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!