles run/walk)
Cleaning Susan's House 120 minutes

August 3

Rest day...Niece got married!

August 4

AMT 51 minutes (5.3 miles)
Weights 14 minutes

August 5

AMT 41 minutes (5 miles)

August 6

Rest day

August 7

AMT 20 minutes (2 miles)

Ran 47 minutes on Dreadmill (4.04 miles run/walk)

August 8

Ran 47 minutes outside! (4.1 miles)

Current obsessions...

Catching up on all my favorite TV shows (On Demand)
Onion bagels
Yogurt with Cheerios
Soaking up Vitamin D (The sun when it appears through smoke)
Reading "Collapse" and "Under The Dome" on my Kindle Touch
Beyonce' Heat Rush Shimmering Body Spray Mist
Brazilian keratin therapy Flat Iron Spray
Spritz Cookies

Clearly I've been enjoying my summer...it has been such a great relaxing and semi-peaceful summer thus far. How about y'all? What has your summer been like and what are your current obsessions?

Here's a cute picture of my fur baby Weenie girl with her makeup on (chalk)

Blessings and hugs!

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Safety, Mountain Lions & Long Runs, Oh My!

Hey y'all! How is your week going so far? It is officially day 2 of July and I am doing Fabulous, except for the fact that as I sit (not supposed to sit) here and type my sciatica is gearing up to scream at me, I can feel it. This would be why I have not been blogging, recently anyway. My laptop is not working right and so the only way to blog is to sit at this computer and well, that causes pain, ermergerd!

Okay moving on from whining...

Anyone run alone...all...the...time? I always run alone, not necessarily by choice but it is what it is. I would love a running partner for my long runs as they can be a bit scary out in the open country...we have a lot of mountain lions and other critters where I live that scare the bajeebers out of me. Saturday while out on a 10 mile run I got the creepiest feeling that a lion was stalking me from the long grass in the field next to where I was running. Ha ha ha, I am so serious, it just made me run faster and honestly I don't think I will run that far out again unless I have someone with me. I had thoughts of being dragged off the road and eaten while cars whizzed by unaware....I have an active imagination...I know!

I so want to run farther out because it is so beautiful but I'm a scared-y cat. My youngest son (16yr old linebacker type) said he wanted to (someday) go with me on a long run while he rode his long-board next to me. I am just afraid that he would get tired, he is overweight but in decent shape as he weight lifts and is a wrestler. He is what we call The Beast. Ha ha ha! So there is that option. The other thing I have been considering is getting mace or bear spray. What do you think? Would mace or bear spray scare an animal off? I realize that most animals are more afraid of humans than humans are of them but still, I am the one who would get eaten by a bear or lion...every time! That is just my luck!

Time to share my mileage for the last 6 months...I started running again (after injury) in November of last year but I am only counting mileage since January of this year, and these miles are the ones that got recorded, who knows what the actual mileage was.

January

26.17

February

29.61

March

40.24

April

29.77

May

73.94

June

76.06

Total mileage this year...

275.79

I know that is not a lot for some of you runners but for me that is pretty awesome, especially coming off the injury from last May. I was pretty impressed with myself...lol.

In other news...Summer is here...my weather station says so...last night at 8:30 it was 92 degrees...in...the...shade...ugh! Thankfully we have AC and it was nice and cool inside. The kids and hubby got back from family camp Sunday afternoon safe and sound...they had a great time. Every year they do a white elephant gift exchange with a grand prize at the end. This year my middle son Jacob won...a trio touch tablet with wi-fi. It's very nice!

Random facts about my life...

Yesterday morning I found a pincer bug in...my...microwave?
My daughter loves to sneak up on me and say slender-man real quiet like. Anyone ever hear of that game? Apparently it's scarey.
My dogs are my fur-babies and love to be with me at all times. It's so annoying though, because sometimes I just wanna be alone. No kids, no hubby, no dogs.
I often dream about coffee.
Coffee is my drug of choice.
I laugh when I'm in pain.
I can't sleep with my door closed or when all the lights are off in the house.
I always have to have a straw in my drink, glass or water bottle.
Oh and bees seek me out just to spite me. I know they laugh about it too!

Have a Fantabulous day! Blessings and hugs.

"I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent." *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

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.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

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.

Friday, June 14, 2013

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.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Week In Review

This week has been a great one through and through. The kids are out for the summer and I'm off work (volunteer) until School starts up again, what's not to love!

I've been running outside this week...3 times, woohoo! Although I am not sitting much these days I am feeling pretty good.

Thursday May 30

Adaptive Motion Trainer (AMT) for 30 minutes

Friday May 31

Walked 30 minutes
Cleaned Susan's house 1 hour

Saturday June 1

Ran 1 hour and 11 minutes (6 miles)

Sunday June 2

Walked 49 minutes (3.5 miles)

Monday June 3

Walked 1 hour and 19 minutes
AMT 13 minutes

Tuesday June 4

Arc Trainer 45 minutes

Wednesday June 5

Ran 55 minutes (5 miles)

Thursday June 6

AMT 45 minutes

Friday June 7

Cleaned Susan's house 2 hours (believe me it's a workout)

Saturday June 8

Ran 1 hour and 15 minutes (6.6-7.0 miles)

Whew, I think I'm all caught up now! I have really liked doing the run/walk 4:1 intervals and my body really is responding well! I don't seem to have as much pain in the hip that usually gives me grief. As far as being able to sit, no real change...not sure it will ever get better but who needs to sit down! LOL...

My 17 year old has applied for two jobs so he can make some money this summer. Not sure how I feel about that because he does not have his license yet and I don't really want to be the one shuttling him back and forth. He can always ride his bike if he works during the day time, but if he has a late night shift I will have to pick him up...ugh! We shall see if either one of the jobs pan out! I would like to see him get some more responsibility and do something this summer besides sit around and play video games with his brothers.

Don't get me wrong, they do a lot of work at our stores during their summer break so they aren't really just being lazy...it just seems like it at times to their mother. He would like to get out there and start working for someone other than his dad, (not that he minds it) plus the money would be a major bonus for him and his life! Well enough of my ranting...I'm off to get ready to go workout at the YMCA...ha ha ha, now you have that song playing in your head! Have a great day y'all!

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Blooming Where I'm Planted?

Warning...this post is about life, struggle and God...it's long but I think it's worth reading, it was certainly worth writing!

I am often so absorbed by training for this half marathon that I forget to stop and attend my spiritual health. I have this longing to accomplish this race, not because I want people to say, wow what a great thing...it's more like I have to do this to prove to myself, my body and my spirit...that I can do it! Does that make any sense to you?

I was talking to one of my very best friends about my spiritual health just the other day and it was about this very subject. Feeling like I'm not doing anything significant for God, has left me feeling a little lost. Come to find out, she is going through the exact same thing. Don't you just love how God works? I sure do. After we talked I didn't feel like everything was solved, but I did feel like I had made some headway and like God was still there...waiting. For what, I don't know...I just know that God has me where I am, and I need to accept it...maybe not embrace it, but accept my garden where it is and how it looks...and bloom where I've been planted.

My life and everything I touch is my personal garden and I CAN bloom where I've been planted. We don't need to all go out and knock on doors, or serve at the soup kitchens to be significant. Some of us are mom's and dad's and our children and loved ones are our ministry. The people I see daily, whether they are family or acquaintances, are in my garden and how I interact with them matters. I may be the only person in their life that day, that reaches them for Christ through some small an act of kindness. That means a lot to me personally, I am serving lunch to the high school kids in town Monday-Thursday and I may be their only smile or kind act in their day! In that way I am significant to God.

How does running fit in? Well I'm not sure, to be perfectly honest. Yet, running is a big part of me at this moment in time and I have to believe that God planted that seed somewhere along the way for a reason. I'm a runner but that isn't what defines me, I survived cancer, but that doesn't define me either...I'm a child of God at my core and that SHOULD define me. I am hopeful that people see my heart (God) when they read my blog. I pray that someone has been touched by my words (Gods words) at one time or another...but that is ultimately up to God not me.

Running has been difficult for me. I have had my fair share of injuries because of running, yet I love it. God has brought me through those injuries and the resulting heartbreak the same way he brought me through cancer and every other heartache I've gone through in life. I got through those injuries because inside of me is a belief that God brings us to the valleys only to shine and show us His majesty when we come out on the other side. He is ultimately the one who gave me my spirit of triumph..it's not me, it's Him. I hope that I show that in my blog.

You may be asking...What?

I've said all that to say this...I am struggling with pain. Running past 4 miles is causing me pain in my hip and pelvis and I'm not sure I can keep up my training. That does not mean I am quitting just that I may have to tweak my schedule. I am just saying I'm struggling. My husband questions whether I should keep training for this half, period. I am questioning it myself. I have been thinking lately that maybe instead of trying to run the whole thing I should try a run/walk schedule. Ugh! My ego doesn't like that last statement. To be honest, it was hard just writing that last statement. Egotistically I want to say I ran the whole way, but I really don't see that happening. Maybe God is saying His plan for my half is better than my plan is...I have to learn to stop and listen for His advice. It's always better than my advice. God may see this half marathon as a way to touch someones life through some seemingly insignificant act or word...I am sure that He sees it's execution and completion entirely different than I see it! It may have nothing to do with me at all and everything to do with Him.

Thanks for listening to my struggle and for not giving up half-way through, I'm sure y'all deserve some kind of medal for finishing this post. It would be called the Medal of Friendship, and I virtually award it to every one of you!

I am blessed by you and I thank God for bringing you into my life! Blessings and hugs! I hope I haven't scared any of you off! I promise I have not lost it...lol! May God bless you and keep you and may His favor shine on your life.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Coffee, Shin Splints and Life In General

Coffee √ Shin Splints √ Life In General..In Process!

Life is good as usual. I have much to be thankful for, and little to complain about. Shin splints in the grand scheme of life are really nothing big. I think I have found the problem, the school track I've been running on is very lumpy and uneven so I am going to stop running on that track asap and find another with less lumpiness and more evenness. (Not a very grammatical sentence, I know)

I'm getting more running in (even with sore shins) and working my way back up in mileage. May not be a good thing, I know. I have been wrapping my shins at home with ace bandages, the compression is a miracle worker. I also wear my compression soccer socks and they are helping as well. The shins feel great-ish, not perfect but better by far. The 5k is not until April 13th so I have plenty time if I need to take some training time off. I am running slowly and very carefully but I do stop if it hurts.

In other news, my son's ortho appointment is getting closer and he is restless waiting for it. Not being able to weight lift affected his grade in Weight lifting class (although he can make it up) and he's not happy about that at all. He's 15, he'll get over it.

The 17 year old is doing great, his father is trying to teach him to drive the old truck (1969 Ford) which has a very long and awkward stick shifter that does not shift normal, lucky hubby right!

My 12 year old daughter is...well...a 12 year old, love her hate the age, it is full of hormonal angst and whatnot. She is beautiful, tall, slim...funny as the day is long, creative, and sweet....just sooooo not a morning person. She can make or break my day, anyone out there feel my pain? Ha ha ha!

The other day my hubby and 17 year old son replaced the screen on my screen door for me (I've only been asking for 2 years, lol) and fixed both gate doors outside (they close and latch now) woohoo!

Exercise for me has been a little running, biking (at the gym) and the Arc trainer...I have also been running my two little wiener dogs (mini-wiener dogs mixed with short leg jack-russell terrier) around the yard outside to get them used to being out "there". They have always been inside dogs and the outside is a brand new and exciting endeavor for them both. That's about all I have to say, my life isn't that exciting. Have a great week y'all...blessings and hugs! Anyone racing or traveling? Tell me all about it.

ANNIE

WEENIE

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.

~♥~ Surviving Life ~♥~

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