Oh Blog, How I Miss Thee

Dear Blog,

I am writing to apologize for neglecting you for so long. The truth is I think of you often and dream of what I can write to keep you updated, but life has gotten in the way. I have been busy. Really busy. The last year has been a whirlwind. But in the most amazing way. I have been busy falling in love, baking, laughing, living, reading, running and so much more. But, I think I'm ready to return to you. Ready to share my life with you again. Though it might be different than posts from the pasts, I hope to find the time to rekindle the friendship we once had.

So, Blog, here's to new beginnings. I hope to see you soon.

xoxox

Megan

It's Official: I'm a Warrior

It seems like I have been anxiously anticipating the Warrior Dash at Copper Mountain for so long and now it's over. I went, I ran (sort of) and I conquered (I place finishing in this bold category). In short it was an awesome weekend, but that was to be expected. I mean can you really travel to 12,000 feet above sea level to slop through mud and jump over fire and complete the experience without calling it such? Ok, maybe participating in the Warrior Dash isn't for everyone, but attending the celebration definitely is. For the people watchers there were people dressed in costumes from Avatar to Oompa Loompas and everything in between. For the foodies every restaurant at the resort was pumping out delicious food and there were even turkey legs for the true warriors and great beer to wash it all down. And if you got bored watching people throw themselves over fire or dive through mud pits you could watch the band and make new friends. If this doesn't sound like a good time then I really need to reassess my life! But seriously, one of the best parts was that I got to waddle my way through the obstacles with some great friends and my family was on the sidelines every step of the way cheering us on. (And, I can't minimize the long-distance love and support from my boyfriend. His pride for me is amazing and makes me feel so special. Cheesy? Yes. True? Absolutely.)

Not only was this a great day to share with friends and family it was also a chance to prove my inner voice wrong. You know the one (especially if you have ever ran for any length of time at all -- the one that laughs and tells you there's no way you can do this.) As I ran towards the finish line I kept thinking to myself, "if only the third grade version of myself could see me know, how proud she would be." Participating in this freed a little piece of me that I didn't even realize was captured.

Thank you to everyone who encouraged me, cheered for me, ran with me, laughed with me or simply thought happy thoughts for me.

So, now the question is, what's next?

She's Like the Wind

In 10 days I hope this is a phrase that can be used to describe me and my friends as we run and trudge through the obstacle course ridden Rockies in our first ever attempt at the Warrior Dash. A year ago I was about 40 pounds heavier, fairly sedentary and could barely run a mile without keeling over. And now with a little less baggage to carry around I am preparing to do one of the most adventurous things of my life, so far. The 3.27 mile run at Copper Mountain includes obstacles like a mud pit, hay bale hill, tunnels, junk cars to climb over, cargo nets, and my personal favorite, a fire pit. Maybe I'm crazy, but this seemed like the perfect challenge to spice up my life and crossing the finish line will not only solidify my place at as an official bad ass, it will also be a great reason to celebrate. And, that's what life's all about,right? Finding reasons everyday to celebrate being alive.

In the last week, as it has truly begun to sink in exactly what I am planning to do, I have been to reflecting on all of the changes that have happened in my life that have allowed me to be brave (or crazy) enough to literally run off the beaten path. Besides the physical changes I think I have become stronger, more confident and more at peace with the world around me. It's amazing what can happen in only a year's time.

Now it's time to stop my day dreaming and kick my butt into gear. With less than two weeks left I have yet to run three miles straight without a break, though I am close. Overall I am prepared but I don't want to just run this thing, I want to conquer it. So, wish me luck and say a little prayer because I will need it!

What is romance?

Recently I have been pondering this question. Not because my relationship is lacking it but simply because I never want the spark to die. My boyfriend and I have officially exited the honeymoon period that happens in a new found relationship and are settling into regular relationship status (whatever that means).  We have shown each other our true colors and decided we like each other anyway. But some of the romantic things that may have happened in the beginning of the relationship (when we were busy trying to gain each others affection) have become less of a priority. The other day we were talking and teasing each other about being romantic and it got me to thinking: what is romance anyway? As I thought more and more about it I began asking friends and co-workers. The funny part is the men I asked usually just looked at me puzzled as if it was a trick question and women would thoughtfully look at me and say something like, good question.

What I have narrowed down from these various conversations is that romance is thoughtful ways to share love with another person and some tactics are more obvious and general and some are very specific depending on the person. For example, when my friend posed this question to her boyfriend his initial response was, "when you make sure there are Pop Tarts in the cupboard, that's romantic because I really like them." To each his own I guess.What I have learned is that romance doesn't have to be roses, poems, chocolates and candlelit dinners. When I go out to dinner with my boyfriend (especially if its a date night) he will order my meal for me. The first time this happened I didn't know exactly how to take it, but I realized this is one way he shares his love and have learned to take it that way.

So, here's a question for you, what is romantic to you?

Dating a Dad

In honor of Father's Day this Sunday I thought I would write about the amazing men who are father's in my life. This first entry is about my boyfriend, Adam. Enjoy!

If you would have told me even six months ago that I would be dating and falling for a man with a kid, chances are, I probably would have told you that you were crazy. It's not that I have ever had anything against dating a dad, I want kids of my own someday, but I guess its all the drama that can come along with that title that turned me off. Fortunately for me my man is pretty much drama free and he is an amazing full-time dad. Anyone can have a child but I think it takes a special kind of man to be a dad. I think Adam is one of those people who was born to be a dad. Despite his young age he has figured out how to care for, love and teach his daughter in a way that many parent's twice his age still haven't quiet figured out. Here are ten things that not only make him a special person, but also a great father to his daughter.

1. He puts her first above anything else, including himself. His daughter is his world and he is her protector, father and friend.

2. He holds her accountable for her successes and her failures.

3. He never lets her win. He wants her to learn what it takes to win and how to handle losing so he never let's her win -- not even at Disney Scene-It!

4. He believes in believing. Even at 12-years-old his daughter still believes in Santa Claus because he encourages her imagination and willingness to believe.

5. He leads by example.

6. He loves God and in turn so does his child.

7. He strives to make decisions for his daughter based on what's best for her, not always what's easiest. This is probably one of the qualities I admire the most about him. It takes courage and selflessness to do this and he does it well.

8. He doesn't do it by himself. Even though he's a single dad he's definitely not alone. Over the years Adam has created a circle of friends and family that would do anything for him and his daughter. They're both better people because of the people who are part of their lives.

9. He is not afraid of discipline but he also knows how to have fun.

10. He tells her he loves her. Growing up I knew a lot of girls who had terrible relationships with their dads. If their father's would have only said those three little words, I can only imagine how different their relationships would have been. Love is not the answer, its the starting point.

Is it worth it?

People often say the fun part of a relationship is in the beginning. I am not so sure I agree. Yes, the butterflies in your stomach and excitement of being with someone new are great but I think we tend to look back at the beginning of a relationship with rose color glasses and forget about the hard parts. Like realizing that what you thought was a witty remark really hurt your significant others feelings or that they could really do without your gum chewing and sarcasm. These lessons don't usually come easily and at some point both parties have to ask themselves "is this really worth it?"

Unfortunately my current relationship has hit this pinnacle moment and I am on the sidelines waiting to find out if my boyfriend thinks the good outweighs the bad. Is the laughter, fun times and witty banter worth dealing with my emotional reaction to things? I have a feeling this is what he's mulling over right now. Over the last 24-hours I have been going through a very similar train of thought and the answer for me is yes. The good still out weighs the bad. In fact, being the optimist I am, I have hope that he will make the same decision.

Do you think this is a natural life cycle of a new relationship? How have you overcome the bumps in the road in your own relationship?

Channeling my inner Julia Child

I will be the first to admit that at times I have a tendency to obsess over things and lately the things I have become obsessed over are actually real people. This is really nothing new. Don't worry though, unless you either wrote a book or are the subject of one you're probably safe from my obsessive behavior. Maybe obsessive is even a little strong, let's say it's more of a mixture of adoration and respect.

Anyway, I recently read the book (or listened to rather) My Life in France by Julia Child and what started out as a curiosity for the 6'2" boisterous woman quickly turned into appreciation. Most people know Julia as the outgoing quirky woman with a cooking show long before Food Network had a place in cable land, but reading the book made me realize how she found such success, especially during a time when a woman in the spotlight was out of the ordinary. Though I admire her cooking skill (and definitely share her passion for eating) and can only hope that someday I can cook at least half as well as her, its her attitude, compassion, love for life and sense of humor that truly inspired me. She found a way to interject her zest for life and infectious energy into everything she did and it paid off. Chances are she could have found a passion for anything and would have probably been quiet successful.

The other part of Julia's life that I found fascinating was her relationship with her husband (Julia is pictured to the right with her husband, Paul, in a postcard they sent to friends for Valentine's Day). It seems through everything I can find about the two that they truly had a friendship and partnership above and beyond their marriage. They knew how to have fun and enjoy each others company, but they also challenged one another and pushed the other to follow their dreams. They signed letters to friends and family jointly as "Pulia" (Paul + Julia) long before it became a trendy phenomenon for celebrities like "Brangelina." They each found a way to support one another and get involved in the others passions and interests. The two ended up in France shortly after they got married because of Paul's job as a diplomat for the United States Government, but instead of just tagging along Julia made the most of the opportunity which obviously paid off. Paul not only supported her curiosity for cooking that began in France, he was extremely involved in the process even down to helping building sets for her TV show and always serving as the taste tester as she perfected recipes for her various cooking projects. I am sure they had their moments and their relationship wasn't always perfect, but it came pretty close as far as I can see.

As silly as it may seem, Julia Child has become a role model of how I want to live my life. And maybe, if I can channel all of her other positive traits, then learning to cook will just come naturally. (That might be pushing it.) One thing is for sure, if I ever get a chance to have a dinner with 10 guests dead or alive, she will definitely receive an invite. Maybe she'll even cater it. . . A girl can dream, right?

A Warrior in Training

Last year I challenged myself to complete a 5K run before the end of the year. In early December, dressed in a Santa suit along with thousands of other crazy Las Vegans I obtained my goal. I am naturally an over achiever and would have preferred to have ran the entire 3.1 miles but on that day I was proud that I finished. Since then I have continued working out and have even ran in two other 5K runs. The side benefit to accomplishing my goal is that I have lost 37 pounds since last August. And let me just say, there is no motivation like being able to fit into your skinny jeans fresh out of the dryer without even having to lay on the floor or jump up and down and do the tight pants dance!

I guess you could say that running 5Ks is my gateway sport! So, with my new found confidence in my athletic abilities I have been looking for new challenges to help me continue to lose weight but also (and more importantly) because I truly have enjoyed pushing myself to a new level. A few weeks ago one of my friends, who has also recently been searching for ways to pursue a healthier more balanced life, sent me a link for the Warrior Dash. I was hooked instantly. This is just what I need. The Warrior Dash is a 3.27 mile obstacle course that will test the fittest of athletes endurance and sense of adventure.From running to jumping through tires and climbing up ropes and over old cars and even jumping over fire,  there's very little the event creators left out. Each participant also receives a Viking helmet and a beer after completing the race. What more could I ask for, right? The best part is that there is Warrior Dash in my home state of Colorado this August. Perfect timing.

Today I  registered for the event and have declared myself a warrior in training. My friends think I'm crazy, but what's the point in living this life if we can't push the limits once in a while?

I'm back. . . .

Last summer I started writing this blog because I needed an outlet to express myself as I transitioned back into the world of being single. It was great. I love writing and enjoyed the positive feedback I received from my adventures (and often misadventures) in dating. And then in December something amazing happened. I began dating this guy (he happens to be the subject of my last post), but I found myself not wanting to share it with the world. I wanted to keep it to myself and savor every moment of this experience with the new person in my life.

Over three months have passed and I am happily in a relationship and ready to return to the world of writing. I'm not sure exactly what form my writing will take or the exact topic of every post but that's ok, right? It is my blog after all. I am looking forward to getting back into writing on a regular basis and hopefully sharing my experiences in an entertaining way.