Unexpected turns

How does it happen? I'm moving through my life, seemingly happy and content, when a twist and turn has me take my eyes off my path and down a different road. I am definitely one to take the road less traveled.  I love an adventure - one with excitement and even a little risk. But there are times I even step a little over the line of safety and into a place of turmoil and confusion. What I've learned about myself is that I am incredibly strong and can achieve many things without anyone's help. My mom raised me that way. I typically don't rely on others. But this "strength" pattern tends to set me apart & keeps me isolated.  It is not always good - especially when I do need help making sense of things. Knowing and doing are not always synonymous. Especially if the doing is hard. But, I am a woman of great faith and I know that I am never truly alone. It's these conversations I have with my Lord that keep me focused and coming home to truth. So when I get distracted and an tempted at a fork in the road, I pray for guidance in my decisions.

As 2013 comes to a close, I have so many amazing experiences to reflect back on.  Over the past 365 days I have met so many new people, walked over 600 training miles with my bestie, started my Doctorate in Physical Therapy program. ran and/or walked a half marathon, bought a cabin in the mountains, completed the Komen 3 day - 60 mile walk for breast cancer, helped Meghan plan her wedding, helped Ashley move into her own apartment, had a blast at the King/ Hill family reunion, rescued two sweet little dogs, and have fallen more in love with my husband than I ever imagined.  I traveled to DC 3 times in 6 months for work and had an amazing time exploring at night.

The year has also come with some difficult moments.  We lost our 13-year-old golden retriever, Jesse in May.  My father continues to struggle with stage 4 colon cancer.

I am so excited for 2014.  The year will start out with a wedding - now that's what I call a start with a bang!  I have several races scheduled and have decided to volunteer more for races and events.  As for work, I have many goals I hope to achieve.  I will continue to volunteer on the committee that takes me to DC and I hope to continue growing as an accreditation reviewer for the American Physical Therapy Association.  I absolutely love teaching at the college level and hope to continue to grow as a faculty member.  And, I will be heading to the mountain every chance I get!

I wish you and your family a wonderful, blessed, exciting and adventurous 2014!  xoxo

Komen 3 Day - 60 Miles.... in the bag

WOW!  I can hardly believe that we did it!  We've been training since April and I seriously had my doubts that we could actually cross that 60 mile finish line!  There were so many 4 a.m. training walks that were just plain painful to get up for.  My team leader, best friend, motivator and occasional pain in the ass, Denise Little was amazing.  You would think that after spending 6 months of walking together that we would get sick of talking to each other.  But that didn't happen.  For me, the most incredible and moving part of the whole 3 day experience was the cheering and smiling faces all along the route. Total strangers encouraging us to keep going -  keep putting one foot in front of the other.  We had water stations, snack and candy stations and an occasional "adult beverage" secret station.  I could not have done it without my family and friends.  It is an experience I will never forget.  As for the survivors and my friends who are battling breast cancer at this time, I am so humbled by your courage and your fight to keep putting one foot in front of the other.  

 

There are only 6 weeks left until the Komen 3 Day!  Where has the time gone?  I have been horrible at updating my blog - time just seems to fly.  
Today was an 18 mile training walk and it was brutal.  My hips hurt and I think my pinkie toes are going to fall off.  I packed protein pancakes and we stopped several times for coffee, stretching and rest.  It took 8 hours to walk 18.3 miles ...... 8 hours of walking!  I cant remember ever doing anything for 8 hours straight in my whole life! 

I am so glad we did it today because it was a real eye opener for me in many ways.  I did change socks half way but I should have changed again.  It was cold this morning (54 degrees) and I wore long leggings but, by noon I was really warm.  The high today is 91!  My pack will hold a lot but I'm not sure I can get a whole change of clothes in there.    

I also noticed that I ran out of energy really fast!  By 13 miles I was really hungry and a protein bar was not going to cut it.  As a vegetarian, I am going to have to spend some time really looking at my food options.  We burned over 2000 calories but I think I took in probably 700.  That's a big difference.  I will be searching for good carbs, fats and proteins that I can fit in my big fanny pack.  

I have trained over 475 miles since April 1 and have raised $2018.00.  Almost there!!  

6 more weeks and the day is here!  I'm so excited and encouraged by my friends's and family's support.  I am grateful for ice packs, Advil, public restrooms and my Bestie and walking partner Denise - Team Leader for our Soul Sisters team.  

Thanks for checking in!  To help out please go to www.the3day.org\goto\KellyKing

Update on the journey - May 2013

I can't believe it's already May!  It seems like just yesterday it was the first of the year!  My journey continues toward the 3 Day 60 mile walk for breast cancer.  I have walked over 65 miles (I run on occasion - I just can't help myself. :) and have raised $775 toward my goal of $2300.

By far the most adventurous walking so far was in Washington DC last week with Fred.  We covered many miles and had a blast doing it.  I was so bummed when we arrived in DC Sunday morning to see the Nike Women's Half Marathon taking place.  Darn it !  It looked like such a great race.

I am committed to the 3 day and I'm excited to continue to train.  The fundraising is more difficult than I ever imagined.  I know that perseverance and excitement will pay off! 

Thank you for your support!  You can help by going to www.the3day.org/goto/KellyKing

Follow my journey..... Komen 3-Day

  Here I go again!  Taking on a new challenge - this one definitely takes me out of my comfort zone.... in more ways than one.  I am slowing the pace down and have committed to walk 20 miles for 3 consecutive days for the Susan G Komen 3-Day in Phoenix.  The event is in November and you can bet your sweet ta-ta's that I have started training.  I find it challenging to walk and not take off running. Slowing down the pace is like changing from a ski boat to a canoe.  There is so much more time to think, pray, contemplate life when I'm walking.

The other challenge is the fundraising.... definitely out of my comfort zone.  To date I have had the blessing of $600 in donations and I'm grateful for each and every dollar.  My goal is $2300 and I have faith and confidence that I can make that goal.

So far I've covered 34 miles since April 1.  Stay tuned.... it's going to get crazy!!

http://www.the3day.org/goto/KellyKing

Happy New Year!  2013 is off to a great start.  I can't believe it's been 2 months since I last posted.  I would be a horrible blogger.... good thing it's not my day job!
Before heading into 2013 I spent some time reflecting on my journey through 2012.  I am not  typically an retro-thinker and dwell on the past.  However, 2012 had some pretty amazing moments that I wanted to memorialize.  It was a year of journeying into who I am at this stage in my life.  Turning 50 was quite momentous for me.  I think I have been fighting the anticipation of that day for a few years now.  I did not, in any way, shape or form want to be 50.  I think I built it into a jumping off place into old age, senior discounts, "it's all downhill from here".  The journey through 2012 helped me to understand that I am not who I was when I was in my 30's and 40's and I'm actually grateful for that.  I am now very confident in who I am.  I don't find myself consumed with what others might think about what I'm wearing, what I say, a decision I make or my opinion.  I noticed I was finding joy in some of the smaller, less obvious moments in  my life.  I had journeyed away from my marriage in both my mind and my heart but 2012 was about a journey back home.  I continued to run but found running more satisfying when I wasn't running away from my life but rather running toward it. And, running became less of an obsession and more of a hobby.
2012 was all about coming home... home to myself ..... home to a new self that was the result of many mistakes and many successes over the past few years.  I am so grateful to be home, to be loved, forgiven, blessed, joyous, and at peace.

Now.... let the 2013 shenanigans begin!

Crazy how fast 4 years have passed by.  I am saddened and somewhat anxious about the election results yesterday.  Maybe I'm "old" or "old fashioned" but the numbers of people on government support (be real.... you and I are paying their bills, not the government) is frustrating.  I met a young lady the other day that has decided she wants to be a stay home mom so she's applied and receiving food stamps so she can raise her child. WOW.  How nice it would have been for someone to pay my bills so I could stay home with my little ones.  That was not the work ethic I was raised with.  I worked because I had to, no one was going to pay my bills and I am a bit too prideful to allow someone else to "take care of me" when I'm perfectly capable to take care of myself.
The next four years could very well be the most defining for our country in many, many years.  I hope and pray that my fears are only fantasy and do not come true. In the mean time, I go to work everyday because it's a gift to be able to do so.  I don't want a free ride -  unless it's to Disneyland.

I haven't been able to run since the Warrior Dash.  It never ceases to amaze me how running is in the cells in my body.  As I sit here, writing this I have ice on my knee.  I don't get it.  One run, one 4 mile run 3 weeks ago and it hasn't been the same.  I did P90x twice last week and felt it twinge when jumping so I marched.  I rode my bike 8 miles and felt it a little but it still swelled.  I just want to run.  My legs say "just tape it up and let's go".  My head says "push now and you may miss more than a few weeks of running".  I know my head is right.  So.... ice, ibuprofen, kinesiotape, and the gym it is for me for now.... FOR NOW!

Warrior Dash AZ 2012

WOW!  What an experience!  I had heard of the mud run events and been intrigued but was not prepared for the intensity of the "mudding".  The day started early - thank goodness because by our 10 a.m. start it was already 86 degrees.  It was hot out in the desert for the 5k with 14 obstacles.  The hardest were the rope climb up 25 foot walls.  We had a blast completing all of them.  I fell once in the tire/ crashed car obstacle but bounced right back up!  Good times with good friends for sure!

My New Buddy

 I have been searching for a pink Genuine Buddy scooter for many months now and I finally found her!  She is just a blast to ride and gets over 70 miles/gallon!  I don't have a pink helmet but that's next!  If you see me on the road, be sure to wave!!

Training for a Triathlon

It has been a whirlwind 3 weeks since I decided to try my hand at a sprint triathlon.  I decided at the last minute basically because it was so close to where I live and because it is a "mini" triathlon.  And, most of all it benefits Susan G Komen.  The Tri4thecure is this Sunday and I believe I'm as ready as I can be!  My only concerns are what to wear.  Swim, bike, then run.... it has to be something that will dry quickly and that I won't bounce around in while running. 
I'm so excited for this new adventure in pushing my body further than it has been before.  http://www.triforthecureaz.com/

What a day!  Woke up early and went for a warm up run.  Beautiful outside at 5:30 a.m.  I truly love a sunrise run.  Ready for The Color Run.  Annette and I rode together and, although we were dressed in all white, we knew we would not be white for long.  Each km of the race had a color chute... yellow, green, purple then pink.   What a blast!  We had a team of physical therapists from the children's hospital running together and we rocked it!  I am stained and I don't believe my sports bra will ever be white again but would not trade the experience.  The finale color throw was incredible.  So grateful and blessed to be a runner!

"That's the thing about running: your greatest runs are rarely measured by racing success. They are moments in time when running allows you to see how wonderful your life is." Kara Goucher

Excited for the week

I start teaching this week and I'm so excited as well as a little nervous.  Power points are ready, lab is planned, activities organized.  I lecture 6 hours this week & have 2 two hour labs.  It's my favorite sybject - neurology & pediatrics so I'm hoping my passion will be contageous.

My Pit Crew! Love my family!!!

Amazing morning! The race was a blast! I loved seeing my husband every mile or so, cheering me on and taking pictures! My kids and grandkids were at the finish! I'm so blessed. For me, it was a huge personal accomplishment and I'm so glad I did it. It won't be my last!

8 days and counting

I'm watching the seconds tic away on the WHM race clock and I'm filled with excitement, butterflies, a little fear and jitters.  I know I've done all I could do to prepare and now I put my body to the ultimate test.  It's been a long and often painful journey over the past 5 months.  But, I wouldn't trade a minute of it (except for a couple of the spills on the trails maybe).  I've tried hard to be aware of the journey and not just focused on the destination.  I've journaled every run and workout and it's amazing to look back over the months and see the progress.  My shuffle is loaded with awesome tunes, my shoes are worn but ready, and my heart is filled with excitement.  In the words of a fellow blogger : "You don't get it by STARING, you don't get it by WISHING, you don't get it by DROOLING, you don't get it by HOPING, you don't get it EASY. You get it by getting off your ass,
WORKING FOR IT every SECOND of every DAY for the rest of your LIFE". 

New adventure

This week I started at Carrington College as the Program Director for the Physical Therapy Assistant program.  I am so excited for this new adventure.  The opportunities and the position are amazing and seems to be a wonderful fit for me. I am looking forward to helping create and best PTA program  in Phoenix.  My list of things to do, after only 2 days is extremely long.  I have learned through training for the upcoming Women's Half Marathon that pacing myself, listening to my body, respecting rest days are aspects that I MUST carry over to my new role. 

Speaking of the WHM, less than 3 weeks !!!  YIKES!!  I can't wait.  I ran 11.5 miles on Saturday and, although I hurt more in my hips than I've ever hurt, it was incredible to finish this distance.  It gave me the confidence that I can reach that big, pink finish line!   Carrington College

Susan G Komen Race for the Cure Phoenix 2011

My girlfriend Denise and I ran in the Race for the Cure on Saturday. It was an amazing event filled with so much hope and joy!  It was so humbling to see the survivors start the race event and reminded me I have so much to be grateful for.  The day was full of craziness in pink and I loved it!