To all three of you that read this blog (three may even be a generous number), you should check out the work-in-progress that is my best-friend Megan's blog. Megan has traveled WAY more than me and is the one who I really credit with inspiring me to want to travel more.
Anyways, here is her blog. She is going to be doing big things someday too: http://theworldthrumegslens.blogspot.com/
PS, she has a better memory than me, which I'm pretty sure I've made a point of before, and just to further prove that point she reminded me of the following details that I was hazy on in a previous post: "I graduated with my International Business degree in 2004, which is why my mom was taking me on the cruise...and then we grabbed the two of you to come along:) I graduated with my education degree in 2005..."
So, there you go! Megan by the way has more degrees than I have pairs of jeans...which is a lot.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Oops, I did it again
Apparently, the mental and physical torture of the Chicago Marathon in 2009 was not enough, that I decided to do it again this year. The marathon sold out in record time this year, but I was "lucky" enough to secure a spot. I should I also mention I'll be joined by a few of my favorite people, who ALSO ran in 2009 with me - my boyfriend, Mike, and my (only) Aussie friend, Michelle Henstock.
This year will be a bit different though, because I will be running on behalf of a local non-profit organization called Girls in the Game. To quote from their website, "Girls in the Game provides and promotes sports and fitness opportunities, nutrition and health education, and leadership development to enhance the overall health and well-being of girls."
I could not have found an organization that is more perfect. I'll give a shoutout to Michelle for originally recommending them. I thought about running for Team PAWS, since I volunteer there, but I was really hoping to find an organization that is more relevant to my future aspirations. I've always been passionate about sports, and owe a lot of personal development and great memories to my days of playing sports. This, combined with the burgeoning obesity epidemic, and general lack of education about health & fitness in young people, especially girls - makes this one area where I can feel I can make a difference.
Unfortunately, I don't have much firsthand knowledge about Girls in the Game...yet. They have some pretty big corporate backers listed on their website, so I get the impression they are closer to the level of a PAWS non-profit, as compared to a more grassroots organization. I also played on a flag football team with a girl who volunteers regularly for them, and has shared some of her experiences with me.
As part of running for their team, I'll get some of the usual perks like invites to special dinners/events, access to a CARA training program, and a dedicated tent on race day.
At the same time, a big part of the process will of course be fundraising for Girls in the Game, which is where I'll need your help. I will be sending out some emails (starting soon) asking for monetary donations from you, my family and friends, or even total strangers you know who might like to help me reach my goal for Girls in the Game. I need to start getting the word out soon, but at the same time, I want to really get a hands-on feel for what the organization does before I really start to beg you all for money. I want to be able to speak intelligently and honestly about the impact their programs are having on young girls, so you know your donation is making a difference. Unfortunately, I may not have a great chance to do this until after my classes are over and I'm no longer working full-time, which will not be until May. Until then, please consider checking out the Girls in the Game website I mentioned earlier and heading to my fundraising page, which I'll put up in a subsequent post.
Of course, I'll be chronicling my training this summer, as well as all of my volunteer activities and various travels, so you will be able to see what I'm up to along the way. Below is a photo of me from 2009 - look how much fun I'm having!!! I think this was probably before mile 17, when things really started to go downhill. For those of you into physical (and mental) challenges, I HIGHLY recommend putting a marathon on your list. Even though the Chicago Marathon is sold out this year, there are plenty of charity spots available with organizations like Girls in the Game, as well as many other deserving groups. If you aren't into running, consider coming out on raceday to cheer the runners on. The crowd was unbelievable in 2009, and almost moved me to tears on more than one occasion.
See you all on October 9th!
This year will be a bit different though, because I will be running on behalf of a local non-profit organization called Girls in the Game. To quote from their website, "Girls in the Game provides and promotes sports and fitness opportunities, nutrition and health education, and leadership development to enhance the overall health and well-being of girls."
I could not have found an organization that is more perfect. I'll give a shoutout to Michelle for originally recommending them. I thought about running for Team PAWS, since I volunteer there, but I was really hoping to find an organization that is more relevant to my future aspirations. I've always been passionate about sports, and owe a lot of personal development and great memories to my days of playing sports. This, combined with the burgeoning obesity epidemic, and general lack of education about health & fitness in young people, especially girls - makes this one area where I can feel I can make a difference.
Unfortunately, I don't have much firsthand knowledge about Girls in the Game...yet. They have some pretty big corporate backers listed on their website, so I get the impression they are closer to the level of a PAWS non-profit, as compared to a more grassroots organization. I also played on a flag football team with a girl who volunteers regularly for them, and has shared some of her experiences with me.
As part of running for their team, I'll get some of the usual perks like invites to special dinners/events, access to a CARA training program, and a dedicated tent on race day.
At the same time, a big part of the process will of course be fundraising for Girls in the Game, which is where I'll need your help. I will be sending out some emails (starting soon) asking for monetary donations from you, my family and friends, or even total strangers you know who might like to help me reach my goal for Girls in the Game. I need to start getting the word out soon, but at the same time, I want to really get a hands-on feel for what the organization does before I really start to beg you all for money. I want to be able to speak intelligently and honestly about the impact their programs are having on young girls, so you know your donation is making a difference. Unfortunately, I may not have a great chance to do this until after my classes are over and I'm no longer working full-time, which will not be until May. Until then, please consider checking out the Girls in the Game website I mentioned earlier and heading to my fundraising page, which I'll put up in a subsequent post.
Of course, I'll be chronicling my training this summer, as well as all of my volunteer activities and various travels, so you will be able to see what I'm up to along the way. Below is a photo of me from 2009 - look how much fun I'm having!!! I think this was probably before mile 17, when things really started to go downhill. For those of you into physical (and mental) challenges, I HIGHLY recommend putting a marathon on your list. Even though the Chicago Marathon is sold out this year, there are plenty of charity spots available with organizations like Girls in the Game, as well as many other deserving groups. If you aren't into running, consider coming out on raceday to cheer the runners on. The crowd was unbelievable in 2009, and almost moved me to tears on more than one occasion.
See you all on October 9th!
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