Run. Eat. Play. Repeat.

Meggie's world.

[missmeggiesworld]

SHOW ME YOUR COLORS!! It’s Super Bowl Sunday!! 💋🏈❤️ In honor of World Cancer Day, I am wearing my Ruby lip gloss by #Beautycounter to compliment my New England Patriot spirit ❤️💙 Safer and cleaner beauty for the win! Show me your spirit! Post a pic of yourself sporting your gear for the big day using #beautycounterbymeg and I’ll give you free shipping on any order placed through my link today. And, everyone who shops today will be entered for a chance to win a Ruby lip gloss! LET’S GO PATRIOTS! Shop here: www.beautycounter.com/megbor #newenglandpatriots #patriots #letsgo #notdone #superbowl52 #saferbeauty #cleanerbeauty #knowbetterdobetter

[missmeggiesworld]

No time like the present

There is no better time than the present 🎁 💝 as they say (see what I did there?) And what better way to ring in the Winter Solstice ❄️ than with some special news from yours truly? 

I’m really excited and especially proud to announce that I have joined the BEAUTYCOUNTER movement as a brand new consultant. Thanks to Frances for recruiting me to this very cool, mission-focused company, geared to making safer and cleaner personal care products available to everyone. 

You can learn all about the wonderful products BEAUTYCOUNTER has to offer below, but I’d like to tell you why I’m doing this first and foremost. For one, it’s a great opportunity for someone like me who is always shouting about great companies who do great things. Now I can be a part of the action and start my own little piece of the business while I’m at it, too. But most importantly, I believe in what BEAUTYCOUNTER stands for. 

Frances recently said something in a room full of women that really resonated with me: we most often cannot control the environment around us. So why don’t we do our best to take control of what we can? Defending ourselves and our loved ones by making smarter, healthier, cleaner choices for the things we put directly onto our bodies every day.

This struck a cord for me. You’ve all probably heard me preach the gospel about the WHOLE30 program, focusing with fine attention on the things we put into our bodies through the foods we eat. Eliminating the badies - those additives, the unnecessary sugars, preservatives. All that junk. Well, it hit me. Cleaner, safer personal care is the WHOLE30 answer for your OUTSIDE. Your first defense against environmental aggressors.

It all started with deodorant. Yes. Deodorant. A few years ago I started noticing how sensitive I was becoming to antiperspirants so I made a conscious choice to stop using aluminum based products. Yes, there’s aluminum in antiperspirant. That’s what stops you from sweating. Something your body is SUPPOSED to do! So, going on 2+ years now, I’m an aluminum-free, natural deodorant loving woman. Call me a hippie (save the world, raise a hippie - thanks, Mom! ), but my pits feel so much better.

So now I know I need the next best thing for the rest of my body armor - skincare, makeup and hair care should be just as much a priority, as well as the products we use at home everyday.

And that’s where BEAUTYCOUNTER comes into play. It is BEAUTYCOUNTER’S mission is to produce quality personal care products without the toxic chemicals and additives that most of the industry uses on a regular basis. What those other companies are doing isn’t illegal. But that’s the problem. The US has very very few regulations on the cosmetics industry. So BEAUTYCOUNTER has made the bold choice to NOT use over 1500 chemicals and ingredients that are deemed toxic and unsafe. Because they can. Now that’s something I can get on board with.

It is difficult to ignore the fact that cancer and other disease rates are on the rise - and I have no doubt that this is in large part to our environment. Our skin is our largest organ (thanks, Frank!) and our first line of defense. What we put on our bodies DOES matter, very much. It obsorbs directly into our bloodstream. If nothing else, I encourage you to educate yourselves, as I have done and am continuing to do on a daily basis. Download the EWG.org (Environmental Working Group) app to scan some of the everyday personal care products you are currently using. I promise you will be just as enlightened as I have been to the direct levels of toxicity and carcinogenic effects that are listed in these products. It's really quite amazing.

I am by no means a perfect example of this movement. It’s a slow process but I’m excited to get started and share what I am learning with those near and dear to me. To be informed, to get educated. Once you know, you can do better. And that's the key. I encourage you to ask questions, ask me, ask your friends, ask any of us gals who are getting behind BEAUTYCOUNTER. When you have the knowledge, you are better armed to defend yourself and your home, and all those precious littles you protect everyday (even the furry ones - I use only non-toxic, pet safe product for my furkids, too!). Knowledge is a powerful tool after all. I promise this will be one of only a few lengthy posts you'll hear from me in such a public forum. But please, follow along on my journey as I learn the ropes to a safer, cleaner lifestyle. I hope you will join me. 

Please visit my BEAUTYCOUNTER page here for more information about this great organization and their products: https://www.beautycounter.com/megbor

[missmeggiesworld]

#GivingTuesday surprise

Welp. It’s happening again. Meggie is running another marathon. And this time she’s going INTERNATIONAL. On April 22, 2018, little Meg will be running in the great big LONDON MARATHON. 

Me getting PUMPED to run London. Let the training begin! photo: @novemberprojectbos 

But of course, I can’t just RUN a marathon. I’ve got to merge purpose to passion. I will be running on behalf of a wonderful organization called Get Kids Going! – a charity that gives disabled children and young people the vital opportunity of participating in sport. How could I not love this organization?

Get Kids Going! provides disabled individuals with specially built sport wheelchairs so they can do: athletics, marathons, tennis, skiing, rugby, sailing, boccia, basketball, sledge hockey, table tennis, fencing, shooting, archery, powerlifting and so many more sports. Get Kids Going! inspires disabled young people to compete in sporting events, from amateur to Paralympic level, by also giving them sports grants to help with their training, rehabilitation, travel, competition fees, design and development of sports equipment. With your help, many can become world record holders and Paralympic champions!

My goal here is simple. I have committed to raise $2,700 for this organization as part of my London Marathon efforts. So, on this #GivingTuesday I am asking for your help in reaching this goal to support an incredible charity. Please consider supporting my run by donating to my fund today. Every dollar will help make a difference in the lives of these individuals.

Please click the link to donate today: https://www.gofundme.com/meggie-runs-london

And of course – expect to hear more from me in the very near future as training officially kicks off in just a few weeks!

Let’s Get Kids Going!

Thanks for all that you do.

Xo

Meggie

[missmeggiesworld]

We are one Boston. We are strong. And I’m so glad you’re all here.

(Group photos: November Project Boston)

Today is One Boston Day. It’s the third anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings. At the surface, this day stirs so many frightening memories for many of us. But what I was reminded of today, is that shadowing those feelings of fear and grief, this anniversary reminds us all of the power and strength of our community.

The Boston Marathon has a special place in the hearts of some many Bostonians. Whether we run, spectate, volunteer or just vibe out in the atmosphere that is the excitement of this great race, we all have our marathon connections. Many of us were very close to the events that occurred on 4.15.13. And what struck me today was how glad I am that we are all here to support one another through the memories of our experiences of that day, and to appreciate each other’s presence, today and every day.

I feel so fortunate that this great city we call home is a force to be reckoned with. We come together for the good. We protect each other because we are proud, and we care about the well-being of this community. The pulse of Boston beats strong, because we are strong. And to borrow the sentiment of the beloved November Project, I’m so glad you all are here.

To my friends who came closer to the tragedy of that day than any of us care to recall - I’m so glad you’re here. You are loved. You are strong. I am so proud of all that you have overcome, and the voices you continue to raise to show how mighty our city is. We are strong because of you.

And to all you amazing humans running your hearts out on Monday, may the wind be at your backs - especially as you climb that hill! I love the shit out of you guys. The sweat and tears you have sacrificed in your training have not been in vain. As your nerves peak and the excitement rises, remember that you have come so far. I know your feet will be your wings as you soar those 26.2 miles to Boylston Street. I am so glad to call you friends, to cheer you on in Brookline and to know that you make this community so damn proud. I am glad you’re here.

Today, and every day, we are one Boston. But Marathon Monday gives us the opportunity to show the world just how strong we are and what power our community has. We will raise each other up, and welcome our visitors and friends with open arms. Though I may be feeling some nostalgia over not running this year, that (teeny bit of excited) envy is far outweighed by my sheer excitement to lend my voice to the crowd that will cheer you all on on Monday. And I can’t wait to see each and every one of you as you pass me by at 24.5. (Just look for the signs with some familiar 4-letter words ;]).

Fly like the wind, my friends. You are strong. You’ve got this. Boston has your back.

We are one Boston. We are Boston Strong.

Ya’ll good? F$@k yeah!

[missmeggiesworld]

In like a lion

I never ever ever want to forget this month. This March of 2016. You know, normally March stomps itself right in on us, dumping miserable mounts of ugly weather and not usually really going out in very lamb like fashion. Well, at least not for us north-easterners.

But this March has been a bit different. I'm not just talking about the weather. Sure, we had some unseasonably warm days (one in particular that just happened to coincide with the BEST DAY OF MY LIFE), but we've also had a string of stinging cold, windy days just as this lovely month is seeing its way out.

All that aside, I want to burn the memory of this month into my brain and replay it over and over again like a broken record. Because this month, on March 9, 2016 to be EXACT, the love of my life asked me to marry him and I said FUCK YES! I have felt "the best day ever" before, but none of them have actually been the BEST. Yet. That day - March 9, 2016 - quite literally was. I have waited patiently, and with my heart filling up with more and more love each day, for SIX years to hear Dave say, “Meg, will you marry me?”

And it was worth every minute of waiting. I felt on top of the world, lifted so so high I thought I may never come down. And though my feet now rest on solid ground, it's only my physical state. I literally, actually and totally feel that Dave and I are more in love than ever before. It sounds like a total cliche and I don't care. I CAN'T STOP SMILING. We are going to spend the rest of our lives together and all of the possibilities are right in front of us. We can do whatever we want - because we'll be doing it together. It sounds crazy and overwhelming and at the same time completely thrilling.

Maybe in actuality nothing will really change that dramatically. But I don't care. Whatever we do, we'll be in it together from here on out.

Ok ok. So what I want is to trap the visuals that best capture Dave's very unique and surprising proposal and never ever let them go. I want to always ALWAYS remember how I felt in that moment. At first, a little confused, very suspicious, but then completely overwhelmed with love and happiness.

Dave, what are you doing down on your knee?? Photo: Rosa Evora.

I can’t believe this is happening. Could barely stand (still) at this point. Shaking with happiness and excitement. Photo: Rosa Evora.

Yes, yes, a million times YES! Photo: Rosa Evora.

The Positivity rock. Forever. Photo: Rosa Evora.

And thanks to the interwebs and social media, I really actually can hang on to those moments forever. So I'll just drop them here for safe-keeping and so I can revisit this particular space and see and watch these moments whenever I like.

Of course the megaphone was involved. In case you don’t hear it in the video (below), Dave set up his iphone to play the theme song from the Princess Bride, “Storybook Love,” and asked our friend Cheri to play it through his trusty megaphone during the proposal. Absolutely magical. Photo: November Project.

“There’s absolutely no straight face today.” - Chris Capozzi. Photo: November Project.

And the details. I've told this story a zillion million times in the last 3 weeks and I'm still not sick of telling it. This is the story of our proposal:

It happened at 6:30 in the morning on a Wednesday. AFTER our 5:30 am workout sesh with November Project. At Harvard Stadium. Say what?

No one could have told me that this would be our story. Way back in June, after months of hearing our friends Ron, Cheri and Lee talk about this CRAZY INSANE workout they were doing at 5:30 on Wednesday mornings, we decided to #justshowup to our first November Project workout and give it a try. And we were immediately hooked. The workout begins with our three co-leaders starting us off with a warm up bounce. Yes, we bounce in place and get fired up. Then we get a loud and energetic "GOOD MORNING!" call from these fearless leaders, followed by our group response of "GOOD MORNING!" Followed by the even louder "ARE YOU GOOD?" call, to which the group responds "FUCK YEAH!" Because, fuck yeah, we're good! Hence my response to the question I've waited to be asked for the last six years:

Thank you to our buddy Ron for being super sneaky with his camera to capture this all on video. I may have watched my potty mouth more closely had I known I was being filmed ;) I have no regrets.

Every week's workout at the stadium is a variation on running the stairs. Yes, we run up the big steps (seats) and down the little red stairs. All 37 sections (more or less) for 45 or so minutes. Sometimes we repeat sections, sometimes we drop at the sound of a cow bell and do push ups or squats. Sometimes we just straight race our faces off. But all the time it's awesome and sweaty and we leave feeling really super ready to take on the world.

And that day, after that amazing 6:30 on Wednesday, I felt like I was on top of the world. You can see by the participation and energy of our fellow NP tribes-peoples that we were on top of life at this moment. I have never felt so loved and so lifted up. I want to bottle this feeling and capture it forever.

Best way I can think to do that...keep all the memories here where I can share them and relive them over and over again. Friends caught our little (BIG) moment from all angles that morning - so here are some of those perspectives. I just love seeing it from all sides :)

Thank you to Jordanna for capturing this magic moment from the other side of the 5:30 crew!

A video posted by November Project Boston (@novemberprojectbos) on Mar 9, 2016 at 4:53am PST

And another angle...and it still feels AMAZING. (This one posted on the November Project Boston Instagram account has over 6,000 views as of the date of this post!) Video: @novemberprojectbos (instagram)

Three weeks later and I'm stilling MARCHING around like the king of the world. This month has been a fabulous whirl of celebrations. Dave, if you haven't figured this out by now - you have made me the happiest girl in the world. I already loved you, but I'm falling more in love with you each day as we plan and get excited for our future. I love the shit out of you, DBor. The world is ours.

They say that March goes out like a lamb. But I think this time around, we'll just keep RAWRING through our little wild rumpus right into April and beyond.

FUCK YES!

------

And a few extra notes on why this month kicked total butt:

The month began with the end of a fabulous trip to New Orleans to see my other half for her birthday AND visit my baby girl Melanie at Tulane AND get to run the Rock n’ Roll 10K AND get to meet a few of the fantastic members of the NP Nola tribe. Amazeballs.

Did I mention the part about Dave and I getting ENGAGED???

Shortly after our engagement, Dave got a really incredible job offer and he’ll be starting at his new job in just a few weeks!

We got to take a nice little trip to Florida to visit family and friends and to celebrate the naming of baby Jordan. Mazel tov to Matt and Wendy! 

Celebrated World Down Syndrome Day by running almost 8 miles on 3/21 for my I Run 4 buddy, Hylan! I mapped out my route in the shape of an “H” for Hylan :)

Ran a fun little 5k last weekend and placed in the top 10 female finishers! It was a small field to start, but that was a first for me and felt really pretty sweet. Way to go, self!

So yeah. This month rocked. Can’t wait to see what’s next!

[missmeggiesworld]

How is it at all possible to sum up these last few incredible months of 2015?! I’ll give it a shot….

Here are just a few snippets of awesomeness for your reading and viewing pleasure:

Disney. Hands down travel/play/eat/run/fun highlight of 2015. Holy moly is this place magical. Like for reals. This is no joke people. The house of the mouse really and truly evokes feelings of happiness and excitement. It lived up to every expectation I had (after a 22 year hiatus) and then some. It all started with a half marathon that became the inspiration for one of the greatest group adventures I’ve ever experienced. So what if the half got downgraded to a quarter marathon due to some unfortunate weather? It got us to the wine and dine festival that much faster and sir I am NOT complaining about that. It was freaking magical amazingness all over the place. How much fun was it you ask? Just watch this video. And oh yeah, you might see an appearance by yours truly around the :51 second mark :) Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xvZRP5JXOQ&sns=em And I can’t talk about the Disney trip and not mention meeting my favorite character of all time. The Little Mermaid. Yes, I waited in line for over an hour to meet her. Surrounded by little girls in tiaras. And it was glorious. We talked about feet and running, and I was totally star struck. Best. Day. Ever. Thank you to Cheri for sticking it out with me. It was so worth the wait!

Family. Like whoah. We had 13 cousins - 7 grandkids and 6 great grandkids - surrounding our 92 year old matriarch at Thanksgiving this year. (Great) Gramma Doris is the absolute jewel of our hearts and I feel so fortunate that we can surround ourselves with our big, crazy, sometimes dysfunctional, but truly loving and always supportive family that spans 4 generations. We are so lucky.

November Project. F@$k yeah! What the heck is November Project you ask? Free, awesome, fun, crazy fitness with the most amazing, ridiculous, fun, outgoing, loud, bright and incredible humans you’ve ever met. So what do you have to do to join? Just show up! Dave and I started going to the workouts on Wednesday mornings at Harvard Stadium in June and we haven’t looked back. It’s been a wild ride and every workout has been glorious. It’s become something that Dave and I really enjoy doing together every week. So we get up at 4:45 every Wednesday and we rock out from 5:30 to 6:30 breaking a sweat and yelling fun things and hugging strangers and making friends. I literally look forward to waking up at the crack of dawn every week to do these workouts and see these amazing people. November Project has helped me become a stronger me physically and competitively, and to step outside of my training comfort zone. I ran my fastest, strongest half marathon this fall - and shaved a whopping 7 minutes off of my personal best time. 7 minutes! Due in no small part to the hard work we get done at November Project each week. I can’t wait to see what we do next!

And the cherry on top of the tail end of 2015 is without question my newest buddy - lil Hylan. It has been so encouraging and motivating to have been matched with Hylan in the I Run 4 program. We’ve only been buds for a short while now, but I so look forward to the updates I get about his work in therapy and the fun times he has with big sis, mom and dad. Just look at that smile! You absolutely can’t deny how powerful it is to make a connection with total strangers and find strength and encouragement from one another when you’ve never even met before. And I’m taking my match to the next level for 2016…the goal I’m dedicating to Hylan is to run one race a month for the entire year, and to work my way towards running 1,000 miles in 2016. It’s crazy and awesome all at the same time. And I’m dedicating every mile to come to my little bud. I Run 4 Hylan!

It’s impossible to call out every amazing moment that happened in 2015, but these highlights from just the last few months really shine a light on just how awesome a year it was. Can’t wait to see what 2016 has in store for us.

Love and light to all for a most delightful New Year!

See you in 2016!

[missmeggiesworld]

Run. (Lots of) Eat and PLAY!

How can one week be filled with SO MUCH fun? Ugly sweater shenanigans, friends and family, holiday treats, delicious food, back to back races, beautiful weather and the most magnificent skies, Star Wars, sea turtles and my Benny Lew. So maybe I don’t even celebrate Christmas, but boy do I feel that holiday spirit.

Merry everything. Indeed.

[missmeggiesworld]

Who I Run 4

I’m really excited to introduce you to my newest friend - his name is Hylan and he is 19 months old. Our friendship has been 5 months in the making, and it has been totally worth the wait. We haven’t actually met yet, but we share updates with each other a few times a week on Facebook and through Messenger with his mama. Hylan lives in Illinois with his mom and dad, and big sister Mia. He’s super sweet, laughs a lot and my little buddy brings so much happiness to everyone around him. Hylan was born with Down syndrome, but this little guy is nothing short of extra love and so much energy. So here’s the story of how Meg and Hylan became new found friends.

This is my buddy Hylan and just a few of his adorable expressions. All photos (c) Blessed by Hylan/Tacy Ann

Earlier this year I’d been following my friend Cheri on her adventures running for her little buddy named Silence, who was born with Spina Bifida. I was so curious about their friendship and how they met. Cheri was always posting photos of herself running races and doing those crazy November Project workouts - saying how she was doing it all for Silence. I had to know...and that’s how I discovered the I Run 4 family. Cheri and Silence were matched through a program called I Run for Michael, where athletes of all kinds and abilities – runners, walkers, yogis, triathletes, cross-fitters, body-builders, hikers, etc – are paired with children and adults with physical, mental, and developmental special-needs ranging from Down syndrome and Cerebral Palsy to Autism Spectrum disorders, to physical deformities and disorders like lost limbs and congenital organ disorders, to lesser-known disorders like AHC.

The idea is really simple - this isn’t about fundraising and it doesn’t cost a dime to be a part of the program. The I Run 4 program encourages friendships that inspire us to do something bigger than ourselves. It’s like having a pen pal in many ways. Both athletes and buddies have the chance to experience the real power of motivation and inspiration, finding support and encouragement through friends who were once perfect strangers. The sport or activity can really be anything - just getting out and being active is all it takes. For many, it’s as easy as dedicating the miles you run for a regular workout or running a tough race just because you can, or any old workouts you feel like, you do it for your buddy. You can sweat with a purpose. It can also be about raising awareness for buddies with special needs, bringing attention to some of the rarest of conditions to those that might be more familiar on the spectrum.

And this all seemed like a no-brainer to me. I didn’t need to be convinced that this was a perfect reason to get even more excited about the running that I’m already doing and enjoying every day. So in June I applied for a buddy. I knew it could be a long wait - the group has gained some great demand from athletes, so much so that now there is anywhere from a 12- to 16-week wait to be matched with a buddy. The majority of the communication happens on the group’s Facebook page, so while I waited to be matched, I joined the I Run for Michael Facebook group and watched my newsfeed change dramatically. The messages and posts of encouragement are over the moon full of positivity. My newsfeed has changed drastically and so much for the better. Every day I see the most phenomenal words of encouragement and celebration to and from folks who were once mere strangers. And it’s not just from one buddy to another, everyone in the group gets involved to send well wishes on birthdays and major milestones - for buddies taking their first steps after stints of physical therapy, undergoing major surgeries, or just need some emotional support to get through a tough time. And it works both ways. The athletes receive so much encouragement and cheer to do what they can for those who can’t. Boy oh boy, was it all worth the wait!

So, on November 7 (5 months after applying for a buddy), just hours before heading to the start line for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon in Disney World (more on that later), I received my confirmation email that I had been matched with little Hylan. And my heart exploded. Hylan’s mom Tacy Ann and I quickly began to message each other through Facebook to make introductions. I simply could not believe I was being matched on race day - already getting to dedicate my run to my brand new buddy. It was meant to be.

This was the first image of Hylan I saw when we (mom & I) connected on Facebook - already a Star Wars fan and the cutest lil Yoda you ever did see. I’m simply head over heels. (c) Blessed by Hylan 

I was so fired up and ready for this race. I quickly added some flair to my already decked out attire, and couldn’t have been more proud to finally say I RUN 4 HYLAN!

Even Cheri and Kendra were sporting their I Run 4 flair. It’s such an amazing group to be a part of, and I’m so glad these ladies introduced me. We run for Silence, Hylan and Garrett! 

Through our brief introductions I learned that Tacy Ann has made lots of connections through her journey with Hylan and it was one of those friends that got her connected with the I Run 4 group. And she thought, “what the heck! right?” - let’s see what this whole thing is all about. No one could have told them that Hylan would get his runner in just 4 days after signing up! They had expected it could take as long as 12 weeks, and that was totally ok. Tacy Ann told me she knows the quick match was meant to be and they are all excited to make me a part of their family! Heart explosion #2. I’m just smitten with this family already and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us!

And here’s the best part - Hylan is the one that I’m super proud of. He does a lot of work every day to be a big strong boy. Tacy Ann told me all about his therapies and development, and how hard Hylan works every day. He has 6 different therapies! He’s been doing physical therapy and developmental therapy since he was 6 weeks old, and now he does aquatic therapy, occupational therapy, speech and hearing therapy, too. He does all of these therapies once a week. Thanks to the Early Intervention program he has his developmental, physical and hearing therapies at home, but does his speech, occupational and aquatic therapies at their local hospital. Busy little guy! Hylan also wears hearing aids due to his on-going fight with hearing loss. When you consider that schedule and that he’s not even 2 years old, he’s really the super hero. He’s my hero. And so are his mom and dad, Tacy Ann and Jared.

Mom and dad both work busy jobs - Tacy Ann sells insurance for State Farm and Jared is a police officer in the state capital - and they keep Hylan and big sis Mia going with all of this activity. Dad teaches jiu jitsu and is a big movie fan, and mom does party planning on the side (something we have in common!) - I definitely like these guys already! They spend lots of quality time together and we even have another thing in common - getting into the Halloween spirit :) They are big Star Wars fans and from the looks of it they know how to have a good time.

Kylo Ren (dad), Storm Trooper (big sis Mia), Yoda (Hylan) & Princess Leia (mom) having a super Halloween! (c) Blessed by Hylan

So how do we keep in touch? Several times a week I post pictures and notes to the I Run for Michael Facebook group to let Hylan know about all the running and work outs I’m doing for him, and how inspired I am by him and his family. I’ll post photos of the things I see on my run, or of me when I’m finished with my exercise. Mom posts on Hylan’s behalf (until he’s big enough to use Facebook himself ;] ) and let’s me know how well he’s doing in therapy and about the fun things they are doing as a family. It’s extremely motivating for me, and keeps me pushing myself to do my best for him.

In the few short weeks that we’ve been matched I’ve run two races, walked over 258,000 steps (thanks FitBit), climbed 61 sections at Harvard Stadium with November Project, run over 30 miles, gone for some super fun spin classes and really stretchy yoga and it keeps going. Of course I love to work out regardless, but working out with a greater purpose is so fulfilling.

Ran a personal best (PR) at last week’s Gobble Gobble Gobble 4-miler on Thanksgiving Day. Running for Hylan makes me FAST!

And this is only the beginning. I’m just getting to know Hylan and his family and looking forward to a long and very happy friendship. There are many miles to achieve, races to tackle, energy to burn and all for Hylan! Mom says he’s super close to walking and I can’t wait to see some of those first steps as they share those big milestones with me and all of Hylan’s fans.

So here’s to the road ahead and many happy miles to come. I Run 4 Hylan!

If you’d like to learn more about Hylan, you can follow his story on Facebook: Blessed by Hylan

And you can learn more about the I Run 4 program and its projects at http://www.whoirun4.com/

[missmeggiesworld]

Working on day 7 of a #30daychallenge with some friends. For the month of #September we are motivating each other to exercise for at least 30 min each day, for 30 days straight. Got my crow on while doing some at-home on demand yoga on the Cape. Fitness with friends is so much better than fitness solo :)

[missmeggiesworld]

Training mode. Back into full-swing training mode for my next race: the BAA Half Marathon on October 11. Had a nice little 9 miler along the Cape Cod Rail Trail, and still lots more miles to come before October. Hoping to shave some time on this one, but regardless, having some fun along the way is always necessary. An afternoon at Cisco Brewers certainly doesn't seem like a terrible way to spend a "rest" day... Having just started going to November Project Boston in June, Dave and I are having a lot of fun meeting some super crazy, awesome, motivating people and challenging ourselves to new fitness heights...literally. Climbed my second full 37-section tour of Harvard Stadium last week in 50 minutes. Guess I'm a morning person now?? Fyeah! Boom.

[missmeggiesworld]

24 Must-See Diagrams That Will Make Eating Healthy Super Easy

Do it. Your body will thank you later.

Probably definitely most certainly one of the best eating healthy guides I have ever come across. Visual aids to make eating healthy easier? Duh. My right brain says "thank you."

[wrotten]

Fig (by Geoffrey Gilson)

[missmeggiesworld]

Yummo in my tummo :p

[twentysixpoint2partdeux-blog]

She’s going the distance…again!

Call me crazy but I’m just so excited and I cannot hide it! I’m beyond thrilled to have been selected for the Aquarium’s 2015 Boston Marathon team and to be taking on the Newton Hills for a SECOND time. I’m taking on those 26.2 miles again, all to raise funds for the amazing outreach education programs at the Aquarium, supporting an organization I truly love and hoping to inspire the future ocean protectors in our communities.

Ok, so maybe I’m nuts. Last time was hard, like really REALLY hard. The training, the fundraising, the big day, the recovery. All of it was tough. But so SO worth it. I blew last year’s fundraising goal out of the water (no pun intended!) and hoping to nail it again this year, too. I’ve increased my fundraising goal, and I’m also going to challenge myself to run harder and stronger than before.

I’ve been through these ropes once, and hoping last year’s experience will help me prepare better and with even more confidence. I’m excited, anxious, nervous and thrilled for every step of the journey to the 2015 finish line. Alright. Go ahead. Call me crazy. But it’s like we used to say at SHS cross country: running is a mental sport…we’re all insane!

Bonus! My personal fundraising page is live and beautiful, check it out: http://support.neaq.org/MarathonMeg Thank you to the Aquarium’s amazing development team for making it so easy for us to raise those funds!

See ya on the road :)

[missmeggiesworld]

New marathon training blog is up! Woop woop!

[missmeggiesworld]

Oops! I’M DOING IT AGAIN! I’m going to be running the 2015 Boston Marathon!

I’m so excited to share the news that I’ll be running the 119th Boston Marathon and I’ll be doing it for my favorite charity - the New England Aquarium! I feel extremely fortunate to have been selected for this amazing opportunity to run Boston for an organization that is near and dear to my heart - for the second time!

More news to come about the new team and new adventure. Just so happy to share the excitement! I can’t believe I’m gonna do this again….I must be crazy :)

[missmeggiesworld]

Last weekend I ran my third and fastest half marathon to date. I ran a gorgeous 13.1 miles through the cliffs and mansions of Newport, RI with (or more technically, just behind) my running inspiration and original UMass roomie Steph and Miss Annie. It was a perfect fall day, sunny and cool, and the wind was at our backs. Of course, Dave and his megaphone were there in full force to cheer the runners on through the finish, and our friends Ando, Jake, Betsy and Yanni all came to support. Thanks for the home stretch high fives, guys! I was really happy about setting a personal record on Sunday, despite feeling a little crappy just days before and not exactly getting the "speed training" in that I planned this time around. Nonetheless it was a great race and an awesome result on the 1 year anniversary of my first half marathon adventure. Can't wait to take on some more miles in the near future ;)

[driftingintheocean]

[nprfreshair]

Apparently it’s National Coffee Day!  Drink up. 

Check out npr’s coffee coverage. 

[missmeggiesworld]

This lil illustration really made me smile. Pretty sure I'm the double espresso :) Happy National Coffee day!

[missmeggiesworld]

Each day that I set feet to pavement for my "me time" runs, I am reminded of how really lucky I am to live in such a beautiful city. I feel truly blessed by the views of my urban paradise. Boston, you're my home.