So Very Frustrated!

Warning:  This will be a whinny post full of my sadness and frustrations, so if you don't want to hear it feel free to move on, I won't hold it against you!

I am feeling sorry for myself.  This pelvic pain has been a constant reminder of my bodies inadequacies for running.  Maybe that is not the right word, yet it is how I feel.  The doctor ordered new x-rays that of course showed no new fracture (surprise, surprise).  The fact that the x-ray showed no pelvic fracture does not surprise me, as x-rays rarely show a pelvic fracture, but now the doctor has me off running for a week (it's been a week as of Saturday 8-24) and the pain hasn't really changed, I still cannot sit for long and the pain is still present. 

That being said, running wasn't bothering me while in the moment, but I think that it was/is exacerbating the problem.  I have been good this last week and have not run one step.  I did go to the gym and use the non-impact machines and yesterday I walked for 49 minutes so I have gotten in some exercise, just not my preferred exercise.  

While on my walk yesterday morning I started to talk to God again.  We have (or I should say I have) been incommunicado lately. I realized that running has been an idol and I have put it above my relationship with God,  I had to lay running at God's feet and give it to Him and repent.  It is heartbreaking to me that I have put running above the One who loves me most, and it saddens me that I may not be able to run (ever) again due to my physical problems.  

My relationship with God should be more important than running or anything else and sadly it has become a distant love and for that I am solely to blame and it's up to me to fix that,  for it is me that has gone off on a tangent, God has always been here waiting for me. He is always there for me (and you) just waiting for me to lean on Him and rest in His loving arms and look to Him for answers instead of trying to do my own thing.  

Doing my own thing has always led to disaster, yet here I am again.  Thankfully God does not look at us like we think He does, we assume when we do something wrong He looks at us sternly and says "OMG how could you do this" or maybe "I am so disappointed in you"...Thankfully that is not how He sees us.  If we are His children He looks at us with love, forgiveness and mercy and because He loves us it saddens Him when we decide to do things on our own (and put other things/people above Him) especially when those things/people take us down paths He would rather us not go (because He knows the pain and anguish that awaits us).  I thank God that He loves me and forgives me when I repent, and takes me into His arms and comforts me (like now) when my heart is broken.  

Running is/has been my passion and I'm sad I can't run right now,  but even more I want God to be my passion and I only ask that I can one day run without pain, if that fits into Gods will for my life.

Physically I may have another pelvic fracture or it may be osteoporosis, or it could be bone cancer as thyroid cancer will metastasize to the bones of the pelvis first. The doctor did inform me that for some reason my body does not metabolize vitamin D, either from the sun or a pill, very well, and that I have been chronically very deficient for some time and most likely will be for the rest of my life. I went to the Herb shop and found some fast absorbing Liquid Sunshine with 5000 I.U. and am now taking that every day.  I am also having a problem getting in enough protein which is essential for bone growth, maintenance and renewal, so I am working on that in regards to my food.  

Currently I am waiting to hear back from the doctor to see what he wants me to do now that I have taken a week off from running, I fear his response will be "Continue doing what you are doing". He was going to see if my cancer doctor wants to move my scans up and have them done now to check for bone cancer in the pelvis and also whether he wants to order an MRI or a bone density scan. 

So for now I am not running and trying desperately (probably foolishly) to hold on to the hope that I can still run my half next month.  In my mind I could still run it, even knowing that it will cause me more pain. (and possibly injure me more) Physically I know I can do it, mentally I know(-ish) that I shouldn't run it as it could cause a more serious condition that may cause permanent damage etc. End of rant.  

So that's it folks, that's all she wrote, as the saying goes. May God richly bless you all.  I hope that your week turns out to be a beautiful one.   
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.

A Is For...Aerobic Exercise

1st A is for Arlee Bird who started this Challenge in 2010...He is the man...

Aerobic Exercise is what I like sometimes loathe to do...Aerobic literally means "living in air", and refers to the use of oxygen to adequately meet energy demands during exercise via aerobic metabolism. Let's have a little introduction first...shall we? I think we shall.

Some of you know me from the last couple of times I participated in this challenge...If you don't already know me, I'm Shannon, I Survived (cancer) and Now I Run...I started this blog after I survived cancer, mainly to proved to myself and my body that I was in charge not cancer, and that I was no longer going to allow myself to just exist. I wanted to really experience living the way it was meant to be experienced.  

So at 40 I started a Couch to 5k program and as they say, the rest is history. I have run 5k and 5 mile races and am now training for a half marathon (September 2013), it's also the same half I trained for last year, (I was up to 10 mile long runs) unfortunately I broke my pelvis and was off the entire summer and then some. I'm back now and determined to finish what I started.

All the above was a rather long introduction for my 1st topic in The A-Z Challenge for 2013. So here goes...


I'm a runner so I am used to needing, using and sometimes even gulping a lot of oxygen (Aerobic-living in air) to go from one point to the next and then all the way back to the start. It's normal for me to head out from my house to wherever and however far the road will take me, and that could be anywhere from 2-6 miles right now, to as high as 10 miles a month or so from now. If I can keep from getting injured again, knock on wood, fingers and toes crossed. 

Here are a few ways in which aerobic exercise can benefit a person.

1. People who exercise are less likely to get the flu.
2. Aerobic exercise releases tiny ninja-like endorphins which are the bodies natural painkillers which also helps to calm anxiety and stress.  (Running is how I stay sane)
3. Fat reduction. (Enough said)
4. Longer life...research by Harvard University revealed that for the first time there was a scientific link between increased life and exercise.
5. Better lungs...Aerobic exercise enhances the maximum oxygen consumption by the body.

Your SMART people so I won't mention all the beautiful scenery and wild life you will encounter, that is just what I like to call the icing on the cake. I live in Oregon and the scenery is Gorgeous and wild life...abundant.  It's normal for me to see deer, squirrels, geese (they are here year round) and ducks each time I go out for a run. (I have yet to run into a bear or mountain lion but I'm not really gonna complain.)

So get out there and move your body and see how good it feels. The endorphins are enough to convince me, I love those little (but oh so powerful) guys. 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.

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.

Calf Compression Sleeves & The A-Z Challenge 2013

First things first, I bought a pair of compression calf sleeves and what a difference they made! I ran without pain the other day for approximately 6.5 miles...woohoo! I am going to be using them on all my longer runs for sure and even the shorter runs until my shins are 100% better. I feel more confident about running The Pear Blossom Run now than I did before I bought the sleeves. I may not run faster but I will run without pain, and to me, that's a good thing. Okay now onto The A-Z Challenge...

For those of you who have never heard of the A-Z challenge, let me tell you all about it. This challenge is put on every year by Arlee Bird over at Tossing It Out (It started in 2010) and the idea is to blog every day (except Sundays) and to do it Thematically/Alphabetically.  Every day you blog (starting with the letter A on April 1st) according to what letter of the alphabet you are on. It's a blast! (I will still be posting on my running and life in general)


So for example starting April 1st we will blog starting with the letter A.  April 2nd we will blog starting with the letter B, and so on. We will blog every day except Sunday.  You can write all the posts and schedule them ahead of time or you can write every day.  You can have a theme or just wing it. You can even post a recipe or poem.  This year I have my A-Z words picked out already and will pre-schedule some...others I will write the day of.  This challenge is a fun and informative way to get to know other bloggers in the blogosphere. Feel free to join us or not...just go over to The A-Z Challenge blog and follow the directions. Hope to see ya there. Please do not feel obligated to join in, but do come and visit as usual. I will miss you if you don't. 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.

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.

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.

Home Made Granola Bar Recipe & Some Cardio

I made home made granola bars this morning...yummy! I got this recipe when I was on a low iodine diet for my thyroid scans, to check for re-occurring cancer...not sure where I saw it but these are so yummy and no salt or bad stuff in them, although I added a smattering of mini chocolate chips and a very few white chocolate chips.  You can pretty much make them how ever you like though, I can see a lot of different ways to do them up.  Here's the recipe. Play around with it and let me know how you did them.

3 1/4 cups oats 
2 cups cheerios 
1/3 cup almonds
*toast these in the oven til desired color...

Syrup recipe as follows...
1/3 cup honey (you could use light karo syrup) 
2/3 cup sugar 
1/3 cup brown sugar 
2/3 cup dried cranberries or whatever you like
 *cook this syrup mixture on stove til sugar is dissolved (add cranberries or dried fruit after you take off heat) then mix it all in a big bowl.
*spray a casserole pan with cooking spray and spoon mixture into dish...press down.
*Optional...add mini choc. or white chocolate chips or coconut and press into mixture...cool in fridge and enjoy...calories for entire dish 2393...cut into 18 pieces and they are about 132 calories a bar...not too shabby and they are delish~

*I have been working out on the ARC trainer, elliptical trainers, upright bikes, and the AMT at the gym and took a spinning or cycle class last night.  My sit bones get sore from the bikes but I don't think that is anything to worry over. After all I did fracture my sit bone/pelvis so it makes sense that it might get sore from those bike seats...lol.  I am being careful but I do feel like I am completely healed.  

*From what I have read about others who have had the same injury, it can make you sore to sit on a bike seat or run/workout too fast or vigorously, so I am not going to worry over it.

*Like I said before, I will not run until November because my hubby is a nervous Nellie but then I can't really blame him, can I?  Sometimes I am sad because I have not run in so long (except for that one time a few weeks ago) but I know November will be here soon and I can hold out til then.

*How are all of you? Anyone run a race lately? Tell me all about it! Did you fly to get there or walk or drive? How is the weather where you are? Here in Oregon it has been kind of an Indian Summer.  We have wonderful crisp cold mornings but by the afternoon it is in the mid to high 80's.  

*I don't know about you but I am ready for fall weather. Y'all take it easy and leave me a comment to let me know how you are doing and what you have been up to. A little P.S. I could use some prayers...a family matter with my 18yr old son.  Thanks and God bless.


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" © 2012 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.

Happy Sunday! How Did Your Race(s) Go?

Hey y'all, how is your weekend going? I spent an event filled and exciting the day, Saturday, in bed watching movies and getting caught up on soap operas with family and friends on Facebook and Myfitnesspal dot com.

Today I woke early and made my way carefully to the kitchen to make some "liquid sanity", a.k.a coffee.  I spent some time reading my Bible (on my Ipod) and drinking said "liquid sanity".  After the kids woke up, I put them to work...cleaning my house for me, while I stood by like a psycho drill sergeant on crutches.  That was fun ☜(*▽*)☞.  I also cooked, for the first time in 18 days (not that I'm counting), waffles for the family while standing with crutches.  So after this boring as heck exciting fun filled morning I decided I had better sit down and relax so that I don't get myself in trouble with nurse ratchett, a.k.a my hubby set myself back in the healing department.

So here I sit and what should pop into my brain?  Well, I'll tell you...pssst, you should write a  an absolutely thrilling and award winning blog post and let your friends know what an exciting life you wish you lived actually live. Now you know, I dare you to top that! 

Finally in closing, tell me how your race(s) went this weekend or last weekend or even the weekend before that...ha ha ha, give me something people, if I can't run, at least tell me about your races ಥ_ಥ (<~tears).

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" 

© 2012 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.

Happy Wednesday...Update...Graduations....Oh My!

Hey all you wonderful people...Just wanted to do a Vlog of my MRI/Injury update and some Graduation talk as well.  I want to thank you for all your encouragement and prayers.  You truly keep me going, and I thank God for supportive friends like y'all.

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" 

© 2012 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.

Hello and How Are You Today?

Hey y'all, hope you liked this Vlog, I really just wanted to say hello and let you know how today is going...there really is nothing better than to be able to see your blog friends live and in person...I'm kind of liking the whole idea.  May this post find all of you strong, sexy and seriously having an AMAZING day!

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" 

© 2012 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.

Race Recap and More

Post race

Well the race was a lot of fun, even if it was quite a bit smaller than anticipated.  When my son and I got there it didn't really look like a lot was going on and not really any different than any other morning at the YMCA.


Little by little people started to trickle in but alas it was a very small, if not happy, crowd.  They even had two massage tables set up, I should have gotten one after the race but did not win that prize.  Jake and I cheered on the 5k racers when they took off and encouraged them on their way back into the home stretch. We then estimated what our times would be for the 5miles...I said mine would be 55-57 and he said his would be in the 40's...we were close.


A lot of people were just so encouraging, and I like to see that in a race, it just makes you feel so much better knowing that people (strangers) are cheering you on to the finish line.


The 5mile racers lined up and with the blow of an air-horn we were off.  My son and I were up in the front and took off, the race wound around the horse track by the YMCA and off into the foot path/bridge of our All sports park.  There was a volunteer at every turn so it was easy peasy to stay on the route.


On the 4th or so turn there was a woman, man and their baby volunteering...so nice, the woman called out, "I love the flower in your hair".  That made my day! After all, I love to look fashionable, lol.


About half-way through I started to feel tired, but pushed through it and just tried to enjoy being out there.  Right around the half-way mark I could hear someones shoes slapping the pavement behind me, so I knew I was not last and that they were pursuing me.  One thing about me is I don't ever want to be last or passed up by someone younger.


I turned 41 in January and feel somewhat competitive with others, but I really don't feel 41, more like early 30's.  So as soon as I heard there was someone behind me I started to pick it up little by little to make sure they did not pass me.  


Part of the run was on the bark path of the sports park and that was a first for me.  Bark is not that great to run on, it gets in your sock and shoe...but it is soft to run on.  Well on the last half mile she (the one behind me) caught up to me and for a bit we ran side by side.  She was probably 30 something and her family was out there cheering her on, and just about then I decided to utilize all that speed work I have been doing lately...so I sped up and never looked back. (During the awards ceremony she looked over and gave me a congratulatory wink!)


I race through the finish as fast as my legs could carry me and finished ahead of her, right into my son, who was waiting patiently to give me a high five.  It was an awesome experience running with him.  During the last half of the race I could see him ahead of me and really thought I could maybe catch him, but somewhere around the half mile to go mark he caught some wind and just took off.  


He only finished 1 minute and 3 seconds ahead of me, due to a lower leg muscle problem he was having.  We then went to the food and water tables and enjoyed some fixings while we waited around for the official stats and award ceremony.  We ran into one of my son's math teachers from the high school, he ran the 5k with his two little girls, one of which ended up with the grand prize (for the kids) bike!


Although we (my son and I) didn't win a ribbon, we both walked away with prizes.  I won a bucket w/tools from Home Depot and he won a Subway $5 gift card.  Of course, the biggest prize being that I was blessed to race with one of my son's, my Mother's Day gift to myself.

updated award board

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day with your families.  Mine was beautiful.  My children made me a breakfast of half a Belgian waffle, scrambled eggs (just like I like them) and orange juice and coffee.  Then they cleaned up the kitchen, did laundry, and took me shopping.  We got me a hydration pack for my long training runs and new bright pink running socks.

Woohoo, sexy!

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" 

© 2012 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.