Thoughts on Joy +Relay For Life

"It's not enough to have lived. 

We should be determined to live for something.

May I suggest that it be creating joy for others, 

sharing what we have for the betterment of personkind, 

bringing hope to the lost and love to the lonely.”  -Leo Buscaglia

I think that one of the greatest discoveries I have made over the past few months is how important people are to me. 

All people. 

I am consistently and overwhelmingly amazed with the heart and goodwill of other people. I love when this feeling takes me off guard. It can be such  a beautiful and pleasant surprise when even a small act of kindness lightens up my day. It reminds me that I have this little joy-inducing power within myself as well. If these small acts affect me so greatly, imagine how much joy I can bring other people by simply  bringing this part of me to the surface in every connection I make throughout the day. 

I was lucky enough to participate in the American Cancer Societies' Relay for Life this past Friday. I reached out to friends and family-asking for donations for this phenomenal organization in their quest to cure cancer. I am absolutely in awe of all of the people who responded to my requests and selflessly gave some of their hard earned money to the cause. You are all hero's and it is folks like you that inspire me and motivate me to continue to find ways I can provide service to others. I am forever grateful!

The event was held at the Harvard indoor track and provided hours of entertainment- (my favorite was the free cha-cha lesson) a plethora of snacks and delectable baked goods, and even a bounce-house and a jumbo sized twister board. We were moved by several stories told by survivors, loved ones of those who had passed, and people who had sheer determination to find a cure for cancer. I especially appreciated the luminaria ceremony, reminding us life is too precious to take for granted. We must focus on what is of true importance - the people in our lives that make it worth living!

 Keep love front and center and pass on the joy. 

Now here's the amazing people that came out and supported HEPS and Relay for Life!

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Muscles and Meat

This morning I woke up to a couple inches of fluffy, cold, wet snow- beautiful but irritating I tell ya!
At this point I feel like I have had enough! Enough mother nature! Bring on spring with its flowers, and blue skies, and chirping birds and green trees!

So after I took a moment to judge the condition of the sidewalks (unshoveled) and the roads (unplowed) I decided to skip the run and try to get a quick workout done in the comfort of my own living room. Sit-ups, pushups- you know the old school stuff we all did prior to things like insanity and p90x. I actually got quite the workout in! Focusing on slow repetitions that cause your muscles to feel like they are reallllly burning! Thanks to the book and concepts from " The Four Hour Body" that Brandon brought to my attention I am learning how to use " the minimum effective dose" in order to cut down on time spent in the gym and maximize those muscle producing results! (More on that in a later post)

It has been what seems like an impossible goal for me to add some muscle and tone to my body- honestly probably the result of lack of focus and time I have put in to strength training- I have always downplayed the importance of the role solid muscle plays in the life of a distance runner. So this is a new beginning for me- on a quest to "beef up"(haha!) with the hopes of seeing improvements as a runner and all around athlete! I have even been convinced to swap SOME of my broccoli and asparagus and other delectable veggies for lean cuts of meats such as chicken, beef, and fish! Not that I have ever been against meat... It just wasn't my thing! And I hate to admit it... I love a good burger or pork chop now! That's right folks, Meg is a meat eater!

Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon is the distance runners dream race. Every April, 30,000 runners travel to Boston to run in the Superbowl of marathons, the championship of the long distance athletes. The race is a BIG deal here in Boston, most workplaces shut down so that the people can cheer on the runners. It's dubbed "Patriots Day" and is a great way to get people involved and definitely makes the race more exciting for participants.  To qualify, the runner must A) qualify in a certified marathon in a gender/age group specific time. (my age group would be sub 3:35) or B) run for a charity that is associated with the marathon who take on a number of runners committed to raising at least $5,000 for the respective charity. Then, there are the folks that just want to run it- in the road race world these people are called "bandits" and bandits are usually frowned upon because they are essentially "stealing" the race because they haven't paid to participate.

HOWEVER!

Boston is one of the few races that Bandits seem to be accepted. From the research that I have done, anywhere from 1,000-2,000 bandits gather at the verrrry back of the pack to run the Big,Bad, Boston Marathon. It has become a part of race day tradition, and as long as the bandits don't get in the way of the "real runners" race officials seem to turn a blind eye.

And I, Megan Barnes, will be one of those bandits - April 15, 2013.

Now first things first let me clarify a few things first ... Charity Running- this would be my ideal method of entrance. Raising money for a good cause and running the race legitimately would be such an honor and I wish I had the opportunity to do so. My decision to lay out a training plan and actually commit to the marathon came only a few weeks ago, leaving my ability to "get in" with a charity and raise the 5,000 to do so pretty much impossible. Next year my friends, next year!

In the past couple weeks I have stuck with my training plan with the exception of a few bumps on the road. A couple of times I had to adjust or change days of my long run due to the massive amounts of snow accumulated or ice plaguing the sidewalks of the city. For example, Nemo was a doozy of a storm and left us with 2 feet of the white stuff- the city practically shut down and running would have been quite a feat!

All and all I am extremely confident, buzzing with excitement, and ready to rock!!!

As I finish typing up this post I am mentally preparing for the 20 miler I have on my schedule today. Good thing its going to be a sunny, warm(ish), all around beautiful day!

Meg

P.S. is anyone as excited as me that daylight savings means more daylight in the evenings?? I can see spring on the horizon, its coming!!!

New York Minute

It was only the night before we left for New York that we had firmly decided "Hey lets go to New York!" We found a great discount on a hotel in Times Square along with a bus line that offered a 15$ fare each way to the Big Apple, instantly booked them and before we knew it, our bags were packed and the next morning we were off to New York!!

Now with 36 hours total in the City, I had made a short list of things I wanted to see: Times Square, Central Park, The Empire State Building, The 9/11 memorial. I didn't have expectations to even get to them all, I was just happy that we were actually going and anything we saw or did would be a bonus.

But let me tell you...  I was blown away by all the things we were able to see and do in such a short time period! It was the most perfect 36 hour newbie-to- New-York-trip I could have asked for.

It was a perfectly sunny, and WARM start in Times Square. I say warm..but I mean warm for two kids living up in arctic Boston-it was actually about 45 degrees and it pretty much felt like we were on a tropical vacation!

Times Square, we made it!

Brandon and I were bummed this was the only day with no Phantom of the Opera show... one of our all time favorites.

Olive Garden in the Square..fancy!

He loves it

Out front of the Museum of Natural History with Teddy

30 rock! do do do dooo do do do dooo (singing the song)

30 rock Ice Rink

Central Station

NY Public Library (doin some iPad book readin')

CRAZY.. just bumped into Brandon's friends from college in LA walking on the HiLine.. it truly is a small world!

9/11 memorial

A quick run down of what we were able to see:

-Times Square
-Central Park
-Museum of Natural History (well...just the lobby because it was closing, but still notable!)
-Radio City Music Hall
-30 Rockefeller Center and the Ice Rink
- An off Broadway show called "The Fantastiks"
-Central Station
- The Empire State Building (didn't go to the top because it was overcast)
-Madison Square Garden
- New York Public Library
- Hi Line Park
- Chelsea Market
-9/11 Memorial
- Chinatown


Let's go back in the spring!!!

Glass half full

Good morning!!

I just want to thank Boston for its mild winter...so far

It gives me a chance to run in the mornings

and as a result..

I get to witness sunrises like this over the ocean

Its mornings like this that make it a glass-half-full kind of day

Happy Wednesday!!

Thank you 2012!!

2013, wait, what happened to 2012!?? As the Holiday season winds down and we throw out the Christmas tree and take down the twinkly lights, we all look forward to the New Year. Many of us set New Years resolutions: to exercise more, to eat better, to work harder, to go to bed earlier. We all look forward to the year ending and "starting over" again, wiping the slate clean and making room for the new person we are to become. I can admit that I am guilty of being so excited for what the future has to bring, that I forget to be thankful for everything I have experienced so far. I know that I could have a million things that I want to work on each year, month, even each day, but first I would really like to look back at the awesomeness that was the year 2012. Pat my self on the back and say "well done Meg..you have really accomplished SO much, be proud of yourself!" And it is so true. 2012 was so good to me. Through all its highs and lows, lessons learned, victories, losses, and a wealth of new experiences, the year wrote an excellent chapter in my life's story. Lets just say 2013 has a lot to live up to! Thanks 2012, you will be remembered in the highest regards!

2012

In January, a trip to Costa Rica was not only a break from the cold, dark winter of Kansas, but a new adventure full of volcanoes, crocodiles, beaches, waterfalls and new friendships. (and lots and lots of Chicken, tortillas and plantains!)

In March I was fortunate enough to take advantage of another MBA study abroad opportunity as I ventured off to explore Paris with good friends, take classes in a French business school and intensify my love for travel ( and bread, cheese and wine!)

In April, we saw KU make a huge run in the NCAA tournament and made a last minute decision to drive 12 hours the next day just in time to see the Championship game.

In May, I couldn't believe my two years of study was complete and I graduated from the University of Kansas with my Masters, tons of outrageous memories, and some of the best classmate and friends that I will never forget and continue to miss each and every day.

In July, Brandon and I completed our first full length triathlon. I loved every minute of it, bring on more races this year, 2013!

Through the summer months, I was fortunate enough to have the best wakeboarding coach in the entire world (yes, I may be a little biased) help me get more and more comfortable on the board as I had the time of my life.

In August I went cross country with my Dad, making a pit stop in Ft. Collins Colorado for a few days. We hiked Horsetooth mountain and had some pretty incredible views.

 The end of summer rolled around and we packed up our Kansas City lives for Boston to take on a new adventure in a completely unknown and unfamiliar city. As Brandon starts his journey toward medicine and I begin my career post grad school, I couldn't think of a more exciting place to be, or a better guy to experience it with!

In December, my birthday and Harvard's Masquerade Ball ended up falling on the same evening- giving us an excellent reason to dress up, celebrate with some awesome people and dance the night away. One of the best birthdays of my life- a sign that 27 will be a great year!

So there it was- my year summed up in a few words and pictures, let this post serve as an official thank you for all the people in my life that made it happen, I am eternally grateful!

Well hey there 2013, lets boogie!!